Attacks on Israel

Zechariah 2:8

The world will use whatever it can to justify killing Jews. No matter what the excuse, the spirit behind the attacks is always the same, Satan. Hitler used Darwinian evolution and socialist teachings as an excuse to kill Jews. The mainstream media and universities are fueled by antisemitic ideologies. Palestinians claim injustice because land was taken from them, which never actually belonged to them in the first place. Muslims do not have a legitimate reason to hate the Jews, other than they are of a different religion. No matter the reason, the spirit behind it is Satan.

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For thus says the LORD of hosts: “He sent Me after glory, to the nations which plunder you; for he who touches you touches the apple of His eye.

Zechariah 2:8

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According to The Jerusalem Post, Hamas' Invasion has resulted in the "slaughter of at least 900 Israelis, mostly civilians" (Jerusalem Post, 10 Oct. 2023). The question many people are asking is "Why?" I certainly do not have all of the answers, but perhaps I can shed a little light on the issue.

1. This is not a new conflict

The conflict between the Jews and the Palestinians has been going on for a span of about 3,500 years. To understand this, you must understand who the Palestinians are. Palestine is a Greek rendering of Philistine. When you hear in the news about Gaza, Ashkelon, and Ashdod, these are 3 of the 5 main cities of the Philistines (the other 2 being Ekron and Gath). The relations with the Philistines was so bad that God pronounced judgment on them by the prophet Amos:

Thus says the LORD: “For three transgressions of Gaza, and for four, I will not turn away its punishment, Because they took captive the whole captivity to deliver them up to Edom. But I will send a fire upon the wall of Gaza, which shall devour its palaces. I will cut off the inhabitant from Ashdod, and the one who holds the scepter from Ashkelon; I will turn My hand against Ekron, and the remnant of the Philistines shall perish,” says the Lord GOD.

Amos 1:6-8

While there are probably many Palestinians who do not trace their blood back to the Ancient Philistines, the culture of hate has continued for the entire span of time.

2. They are doing what they have always done

As seen in the prophecy from Amos, the Philistines were taking hostages and selling them into slavery. In the book of Judges we read that they were killing Jews. When someone rose up to defend the Jews, they increased the severity of their attacks. The story of Samson is one example. Saturday's attack was straight from their playbook. While the attack itself may have been a surprise, the tactics are not.

3. Who is Hamas?

Hamas is the political segment of the Muslim Brotherhood. They are to Gaza what the Taliban is to Afghanistan. The United States recognizes them as a terrorist organization and yet we send them "relief aid". They are constantly launching rockets into Israel, setting off suicide bombs, and shooting Israelis and taking hostages. I also want to note that they are Sunni. The Sunni are the largest division of Islam (think denominations in Christianity). - (What is Hamas, 10 Oct. 2023)

4. Who is Hezbollah

Hezbollah is a Shiite Muslim political party and militant group based in Lebanon, where its extensive security apparatus, political organization, and social services network fostered its reputation as “a state within a state” (What is Hezbollah?, 10 Oct. 2023). They are a Muslim terrorist organization based out of Lebanon. Lebanon is Israel's neighbor to the north. The Shiites are the second largest group in Islam and it is also the teaching that Iran adheres to. Iran is a major financial supporter of Hezbollah.

5. Why Does It Matter if I support Israel?

Before there was an Israel, before Abraham left his home in Ur (modern day Iraq), before there were Jews or Muslims, God made a promise to Abraham. God said, "Get out of your country, from your family and from your father’s house, to a land that I will show you. I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed" (Genesis 12:1-3). As the Jews prepared to take the promised land, Moses told them "Also the LORD your God will put all these curses on your enemies and on those who hate you, who persecuted you" (Deuteronomy 30:7). The Prophet Jeremiah added, "Thus says the LORD: Behold, I will bring back the captivity of Jacob’s tents, and have mercy on his dwelling places; the city shall be built upon its own mound, and the palace shall remain according to its own plan. Then out of them shall proceed thanksgiving and the voice of those who make merry; I will multiply them, and they shall not diminish; I will also glorify them, and they shall not be small. Their children also shall be as before, and their congregation shall be established before Me; and I will punish all who oppress them" (Jeremiah 30:18-20).

This does not require a lot of explanation. Israel is not a perfect people, but they are protected by God. The land is theirs by promise. God will bless those who honor Israel, and he will curse or punish those who are the enemies of Israel. Israel is a people surrounded by enemies and yet she flourishes. It is hard to look at her history and not see the hand of God. Yet, many refuse and continue their hate. They sympathize with the terrorists who launch rockets on civilian populations and condemn a sovereign nation for defending itself.

6. What Should I do?

First pray for Israel. Psalm 122 says it this way, "Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: May those who love you be secure. May there be peace within your walls and security within your citadels. For the sake of my brothers and friends, I will say, Peace be within you. For the sake of the house of the LORD our God, I will seek your prosperity" (Psalm 122:6-9).

Next, limit your exposure to antisemitic propaganda. The media is going to take an anti-Israeli position. Letting their noise play in your ears is no different than the Germans listening to the NAZI propaganda before World War 2. After the terrible atrocities were uncovered, many Germans wondered, "How did we get here?" They listened to the propaganda until they fell in line.

Another thing you can do is talk to your politicians. Tell them you want the US to truly support Israel. You do not want them to say they support their ally while telling them to stand down and let this conflict go. Israel is a sovereign nation, and she has the right to defend her citizens. America often claims to be the ally of Israel while working against her.

Father, the Jews are Your chosen people. You have not cast them away as Paul said in Romans. They are Your special treasure and the apple of Your eye. We pray for their peace and security. We pray for their prosperity. We pray for their salvation and that they would turn to Jesus. Protect them and may we see Your hand in that protection!

References:

The View from Kfar Aza, Where Israelis Were Murdered by Hamas ..., www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-767623. Accessed 10 Oct. 2023.

“What Is Hamas?” Council on Foreign Relations, Council on Foreign Relations, www.cfr.org/backgrounder/what-hamas. Accessed 10 Oct. 2023.

“What Is Hezbollah?” Council on Foreign Relations, Council on Foreign Relations, www.cfr.org/backgrounder/what-hezbollah. Accessed 10 Oct. 2023.