The root of the conflict is here.
Sadly, Jerusalem is in the news again and not for anything good.
This time, the fighting between Jews and Muslims broke out around the most disputed piece of land in the world. That is where the golden Muslim Dome of the Rock and Al-Asqua Mosques are located now. It is also where the two ancient Jewish Temples used to be, where the third and fourth Jewish Temples will be located in the future and the hill, known today as the Temple Mount {called both Mount Moriah and Mount Zion in the Bible}, is where Abraham was set to sacrifice his son Isaac. (Genesis 22:1-19) One of its outer walls, a retaining wall from the Second Temple — known as the Western Wall or Wailing Wall — is the holiest site in Judaism.
Rest assured, the root of the modern and contemporary Arab-Israeli conflict lies over the dispute over control of this sacred ground. There are two particularly excellent books, (buy both of them here and here for under $20) that I've recommended and written about before in this blog that helps to explain why this place is so controversial. They were good reading then, and they still are good reading now. So go get yourself a copy of each. Trust me, they're real good. What are you waiting for?
I have been to Israel and have walked some of the Jerusalem streets. I have visited this particular site and I can tell you from personal experience that once you visit this beautiful place and this beautiful city, they will be close to your heart forever.
Psalm 122 (NIV)
A song of ascents. Of David.
1 I rejoiced with those who said to me,
"Let us go to the house of the LORD."
2 Our feet are standing
in your gates, O Jerusalem.
3 Jerusalem is built like a city
that is closely compacted together.
4 That is where the tribes go up,
the tribes of the LORD,
to praise the name of the LORD
according to the statute given to Israel.
5 There the thrones for judgment stand,
the thrones of the house of David.
6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem:
"May those who love you be secure.
7 May there be peace within your walls
and security within your citadels."
8 For the sake of my brothers and friends,
I will say, "Peace be within you."
9 For the sake of the house of the LORD our God,
I will seek your prosperity.
posted by Tim @ 14:01
2 Comments:
"It is also where the two ancient Jewish Temples used to be, where the third and fourth Jewish Temples will be located in the future"
As i see it, statements like this are the true root of the problem.
Yes, your big book says that this is where the temples should be built, and yes, you believe that the big book is never ever ever, in a million years, cross my heart, etc etc, wrong.
But guess what , other people have their own big book too, and (speaking as someone who thinks that jews, muslims and xians are EQUALLY nuts)I would objectively say that they have just as good a claim on the land.
Yet because in your mind there's no question that your team deserves to win, you're incapable of seeing that you're actually contributing to the problem, not the solution.
Archaeological evidence clearly indicates that this land is where the Jewish Temple was. Israel and old city Jerusalem are only so big, so it had to be somewhere. And the Bible is not the only place that confirms that. Look at any other early Jewish writing, such as Josephus for one, who actually saw the Temple there and was with the Roman army when they destroyed it and the city in 70 AD. Even Roman writing of the time, pertaining to Palestine will tell you this.
Historically, Arabs and Jews have been at odds since the time of Abraham. This is because the Bible says that Abraham's son (through Sarah) Isaac is the favored descendant and Islam states that it is Abraham's oldest son Ishmael (through Hagar, Sarah's Egyptian handmaid) who is the favored descendant.
And in the modern era, the fact that two Islamic Mosques have been on the site since, I believe, the 1300's is why it's the heart of the problem, and will be a source of tension as long as those Mosques are there.
If you'd just take the time to read either or both books that I recommend, you'd understand more of the history of the conflict. EAnd who knows, you might even learn something in the process to broaden your horizons.
But you won't even bother doing that because you are too closed minded and paranoid about anything having to do with Israel, Judaism Christianity, Islam and anything having to do with religion and the Bible.
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