Prof Dr Living Lee (Feb 2009)
We have watched the news clips. We have read the arguments put forward by both sides on the Palestinian issue. While all of us are moved by the plight of those who suffer in the conflict and many are galvanized into action to condemn the aggressors or collect donations for the suffering, we are also told by some Christian leaders that we must support Israel no matter what because they are the people of God and God will bless those who bless Israel and curse those who curse Israel. Many are confused and do not know what to do. I do not pretend to have any elegant solution to such a long standing complicated contentious issue.
A church member sent me a video on U-tube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_OGhj43GAE) purportedly by an Arab condemning Hamas. After watching the video, this was my reply to her:
"Dear sister,
I have watched the video. Informative but again like all the propaganda coming out from BOTH sides it is biased. The wedding massacre could easily have occurred not just because they were singing but rival factions HAMAS raiding a FATAH wedding (like our gangland killings, brutal but effective in sending a message of terror to those not with them) or someone they consider an informer. We don't know. I'm not siding or defending anybody. Its a brutal inhuman mess that will lead both sides to be so unrighteous because they chose violence that begets only more violence. Pity the innocent. Jesus wept when He saw the the coming destruction of the end times upon the Holy Land. It happened once in 70AD and it will happen again in the end-times before Christ comes again.
Israel at present is still trusting in man, that is, in its superior army and American backing for its survival. God will bring her to her knees when having infuriated the whole world with her killings (collateral or otherwise) that they would unite to wipe Israel off the face of the earth and that will bring about Armeggadon. Unless she turns to the Lord she would not be saved when all her props are removed. An Israeli then will have to chose to trust in Yahweh and His Messiah or be damned as his ancestors were when they trusted in self (and alliances with others) and not God for victory. Pray for the days to be shortened (Matt 24:19-22) so that the innocent and vulnerable will be spared prolonged suffering."
So what can we do about the situation? We prayed for for peace and God brought about a cease-fire. We now pray that it will hold and out of the ashes of destruction a lasting peace will emerge. We can join in relief efforts to ease the sufferings of the oppressed. This is a good opportunity to show that we are not anti-Muslim or pro-Israel but we suffer with those who suffer irregardless of race and religion. Most of all we pray "Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven". God's blessing on Israel is not automatic but conditional upon her humble obedience and submission to Him. May the light of the Prince of Peace shine upon all in the Holy Land.
Prof. Dr Living Lee is Professor in the Department of Geology, University of Malaya, specializing in palaeontology or the study of fossils. Dr Lee holds a B.Sc.(Hons) and M.Sc. in Geology from University of Malaya and a Ph.D. from University of Liverpool. He is a past president of the Graduates' Christian Fellowship and is currently the advisor of GCF. He is also Chairman Elder of the Peoples Park Baptist Church, PJ.
