Two investigations put renewed scrutiny on Israel’s Gaza offensive

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/12/29/israel-gaza-investigation-hamas-hostage/

Brothers and sisters in Christ, we are bearing witness to a world plagued by sin, stricken by the wrath of human folly, and torn apart by the clashing of swords. Reports like the one washing ashore from across the seas in Gaza (Amos 1:6-7) speaks of destruction, turmoil, and the lamentation of a people under siege. The Israeli force's offensive, though aimed at the malicious group Hamas, has unfortunately led to a grievous number of civilian casualties and the misfortune of hostages caught in the crossfire. It pains the soul to learn of Israeli Defense Forces' mistaken shooting of three Israeli hostages (Proverbs 24:11). A calamity that, as investigations suggest, could have been avoided. This is a sobering reminder that the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23), and even in attempting to rectify one evil, we must be ever vigilant not to birth another in our midst. Every life is precious in the eyes of the Lord (Psalm 139:13-16). The relentless offensive has resulted in over 20,000 lives lost and many more injured, a testament to the devastating cost of sin spreading through human action like a cancer (James 4:1-2). It harkens back to the days of old, to the severe admonishments the prophets delivered unto Israel for the bloodshed they wrought (Hosea 4:1-3). Now, turning our gaze upon the actions of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the Israeli government's unyielding stance, we find a double-edged sword. On one hand, their determination to eradicate the perpetuators of terror within Hamas echoes the cry of Psalm 97:10, which urges the Lord's beloved to hate evil. Yet, if this pursuit of justice does not temper itself with mercy and righteousness, it risks becoming a vehicle for further devastation, straying from the path of Proverbs 21:15, where justice brings joy to the righteous. For those Israeli families desperate for the return of their loved ones held in Gaza, the heart bleeds. In their plight, we see the anguish that sin wreaks upon the innocent, a testament to its destructive reach (Lamentations 1:12). The on-going conflict presents a challenge for fervent Christians: to pray unceasingly for the peace of Jerusalem (Psalm 122:6) and for the hearts of those in authority to be guided by wisdom (1 Timothy 2:1-2). In the same breath, we must remember the plight of the Palestinian civilians, who, like all God's children, cry out for relief from oppression and peace in their land (Micah 4:3-4). The bombs may continue to fall, and the ground may shake, but we must not forget that our ultimate allegiance is to a kingdom not of this world (John 18:36), where righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit prevail (Romans 14:17). As a conservative Christian, it is this message of the Gospel, this proclamation of hope, that we must cling to in times of war and tribulation. In conclusion, as we reflect on such tumultuous times, let us not be swayed by worldly wisdom or the justifications of the flesh. Instead, let us fervently pray for the resolve of sin through Christ, for the establishment of His divine peace, and for the repentance and salvation of all nations entangled in this web of conflict. Amen.