War has broken out once again between the Israelis and the Palestinians—the latest flare-up of violence in a long-running struggle. This recent conflict exploded when Hamas militants from the Gaza Strip launched a devastating raid on Israeli border towns, resulting in a tragic loss of life. In response, the Israeli government retaliated with airstrikes, leading to further heavy casualties among Palestinians.
Hamas named their mission "Operation Al-Aqsa Flood," referring to the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, the third-holiest site in Islam. The mosque is built upon the Temple Mount, the very location where the biblical Temple stood before it was destroyed by the Romans in 70 AD.
While Muslims believe the Prophet Muhammad ascended to heaven from this location, Jews hold the site sacred as the foundation of their ancient Temple. Both Palestinians and Israelis claim Jerusalem as their capital city. This competing claim to the same holy ground is at the heart of the conflict.
The Israeli retaliation was named "Operation Iron Swords." This "blow for blow" mentality has defined the region since the re-establishment of Israel in 1948. Following the horrors of the Holocaust in World War II, many Jews returned to their ancestral land, leading to conflict with the Arab populations who had lived there for centuries since the Muslim conquests.
The Jews claimed the land by ancestral right and conquest, while the Arabs felt they had been robbed of their homes. Because both sides believe their cause is absolutely just, peace remains elusive. Every act of violence becomes a cycle of revenge for a prior offense.
The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is a visible expression of defending "my rights" at the expense of righteousness. It is the deadly result of unforgiveness, hatred, and the spirit of retaliation.
Ironically, Arabs and Israelis are brothers—descendants of Abraham. Arabs descend from Ishmael, the older son, while Jews descend from Isaac, the child of promise. These descendants are unable to live in peace because both are proud, both believe they are right, and both are focused solely on defending their own interests.
Wherever people are bent on defending their rights no matter the cost, bloodshed follows. We see this even in our own homes. Misery grows when every family member believes their way is right and justifies their behavior while condemning others.
When one side kills, they are called "terrorists" by some and "freedom fighters" by others.
When the other side retaliates, it is called "defense" by some and "oppression" by others.
Viewing life solely through your own perspective, caring only for your own rights and not the welfare of others, will always leave you in a state of war with your neighbor. You may not use bombs, but you may use gossip, verbal attacks, or mistreatment. The Bible says that whoever hates his brother is a murderer.
The Path to True Peace
Peace is only found when the pursuit of righteousness becomes more important than the pursuit of rights.
Pursuing "my rights" means hitting back when you are hit.
Pursuing righteousness means taking the higher road, loving your enemies, and praying for those who abuse you.
We will only find peace when we stop trying to prove we are right and instead seek to be like Christ. Self-sacrificing love is the only way to have a loving home, church, and society. Because most people are more interested in their own interests than in self-sacrifice, chaos remains the lot of humanity until Jesus returns.
The Middle East lacks peace because both sides believe they are right and the other is wrong. We will not find peace until we realize that we are often wrong and that God alone is righteous. When we truly believe that God is the only righteous One, we will live as He commands. We will be slow to anger and quick to reconcile.
When we seek to be like Christ, our presence becomes a light in a dark and selfish world. Let us seek righteousness through God’s power. Sin leads to death, but God’s way—the way of love—leads to lasting peace.
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