As we watched the news of Hamas invading Israel on Saturday, 7th October 2023, my pandemic-numbed mind could offer no response. But something broke in me last night as I got past the initial shock and anger to witness videos of helpless women, little children, and the elderly on both sides of the war suffer terrible injustices. It’s impossible to have a beating heart and not be moved!
Most social media posts in my feed say, “Pray for Israel”, and I sincerely do. But I have also struggled inwardly, asking myself what my response should be as a Christian, and more importantly, as a human. I have been studying scripture, watching both sides of the news, listening to and reading what others with diverse worldviews have to say. For, in this day of media polarisation, due diligence is a must.
Here’s my take. I get that not everyone will or should agree, and that’s absolutely fine.
From the human perspective, all wars are fought for Politics, Power, Property, Pride, Pennies, Protection, Punishment, or Piety. From the biblical perspective, God allows war to fulfil His Plans and Purposes. All said and done, war always boils down to a humanitarian issue and the victims of war are always People – often poor and innocent people. So as a human, my first and immediate response should be to Pray for the Peace and Protection of all innocent People, no matter on which side. But it doesn’t end there.
As a person of faith, my second most natural and immediate response is to pray for Israel as the Bible expressly tells us to “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem” in Psalm 122.
But why is this war important and different from other wars also being waged in the world? If you read the Bible, particularly passages from Psalm 83, Ezekiel 38, Jeremiah 30, and Matthew 24 you will realise how much prophecy is being fulfilled, and that the end is nearer than ever. As Jesus Himself said in Matthew 24, that it will be a time of “anguish” and “calamity” like never before or ever after. Jeremiah calls it a “time of terror”.
What does this have to do with us who are not Israelis or Palestinians, but just humans of other nationalities trying to live our lives in the post-pandemic “new normal”? Everything! A war in Israel has multiple implications for the rest of the world, as any news agency or politician can tell you, beginning with oil prices… Hamas’ attack on Israel and Israel’s retaliation towards the Gaza Strip has the potential to affect the entire world.
What hope do we have? The Second Coming of Jesus, the Prince of Peace! His return is very near… are we prepared?
I find it interesting that the attack happened on the Sabbath following the 7-day Jewish festival of Sukkot or the Feast of Tabernacles in Israel, during which “70 bulls are offered (as atonement) on the Temple altar, one for each nation of the world” (Genesis 10). According to one website:
During the days of the feast all native Israelites were “to dwell in booths” to remind them that God delivered them out of the “land of Egypt” and to look forward to the coming Messiah, Jesus Christ, who would deliver His people from the bondage of sin.
Also interesting facts:
October 7th this year was celebrated as Shemini Atzeret, a day to “stop”.
October 8th was Simchat Torah, a day to “celebrate the completion of the annual reading of the Torah and begin anew” on a new level, with singing and dancing.
Need I spell out the underlying significance of this festival coinciding with the attack and resulting war? Let him who has an ear hear, let him who has an eye see.
Finally, here is what Jesus said in Matthew 24 NLT (paraphrased):
“… when you see all these things, you can know his return is very near, right at the door. So you, too, must keep watch! For you don’t know what day your Lord is coming. You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected.”
Maranatha! Come, Lord Jesus! Let Your Kingdom come, and Your will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.
[Sources: Firstpost, chabad.org, gotquestions.org, The Bible (NLT)]
