From the River to the Sea Word on the Week 9th March 2024.
It’s the slogan, chanted by Palestine/Hamas supporters, seeking the total destruction of Israel who inhabit the land from the river Jordan to the Mediterranean Sea. It is matched by the Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu’s intent to annihilate Hamas! The conquest of Gaza ensued.
There can be few of us who have read the Bible and not cringed at the conquest of Canaan. Especially because it was ordained by our God one of whose qualities is peace (Deuteronomy 1 verse 8). God was preparing a place on earth for his chosen people because he loved them (Psalm 44 v’s 2/3).
It was to Abraham that God promised global mission (Genesis 12 verse 4). This was to come through his descendants. There was to be an interlude in Egypt and afterwards when the sin of the Amorites reached judgement time, they along with the other Canaanite tribes, who embraced evil practices, would be judged (Genesis 15 verse 16). Hence the conquest of Canaan terminating in Joshua’s day (Joshua 24 verses 25/6)’
There would be many battles fought culminating with God’s people, through their disobedience, being removed from their land (2 Kings 25 verse 22b). After the exile the people of God seldom had full possession of their land and it is only in 1948 that the State of Israel was formed.
And so the battles continue between the offspring of the Son of Abraham by faith – Isaac, Jews and the offspring of the Son of Abraham after the flesh – Ishmael, Arabs (Genesis 21 verses 8 to 10). The battles have been fought over the Land, both claiming it as sacred!
The Apostle Paul, himself a Jew, longed for the day when his brethren would realise that the expected Messiah has come (Romans 9 verses 1 to 5). Paul’s heart’s desire and prayer to God for his people, the Israelites, is that they may be saved (Romans 10 verse 1).
At present their minds are hardened. It is as if a veil is over their face. It remains to this day and will only be lifted when they turn to Christ (2 Corinthians 3 verses 12 to 17).
And what of us who believe?
‘We all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.’ – Verse 18.