The War, Hatred, Between Jews and Arabs started in Biblical Times

Arabs and Jews have been fighting over a tiny plot of land no bigger that the state of New Jersey, Israel.  Everyone is seeing through their own eyes that it is a physical battle.  However, the Bible is clear that it is a spiritual battle.  The battle is not one of flesh and blood, but of spiritual matters.

It all started in Genesis.  Both sons of Abraham, Ishmael, whose mother was Hagar and Isaac, the second son, whose mother was Sarah, was told by God how things were going to be between the brothers.  Through their lineage, both would become great nations.  Both would have 12 tribes.  Both would stake their claim for the land of Israel.

The hatred started at the beginning of Isaac’s life.  Genesis 21:9 “Now Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian concubine, whom she had borne to Abraham, mocking.”

Ishmael, the Bible states in Galatians was born according to the flesh and Isaac was born according to the promise that God made.  Yes, Ishmael was angry and bitter toward his half- brother for this very reason.  

Ishmael 12 sons were raised in what is now called the Arabian Peninsula.  His descendants are those known as Assyrians, Edomites, Midianites, and Egyptians.  Ishmael was known as the great leader of the Middle East.

Four thousand years of hatred, resentment, atrocities and wars came from the jealousy and unparalleled hate.  It was the titled deed of Israel, which God promised Abraham’s lineage, Isaac, that has been the source of conflict between Arabs and Jews even to this present day.

The Bible clearly states that God’s covenant was made with Isaac and his descendants.  The Muslims claim that the Jews changed the Bible in order to establish themselves as the heirs to Abraham’s covenant blessings.  They insist that it was Ishmael, not Isaac that Abraham was close to sacrificing when an angel stopped him on Mount Moriah.

Here is the bottom line.  Through Abraham God fulfilled His promise.  It was to be through the lineage of the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob that the Messiah would come.  Furthermore, God has it all planned that He will use this hatred of the two sons of Abraham to bring about His end.  The return of Jesus Christ.  Jesus will not be coming back with a sash that reads Savior.  He returns with a victory sash that says across His chest, “King of kings”, and it travels down across His thigh, reading “Lord of lords”.  He comes back as a warrior.  The Bible says that he yells something.  It does not state what He shouts.  Maybe, just maybe, He shouts ENOUGH!

GOSPEL BASEBALL: Truth vs Fact

Truth vs. Fact

Truth and Fact are too separate things.

Facts can change, Truth does not change.

Example:  Police and Lawyers look for fact, Judges seek the truth.

Numbers 23:19  God does not lie.  God is not a man, that He should lie. Nor a son of man, that he should change his mind.  Does he speak and then not act?  Does he promise and not fulfill?

1 Kings 8:56  God keeps all of His promises.  Praise be to the Lord who has given rest to His people Israel just as He promised.  Not one word has failed oa all the good promises he gave through his servant Moses.

John 17:17  God’s Word is Truth.  Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.

2 Cor. 1:20  All of God’s promises are: yes and so be it.  For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ.  And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God.

2 Tim. 3:16-17  All Scripture is inspired by God who does not lie and keeps promises.  All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Psalm 119:89  His word is settled in heaven and there will be no change.  Your word of Lord is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens.

2 Tim. 2:13  God will not change.  He will not be influenced by what anyone thinks.

                    God is true to Himself.  If we are faithless, he will remain faithful, for he cannot disown himself.

GUIDELINES TO TRUTH

1. You have an Authority.  Every human being does.  There are only three choices of authority.
1. You – your opinions, reasoning’s, and interpretations.  This is called pride.
2. Others – their opinions, reasoning’s interpretations, books, tapes, viedeos, etc.  According to so-in-so.
3. The Word of God – what It says – not what you think it means in spite of what it says – not what you want it to say.

To be reliable, your authority must be consistent – real TRUTH is always unchangeable.  Psalm 119:89   Your word of Lord is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens.

2. The Word of God is always consistent and therefore the only reliable authority.
1. There are no contradictions when properly understood.
2. Context should always be considered:

1)      verse context – those verses before and after define subject matter.

2)      Other passages on that subject (e.g. 1 Corinthians 13 is not the only text that speaks of love).

3)      Covenant context – the Old Testament is understood in light of the New Testament revelation.

3. God is always consistent.

He is consistent with His character.  2 Tim. 2:13 If we are faithless, he will remain faithful, for he cannot disown himself;  Heb. 13:8  Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

1. We should be consistent in what we believe and say about Him – agreeing with what the Word reveals.
3. The Overall Plan of God is Important.
1. Examine all doctrine in light of His plan for man’s redemption.
2. A correct understanding of His plan and character will help the growth of your relationship with Him.
4. On minor points of doctrine (areas not all that important), people may not always agree, but if the Word deals specifically with a subject, any deviation in belief or practice is sin which can lead to false doctrine.

FACTS CHANGE; TRUTH WILL NEVER CHANGE