Explaining the current conflict and praying for true peace

I remember being in a Tel Aviv hotel with a tour group when hostilities with Hamas in Gaza suddenly broke out. Our guides had to show us the location of the bomb shelters built into the foundation of the hotel (most Israeli hotels and public buildings have them). They explained how we were to access them and described the warning sirens that would alert us to do so. Fortunately, the night passed without incident, and the event became only a memory.

What was a possibility for us is now a reality for millions of Israelis today.

As you know, Israel has launched preemptive strikes on Iran for the purpose of deterring the Iranians from obtaining nuclear weapons that could be used against the Jewish state. Dr. Ryan Denison’s Daily Article explained well Israel’s motives in doing so: to keep Iran from continuing to develop such weapons under the guise of negotiations. They asserted that Iran had enough material to build fifteen nuclear bombs “within days,” prompting Israel’s intervention.

So, Israel’s purpose behind preventing Iranian nuclear missiles is clear. But why would Iran want such weapons? Why are they so opposed to Israel and the West?

And how can the answers inform our understanding of this burgeoning conflict and our intercession?

What is the history of the conflict?

Looking at a map, it would seem nonsensical that Iran, a country nearly four times larger than California, would want conflict with Israel, a country the size of New Jersey. The two do not share a border and do not compete for natural resources.

And while their religious differences explain much, conflict between a Muslim country and Israel is not inevitable. Israel has maintained a stable peace with Egypt since 1979 and Jordan since 1994. The recent Abraham Accords extended such relations to Sudan, Morocco, Bahrain, and the United Arab Emirates.

What makes Iran different?

Israel and Iran were close allies from the establishment of the Jewish state in 1948 until the Iranian Revolution of 1979. Iran was the second Muslim-majority country to recognize Israel (after Turkey). However, this was under the dictatorship of Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, who ruled Iran as the Shah.

The CIA and the UK supported the 1953 coup that installed him in power; from that time, he relied heavily on the US to maintain his rule. The 1979 Iranian Revolution deposed him, and he was given refuge by the US for medical treatment, prompting the Iranian hostage crisis. Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini immediately cut off all official relations with Israel, declaring it an “enemy of Islam” and the “Little Satan” (the US was designated the “Great Satan”).

Why does Iran hate Israel?

Iran’s aggression against Israel centers on three factors.

One: Iran’s Islamists consider Israel an illegitimate state that drove the Palestinians from their homeland. Since Islam views all Muslims as part of the “ummah” (the global Muslim community), this is seen as an attack on Islam requiring a defense of their faith and people (Qur’an 2:190).

Two: Iran views Israel as a proxy of Western colonialism. A Western-educated intellectual named Ali Shariati, inspired by Marxist ideology, divided the world into the oppressed (including Iran) and the oppressors (primarily the West). He then framed a revolutionary ideology to oust Iran’s pro-Western monarchy and “liberate” Iranians.

Shariati died before the 1979 revolution, but Khomeini capitalized on the popularity of his ideas. His ideology continues to drive Iran’s leaders in their aggression against Israel and the West in response to the West’s (perceived) aggression against them.

Three: Iran’s leaders believe that the Mahdi, their version of the Messiah, will appear to dominate the world for Islam only after the Muslim world destroys Israel. To the secular West, such a theological motive seems far-fetched and irrelevant, but for the Islamists ruling Iran, it is central to their identity and perceived future.

Why would Iran want nuclear weapons?

So, we can understand why Iran would sponsor aggression against Israel, particularly through its proxies in the Middle East. But why would it want to take the massive step of seeking nuclear weapons?

One: To deter aggression from Israel and the West. Iran’s leaders likely believe that possessing such weapons would prevent Israel from staging just the kind of attacks they launched last night.

Two: To protect and advance their proxies in the region. Hezbollah, Hamas, the Houthis, and other militant groups would be far more emboldened if they were protected by Iran’s nuclear shield and threat.

Three: To attack the Jewish state and hasten the return of the Mahdi. We would see such an attack as madness since it would undoubtedly prompt a response that would annihilate Iran. But if you believe that the Messiah would appear after such an attack to protect you from retribution, “mutually-assured destruction” is far less of a deterrent.

Why did Israel attack now?

These factors have been in play for many years. Why did Israel stage its attack on Iran’s nuclear capacities now?

One factor is the military. After Israel’s missile attack last October, Iran’s air defenses are significantly degraded, making the current attacks more effective. Hezbollah and Hamas do not currently pose a threat to Israel. If a military attempt to remove Iran’s nuclear threat is to be staged, now is a good time.

In addition, the International Atomic Energy Agency recently warned that Iran is not complying with nuclear nonproliferation obligations and has enriched uranium up to 60 percent purity, close to the 90 percent level needed to build a nuclear weapon.

A second factor is political. President Donald Trump had given Iran a sixty-day ultimatum on a nuclear deal, which expired Thursday. Iran’s recent alliance with Russia, China, and North Korea was likely to have only strengthened over the coming months.

A third factor is ideological. Sharia law permits lying to non-Muslims in war to advance Islam; the doctrine of taqiyya also allows Muslims to lie under threat of injury or death. Israel is familiar with these customs and knows not to trust Iran’s leaders and their claims to want only “peaceful” nuclear power. If negotiations were to begin again, as Ryan noted in his Daily Article, Israel’s leaders likely felt they would provide cover for Iran’s clandestine nuclear arms program.

What is the path forward?

It is obviously too soon to predict how this conflict will end, but we can identify some possible outcomes. Let’s chart them on a rising scale of geopolitical impact.

One: Iran’s military and nuclear programs are so decimated that the nation’s threat against Israel and others is significantly degraded for years to come. This was the result of Israel’s recent attacks on Hezbollah’s leaders and military capacities. Perhaps we will see the same with Iran.

Two: Iran is able to launch significant counterattacks against Israel, turning this conflict into a sustained war with the Jewish state.

Three: Iran also attacks US troops and installations in the region (we currently have about forty thousand service members stationed in the Middle East), drawing us into this conflict.

Four: North Korea, Russia, and China join the conflict on Iran’s side, turning it into a world war.

But there’s a fifth outcome we can envision as well, one for which I am praying fervently. In this scenario, Iran’s population revolts against the radical leaders whose aggression prompted this war and replaces them with leaders more representative of the nation and committed to peaceful relations with other countries.

“Then our world will know the blessings of peace”

In addition, I am praying that this conflict causes many in Iran and Israel to turn from military solutions to spiritual hope. The spiritual awakening already occurring in both countries would escalate as millions turn to Jesus as the true Messiah. And God would use this war, as he has other conflicts in Israel’s past, to advance his kingdom (cf. 2 Kings 19).

True peace is found only with the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:7). When we submit our lives to the Holy Spirit, he produces peace as his “fruit” in our lives (Galatians 5:22) and we are empowered to “let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts” (Colossians 3:15). Then we can “strive for peace with everyone” (Hebrews 12:14) as “a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace” (James 3:18).

Former British Prime Minister William Gladstone said,

“We look forward to the time when the Power of Love will replace the Love of Power. Then our world will know the blessings of peace.”

Let’s pray for that time today, to the glory of God.

 

Denison Forum

 

Three boys were bragging about their fathers. The first said, “My dad writes some words on paper and calls it a lawsuit, and they pay him for it.” The second said, “Yeah, well, my dad writes some words on paper and calls it a prescription, and they pay him for it.” The third said, “Well, my dad writes some words on a paper and calls it a sermon. And it takes eight guys to collect all the money!”

Dads need respect, regardless of their occupation.

Sonora Smart Dodd of Spokane, Washington, knew it was so. Listening to a Mother’s Day sermon in 1909, she thought of her father, who had raised her and her five siblings after their mother died. So, she spoke to area ministers and YMCA members, and they began to plan a day honoring fathers the next year.

They selected roses as the flower of the day: red if the father was living, white if he was deceased. Interest grew until President Calvin Coolidge made Father’s Day a national holiday in 1924.

I’m glad there’s a Father’s Day, selfishly and spiritually.

We need to remember what God wants us to give our fathers, on this day and each day. More than $22 billion, much of it going to the roughly 100 million ties that will mark the occasion.

But while an extra tie is often appreciated, what else do fathers need?

More than gifts, a good meal, or time for an afternoon nap, what fathers need most is to remember why we were blessed by God with this privilege, and how to fulfill it well.

Graduate from Fatherhood 101

Unfortunately, children do not come with owner’s manuals, Chilton’s car repair books, or operating instructions. But their Creator has told us what we need to know to do this job well. As church leaders, it’s our privilege to help our people understand how to do just that.

So let’s review Fatherhood 101 in the word of God.

A father’s first responsibility is to lead their family spiritually.

“Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church” (Ephesians 5:25). How did Jesus love us? Unconditionally, selflessly, sacrificially. Love her the same way.

“Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ” (Ephesians 5:21). Serve each other, meet each other’s needs.

Live so that your wife can more easily fulfill her spiritual responsibility as well: “Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord” (Ephesians 5:22). Be the spiritual leader, example, and model in your family and home. Live and lead so that they follow Christ because of you.

A survey conducted by the National Study of Youth and Religion has concluded that adolescents raised in religious households are far more likely to admire their parents and live in healthy families than those who are not. And more recent studies show that reality has not changed. So, lead your family spiritually.

Next, provide for your family financially.

Fathers are to meet their family’s physical and spiritual needs: “…Children should not have to save up for their parents, but parents for their children” (2 Corinthians 12:14).

Freud said, “I cannot think of any need in childhood as strong as the need for a father’s protection.” Provide financial and physical security and stability for your home.

Third, teach your children biblically.

Describing the principles of Scripture, fathers are commanded to “Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up” (Deuteronomy 6:7).

We are further instructed, “Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4).

Do you have a time in your home for Bible study and prayer? A time to teach your children what you know of God’s word? Parents are their first pastors, their spiritual guides. The church has your kids one percent of their time, the schools 16 percent; parents have them 83 percent of their time. So teach them biblically.

Fourth, be what you want your children to become.

A godly father “must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him with proper respect” (1 Timothy 3:4).

It’s been observed that “Till a boy is fifteen, he does what his father says; after that, he does what his father does.” So teach your people to be mindful of their actions, and make sure your actions support that truth as well.

Ultimately, Fatherhood 101 comes down to this: lead your family spiritually, provide for them physically, teach them biblically, and be what you want them to become. Now, let’s focus on the last principle. How can we be the people we want our children to become? What does it take to be godly fathers?

You’re familiar with New Year’s resolutions. Today, I want to offer some Father’s Day resolutions from the list of blessings that begin Christ’s Sermon on the Mount. Eight, in fact. Eight gifts to give to our children, and to our souls as well.

Adopt these Father’s Day resolutions from the Beatitudes

Jesus’ familiar beatitudes begin: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:3).

To be “poor in spirit” means to know our need of God, that we cannot live and succeed without his help. It means to admit that he is the I Am and I am the I Am Not.

Our culture stands on self-sufficiency. We can meet our needs if we just put in enough hours, take enough classes, and consult enough experts.

God knows better. He knows that our children are eternal souls entrusted to our care. So here’s the first Father’s Day resolution: “I will seek the help of God daily.” Will you make this commitment now?

The second beatitude states, “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted” (Matthew 5:4).

The “mourning” to which Jesus refers is primarily spiritual. Mourning for sin, failures, shortcomings before God. It means to admit that all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23), myself among them.

Our culture stands on self-assurance. We’re good fathers if we provide financially for our families. Pete Rose heard that his daughter had told a reporter he was a terrible father. He responded, “That’s not true. I’m a great father. Why, just the other day I bought her a new Mercedes.”

As we discussed before, our children are more likely to follow our actions than our words as they get older. So we must spend time every day confessing our sins, staying right with God. And that includes confessing to them when we’ve made mistakes in our parenting.

So here’s the second Father’s Day resolution: “I will confess my sins daily.” Will you start today?

Jesus continues: “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth” (Matthew 5:5).

The Greek word translated “meek” meant strength under submission. Biblically, it means to be under the control of the Holy Spirit, to obey the command to be “filled [or controlled] by the Spirit” (Ephesians 5:18).

Our culture is self-reliant. As long as our finances are healthy, our jobs productive, and our health is good, our future is secure.

God knows that we do not possess the wisdom, patience, or strength we need; that we must have the Spirit’s power. So here’s our third Father’s Day resolution: “I will submit daily to the control of the Holy Spirit.” Will you make this surrender right now?

The fourth beatitude: “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled” (Matthew 5:6).

“Righteousness” in Scripture deals with our actions, but also with our motives and our thoughts. God’s word teaches that as we think in our hearts, so we are (Proverbs 23:7, KJV). Moody said your character is what you do when no one is looking.

Our culture judges only our actions. So long as we are righteous in the eyes of our peers, we’re doing all we must.

But God sees our hearts. He knows that our children so often do what we do. So here’s our fourth Father’s Day resolution: “I will think and act by the word of God.” Does anything need to change in your life this morning as a result?

The fifth beatitude: “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy” (Matthew 5:7).

Grace gives what we don’t deserve; mercy does not give what we do deserve.

Our culture knows little of mercy. We are driven by performance, possessions, and perfection. So we drive our children to succeed as we have. Recent periodicals have documented the problem of sports stress, for instance, as parents live vicariously through their children and push them to succeed at all costs.

But God knows that we fail more than we succeed, and that our children need our forgiveness, unconditional love, and mercy. So here’s our fifth Father’s Day resolution: “I will forgive my children when they fail.” As your Father forgives you.

The sixth beatitude promises, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God” (Matthew 5:8).

To be “pure in heart” means to live by God’s single purpose for your life. What is that purpose? To “love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to love others as yourself” (Matthew 22:37, 39).

Our culture defines success by how much we own, while God defines it by how much we give. Our culture measures us by how many people love us, while God measures us by how many people we love.

So here’s our sixth Father’s Day resolution: “I will love my Father, my family, and others unconditionally.”

The seventh beatitude states, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God” (Matthew 5:9).

A “peacemaker” is one who seeks righteous resolution to conflict, not just the absence of conflict but the presence of justice.

Our culture thrives on competition, victory, and success. God wants our families to live in harmony and peace with each other in an atmosphere of mutual respect and love.

So here’s our seventh Father’s Day resolution: “I will teach my children to respect and love each other.”

The last beatitude concludes: “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:10).

Living by these principles will cost us. Humility, confession of sin, submission to God, biblical thinking, forgiveness, unconditional love, and mutual respect are not popular values in our culture.

So here’s our last Father’s Day resolution: “I will pay any price to be a man of God.” Our God— and our families—are worth our sacrifice.

We can give our children no greater gift than to be such men of God.

A Father’s Day parable

Chuck Swindoll said it well: “Dad is not perfect; he would be the first to admit it. Nor is he infallible, much to his own disappointment. Nor altogether fair, nor always right. But there’s one thing he is always—he is your dad, the only one you’ll ever have. Take it from me, there’s only one thing he needs on Father’s Day. Plain and simple, he needs to hear you say, ‘Dad, I love you.’”

If your earthly father is still with you today, will you give him this gift? If God has brought other men into your life who have filled that role and been a father to you in some way, will you tell them as well?

And if you’re a father, will you give your children these resolutions from the word of God?

Each is necessary, which is why Jesus included all of them in his Sermon. But, at the same time, most of us are better at some than others. With which do you need to start today?

A group of botanists hiking in the Alps found a very rare flower. It was growing on a ledge of rock which could be reached only at great peril and with a lifeline. None were experienced climbers, so they found a local shepherd boy and offered him several gold coins to climb down the rope and retrieve the flower.

The boy wanted the money but feared that the job was too dangerous. He would have to trust strangers to hold his lifeline. Suddenly, he had an idea. He left the group and returned a moment later holding the hand of a much older man.

He ran with excitement to the edge of the cliff and said to the botanists, “You can tie the rope under my arms now. I’ll go into the canyon, as long as you let my father hold the rope.”

Whose rope is in your hand today?

 

Denison Forum