Who speaks for who? Who represents who? Has the world disintegrated into madness?
So it appears. The loudest voice, muscle ‘n tanks, threats of violence – apparently we’re settling for that, because to challenge or to speak out may create a backlash, intimidation, or worse.
The vocal minority have their way because the silent majority watch and pray, and let them get away with it. Time and again. We witness the pattern repeating itself around the world, whether Putin, Trump, Gaetz, Netanyahu, Hamas… you can add more names.
What’s the common theme? Dictating terms, enforcing ‘my’ will through threats, violence, abuse of power, lies, corruption, secrecy, and other dark alliances and tactics. Its always about controlling another, personal accusations, and autocratic methods of ruling. Instead of a commitment to democracy and working out compromise – which is the toughest and bravest challenge in the world – bullying, mud-slinging, assassination, bombing, and imprisoning are preferred methods of arriving at compliance. It never works – for long.
Now we have Israel and Hamas at each others’ throats killing vast amounts of people as both sides are intent on annihilating the other. We have become so mind-numbingly compliant that we buy into simplistic solutions that brush stroke entire population groups with asinine caricatures. Phrases such as, “Christians support Israel’, or, ‘Palestinians are terrorists’ , demonstrate nothing but ignorance and prejudice. Netanyahu does not represent or speak for Jews any more than Hamas speaks for Palestinians. I am a Christian and I support Israel’s right to exist, as much as I support Palestine’s right to exist. I do not support beating and bullying one tribe as the only way for another to achieve their security or sense of legitimate identity in the world.
Israel is not a nation who can do whatever it likes because they are a chosen people under God. We can hold that doctrine – if we deny the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus; if we insist on following the fantasy that peace on earth can be achieved politically. To do that we have to rewrite history. We have to deny the drum-beat-repetition of historical evidence that records one generation after another making the same mistakes in wars, violence, and political slights of hand covering up self-interest and corruption.
Common sense has been lost. If Israel declares that its freedom as a nation is dependent upon bullying, imprisoning, and dehumanizing Palestinians then they have forfeited their claim to be a nation anointed by God. And even if they are anointed, the Bible is full of stories of God’s children gone wrong, forfeiting His blessing and favor until they repent and change their ways. There is not one account in history where God has turned a blind eye to evil, or the sins of men and women, just because he loved them and chose them. His unconditional love has never allowed for human beings to do whatever they want, and then name-drop his protection when they are caught or found guilty. His name is not a get-out-of-jail -free card.
The sad truth is that Christians today are no better than the Jews who welcomed Jesus into Jerusalem as king one day, and by the end of the week they rallied and called for his crucifixion. Whether it’s Trump, Hamas, Israel, abortion, migration policies, legalizing drugs or gender identities, and all the other complex topics of our day; we cannot distil every solution or allegiance down to a single statement or grant unqualified support. To anything or anyone.
Life is complex. The only way to find compromise is to recognize and respect the right of another to live and exist alongside me. I may not agree with your perspective, your worldview or your lifestyle, but you have as much right to live as I do. As long as you do not harm or abuse others in order to live your life. I believe in justice for all. I believe that we are all accountable and should be held responsible for our actions, good or bad. I believe in forgiveness, grace, and mercy for all. I believe that all of humanity are flawed. I believe that we, as individuals, are capable of kindness, wonderful beauty, and altruism. I also believe that we are capable of awful atrocities, pig-headed blindness, and great cruelty. Both qualities manifest in the same individual at times.
My only source of hope in this broken world is rooted in the person of Jesus, God’s Son. A Jew who laid down his life for me and you, for Palestinians, Russians, Ukrainians, Chinese, Black, White, rich and poor. Every person is God’s favorite. Because of this truth I do not endorse any country or side unequivocally, or without reservation. When I agree I will applaud and support; and when I disagree I will give expression to my concerns until I am persuaded otherwise. I will also support your right to totally disagree with me, my viewpoint, and my worldview.
It’s time for the silent majority to stand up to the noisy vocal minority. That’s what Jesus did. Death was his experience on earth, resurrection was God’s gift. I weep for Palestinians and I weep for Jews. I pray for revelation and the majority caught between these two radical minorities represented by Hamas and Netanyahu. There is a better way. That will require a new generation with far more wisdom and courage than the current leadership, on either side, have displayed.
Silence has never been an option. Not for long. And speaking out is not the only other option. Listening is the essential ingredient. It facilitates understanding, compromise, and the way forward. God is speaking, has spoken, will speak – into the very heart of our troubles. Will we? Can we? Are we willing? To listen? And then – to do something?
Here’s a powerful song with visuals about our individual and human struggle with communication. And how tempted we are to give up on one another.
The other reality is that God never gives up. Not on us or on any individual, tribe, or nation. David was the greatest Warrior King of the young nation of Israel in the early 10th century BC. He had to make all manner of compromises and alliances (some good, some not so good). He was very human. Yet his heart’s desire was to honor and serve God. When he brought the Ark of the Covenant into Jerusalem there was a massive procession and celebration. David, the king, danced before the nation as an expression of his devotion and conviction. A vocal minority who made a great declaration.
In the midst of the brutal conflicts currently underway in the world, here is a song giving a prophetic declaration and testimony to the fact that where the Spirit of God is present – Jews and Arabs can live, sing, and dance in harmony. May this become a reality – on earth as it is in heaven.
Googling God 
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