Shalom-Salem
4 min read
10 Because of the violence against your brother Jacob, you will be covered with shame; you will be destroyed forever.
11 On the day you stood aloof while strangers carried off his wealth and foreigners entered his gates and cast lots for Jerusalem, you were like one of them.
12 You should not gloat over your brother in the day of his misfortune, nor rejoice over the people of Judah in the day of their destruction, nor boast so much in the day of their trouble.
— Obadiah 1:10-12
I don’t know much about the war in Gaza. All I know is that many lives are being lost, and the Palestinians living in Gaza are suffering greatly. My gut tells me that Hamas did not count the cost of invading Israel very well. Israel responded with a massive bombing campaign and an invasion of its own into Gaza.
Of course, this is not a new war. The animosity toward Israel began when Isaac received the covenant blessing over Ishmael and Jacob received the covenant blessing over Esau (Edom). And of course, the animosity intensified when Israel invaded the promised land during the campaigns of Joshua.
It is God’s covenant promise to Abraham that is the source of this war between Israel and Gaza. Even so, God’s covenant with Israel is not the reason for the war. The reason for the war is that Israel has repeatedly rejected God’s leadership over their nation..
If Israel had been obedient to God from the start, these wars would not have happened. Instead, there would be shalom, and Israel would be a source of blessing and life to the world. They would have been filling the earth with the glory of God in Jesus’s name through their witness—not through oppression and war.
Anyhow, anyone who reads the Bible carefully and understands the history of Israel even just a little might want to be cautious when it comes to condemning Israel for their actions. Whether Israel is in the right or in the wrong in this war, God will deal with Israel.
We should consider Obadiah’s warning. Even in his day, Israel was facing judgment for their disobedience and idolatry. But that didn’t justify condemning Israel, rejoicing in their suffering, and participating in their destruction, either actively or passively.
We don’t have to like what Israel is doing. It is OK to peacefully object to their devastation of Gaza. It’s even better to urge peace and pray for the people of Gaza and the people of Israel. But however we respond to the war, we must fear and trust God.
Father, be merciful to the people living in Gaza. So many souls have been lost. Some people may want to blame You for this war. Forgive them and give them understanding. I pray for wisdom for Netanyahu and his leadership, especially the military leadership. Bring peace, Lord. And even in this horrific situation, may You bring redemption for Your namesake and glory. In Jesus’s name. Amen.