Gaza City InvadedThe endless fight goes on, but this time with an all out invasion and 22 Palestinians killed over 1 Isreali soldier. One act with centuries of history to back it up; with an ancient trail of passions that, honestly, I don't know much about.
My Christian pysche tells me that I should back Isreal up with all my heart, and I really want to, but my conscience (along with my ignorance) will only let me go so far.
Who is the oppresed and who is the oppresor? Injustices have been inflicted upon both sides with equal brutality...am I right?
As I sift through the words of the prophet Isaiah, the central theme all over the page is exile, then restoration. Are these words playing a part in the battle that rages across the world as I type in my air conditioned house in suburban America? I read the ancient Scriptures about the destruction of the Isreali State and it just so happens that since then, in the very century in which I have been born, the Diaspora is reconciled and Isreal's State forms again, of course causing another exile - that of the Arabs in the land. This has happened in the century of War, the century of the machine, the century of propaganda, the nuclear century where more destruction of the human race is possible than ever before in history.
I do not pretend to know much about this and I am certainly no scholar, but I only come with questions.
As a Christian I have never truely dug deep in the historic Old Testament. The works of the prophets were books filled with the prophesies of Jesus and reassurances of his Messianic calling. I hadn't ever truely read these books and surely not with a mind open to understand what was happening historically. Now, of course, I'm older, and the prophet's voice of what I read in my peaceful quiet time rings like a war siren in my head as I scan the BBC articles.
No, this is not something to understand by reading a single Wikipedia article, but I can understand injustice and grieve over it. Even if I'm ignorant. Sometimes things are hidden from the "wise and prudent."
All that to say, I hope to be very wise and prudent in the affairs of my world, especially in the affairs of the chosen people of God, whether I like what they do or not. I am a branch, grafted in to drink from the nourishment of the olive tree...I pray I am not arrogant, nor ignorant.
All the more I wait for the Prince of Peace to establish his kingdom on the earth, to let the new Jerusalem be delivered as a bride adorned for her husband. All the more his coming is near, and this is my faith and this may be the only end for peace in that region; for peace anywhere, our hearts included.
For out of the heart comes so much deceit and who knows what we are capable of doing reacting out of the insecurities, lies, frustrations of our wounded and unhealed hearts. Even if innocent blood is on the hands of Isrealis and Palestinians both, it is on this American's also...who will heal us from this condition?
Whether we say yes in this age, or in the age to come it is Jesus Christ our Lord.
3 comments:
Who knows if you will be able to check your blog, being over seas and all. I finally got a chance to catch up on some blogging.
I know what you mean about not knowing what to think of Israel's actions, or whose side to be on. But as a Christian, I can't seem to come against Israel in my heart, no matter the atrocities (sp?). Like you said, there is always restoration.
One thing about this particular incident: I believe that with the turn of the new Palestinian leadership, which is of the Hamas sect, Palestine demanded the release of prisoners from Israel. They captured the Israeli soldier as a tool to get their prisoners back. From what I understand, the Hamas are violent and the issuers of endless terrorist acts. Instead of acting diplomatically, they acted violently, so Israel said, Uh-uh.
Someone please correct me if I'm wrong. I try to keep up with all this, but often I'm very behind.
When I see all of these things happening in Israel, I have to pray, "Come quickly, Lord Jesus!" because I know that there will be no peace there until He comes. It is so sad though, and I pray for all of the people over there. I might be wrong, but it seems to me that when Israel does something violent they're just reacting to something that the Palestinians have done to them. It seems to me that the Palestinians are the antagonizers. The saddest part is that I don't think there is any concession that Israel could make toward the Palestinians that would make them happy because the Palestinians' ultimate goal is to destroy Israel. They don't want part of Israel's land...they want ALL of it. I have to side with Israel, but I still feel for all of the people over there, especially when the news shows people mourning their dead. It's so devastating to lose loved ones, no matter what side you're on.
again thanks so much for the commentss! I really want to comment back when I have enough time, but do not right now. Just wanted to say thankss!
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