Here is Part 2 of my Biblical worldview article. It is short and will be part of a message I give in Cincinnati this Sabbath. There is so much written about this conflict and it has been a game changer for Israel in the court of world opinion. We currently see a cease fire in Gaza to allow the release of hostages. At some point we can expect the war to resume.
This war will change the Middle East. I don’t expect it to happen overnight, but not since the 1967 Six Day War have we seen such a significant event with the State of Israel and the Palestinian people.
I will post more thoughts after the weekend sermon and I have my thoughts condensed for this message. Here is the excerpt.
The Israeli-Palestinian conflict in perspective
Since the terror attack by Hamas militants against Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, we again have this major world crisis in the headlines. More than any past war between Israel and its Arab foes or any other flare-up of terror activity, this present crisis has deepened the divide between those who support the Jewish state of Israel and those who sympathize with the Palestinians. Street protests are bigger and more violent. Emboldened by the support of governments, academia, media and even law enforcement authorities, supporters of Hamas have stepped up protests.
Israel is finding support from the international community different from in past wars. Calls for a ceasefire before the elimination of the Hamas threat have been consistent and strong. The United Nations, no supporter of Israel in recent years, has moved to end Israel’s attack on Gaza. More sympathy for the Palestinians’ cause seems to be the norm in this war. Israel’s prestige among the nations is weakened.
Here at Beyond Today we have consistently presented the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinians and surrounding Arab nations in the context of the biblical story of God’s promises to Abraham’s descendants. The Jewish claim to the land flows from God’s ownership of the land. God promised it to Abraham’s descendants with the stipulation they obey His laws, commandments and statutes. They failed.
History records three distinct episodes where the people of Israel and Judah sinned grievously and were removed by God from the land. The recent history of the state of Israel from 1948 is but the latest chapter of times of restoration to the land. It is an important one because key end time prophecies tell us there must be a Jewish/Israelite presence in the land. There will be sacrifices performed according to Old Testament rituals at a restored temple area. These events, foretold in the Bible, have long been anticipated by Jews and Christian believers. When they happen, the end of the age and Christ’s coming will be near.
The Jews are in the ancient land because of God’s purpose and plan, not because of some innate superiority. They hold the land by God’s design to advance His plan of salvation for all nations and peoples, including the Arabs! This is the biblical lens through which to view events in this current war and the whole story of the state of Israel. It is far beyond a political issue. It is far more than a dispute born in modern times between Jewish emigrants from European and other lands to Palestine and their displacement of the Arab people, who only in recent decades took on the name of Palestinians.
It is about God and His plan, as revealed in Scripture. That’s the needed perspective for understanding the Middle East struggle and world news in general. Indeed, a biblical worldview can open new vistas of understanding—including the fact that the best possible solution is coming.
Thank you for these articles. I particularly appreciate the reminder that all events in the world can only be correctly understood through the lens of Gods word. 😊