AmericaThe big news this week has been about Israel and the conflict in the Middle East. Earlier this week an Israeli hostage was found in a Hamas tunnel and rescued after 10 months in captivity. Then overnight the IDF launched one of its biggest raids across the West Bank yet in pursuit of Hamas.
Israeli citizens are continuing to pressure Netanyahu to bring home all of the remaining hostages at all costs. Many aren’t concerned about peace as they are about being reunited with their loved ones. Israel only has a few options.
- Negotiate
- Fight
- Surrender
One of the main lessons and truths we see in the conflict is the importance of God’s people staying together. It is an ancient biblical truth that we are stronger together (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12.)
Yet Israel is divided over what they need to do to bring home the remaining hostages. It is God’s will for His people to be together and separated from the world (Deuteronomy 14:2.) God is in the business of separating good from evil (Psalm 52:2-4, Proverbs 13:20.)
What Is Divided?
We live in divisive times; the country, our families, and the political landscape are more divided than ever. Divide is defined as, “Separated into smaller parts; disunited.”
We live in a fallen world where everyone is looking out for themselves whatever they want. This is one of the things the Bible warns God’s people about, we cannot be selfish like the world we live in (2 Timothy 3:2-4.)
God knows His people can do more together, than on our own. We cannot pursue our selfish wants like the world (Romans 15:1-3, 1 Corinthians 1: 10, Galatians 5:14, Philippians 2:3-4.)
The Apostle Paul remembered his Jewish upbringing and why God called His people to be different and set them apart from the world (Exodus 33: number 16, Psalm 4:3, 1 Peter 2:9.)
Bāḏal
The Apostle Paul understood that separation can be good or bad in Judaism, depending on who is doing it. The Torah explains how God separated things and decided what was good (Genesis 1:1-21.)
The Hebrew word for divide using the Old Testament is bāḏal and it can also mean, “Separate, set apart, selected, or a distinction,” depending on the context it is used in. After the fall and sin entered the world, God had to intervene and again separate what is good from what is evil because man’s heart is corrupted (Genesis 6:5.) Through Abraham God created a nation set apart and dedicated unto Him (Genesis 12:2-3.) And after their disobedience, God gave them the law to help separate them from the corrupt world.
- You should have no other gods but me.
- Thou shall not worship any graven image.
- Do not misuse the name of God.
- Keep the Sabbath holy.
- Honor thy mother and father.
- Do not commit murder.
- Thou shall not commit adultery.
- Do not steal.
- Do not bear false witness.
- Thou shall not covet.
Judaism worships a monotheistic God instead of multiple gods like other nations (Deuteronomy 6:4.) Jesus continued this teaching about unity and division. Jesus explained His oneness with God to His followers (John 10:30-37.)
He taught that devotion to God wouldn’t bring peace, but separate families and friends over their devotion to God instead of themselves (Matthew 10:34-36.) Jesus knew God’s people would struggle to be different than this world, which is why He prayed for unity amongst His followers (John 17:6-19.)
God’s people are called to be united in their devotion to God, not this world or a politician who is only out for his selfish gain.
Donald Trump
For all of my adult life, I have been registered as a Republican, until 2020. Never in my life have I seen the Republican Party or America so divided as it was under Donald Trump.
For almost 200 years the United States has had a two-party system in place for Americans to decide which party represented their beliefs and values and never has the country been so intolerant of each other.
For almost 175 years, the Republican Party has stood united on conservative values and put the country before selfish interests. America became great because we were stronger together than our interests and priorities.
America welcomed immigrants and loved our neighbors despite our differences; the Civil War is still a black eye on American history. We are the United States of America, not the United States of a political party or politician.
We have always disagreed, but haven’t been this divided since the Civil War. The GOP has traditionally been conservative and practiced conservative values. Under Mr. Trump, the party has strayed from our conservative and peaceful beliefs.
Jesus warned His followers about the wolves who would lead God’s people astray during the last days (Matthew 7:15-17.) Wolves scatter the flock because they look out for their selfish desires.
- Deception
- Manipulation
- Greed
- Pride
Mr. Trump’s campaign to restore the party is only aligning it with his values and personal goals. His project 2025 is the means to set up his dictatorship. Selfish ambition has no place amongst God’s people and the Bible encourages us to separate ourselves from them (Psalm 119:36, Romans 2:8, Philippians 2: 3-4, James 3:13-15.) God knows selfish people will Bāḏal!
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