I have tried to avoid writing about this subject but it would seem that I have to write something about this unfortunate scenario in the Middle East.
If you don’t live in a cave away from technology, you are aware that on October 7th, 2023, individuals under the direction of Hamas ‘invaded’ settlements and parts of Israel, killing, destroying, and taking hostage many people. In response to this egregious act, the state of Israel declared war on Hamas, the ruling party group in the Gaza Strip, and mounted a campaign to destroy anyone associated with them. Now two groups exist in the argument over this conflict and believe they are right, that they should be listened to. The folks who back the state of Israel say that Israel should do what it needs to do to keep their country safe. Right now, that effort is to seek and destroy anyone who would be affiliated with Hamas and, by extension, anyone who would want Israel not to exist. The vocal or popular group that supports the people in Gaza, who many call Palestinians, believes that Israel should be gone and tried for humanitarian crimes. When I hear their reasoning, it seems they give no thought to why or how this specific conflict began.
My thought on the matter is that both of these actions are incorrect and an overreaction. On the Israeli side, the most important thing is that they have to try and retrieve the hostages that were taken, not to increase the carnage but to work to get the hostages back. Also, because history generally judges a nation by the way they treat their enemies, and a campaign of eradication, in my belief, is to ally oneself with darkness. The Palestinian side goes too far for obvious reasons. They want Israel to no longer exist and portray them as oppressors even though the surrounding countries treat the people from the West Bank and the Gaza Strip with the same or worse disdain than those from the State of Israel.
The truth is the State of Israel has an Internationally legitimate reason to exist where they are currently and also a right to defend themselves. Regardless of your opinion on whether they fall under the promises in scripture or not, these statements are true. Personally, my thoughts are that the State of Israel is in no way associated with scripture, and to attribute those things to it is a gross mistake. Setting scripture aside and looking at things prophetically, God is interested in the Jewish people and also the State of Israel. I believe He has given His people, believers in Christ, the mandate to care for and ensure that the Jewish people are protected and the State of Israel has a place on this earth. He is also interested in those who call themselves Palestinians and would want for them to live at peace with their brother Israel.
Now that I’ve probably annoyed everyone on this subject thoroughly I will start to talk about the reason I am writing this post. When choosing a side between two parties who are using death as a strategy on this Earth, something that does not ally with God at any point, especially if you believe in Christ, who do you go with? If you want to look back in the Old Testament in the book of Joshua, there is one key area that lets you know where God stands on it all. If we look at the beginning of the campaign we will see the fulcrum of what the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob is about on this subject I believe.
“While they were camped at Gilgal on the plains of Jericho, they celebrated the Passover during the evening of April first. The next day they began to eat from the gardens and grain fields which they invaded, and they made unleavened bread. The following day no manna fell, and it was never seen again! So from that time on they lived on the crops of Canaan. As Joshua was sizing up the city of Jericho, a man appeared nearby with a drawn sword. Joshua strode over to him and demanded, “Are you friend or foe?” “I am the Commander-in-Chief of the Lord’s army,” he replied.” (Joshua 5:10-14 TLB)
When you read the account, it shows that the Commander of the Lord’s army was in no way interested in replying to Joshua’s question about whether he was a friend or foe; he only replied by stating his rank. If you read the ESV, which is a more literal translation of the text, it says that the man with the drawn sword first replies ‘No’ to Joshua, then follows with his rank and title. Even though through the book of Joshua, it seems that the people of God were following His statutes up to this point. It would seem obvious that whoever was in the Lord’s army would certainly be on their side. So why would the Commander-in-Chief of the Lord’s army not quickly say, “Oh, yes, we are on your side?” I think this scripture gives a hint to how God sees war on this Earth.
God is the Father of all humanity: who were, who are, and who will be born into this world. He is the Father of them all. Would a good Father choose which one of his children should be the one to kill the other? I know there are many scriptures in the Old Testament that point to where it would seem God directed His people to kill certain individuals or kill them Himself. In those circumstances, I refer to this article to clear that up for you. I would offer the idea that this area of scripture, from back to where the fighting for God’s people to inhabit the promised land began, shows that God isn’t on anyone’s side against another person. I think the purpose of this instance in scripture is to change our thinking. I believe what God is saying here is that we should center our focus on how we are meant to be on His side throughout our lives and consider our actions before we make any to ensure that they would be the ones He would make. We should concern ourselves with walking with God and doing the things He would want us to do for our brothers and sisters all over the Earth.
I think the image that we should be in realization of for the conflict in Israel and the Gaza Strip is that God’s children are dying on both sides. Like any decent father, seeing their children kill each other would grieve them greatly. Imagine how it feels to God to see this happening. He is the perfect Father. As an imperfect father myself, I am sure it is unimaginable. Herein lies the real question of this conflict. Where should we, as Christians, find ourselves? I believe we are called to help everyone, all of our brothers and sisters. Anyone who was ever born on this Earth is our brother or sister. We are part of God’s family. Helping everyone is our job, bringing reconciliation to all tribes and nations under the Father God through the power of Christ. To continue the Great Commission that was started and given to us by His Son, Christ Jesus. Amen.