I steadfastly support Israel in this war that started on October 7, 2023. The barbarous Hamas terrorists attacked Israel from the Gaza Strip, invading Israel, and committing mass murder, slaughtering men, women, and children. They took many people hostage, including elderly women, children, and IDF soldiers, to try to prevent Israel from responding to this savage attack. While I hold no animosity toward the innocent Gaza populous, I hold Hamas in utter contempt. The people of Gaza are the remnants of the people the Bible calls Philistines. But again, this region’s law-abiding, peaceful people are victims too. Hamas has destroyed their lives and dragged them into this horrible conflict. Unfortunately, a vicious attack like this requires a vastly disproportionate retaliation. Hamas should be destroyed down to the last man; whether that “last” man is killed or incarcerated, I’ll leave that in God’s hands.
Psalm 7:1
“O Lord my God, in thee do I put my trust: save me from all them that persecute me, and deliver me:”[1]
When David made this statement, he was being chased by King Saul, who was jealous of David’s military success against the enemies of Israel. So, David called out to God in prayer, “O LORD my God,” He called out to God using God’s personal name, YHWH (Yahweh), saying, O YHWH, my Elohim (God). “In thee I do put my trust.” David was trusting by faith that God would be with him during this persecution and save him from King Saul and his soldiers. And he asked God to deliver him.
The current population of Israel should react as David did, crying out to their Holy and Almighty God for deliverance from Hamas. Throughout the Bible, God often uses armed conflict to bring about His will for His people. So, suppose you feel only peaceful solutions are appropriate. In that case, you need to go back to the Old Testament and read about how God destroyed evil and evildoers through rallying His people for war. Whatever retaliation Israel feels is appropriate, I will always be on their side and trust that YHWH is fulfilling His perfect will through them.
Psalm 7:6
“Arise, O LORD, in thine anger, lift up thyself because of the rage of mine enemies: and awake for me to the judgment that thou hast commanded.”[2]
David is calling upon the LORD to kindle His wrath against David’s enemies, not because he can control God, but because David is innocent of wrongdoing and he doesn’t deserve the persecution he is enduring. Up to this point in his life, David did everything he did to defend Israel. King Saul was pursuing him out of jealousy and anger. This behavior was a sinful reaction that angers God. Psalm 7:11 says, “God judgeth the righteous, and God is angry with the wicked every day.”[3] God’s nature of perfect righteousness requires Him to hate sin and punish it wherever it occurs.
Hamas and Its Hatred and Bigotry Toward Israel
Hamas hates Israel simply because it is Israel. It’s an unfounded prejudice that is perpetuated by lies. God promised the descendants of Abraham’s son Isacc and grandson Jacob all the land that Israel occupies and more. God renamed Jacob, which means “One who follows on another’s heels”[4] to Israel, which means “One who struggles with God”[5] in Genesis 35:10. The Old Testament is replete with historical accounts of the nation of Israel struggling with God, but nevertheless, they are eternally God’s chosen or anointed people. So, no other people group can claim ownership of the land of Israel because God’s divine bequeath of the land trumps all other claims.
Neither Hamas nor the “Palestinians” have any right to the land of Israel. “Palestinians” is a word derogatorily derived from the word Philistines. So, “Palestinians” is a made-up word bent on insulting Israelis, not a people group. I provide no acknowledgment or support for the so-called “Palestinians.” They are just people who wandered into the land of Israel while God temporarily exiled the Israelites from their homeland. The “Palestinians” are not a distinct people group.
I Support Israel in This War
War is sometimes necessary and ordained by God. Israel has every right to protect itself; if God ordains it, they have the right to push Hamas off the face of the earth. I pray for the innocent, law-abiding citizens of Gaza. But if they stand in the way of Israel and their manifest destiny, I truly pity them because they will fail.
I love all people, according to the second greatest commandment, “Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.” The greatest commandments are in Mark 12:29-31. I want nothing but wonderful things for all people, but I want God’s will to be done first and foremost. So, if God chooses to use Israel to eliminate the terrorist group Hamas – so be it!
Use God’s wisdom as the Holy Spirit provided to Paul: “And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;”[6] We are to act and react according to God’s perfect Holy will. Whether tying your shoe, making a sandwich, working, or engaging in righteous warfare, you do it all in a manner that glorifies Jesus Christ and Biblically obeys God’s perfect Holy will.
There will always be an Israel; no force on earth will ever change that. I pity the fools that try. I pray that God blesses each of you and you always choose to follow God and His will as revealed through the Bible. Amen!!
References
[1] Bible Gateway passage: Psalm 7:1 - King James Version. (n.d.). Bible Gateway. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+7%3A1&version=KJV [2] Bible Gateway passage: Psalm 7:6 - King James Version. (n.d.). Bible Gateway. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+7%3A6&version=KJV [3] Bible Gateway passage: Psalm 7:11 - King James Version. (n.d.). Bible Gateway. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+7%3A11&version=KJV [4] What is the meaning of the name Jacob? (2023, March 3). Life Family Fun. https://lifefamilyfun.com/names/jacob-meaning/ [5] Moss, A. (n.d.). Just a moment... https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/5752241/jewish/What-Does-Israel-Mean.htm [6] Bible Gateway passage: Colossians 3:23 - King James Version. (n.d.). Bible Gateway. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Colossians+3%3A23&version=KJV