Don't Forget Ishmael

"The next day at about the sixth hour, as the men were approaching the city on their journey, Peter went up on the roof to pray. He became hungry and wanted something to eat, but while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance.

He saw heaven open and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners. It contained all kinds of four-footed animals and reptiles of the earth, as well as birds of the air. Then a voice spoke to him: 'Get up, Peter, kill and eat!'

'No, Lord!' Peter answered, 'I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.'

The voice spoke to him a second time: 'Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.'"

[Acts 10:9-15, BSB]

This morning, as I was praying--not quite like Peter (no trance or anything like that!☺), but just feeling a burden for those being persecuted by extreme terrorists around the globe it was impressed upon my spirit how fervently we need to pray for Muslims. They are, in fact, the group most terrorized by extremists. God allowed me to see an important connection, in my prayer. Just at the time that many Muslims are accepting Christ--many having visions of Christ (some similar to Paul's Damascus Road experience), it is at this time that they are being slaughtered in droves. It is no mistake--satan, although a defeated foe, intends to take as many with him to eternal perdition, as he possibly can. If we don't intercede for Ishmael, who will?

While we were celebrating Thanksgiving in America, over 300 of the most peaceful sect of Islam (it is said of them), the Sufis, were brutally murdered while praying in a mosque, in Egypt. Sufis are attacked regularly in Pakistan. ISIS attacked a Sufi mosque in Pakistan in February, killing more than 70, and injuring many others. Even children are not exempt from such evil. The truth is, even Muslims who are not Sufis, generally are not violent or extremist. It's much the same as Christians--most of us don't behave like Fred Phelps, leader of Westboro Baptist Church, a Thomas Robb or any others who promote hate. Extremists abound...everywhere.

Yet, in America, our sympathies seem only to lie with Israel--especially among the Evangelical community. I don't quite understand how we can be so connected to natural Israel, in spite of their wickedness. Our loyalties to Israel are not to be political, but spiritual; and they are not to be in spite of anything that Israel does politically, foolishly, or with evil intent. Often, throughout the years, our government has sided with Israel, even when Israel was/is in direct violation of the Torah. Evangelicals are big supporters of Israel's government...no matter what. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu is leading Israel down a path of terror--becoming a terror itself. Past prime ministers worked toward the goal of peace, but Netanyahu has done everything he can to undermine the goal of peace in the Middle East--particularly in Palestine. (Here's a link to Human Rights Watch, which will show abuses on both sides of the conflict, but honest reporting shows that Israel has become quite the cruel aggressor). https://www.hrw.org/middle-east/n-africa/israel/palestine .

These things give rise to terrorism and give extremists ammunition against any (like Westerners) who support those who are terrorizing Muslims on a daily basis. There really is more than one side to this this story and plenty of guilt to go around. 

When an Israeli prime minister really worked toward a peaceful resolution that respected both sides, Yitzhak Rabin was assassinated by an Israeli extremist. Rabin was no lover of Palestinians, but was pragmatic in his approach--and therefore, willing to work with Palestinians to ensure peace for Israel. Of this dire situation, one Israeli said, "that the Israeli public is not willing to make the compromises Rabin promised. 'The people of Israel say they like peace, but when it comes to the table, they don’t want to give up anything,' says Hon. 'Not Jerusalem. Not the West Bank and not the ruling of the Palestinians.'" I think he may just have a point.

What does God's Word say to us as Christians, in regards to our dealings with Israel and Islam (Ishmael)? Let's go way back to the very beginning of the conflict. I won't go into detail, but most of us know the story of Sarah, Abraham, Hagar, Ishmael and Isaac. If not, it's found here: Genesis 15-18, 21. 

 In Genesis 17, Abraham prayed, "If only Ishmael might live under your blessing!" and God responded, "And as for Ishmael, I have heard you: I will surely bless him; I will make him fruitful and will greatly increase his numbers. He will be the father of twelve rulers, and I will make him into a great nation." God didn't only love Isaac--Isaac was the son of the Covenant--the son who was promised by faith, through whom the Redeemer of the world would come, but God still promised to bless Ishmael. He does that so often, even when we make a mess trying to "help God out"! He doesn't need our help--and every time we get our flesh, our pride, our earthbound minds involved in His business, we create problems for Him to fix. In His mercy, He does just that, and blesses our messes. The Bible abounds with such accounts!

Today, we see Christians taking the truth of Jesus Christ throughout the Muslim world--sacrificing life and limb for the sake of the Gospel. We also know that even where they have not yet gone, God is reaching the hearts of Muslims (because it is His plan and His will, and because of the prayers of many), miraculously through dreams and visions. Many are turning to Christ, even in the face of extreme persecution, imprisonment and death. In many countries, it is illegal and punishable by death to renounce Islam. If only we could see this conflict spiritually, rather than naturally and how we (in the West) are affected by it. 

What comes to mind in this moment is: "This is not a wrestling match against a human opponent. We are wrestling with rulers, authorities, the powers who govern this world of darkness, and spiritual forces that control evil in the heavenly world." [Ephesians 6:12, GWT].

 Everything is not as simple as black and white. 

Everything is not simply what we see on the surface or with our natural eyes. 

We have to dig deeper and pray deeper. 

God is doing a new thing, and will receive ALL who will call on His Name without respect to nationality, ethnicity, or any such thing--even bad prior acts (remember Saul/Paul). Peter had to learn this lesson in order to go to the Roman centurion, Cornelius. It was tough for Peter--he was quite prejudiced; in fact, Paul gave him the riot act for his prejudices and two-faced behavior (Galatians 2). Peter certainly had his flaws; and apparently forgot his cowardice, denials, and thug mentality, on occasion. God didn't reject him, he taught him, molded him and used him, in spite of his forgetfulness. But, for all of Peter's prejudice and aforementioned shortcomings, he obediently went to Caesarea according to God's command, and Peter preached to Cornelius and his whole house saying, "I now truly understand that God does not show favoritism, but welcomes those from every nation who fear Him and do what is right. He has sent this message to the people of Israel, proclaiming the gospel of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all.

You yourselves know what has happened throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee with the baptism that John proclaimed: how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, and how Jesus went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, because God was with Him.

We are witnesses of all that He did, both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem. And although they put Him to death by hanging Him on a tree, God raised Him up on the third day and caused Him to be seen— not by all the people, but by the witnesses God had chosen beforehand, by us who ate and drank with Him after He rose from the dead. And He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that He is the One appointed by God to judge the living and the dead. All the prophets testify about Him that everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins through His name. [Acts 10:34-43, BSB]. And the outcome to Peter's obedience was amazing. "While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard his message. All the circumcised believers who had accompanied Peter were amazed that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles. For they heard them speaking in tongues and exalting God.Then Peter said, 'Can anyone withhold the water to baptize these people? They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have!' So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ...." [Acts 10:44-48, BSB].

I wonder what would have become of those faithful believers if Peter held fast to his principles and beliefs that it was all for the Jew, and only for the Jew?

Pray for the peace of Israel and understand that anyone can become "a Jew"--circumcised in the heart, not merely in the flesh. This is by faith, as God promised Abraham, and has nothing to do with the flesh, but God's arms are open to all who will call on the Name of the Lord. It's the promised gift.

When you pray, remember Ishmael and God's promise to bless Him.

"If God be for us [or Ishmael] who can be against us [or Ishmael]? 

Read: Romans 4:1-13; 9:1-33; Genesis 15:1-7.