CHRISTIANS: Comments contain lies

Together in a Bible study with old friends, we meditated on a verse of Psalm 109: “..He stands at the right hand of the needy, to save him from those who judge his soul.”

I write concerning the following comments from the Coeur d’Alene Christian community:  

“The state of Israel bought an empty land…”

“It was changed from a desert into a fruitful garden…”

“It is so sad how these people are hiding behind their children and teaching them to hate…”

“All this conflict gives hope and is pointing to the Last Days before Jesus’ return…”

Is Israel being perceived by us Christians as the needy one, the one by whom God stands, and the one whose prosperity is essential in ushering in a new age?

I think every one of the comments mentioned above contain a lie and worse than that, are dehumanizing. Since Oct. 7, 2023, over 40,000 dead in Gaza and much of the population displaced. Does Prime Minister Netanyahu really mean to exterminate the entire population as Moses was commanded to do to Amalek? (PM’s comparison). Where is Christ? Munther Isaac, Lutheran pastor in Bethlehem, has said that Christ is in the rubble.

If, indeed, God is in the rubble — “at the right hand of the needy” — can those of you who are pastors in Coeur d’Alene, please reflect during this season of Pentecost about how a theology of Israeli domination may be dishonest, cruel, and promote false hope and resignation about the future? Maybe Jesus is closest with those whose prayers aren’t being answered. (No worries! Amir Tsarfati of Behold Israel will set me straight at Lake City Church July 1.)

CHERYL ANN GROUNDS

Coeur d’Alene