The past week has been marked by war in the Land of Israel. There has been nonstop bloodshed, bombings, and mob violence on the streets of the cities of Israel. Each story of death and destruction is heart-wrenching to hear and see as nearly every incident is captured on video. Why is this happening again? What is the reason for this uprising and the hate that fills the hearts of men?
There are hundreds and thousands of opinions on what is happening in Israel at this time. There are those who want to blame the leaders in Israel, others blame the leaders of Hamas, others blame the leaders of Iran, and still others who blame the leaders of western countries. There are those who are blaming political leaders while others blame religious leaders. Who is to blame? What is the solution? How will we return to peace and safety in the Land of Israel?
This week’s Torah Portion is called BeMidbar and it is taken from the first four chapters of the book of Numbers. Ironically, the entire first chapter of the book of Numbers is dedicated to the counting (numbering) of the Israelites according to their men who are twenty years old and older and able to go out to war. The army of Israel was established during the wilderness wanderings 3500 years ago and continues until today.
Why Does War Exist?
There are no simple answers to the question of why war exists and I will not attempt to theorize on this subject in this article. It could be said that war started with the first family, when Cain killed Abel, and it has never ceased from humanity since that tragic day.
In contemplating the current state of war in Israel and trying to respond to the many emails and messages from family and friends over the course of this past week, God has been constantly reminding me of the reality that war is a reminder of how people must turn to Him.
This week’s corresponding reading from the prophets is found in Hosea 1:10-2:20 (in Hebrew Hosea 2:1-22). In the course of these verses we read about the relationship between God and the people of Israel as illustrated through the relationship between a husband and a wife. The people of Israel are compared to an adulterous woman, as we read in the following verse:
“I will punish her for the days of the Baals when she used to offer sacrifices to them and adorn herself with her earrings and jewelry, and follow her lovers, so that she forgot Me,” declares the LORD. – Hosea 2:13
The nation of Israel had figuratively gone after other lovers and had forgotten her first husband, the LORD Himself.
In Hosea chapter two we read about the many ways that Israel has strayed from God and how God in return removed His blessing from Israel, however, at the end of this chapter we also read about the beautiful manner in which God says that He will draw His people Israel back to Himself:
Therefore, behold, I will allure her, bring her into the wilderness and speak kindly to her. Then I will give her her vineyards from there, and the valley of Achor as a door of hope. And she will sing there as in the days of her youth, as in the day when she came up from the land of Egypt. It will come about in that day, declares the LORD, that you will call Me Ishi and will no longer call Me Baali. For I will remove the names of the Baals from her mouth, so that they will be mentioned by their names no more. In that day I will also make a covenant for them with the beasts of the field, the birds of the sky and the creeping things of the ground and I will abolish the bow, the sword and war from the land, and will make them lie down in safety. I will betroth you to Me forever; yes, I will betroth you to Me in righteousness and in justice, in lovingkindness and in compassion, and I will betroth you to Me in faithfulness. Then you will know the LORD. – Hosea 2:14-20
In His mercy, God promises to call His people back to Himself in faithfulness and bless them once again.
It is only through relationship with God that His people can walk in His blessings. Beyond the fruitfulness of the Land and living in harmony with God’s creation, God promises that a day is coming when He will shatter the bow and sword and abolish war from the land (Hosea 2:18)!
Why God Allows War!
As painful as war is in the present time, it is a constant reminder that the people of Israel, and the people of this world, have forgotten the Creator God. God wants the people of Israel together with the nations of this world to know Him and walk in covenant relationship with Him through His Son, Yeshua. Until all of humanity comes to know the LORD and worship Him alone, war will continue on this earth.
Pray for True Peace
Pray for the people living in the Land of Israel: Arab, Jew, and Gentile. Pray for God to open the spiritual eyes of the blind to turn and see the One Creator God who has made a way of salvation and deliverance through His Messiah, Yeshua. There is no other true path to peace in Israel or around the world other than finding the path of faith in Yeshua!
Shabbat Shalom!
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*All Scripture take from NASB Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation
**The Hebrew name “Yeshua” is used in the biblical quotations in place of the English name “Jesus” to give emphasis to the meaning of this name, salvation. The word “Messiah” is also used in place of the word “Christ” to bring clarity to the office of Yeshua.
Thank you Daniel. I am praying for all involved that they may an encounter with Yeshua. Also for you to be safe as well.