A Biblical Perspective on the Israeli / Palestinian Conflict

self | 5/23/04 | self

[homeschool_dad]

After the time of the Flood, Noah had three sons; Shem, Ham, and Japheth. Noah and his sons were given the task of moving throughout the world and repopulating it. For many generations this duty was fulfilled, and all of Noah’s descendents had a common language.

After a time, as the families of Shem traveled to the east, they came upon a plain in the land of Shinar, and lived there. It was on this plain that the Tower of Babel was built. It was also here that God confounded the people by making it so they could not understand on another’s speech. The descendents of Shem then scattered abroad over the face of the earth.

The 9th generation of Shem was Terah – Abrams’ father. Abram had two brothers, Nahor, and Haran. Haran died before his father. Abram and Nahor took wives: Abram’s was Sara, and Nahor’s wife was Milcah. Terah and Abram moved with their families into the land of Canaan.

After Terah died, God came to Abram and told him to pack up his family, and everything they owned, and move “unto a land that I will show thee”. (Gen. 12:1) This also marked the first time that God promised Abram that his descendents would make a great nation and be blessed. God led Abram to the plain of Sichem, and promised that this land would be the land of his children. It should be noted that the plain of Sichem is known in modern times as Israel.

Years passed and Abram and Sarai were without child. Abram began to question God saying, “Lord God, what wilt thou give me, seeing as I go childless?” (Gen. 15:2) God reassured Abram by having him gave up at the night sky, and telling him that his descendants would be as numerous as the stars.

Abram and Sarai had an Egyptian servant named Hagar. Having been unable to bear a child herself, Sarai entreated Abram to conceive a child with Hagar, which he did. After Hagar was with child, Sarai despised her and sent her out of Abram’s home. Hagar was visited by the Angel of the Lord in the desert, and told her that she would have a son and would call him Ishmael. The Angel of the Lord also foreshadowed the destiny of the Palestinian people when he said, “ And he will be a wild man; his hand will be against every man, and every man’s hand against him; and he shall dwell in the presence of all his brethren”. (Gen16:12)

Genesis 16:12 is key, because it foresees that the Palestinians will continue to live in the midst of Abram’s true heirs.

When Abram was 97 years old, God appeared to him to reaffirm the covenant that He had made with Abram. It is specifically during this conversation that God draws the distinction between Ishmael, who He says, “Behold I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly; twelve princes shall he beget”, and Isaac (who is to be Abram’s son borne by Sarai within a year) when He says, “But my covenant will I establish with Isaac”. Thus is the claim to the land of Israel made to the descendants of Isaac. (Gen. 17:21)

[Krista1]

Yes, but doesn't God also make a pact with Ishmael as well? "As for Ishmael, I am heeding you: I will bless him. I will make him fertile and will multiply him exceedingly. He shall become the father of twelve cheiftains, and I will make of him a great nation." (Gen. 17:20)

[homeschool_dad]

He certainly did make a pact with Ishmael as noted in my original post. I believe the 12 princes referred to are the kings of the Arab countries. But, God also makes it very clear by following up His deal with Ishmael by clarifying His intent for the land to belong to Isaac when He says, "But my covenant will I establish with Isaac".

Also, in Gen. 21:10 Sarah says, "Cast out this bondswoman and her son: for the son of this bondswoman shall not be heir with my son, even with Isaac". And God agrees with Sarah in verse 12, "in all that Sarah has said unto thee, hearken to her voice; for in Isaac shall thy seed be called".