I Never Heard That Preached...episode 4: Who Does Israel/Palestine Belong To?
Let's consider the Israel/Palestine conflict from all sides...
Hey Faith Travellers,
Before we get into our big topic…It is springtime in New Zealand and oh boy, the season is flying past! One minute the pink flowers are flourishing on the blossom trees then next minute (in NZ ‘nek minute’) they are gone!
What about where you are? Is it snowing yet? Click the comment button below and share what it is like in your neck of the woods.
Has your heart been grieving for the people of Israel and Palestine? Yes my hand is up! Yes, I mentioned both sides of the conflict.
My heart is grieving for those who have lost loved ones whether they are Israeli or Palestinian. I was very grieved hearing of the bloodbath of violence by Hamas that started this recent series of events. I am sad for innocent people who have had their homes bombed and whole neighbourhoods destroyed and are now trying to find safety. I am sad for the children growing up in such a war torn land. My heart grieves because people can’t live in peace.
For some reason, people living outside of the conflict, seem to think we all need to take a side. But do we need to? And can we even?
I believe as Christians, we are not called to take sides. The only side we should be on is Jesus’ side. The call is not to take sides but to lament for the conflict and pray for peace.
“Man’s wrath is not the will of God.”
Dr. Gary Burge
Probably five years ago, I would automatically side with Israel and say the Palestinians were the enemy, just because it seems to be what all Christians should do. Why is that? Because of our Bibles where God made a covenant with Abraham with a promise to the land.
But is the Abrahamic covenant still in operation now? Has the promises of land moved to the promises of the Kingdom of God? Interesting questions. Big topic.
A very interesting podcast interview with Dr. Gary Burge addresses the question “Do Christians Have a Theological Obligation to Support the Modern State of Israel?”
You can watch here on YouTube or listen via podcast link above.
He asserts that the coming of the Messiah disturbs the land covenants. Jesus talks about the old wineskins that need to be thrown out and replaced with new wineskins. There is a new covenant now, that is with all peoples, Jew and Gentile. The Apostle Paul explains that instead of the covenant being about a geographical strip of land in the Middle East, it is now about the entire world. The family of Abraham now is inclusive of the whole human race. Whoever believes on God becomes a son or daughter of Abraham.
“God is interested in the restoration of his entire creation. All people in the world are loved equally and no one nation is favoured over the other.”
Dr Gary Burge
Dr. Gary Burge makes an interesting point about the glory mentioned in Ezekiel which left the temple when the people were unfaithful and were taken into exile. When will the glory return? It returned when Jesus entered our world. He now inhabits our bodies which are part of his temple. So ‘temple’ language is now used about believers and the church it is not about rebuilding the temple in Jerusalem.
There are so many nuances to this conflict and if we, as individuals are to post anything to social media about it, we need to know the truth from both sides.
There can be more than one truth in this land conflict. It all depends on the perspective events are viewed from.
Excellent Interviews from Different Perspectives
Preston Sprinkle from Theology in the Raw Podcast has done an excellent job of interviewing four different people with different perspectives on this conflict.
A Palestinian Christian’s Perspective on the Israel-Palestinian War: Daniel Bannoura
An Israeli Christian’s Perspective on the War in Israel-Palestine: Lisa Loden
Do Christians Have a Theological Obligation to Support the Modern State of Israel? Dr. Gary Burge
A Zionist Jewish Rabbi’s Perspective on the War in Israel-Palestine: Rabbi Hanan Schlesinger
Here is a very interesting historic look at the issue - a short 18 minute video “Britian in Palestine 1917-1948.”
I don’t have all the answers (or any really) and I shouldn’t even attempt to say what is truth in this conflict when I am not living in the land in question.
It does remind me of our own land (“motu” in Te Reo Maori) where we have our own conflict over ownership. I think most lands have their own conflicts between different people - usually the indigenous verses the colonisers. Interesting to ponder the comparison with Israel/Palestine.
At the moment my heart is with all the innocent people involved whether they are Jewish or Palestinian. I am lamenting for their lost homes and lost loved ones. I am praying for peace, reconciliation and a way forward where everyone flourishes in the land.
Love to hear your comments….
What is the weather like where you are?
What are your thoughts on Israel/Palestine?