Understanding the Complexities of Israel: A Historical Perspective
Israel, a land with a rich and complex history, has been a focal point of geopolitical tensions for centuries. In order to truly grasp the present situation, it is essential to delve into the deep-rooted historical events and religious narratives that have shaped the region. This article aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the historical background of Israel, shedding light on the complex relationship between Jews, Muslims, and Christians, and the factors contributing to the ongoing conflicts.
Origins: Abraham and the Promises
To understand the origins of the conflicts in Israel, we must first go back to the time of Abraham and Sarah, as mentioned in the Old Testament. God made a promise to Abraham that he would have numerous descendants despite the fact that he and Sarah were childless and well beyond the years of childbearing. In their impatience, Sarah suggested that Abraham have a child with her handmaid, Hagar. This act, although not condoned theologically, resulted in the birth of Ishmael.
Interestingly, God's promise extended to both Isaac, the legitimate son of Abraham and Sarah, and Ishmael, the son of Abraham and Hagar. The twelve tribes of Israel, descendants of Isaac, and the twelve tribes of Ishmael are integral parts of the historical narrative. This shared lineage has contributed to the ongoing fraternal turmoil between the children of Ishmael and the children of Isaac, which we witness to this day.
Rise of Islam and Historical Interweaving
The tension between Jews and Muslims intensified with the advent of Islam in the 4th and 5th centuries AD. Mohammed, the founder of Islam, initially sought acceptance from Christians and Jews but was rejected by both communities due to his background. Consequently, he formed his own religious movement, which gave rise to the revelations known as the Quran.
Throughout the Middle Ages, Islamic civilization flourished, and many scientific and artistic advancements were made. It is important to note that these achievements were often made by slaves of Islam who were Christians and Jews. This interweaving of cultures and contributions from multiple religious backgrounds is a historical fact that must be acknowledged.
Religions of the Book: Judaism, Islam, and Christianity
Judaism, Islam, and Christianity are often referred to as the religions of the book, as they all trace their origins back to ancient texts. The Jewish texts, known as the Hebrew Bible or the Tanakh, date back to approximately 1000 BC. The Christian New Testament was written at the end of the 1st century AD, and the compilation of Islamic texts, including the Quran, occurred in the 5th century AD.
These religious texts serve as the foundation for the beliefs and practices of each faith. It is worth mentioning that apart from Mormonism, no other religion has texts that hold such significance and historical lineage. The shared religious heritage of Judaism, Islam, and Christianity further complicates the dynamics of the region.
The Crusades: Christian Attempts to Recapture the Holy Land
During the Middle Ages, the Crusades took center stage as Christians sought to reclaim the Holy Land from Muslim control. This series of military campaigns spanned approximately 200 years and resulted in approximately 2 million casualties on both sides of the battlefield. The Crusades are often considered the darkest period in Christian history.
It is important to put the casualties of the Crusades into perspective. While 2 million people lost their lives over the course of two centuries, the death toll during the last century, under godless regimes such as Nazi Germany, atheistic Russia, and Buddhist China, exceeded 100 million in just 20 years. This serves as a reminder that death tolls can rise significantly under regimes devoid of religious influence.
The Temple Mount: A Site of Contention
One of the most contentious issues in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is the Temple Mount, a square area in Jerusalem that holds deep religious significance for Jews, Muslims, and Christians. The historical roots of this site can be traced back to the time of Abraham and the binding of Isaac on Mount Moriah.
After the Jews were expelled from Jerusalem in a series of rebellions, the Roman Empire took control of the region in 63 BC. The Jews attempted to regain control of the city but were eventually expelled in 136 AD. When Rome fell in the 4th century, the Muslims assumed control of the Temple Mount and built the Dome of the Rock, which is now the second most sacred site for Muslims.
The Creation of Israel and the Palestinian Conflict
The events of World War II and the Holocaust brought global attention to the Jewish people and their struggle for a homeland. In 1948, the international community decided to grant Israel to the Jews as a response to the atrocities committed against them. This decision led to the displacement of many Palestinians, who were pushed into secondary areas such as the Gaza Strip and the Golan Heights.
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It is crucial to approach the Israeli-Palestinian conflict with a nuanced understanding of history and geopolitics. While it is easy to sympathize with the plight of the Palestinians, a realistic assessment of the historical context reveals a different narrative. Prior to Israel's establishment, the region was largely uninhabited and lacked economic and educational advancements. Today, Israel stands as a democratic nation, promoting human rights and economic progress, surrounded by less developed nations.
The Ongoing Conflict: Israel vs. Hamas
The current conflict in Israel is not a war between Israel and Palestine, but rather a battle between Israel and Hamas, a terrorist organization embedded within Palestinian territories. Hamas openly rejects the right of Israel to exist, and their actions have drawn international condemnation. It is important to note that Hamas resorts to tactics such as hiding within schools and hospitals using civilian infrastructure as shields.
While the Israeli response to Hamas attacks may at times appear disproportionate, it is crucial to acknowledge the existential threat Israel faces. The ongoing conflict is not a simple matter of two entities vying for control, but rather a struggle for survival against forces that seek to obliterate Israel from the face of the earth.
Conclusion: A Complex Landscape
Understanding the complexities of Israel requires a deep dive into history, religion, and geopolitics. The region's narrative is intertwined with the stories of Abraham, Isaac, Ishmael, and the three major religions that trace their origins back to them. Acknowledging the interwoven nature of these histories and the geopolitical realities is essential for gaining a comprehensive understanding of the conflicts that persist to this day. It is only through nuanced analysis and a commitment to peaceful resolution that a path toward lasting peace can be forged.
Youtube Podcast: https://youtu.be/J-38mucsbJs
Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/simple-faith-with-rusty-george/id1150947502?i=1000648205909
Podcast Episode Notes:
Rusty is joined by his former College Professor Dr Mark E. Moore. Mark is currently a New Testament Scholar and resident Pastor at Christ Church of the Valley in Phoenix, Arizona.? "Is this the end times?" Mark goes in depth about the history of Palestine and Israel. This is an episode you do not want to miss, especially if you love history and biblical history.
Mark Moore joined the staff at Christ’s Church of the Valley (CCV) in Peoria, Arizona, in 2012 as a teaching pastor. CCV is a multi-site church with over 40,000 in weekly attendance. Prior to joining the CCV team, Mark was a Professor at Ozark Christian College in Joplin, Missouri, for 22 years. He is also an Adjunct Professor at Johnson University and Haus Edelweiss in Vienna, Austria, and the author of a number of books, including The Chronological Life of Christ and Core 52: A Fifteen-Minute Daily Guide to Build Your Bible IQ in a Year. His life passion is to make Jesus famous.
Website: https://markmoore.org
Insta: @markmoore330
Applied physics.(JOIN ME) the work presented here is entirely new
6 个月(continued still futher) But here, in this ability to decipher scripture, to understand the contributions of men, and to understand what represents true natural events and descriptions of our universe, what is from God, allows us to scrutinize our recorded histories, and to then understand the influence of men in high places, with current and past geopolitical affairs. The Rothschild family helped to fund the existence of the State of Israel. Together with Great Britain and the United States, they underwrote the displacement of one people for another. We did not simply develop the Holy Land for folks to populate... we did not simply build homes and malls and hospitals to encourage people to visit and to live. NO. We see what happened. We even asked some to leave when we got there. We killed men in the process. We kill men today. The men who are responsible for the death we see today, are motivated not by religion, but by greed. It was Plato himself that wrote that to control and govern well, we must rewrite our histories, to capture the minds of men, to so influence them in ways that will preserve societies for all time. (not quite in those words) Be careful to stand on words written by men MARK applied physics
Applied physics.(JOIN ME) the work presented here is entirely new
6 个月(continued further) I invite you to join me and about 188 faculty from some very important places.... in live and ongoing viewing of work that describes nature, quite frankly,... in a completely new way. Surprisingly, nothing in nature truly collides. It communicates. And when it does,... it forms energy. Wala ... energy.... the thing sought after by men,... societies..... the excuse men in high places use to create conflict, war. And it is here, in great abundance, displaying itself in every atomic motion. Here do we redefine nature, our symbolic language, our physical description of our universe, and this is a rather unique tool then to measure man's contributions to scripture. Why? We see now what comprises natural events, and what things are contrived, or emanating from the minds and misconceptions of men. MEEKNESS, PARABLE, FEAR, DEATH, even gruesome death, POSSESSION, are all man made contrivances. It's technical. But i invite you to join me in technical discussion and viewing of my work, together with almost 200 faculty from our most sophisticated institutions in science today. You will be happy to hear that FAITH becomes the very sophistication of science, replacing scientific observation. (go home team!)
Applied physics.(JOIN ME) the work presented here is entirely new
6 个月(continued) How are we to understand scripture? Do we understand man to have contributed? Or is the bible so holy, so sacred, that each word, each phrase, each passage, each parable, is from God alone? And if we are to understand that man has contributed to scripture, in what way, then do we understand this contribution(s)? Did he invent terms? Did he use intuition? Was history important? Did Plato's writings about the governance of men and the rewriting of history(s) important in forming contributions to scripture? Did scripture play an important role in the formulation of organized religion(s)? Did this formulation of scripture, and the historical accounts provided, influence the governance of men? Did individual families, ruling families, monarchs, have an interest in the formation of scritpure? Does the bible itself contain irrefutable truths about the nature of our universe, the condition of man,... life? MARK applied physics
Applied physics.(JOIN ME) the work presented here is entirely new
6 个月Rusty, thank you But Rusty, i must ask you to consider things regarding the condition of man and his influence on recorded history(s). My own mother thought she was the queen... of England. And it's funny because we were simply upper middle class. My father was smart, ... neat,.... graduated number 1 in his class in engineering.... at Berkeley. He did well. He's now 92 and no health problems, enjoying a fifty year retirement so far. It's truly remarkable. But this woman he married, was treacherous, i.e. my mother. She would do and say anything to get her way. She was always the expert in the room, even though she did not go to college, she stayed at home and our family was well educated; in fact my four brothers competed for the best grades and most were either number 1 in their classes at U.T. Austin, or simply got straight A's. Why do i relate this to you? Because Abraham was alive in the eighteenth century B.C.E. The Old Testament, as you point out, was comprised five hundred or so years later. I am not an expert here, and do not know the exact dates of each book. Plato, Socrates and Aristotle formed philosophies that contributed much to the dynamics of our bible, old and new. MARK applied physics
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6 个月Understanding the historical context is crucial to gaining insight into the ongoing conflicts. Thank you for providing such a thoughtful and informative overview of this complex region