Q&A ABOUT ISRAELI-ARABIC WARS
People of the world seem very concerned about current wars in the Middle East, involving Israel and Arabs, and their allies. Why do these wars exist? What might be their impact on the world? One’s answers to these questions may depend on whether one has essentially human perspectives or perspectives of God.
HUMAN PERSPECTIVES
People may side with Israel or Arab nations in the wars depending on what they believe. Some who side with Israel seem to largely believe they are the descendant of Abraham to whom God promised to give the land now called Israel.
This belief may be based on what the Bible says concerning God making a covenant with Abraham, through his son Isaac: “To your descendants I give this land, from the Wadi[e] of Egypt to the great river, the Euphrates…” (Genesis 15:18-21; Matthew 1). The land was known as the land of Canaan; but after Israel’s wars with its inhabitants, part of it became known as the country of Israel.
Some who side with the Arab nations, tend to believe that Arabs are largely descendants of Canaanites who lived in the disputed land before the people of Israel came. And because of this they apparently believe the Arabs are the rightful owners.
It appears that largely because of these differences in beliefs or perspectives, there have been conflicts between Israel and Arab nations for years.
PERSPECTIVES OF GOD
The Biblical Word of God shows that his perspectives and ways are not those of humans:
The lord declares: “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts” (Isaiah 55:9). Furthermore, the Bible tells people that “the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned” (1 Corinthians; 2 Corinthians 4:4).
The Scriptures reveals to believers that the Lord created all people and things for his own glory and for name sake (1 Colossians 1:16). “Therefore say to the house of Israel, Thus says the Lord God: It is not for your sake, O house of Israel, that I am about to act, but for the sake of my holy name, which you have profaned among the nations to which you came. 23 And I will vindicate the holiness of my great name, which has been profaned among the nations, and which you have profaned among them. And the nations will know that I am the Lord, declares the Lord God, when through you I vindicate my holiness before their eyes. 24 I will take you from the nations and gather you from all the countries and bring you into your own land. (Ezekiel 36:22-24).
God allowed Israel to be scattered among many nations for profaning his name. However, He later vindicated his name in reestablishing Israel as a nation Thus other nations, who associate him with Israel, may think of him as the great God of Israel. In 1948. The Lord evidently put it in the heart of the United Nations to make Israel a nation, by partition the land of Canaan into Israeli and Arabic states (Proverbs 21:1).
Despite the decision by the United Nations, Israel and Arab nations have recently engaged In intense and destructive wars, which may negatively impact the world.
DOES GOD RULE OVER WORDLY AFFAIRS TODAY?
The Bibles says: “there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. And “The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the LORD; he turns it wherever he will” (Proverbs 21:1)
Did the Lord tuned the hearts of PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES, powerful ally of Israel, to pray at the time of the “911” attack by Arab militants? The leaders of one the most powerful nations in the world apparently turn to the God of the Bible for help because they believed in their hearts that ultimately he was in control of world affairs? The Lord God of the Bible promised: “ if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14). For “I am the Lord, the God of all the peoples of the world. Is anything too hard for me?” The presidents of the USA came together to lead the people of the country in prayer. Did the USA stem the tide of “911” attacks because they prayed to God? (John 15:5; 1 John 5:14-15).
The Bible reveals that God is concerned about the lands and lives of people, especially when they seek his help in crises situations. But it also shows he is even more concerned about their eternal souls. For the Lord says: “what good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?” (Mark 8:36). And “do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell” (Mathew 10:8).
For “people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, 28so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him” (Hebrews 4:27-28).
God urges his people (including many believers in Middle Eastern countries) to pray:
“for all people— 2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all people. This has now been witnessed to at the proper time” (1 Timothy 2:1-6; John 3:16).
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