Palestinian Issue Will End Terrorism - Research Paper Example

Palestinian Issue Will End Terrorism Studying the book of Isaiah the prophet in the Old Testament, shows many historical events that have molded particularly the history of Israel. This book speaks of wars, kings, warnings to the kings by the prophet as well as pieces of advice that would guide the kings to the necessary things they needed to do in their leaderships. Being a prophet active in the last four decades of the eighth century before our Common Era in Jerusalem, the capital of Judah (Newsom & Ringe, 169), in the days of Ahaz (Scullion 288), Isaiah played a vital part in the writing of history. He was a man closely related to the highest social class of Jerusalem and Judah whose major portion of ministry was serving as a scribe to kings Ahaz and Hezekiah (Newsom & Ringe, 169). The selected verses were written during the reign of king Ahaz at a time when he was reigning over Judah and the kings of Aram and Israel, king Rezin and king Pekah respectively, joined forces to overthrow Ahaz (Isaiah 7:1-6). With the impending doom the king has foreseen, God sent the prophet Isaiah to deliver His message of hope, a challenge to the king who sees the imminent danger as good as done. The king who refused to believe that Isaiah was sent by God said a rather pious response saying he does not like to put the Lord to the test. Despite this, God uttered His plan, a sign, and the sign which the king did not ask, through the prophet Isaiah which brings to the very message of the passage. This account of events brings the message of hope. A son is to be born and to be named Immanuel meaning God is with us (Newsom & Ringe, 170). The birth of a child is perhaps the most universal and enduring symbol of hope for the human race (Bergant & Karris, 422), so strong is its message that God used it to get His message through at a time when destruction was just about to enter the doors of Judah. This is when Ahaz’s faith in God was tested as a message so contrary to what he sees is spoken to him. Whom should he believe? His secretary or the evidence of what was about to happen. This then is not just a passage of hope but one that requires something from man. God gives hope; man puts his trust in God to reciprocate an act of goodness from the Lord. It gives a message of mutual trust, God trusting man that he would be able to overcome life’s trials despite his weaknesses and man trusting God even if he does not see the Supernatural Being who is strengthening and encouraging him. The figure of Immanuel was not presented as a messianic figure instead; he is a symbol of hope in weakness, of new life in the midst of destruction (Bergant & Karris, 423). King Ahaz was weakened by the thought that his own brother, Benjamin was waging war against him, aiming to ruin his people. They were so weakened that the king and his army were described as being shaken as the trees of the forest are shaken by the trees (Isaiah 7:2). Alone, he would not be able to defend his people against the joined forces of two strong kings that have no other mission than to destroy his kingdom. Amidst the fear that has come upon the people of Judah, God raised a prophet who was a picture of strength, of courage. Who would Isaiah be before the king? It takes much courage to speak to the king in the way that the prophet did. Who would dare to speak of hope and encouragement when the circumstances that surround tell of things one can just imagine? Only when God speaks that a mere man is emboldened to stand up. Only when faith in God is in a man that he has the strength to speak, laugh in times of danger, rejoice in times of mourning, jump in times of pain or even sing in times of death. The message tells us to put our hope and trust not in what we see, hear or feel but in God alone. It shares a challenging message not only to the people in the story but even to modern people who are undergoing similar situations. We may not be in a war but probably in a situation where we feel life is about to end and that there is no God who would even dare to care to rescue in such a mess. But this passage gives just what one in such a situation needs, as He has offered a message of hope to king Ahaz during his time of trials. On the contrary, Oxford attacks the passage responding to quasi-psychological claims of some scholar of the wrong motives of Ahaz when he refused to ask for a sign as suggested by the prophet, noting that there was no information in the text that would suggest such a circumstance. Adding that whatever was the reaction of the king was inevitable as it was predestined by God (445). This brings to mind that when God speaks, man can do nothing against His plans. As an inventor puts to use his invention without the latter being able to complain or question its use, so are we in the presence of God who is Omnipotent. This then gives us the message of our need of God for as they say, “Without God, man is nothing but without man, God is still God”. Looking at the whole book of Isaiah and with the author being a prophet, it can be said that this is a book mostly of prophecies. The passage that we discussed was not just a simple message of hope during that time but it was a prophecy that was soon to be fulfilled. The book of Isaiah also is a book full of messages of hope as there were so many wars during the time of the prophet. Aside from the wars which usually frightened kings, the stubbornness of Israel as a nation was portrayed in the book where there seemed to be no space for reconciliation between God and His people. However, God never put an end to his care rather, He always sent His prophet to speak of His warnings, for the Israelites to turn from their wicked ways and to go back to Him (Isaiah 1:26). This passage also speaks of Immanuel, God with us who is referred to by Newsom & Ringe (170) as Jesus in the New Testament, the God who is Omnipresent offering a hand that spells hope. The prophecy of this Savior, this Hope was not just written along the lines of chapter seven of the book but is scattered throughout the book. Isaiah 4:2-6 speaks about the Branch of the Lord, a message of hope in a time when seven women seize one man to marry them for their survival, that their disgrace might be removed (Isaiah 4:1). During this time, “The Branch” will wash away the filth of the women, he will cleanse the bloodstains from Jerusalem and he will create a cloud to cover them from the sun and a flaming fire to keep them warm and able to see during the night. Chapter nine verses six and seven of the same book speaks of yet another message of hope as a child is born who will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. During times of trouble that one does not think straight, a wonderful counselor is available to give a sound advice, mighty even to get one out of trouble. A message of a father of his everlasting presence though seemingly impossible as we look at our earthly fathers is strongly emphasized. Yet through the doubts and fears, the Prince of Peace gives the message for man to trust in God and not be troubled. Hope is yet again offered in this book as the Branch from Jesse is mentioned in chapter eleven as one who will rise to judge in righteousness, will slay the wicked, with a belt of righteousness and a sash of faithfulness. These and many more are just examples of the major contents of the book of Isaiah. It did not just speak of deliverance to come in a long time after the Old Testament but the words of warnings, repentance, encouragement and hope were given to the people of Israel in their very times of need. The passage that we have been talking about gives a similar tune as to the other chapters of the book of Isaiah singing a song of care, deliverance, concern and love. A love that would go beyond just forgiving. A love that is exemplified by God alone through His son, Jesus Christ, the very message of the entire Bible. A love that shows that after sufferings, there would be exceeding joy; after the storm, there would be calm; after the holding on to the faith one has in God, there would be a reward that is far above any reward on this earth. But for all of these to come to pass, one must have the faith of David as Scullion gives the contrast to king Ahaz (289). Write how you think that the message of the passage that you choose might be relevant to our own day and age. If you can, think of some modern situation to which the passage might speak. Samir Rifai, Jordan’s Prime Minister said in a speech at the Royal Jordanian National Defense College that more struggle and tension as well as the deceleration of hope to resolve conflicts in the area is brought by Israel’s refusal to accept a vital political solution to the Palestinian issue (Benari, Jordan PM: Only Resolving Palestinian Issue Will End Terrorism). To this day, conflicts between Israel and her neighbors exist and are as fearful as those which existed during the time of the prophet Isaiah. The words of the Prime Minister pictures the danger of the situation Israel was in during the time of king Ahaz that fear of his enemies gripped him. This made him inclined to do things according to his perceptions and not in accordance to the words of Isaiah as coming from the Lord. Contrary to the move of Israel today, king Ahaz relied more on his fellow men than on God. That is, speaking more in terms of alliance than the nation’s trust in God. Politically speaking, the situation is still so alive in the sense that without the presence of prophets today, like Isaiah, the leaders of Israel make their decisions according to how they assess their situation and not on the basis of asking God first as early kings like David did in times of wars. However, the message of this passage still rings throughout the walls of Israel that their God is still there for them, painting a rainbow of hope to them even in times when dark clouds hover over their skies. In a wider scope of the story as seen relevant to our time, there is hope that awaits everyone, even the worst of criminals, wherever one is. Today, there are so many people going against the word of God. Priests and teachers of the law of God, who could be the modern Isaiah, experience not only indifference but unbelief as well in the presence not only of kings but of laymen who really need to hear the word of God to save them from their destruction. Despite all these, God still strengthens these Isaiahs to bring the good news to all peoples, pleading them to repent from their sins for them to escape the fiery darts of hell. For what would have Isaiah earned from boldly speaking words against the king? The same is true to the modern Isaiah, what is it worth when he cares for people getting lost, what honor does he have in speaking words that hurt people? The words of the prophet are injurious as it purifies men from their sinful ways. Injurious, but not in a way that would destroy men rather, it is quite the opposite. It is likened to circumcision wherein the process could be painful, however in the end; it would be advantageous to the person, for his physical cleanliness. Likewise, the word of God which circumcises the hearts of men could be painful but in the end will expose the dirty thoughts and actions one needs to get rid of to maintain a healthy spirituality. The message of God is about hope one can have from a loving and forgiving God like Himself, is still the essential thing that He conveys in every manner He uses. It is His desire for man to be reconciled with Him no matter what hopeless situation one is in, that He wants accomplished in everyone. With the varied problems we meet without failure everyday, God wants us to see the rainbow after the rain, the silver lining of the clouds, and the ray of hope that each sunrise brings. As the child Isaiah mentioned is a representation of hope, the Lord Jesus Christ, being the son prophesied in the book represents new beginnings for all. As Christmas nears, as we celebrate the birth of this hope referred to by Isaiah, would we draw near to God in all humility and acknowledge the word of God in our lives? Would be unlike king Ahaz who did not accept the word of God to him through the prophet Isaiah? I guess it is not incidental that Christmas is celebrated at the last month of the year but it is a reminder of God that after a long year, after the last month comes a new year. There is hope for everyone. Work Cited Benari, Elard. Jordan PM: Only Resolving Palestinian Issue Will End Terrorism. Arutz Sheva. Israelnationalnews.com. October 28 2010. Web. October 28, 2010. . Bergant, Dianne and Robert J. Karris. The Collegeville Bible Commentary: Based on the New American Bible. 422-423. n.d. Web. October 28, 2010. Newsom, Carol Ann and Sharon H. Ringe. Women’s Bible Commentary. Westminster John Knox Press. 1998. 169-170. Web. October 28, 2010. Barton, John and John Muddiman. Oxford Bible Commentary. Oxford University Press. 445. 2001. Web. October 28, 2010. Scullion, John J. An Approach to the Understanding of Isaiah 7:10-17. Journal of Biblical Literature, Vol. 87, No. 3 288-300. September, 1968. Web. October 28, 2010. The New International Bible. Colorado, U.S.A.: International Bible Society, 1984. Print. Read More