Why is there so much animosity between Jews and Arabs / Muslims?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

The Bible traces the origins of this conflict to the family of Abraham. Both Jews and Muslims claim Abraham as their forefather but through different sons: Jews through Isaac and Muslims through Ishmael. The tension between these brothers and their mothers, Sarah and Hagar, is recorded in Genesis (Genesis 16:1–16, 21:8–21). This ancestral divide sets the stage for future conflicts (Genesis 25:18). However, Scripture also provides a vision for peace and reconciliation (Isaiah 2:4; Ephesians 2:14–18), calling believers to be peacemakers (Matthew 5:9) and to love even their enemies (Matthew 5:44).

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• Genesis 21:9–10: "But Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, whom she had borne to Abraham, laughing. So she said to Abraham, 'Cast out this slave woman with her son, for the son of this slave woman shall not be heir with my son Isaac.'" This passage shows the early tension between Isaac and Ishmael's lineages, which has implications for the modern conflict.
• Psalm 122:6: "Pray for the peace of Jerusalem! May they be secure who love you!" This verse encourages prayer for peace in Jerusalem, a city central to the ongoing tensions.
• Isaiah 2:4: "He shall judge between the nations, and shall decide disputes for many peoples; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore." This prophetic vision offers hope for ultimate peace between nations, including those currently in conflict.

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• Matthew 5:9: "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God." Jesus calls His followers to be peacemakers, which applies to all conflicts, including this one between Jews and Arabs.
• Galatians 3:28: "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." Paul emphasizes the unity of all believers in Christ, transcending ethnic and cultural divisions.
• Ephesians 2:14: "For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility." This verse presents Christ as the source of true peace and reconciliation between divided groups.

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

While the Bible acknowledges historical tensions and conflicts between Jews and Arabs, it also points to a future where these divisions are healed. True reconciliation and lasting peace are possible through God's redemptive plan in Christ. This challenges us to look beyond political solutions or temporary peace agreements. Instead, it calls us to recognize that genuine peace comes through spiritual transformation. As followers of Christ, we are called to be agents of that reconciliation, reflecting God's love to all people regardless of their ethnic or religious background.

By focusing on our shared humanity as beings created in God's image and the universal need for salvation in Christ, we can work toward breaking down walls of hostility and building bridges of understanding and love.

UNDERSTAND

• The conflict between Jews and Arabs stems from the biblical story of Abraham’s sons, Isaac and Ishmael, and the resulting tensions between them.
• The longstanding animosity between Jews and Arabs has been exacerbated by political, cultural, and territorial disputes over the centuries
• The Bible envisions a future of peace and reconciliation, despite historical conflicts, through Christ.

REFLECT

• How can recognizing the biblical origins of the conflict between Jews and Arabs influence your understanding of contemporary issues in the Middle East?
• How can you be an agent of peace and reconciliation in your personal relationships or community?
• How does your faith in Christ call you to respond to divisions and conflicts in today’s world?

ENGAGE

• How does the biblical narrative of Isaac and Ishmael shape our understanding of historical and ongoing conflicts between Jews and Arabs?
• What are some practical steps that can be taken to promote peace and reconciliation in situations of ethnic or religious conflict, based on biblical principles?
• As Christians, we are called to respond to the Jewish-Arab conflict with a commitment to peacemaking and reconciliation, ultimately recognizing that Christ is the One who can redeem this conflict. This involves advocating for justice, understanding, and compassion while promoting dialogue and mutual respect among all parties involved. Although we support Israel and recognize that Jews are God’s chosen people and have rights to their land, we also don’t support ungodly means of responding to Arabs.
• INCLUDE ARTICLE LINK: https://www.compellingtruth.org/Jews-Arabs-Muslims.html