Bless Israel, but not in the Matter of Killing Gazan Citizens

 
I, along with the rest of the world, am watching what is going on in Gaza. I think of the scriptures that speak of all the world being against Israel and have always wondered how that would be possible. It seemed every country -- well, the good share of them -- were behind Israel. Watching what is happening now perhaps gives insight into how the world could be turned against Israel. We are perhaps seeing prophecy fulfilled right before our eyes. The scripture says all the world will be against Israel and we are witnessing the world turning against it. By killing so many children and innocents in Gaza, Israel is turning world opinion against it. Perhaps we have disagreement as to whether Israel is doing the right thing. God's ways are not our ways, it can be argued. But I do not think that scripture covers Israel's killing so many innocents. Consider the thought, which is scripture to some, that says God will forgive whom he will forgive, but  of us it is required to forgive all men. My thought is that it is not for us to judge that the civilians should be exterminated. If God wants that to happen, he will arrange it and allow it, but it is not for us to make such a decision. When man makes such judgement on his own, he is wrong. 

So, what of Israel? What of the civilians being deprived of food and medical supplies? What of those being killed and massacred? To me, it is wrong. Do not think for a moment, though, that I side with Hamas, or with Palestine. Palestine soldiers hide in the tunnels under the hospitals (and even under the UN offices). They defy Israel to attack them and thus wipe out the civilians. This is gravely wrong. Should Israel wipe out Hamas, then? Well, to me, of course. "From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free" is but Hamas and Palestine vowing to ethnically cleanse that part of the globe. Every country, every nation should have the right to protect itself. Israel has that right. From all the years we observe of this tragedy, it is clear that Hamas and Palestine will not back down on their pledge to wipe Israel off the face of the map. Let the Jews protect themselves and their homeland. 

But, I do not believe we should condone Israel in killing innocent children, women and old folk -- or even men. Is Gaza wicked, like the Hittites and Jebusites in the Old Testament -- so wicked that they need to be wiped out? I do not see it as so. Hamas, yes; Gazan civilians, no. Many (most) are destitute. They are the poor of the world. They (many of them) are herded around like sheep, living in encampments instead of in homes. Perhaps I am not God to say how he feels, but I would not be surprised if the God of Heaven feels much love for the Gazans, since they are in such horrible circumstances.  I would not be surprised if his heart goes out to them. They are the humble of the world. They are at the mercy of the warring factions of mankind. Do many of them side with Hamas? I would guess most of them do. Israel is withholding provisions from them. Israel has massacred some of their towns in years and decades past. It is natural that they should side with Hamas. If Israel wants the residents of Gaza to side with it, it must treat them much more benevolently. 

I am amazed -- literally shocked -- at the way the world is turning on the Jews. I am amazed at all the protesting on the campuses against them. In all my life, to this point, Jews were loved, respected, even honored. Yes, I was aware of the prophecies of how they would be hated and despised, but for the brief window of time that I have been on earth, I have not seen it in my comings and goings. When I read of the hatred being heaped on them at Columbia U. and other places, I am awaken to the fact that the world is turning against the Jew even as we speak. Is this a fulfillment of prophecy that is taking place right before our eyes? I do not know, but it seems so to me. I scream out, Bless the Jews. I feel desperate for them. But, this is God's world, and what he allows is for him to allow. If the Jews are to face more suppression, that is his will. Bless the Jews, the same. And, pray for them. God rules, but it is for us to love all men -- Jew and Gazan.