Earlier this week I spent some time chatting with a Palestinian friend about the current situation in Syria and the surrounding region. The causes and effects of decades upon decades of political maneuvering shrouded in religiouseze may be too deep for a simple man born and bred in the American South. I’m learning though and thank God for some very patient teachers.
As it nearly always does, the discussion led to the Palestinian/Israeli conflict. Abu Issa shared the story of his family's flight from Jerusalem during the Nakba (النكبة Arabic for "disaster" or "catastrophe." This is the term Palestinians use to describe the exodus of their ancestors from Israel in '48 following the Israeli-Arab War) His uncle had been married just one month when soldiers appeared at the family home and at gunpoint forced the clan to flee their land. En route they were stopped and searched by a patrol. Abu Issa's uncle made two mistakes that day. One, he poorly hid the little bit of money he was carrying. Two, he refused to hand it over immediately. He was shot on the spot. The family reluctantly continued in compounded grief, tears dropping on the dusty road. The matriarch of the clan however refused to leave. Her loved ones were unable to compel her to go. Rather she remained prostrate in anguish, clutching her dead son's body. They never saw her again.
As a result of this conversation I've been reading about the Nakba. During my research I stumbled upon a speech given by PLO leader, Yasser Arafat, on the 56th anniversary of this event. Arafat ended his oration with this very loose quote from the Quran, "Find what strength you have to terrorize your enemy and the enemy of God..." Nothing shocking here considering the flamboyant, oft-agitating source, but certainly stark contrast to a couple phrases I read recently in my studies:
"...There is no fear in love [dread does not exist], but full-grown (complete, perfect) love turns fear out of doors and expels every trace of terror!"
1John4:18a (AMP)
"You have heard that it was said, You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy; But I tell you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, To show that you are the children of your Father Who is in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the wicked and on the good, and makes the rain fall upon the upright and the wrongdoers [alike]. For if you love those who love you, what reward can you have? Do not even the tax collectors do that? And if you greet only your brethren, what more than others are you doing? Do not even the Gentiles (the heathen) do that? You, therefore, must be perfect [growing into complete maturity of godliness in mind and character, having reached the proper height of virtue and integrity], as your heavenly Father is perfect."
Matthew 5:43-48 (AMP)
One word came up repeatedly in my conversation with Abu Issa, was also used by Arafat in his Nakab speech and is sprinkled liberally throughout every news story regarding the Middle East. Terror! What a powerful word! But, as stated above love "expels every trace of terror."
As we walk out our faith one thing is increasingly apparent. The way of the Father is completely opposite to the way of the world. We're called to love our enemies not terrorize them. I'm praying for what's going on in Syria. I'm praying for peace in Israel. I'm praying for those who use terror. I'm praying for the strength to love my enemies and bless those who curse me.
*To read another Nakba account checkout http://deeswalkthroughthevalley.blogspot.com/2013/03/serani-story-of-nakba-survivor.html
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