Sunday 27 July 2014

Israel / Palestine - Taking Sides . . .

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There's a lot going on in the world at the minute, not least of which is the conflict in Gaza. I'm not going to get into a debate, nor am i interested in taking sides in this but the one sided attitudes of the press and of many within the Church are bugging the life out of me.

The press have obviously picked Palestine as their champions and fail to see any wrong in that camp, while pointing out the many wrong doings (and there are many) of Israel.

The Church (some) have grabbed the Israel we read about in the Bible, equated it to the Israel we find today and overlooking the atrocities they're committing have raised them up as God's chosen ones, and hence, deserving of our blind support.


The Apostle Paul said it well when he wrote "that Abraham's physical descendants are not necessarily children of God. Only the children of the promise are considered to be Abraham's children." Rom 9:8 NLT

Am I saying that I believe God is finished working with Israel, no, not at all. But I am saying that we shouldn't cheer in their corner, pray (as i heard a friend pray recently) that God would protect them from harm and help them and neglect to pray for the Palestinians. 

Not Children of God
Neither of these groups are people of God, if they are not children of promise; that is if they are outside of Christ. 
Israel as a nation have, and continue to reject Jesus Christ as being the Messiah they were promised so long ago. This means that, while they are children of Abraham, they are not Children of the promise. I know, i know, there are messianic (believing Jews) but in general as a people they reject Jesus.
Palestinians are generally muslim (but likewise there are some believers - meaning children of promise among them). 


Religious Struggle
We have no sides in this if we view it as a religious struggle, because each side claims exclusivity to truth. 
If we come to this as a religious struggle we come as a third side to make war on the other two; as we say they are both fundamentally wrong in their beliefs and need to repent for the Kingdom of God is coming, they need to reject their religions and follow Jesus. 



I do not know the mind of God, so i do not presume to speak as to the troubles there. But when i read my Bible, historically Israel have found blessing and peace when they obeyed God. And they have found trouble, even captivity and the loss of the land when they do not follow Him. Israel today do not worship God in Spirit and truth. The Church should keep that in mind as we look on at this situation.

Pray for both Israel and Palestine, that they would turn and follow the Prince of Peace. That the name of Jesus would be uplifted and that His Spirit would bring salvation to both the Jew and the Gentile.
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About Boaly
Gary has been involved in printing the Scriptures for 20 years, enjoys photography and rambling online

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