Although the transpiring events in the Middle East seem distant to most Americans, the reality of possible danger persists. As the tragic terrorist bombing of the USS Cole in a port city of the Middle Eastern nation of Yemen has reminded us, the troubles and sorrows of that volatile region can quickly be brought to our own shores. One could opine that the events in the Middle East would continue to have serious global ramifications and impact upon the United States. After all, the United States considers the Middle East to be of vital strategic importance for at least one major reason: OIL. To Christians within our nation, though, the significance of the Middle East is eternally heightened because of a different reason, an indisputable historical event that occurred within the nation of Israel: the prophetic advent of Yeshua (Jesus) the true Savior of all mankind. As we keep these preliminary thoughts in mind, how then should Christians respond to the current crisis in the Middle East?

First of all, the most succinct and ready answer might be expressed thus: Christians should view with principled compassion those suffering on a human level in the Middle East regardless of their ethnic background. Yet this principled compassion should not preclude abandoning sound Biblical exegesis and the covenant realities Christians read of within the Word of G-d. In the Bible there is clear evidence of G-d's sovereign call upon the Jewish people. The Church has a steadfast moral and spiritual obligation to stand with the regathered physical descendants of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the Jewish people of modern Israel. Still, with each killing in the Middle East the human toll and repercussions seem to mount. A rippling effect occurs: the human tragedy of spiraling bloodshed stokes the centuries old inner flames of prejudice, hatred and bitterness which consequently develop into more actions causing further pain and bloodshed. This vicious cycle continues on a self-propelled course with a potential of replicating itself after each human tragedy. As the death toll by misguided violence mounts in the Middle East, the Christian must wonder: was that person now departed ready to meet his or her Maker? Did that person have a personal relationship unto salvation with the Savior of all mankind, Yeshua, in whose Name alone is salvation? These are stark, harrowing thoughts to ponder.

Secondly, Christians should view the Middle East struggles as an indicator of a much greater battle in the spiritual realm. "Our struggle is not against flesh and blood' the Apostle Paul declared. Yet, there remains little doubt, as we view the recent history of Moslem anti-Semitism and anti-Israelism that there is an ongoing battle in the earthly realm. Hopefully Christians will not abandon the Biblical position that sound exegesis of Scripture demands; G-d in His Sovereignty chose the Jewish people as a covenant people and the Church was never meant to 'replace' Israel. If Christians adapt the false viewpoints of 'replacement theology' Israel would then become an expendable anachronism in our modern times. The truth is more direct: the nation of Israel serves as a living reminder to all Christians that G-d is a covenant keeping G-d of immeasurable sovereign love. Further, as one Christian professional has eloquently stated: "We believe that anyone who loves Jesus, has a built-in love for Israel, the starting point of G-d's redemptive story.' Should the starting point of the redemptive plan of G-d be abandoned and considered expendable when G-d Himself states in relation to His ancient covenant people Israel: "the gifts and calling of G-d are irrevocable'? Christians must offer a resounding response to those who would embrace a theology that seeks to confine Israel to the refuse bin of history: "May it never be!" Indeed, replacement theology reflects more upon the fickle nature of human beings in our relationships than upon the blameless character of the covenant keeping G-d, who incidentally is not ashamed to be identified as the 'G-d of Israel' and 'the King of the Jews'. Israel as a regathered nation, and Jerusalem the eternal capitol of Israel is arising as the central focus of the whole Middle East region. Sadly, the Israeli people remain, to those who are misguided theologically and otherwise, an object of disdain and contempt. One must wonder who it is that is being disdained and abhorred: the nation Divinely set apart (Israel) or the One who set the covenants with Israel in place, the G-d of Israel?

Lastly, Christians should take with great seriousness the Biblical summons of Psalms 122:6-9 to 'pray for the peace of Jerusalem' as they remember that the love of G-d is available to all ethnic groups within the Middle East. By praying for Israel's peace and well-being, Christians are fostering the plan of G-d for all mankind, for it is His ultimate plan that all should find peace with Him through the atoning work of His Son, Yeshua the Messiah. Christians are inextricably linked to the Holy Land through their faith in the Holy One of Israel, Yeshua. With this in mind the starting point of the New Testament brings us unfathomable perspective: 'The genealogy of Yeshua the Messiah, the son of David, the son of Abraham.' As Christians adore and worship this Son, they must not abandon the covenant people who bore Him and among whom He lived and taught. To cast off Israel at this juncture in history would be great spiritual unrighteousness and in direct contradistinction to the very heart, character and purposes of G-d Himself. Political expediency, too, must never outweigh the recognition of the indisputable sovereign call of G-d upon Israel, His ancient covenant people. Politicians will come and go but the will and purposes of G-d for Israel and the Middle East will never be thwarted by the feeble whims and machinations of an unrepentant mankind or its assemblies.

The violence undoubtedly will continue in the Middle East yet Christians should all the more persist in hopeful prayer that G-d's plan that 'all Israel will be saved' shall come to pass. And when the nation of Israel comes back to G-d through His Living Way Yeshua the New Testament assures us that it will be like "life from the dead." For this, all Christians can focus in prayer with steadfast hope and gladness of heart. By the grace of G-d, the Jewish people are turning to Yeshua (Jesus) our Messiah and finding new life in greater numbers than ever before. As evidence of this fact, Messianic Jewish congregations are taking root all over the world. The troubles in the Middle East affirm that the spiritual battle for the souls of men is raging. Yet, the word of G-d is sure: "All who put their trust in Him (Jesus) shall never be ashamed."

Sha'alu shalom Yerushalayim. Let all of us pray for the peace of Jerusalem!
They shall prosper who love her.