Sibling Rivalry With the Children of Abraham

SIBLING RIVALRY BETWEEN THE CHILDREN OF ABRAHAM For thousands of years animosity has existed between the Arabs and the Jews, we know this, but what is the reason? Let’s go back in time and try to understand the history of the discord, and why it continues to this day, but more importantly, is there something missing that BOTH groups don’t understand? Let’s find out together! In the Old Testament God promised a faithful man named Abraham, that his descendants would become many nations, and would be numbered as the stars of heaven, or as the sand of the sea*. (For your own reference check Genesis15: 5; Genesis 17:5 to verify these statements). Curiously Abraham was a descendant of Noah, through his son Shem, 10 generations previous. Shem’s family produced many nations, all speaking what is referred to as a Semetic language (taken from Shem). Assyrian, Aramaic, Arabic, Hebrew, Chaldean, just to mention a few*. (So we see, it is really not correct to call someone who is really anti-Jew anti-Semetic, as the term Semite refers to many peoples alive today; including Arabs). Abraham's first son was named Ishmael, born to him through an Egyptian slave girl named Hagar. His second son born (first from his wife Sarah) was named Isaac. Sibling rivalry became an issue that got out of hand and so Abraham dismissed Hagar and Ishmael, so that he (Ishmael) would not be a rival to the family inheritance. (Abraham was a very rich man) Also of significance is God’s promise that the blessing to the world, (the Messiah) would come through Isaac (not Ishmael), then through his son Jacob (renamed Israel). This covenant or promise was made and confirmed to each generation*. (For reference check Genesis 18:18; Genesis 22:18 where the promise of a blessing to the world through Abraham's seed is clear). This is significant because God himself makes the distinction, choosing Isaac not Ishmael. This is key to understanding this long-held rivalry. Arabs today claim that Mohammad is the Prophet ( Savior of the world, Messiah) born as a descendant of Ishmael (whom they believe received the blessing of the firstborn of Abraham) The identity of this world Savior (Messiah) was a sacred secret for centuries, but it was revealed over time that he (Messiah) would be from the tribe of Judah, (from where the name Jew comes from) from the royal family line of King David!* (Check for reference Genesis49:10; 2 Samuel7:16 Also was to be born in Bethlehem, check Micah5:2.) Some bristle at the choosing of a special people (Israel) to produce the Messiah, they say it is favoritism, but if the blessing of the whole world comes by means of this one, there is no favoritism. (If some nations were left out of a blessing there may be a point in that argument) It’s interesting to note that God himself told the Jews why they were chosen to be his people, it was because of his promise to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob*. (Check Deut7:7,8 for reference) Curiously, the Jews to this day do not accept Jesus as the Messiah, (Funny how most Christmas songs were composed by Jews) although he was born from the tribe of Judah, from the family line of King David, and born in David’s city of Bethlehem. They are still waiting for the Messiah, but, if it is not Jesus of Nazareth, how could he (the Messiah) be identified if there are no birth records to confirm genealogy? ( All Jewish records burned with the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans in 70CE) So in conclusion, God chose Israel to produce the Messiah, who would become the Savior of the world, eventually ruling over it in the Messianic kingdom, thereby bringing a blessing to all humans. However, to benefit today, (and in the future) one needs to accept him (Jesus of Nazareth) as the Messiah. There is no one else (Mohammad, Moses) that is capable of filling that role. Curiously both groups (Arabs and Jews) can now look to the future with hope, but they need to leave behind old conflicts, and accept the means of salvation that God has provided for all of us! Of note: Abraham had 6 other sons from another wife Keturah, (after Sarah died), from which most Arab tribes today descended from! John Derek Hamilton January 15,2018 *For more information look up JW.org, Bible questions asked, for more details.