The big news this weekend has been the conflict between Israel and Iran. To be more specific, the United States’ involvement in the conflict and President Trump’s decision to bomb nuclear sites in Iran.
Pres. Trump’s campaign against Iran began in his first term when he withdrew the United States from the Iran nuclear agreement. After Trump had Iranian leader Qassem Soleimani killed, the fear was Iran would try to assassinate President Trump.
Of course, the president would side with Israel in its war against Iran. Earlier this week President Trump tried to pressure Iran into surrendering its nuclear capabilities in an attempt to bring peace to the Middle East. He gave Iran two weeks to decide before he would attack.
Then, the president’s own director of national intelligence stated Iran not only didn’t have any nuclear weapons but wasn’t trying to build them. Of course President Trump let his pride and ego get the best of him by ignoring the intelligence and advice of his own cabinet.
Again, President Trump showed the world he is the opposite of what the Bible and Jesus taught God’s people to be:
- Prideful
- Deceptive
- Power-hungry
- Violent
- Unforgiving
- Uncompassionate
Ironically, the president campaigned on being a peacemaker and the only Savior who could bring peace to America and the world, which is both blasphemous and a lie, I don’t see how any Christian can honestly support a man who does what he pleases and goes against basic teachings of the Christian faith.
Both Judaism and Christianity teach we are to love our neighbors and seek unity through peace, not force (Leviticus 19:13-18, Mark 12:30-31). Using force to achieve what you want whether it’s peace or anything else is anti-Christian.
A couple of hours before the United States bombed the nuclear sites in Iran, a local Army base put their troops on an 18-hour deployment notice. The military’s plan to use planes from one base as a diversion while launching bombers from another base to carry out the mission shows how well-planned this attack was.
The president knew all along how and when he would attack the sites. President Trump is attempting to use the war and his selfish goals to achieve what he wants in the Middle East and it isn’t peace. The Bible is clear only God can bring real and lasting peace and it isn’t through man’s abuse of power and force (Psalm 110:1-2, Jeremiah 23:5-6, John 14:27).
What Is Peace
Peace is something most of us strive for in life both personally and relationally. Peace is defined as, “Freedom from civil disturbance, harmony and personal relations; a state of tranquility.” Since we live in a fallen world, life gets chaotic and unpleasant. That is why we each long for peace inside.
The Kingdom of God is at war with this fallen earthly kingdom. God’s people are part of His plan to bring peace to this chaotic world. That is why we must be different from it (2 Corinthians 3:18, 1 Peter 2:5). We must be at peace with God, not this fallen world.
That is why the Bible has a lot to say about peace, what it is, and where it comes from (Psalm 4:8, John 14:27, Hebrews 12:14). Mankind is fallen and works through force in might (Proverbs 3:31, Galatians 5:19-21, Hebrews 10:30).
God’s people are called to help bring peace to this corrupt world (Romans 1:7; 5:1; 8:6; 12:17-21; 14:17-19, 1 Corinthians 14:33, Colossians 3:15, 2 Thessalonians 3:15). The Apostle Paul remembered his Jewish education about peace and where it comes from.
Šālôm
The Torah tells us that in the beginning, the earth was perfect in God walked with His creation in the garden (Genesis 3:1-9). Everything was perfect and peaceful until the creation rebelled against God and sin entered the world (Genesis 3:1-24).
After the fall, chaos disrupted the peace of the world. The Hebrew word in the Old Testament for peace is šālôm, and it can also mean “Prosperity, welfare, well, safe, or health,” depending on the context it is used in.
Israel was part of God’s plan to help restore peace to this chaotic and fallen world which is why God set Israel apart from it (Exodus 19:5-6, Isaiah 2:2-4; 49:6, 49:6). It’s why God forbade Israel to take revenge (Leviticus 19:18, Deuteronomy 32:35, Proverbs 20:22).
Due to God’s call on Israel, Judaism places a high emphasis on peace (Leviticus 26:6, Psalm 37:37, Isaiah 26:3, Zachariah 8:16). Judaism emphasizes various forms of peace to fulfill God’s call:
- Shalom
- Shalom Bayit
- Tikkun Olam
- Darklei Shalom
- Peace with God
- Peace between nations
The New Testament begins with the genealogy of Jesus and the promised Messiah (Matthew 1:1-18). The Messiah is prophesied to restore Israel and bring peace to God’s people (Isaiah 9:6-7).
Jesus reminded His followers not to use force to achieve peace, but to let God avenge them (Matthew 5:9; 26:52, Luke 18:7). Jesus taught His followers not to just love their neighbors, but to also love their enemies (Matthew 5:43-48).
He taught His followers there is a difference between God’s peace and earthly peace (John 14:27; 16:33). Jesus even told the thief on the cross that he would see paradise restored when the creation walked with God again (Luke 23:43).
When Jesus returns, He will bring a new Kingdom of peace on a new earth that isn’t corrupted by mankind’s sin (Luke 1:32-33, Revelation 11:15). First, this fallen world and heaven must be destroyed.
Summer
This weekend marked the official start of summer. Numerous cities across the nation have already broken records for high temperatures. The East Coast and Southeast have been under heat warnings all weekend.
Along with the higher temps comes severe weather. As temperatures continue to rise, hurricanes and tornadoes will become more intense. The Apostle Paul warned us that all creation groans as it waits for Jesus to return and restore things (Romans 8:22-23). Things on the earth will only get worse before Jesus leads us to peace:
- Earthquakes
- Storms
- Forest fires
- Volcanoes
You don’t have to be spiritual or a science geek to see things in this world are quickly being destroyed by nature itself, the Bible is clear that the world as we know it will be destroyed and consumed by fire (2 Peter 3:10, Revelation 21:1). Things are getting worse regardless of who is in the White House. The Creator will once again destroy the creation. That is the only way this world will ever experience real šālôm!
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