Lausanne World Pulse – Themed Articles – Like Dew in a Dry Land: Reconciliation in the Middle East
Unity among God’s People
Psalm 133 is particularly instructive regarding the connection between unity, ministry and blessing in the framework of relationship within the people of God. Unity in this psalm is described as both ultimately good and experientially pleasant. This unity is compared to abundant moisture—dew from Mount Hermon, appearing in a normally dry place, the mountains of Zion in the Judean desert (133:3a).
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Psalm 133 “How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity! It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron’s beard, down upon the collar of his robes. It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion. For there the LORD bestows his blessing, even life forevermore.” |
In scriptural terms, dew is symbolic of refreshing and blessing. The heart of this psalm contains an additional metaphor for the blessing of unity. Aaron, the high priest, is pictured as being anointed to such a degree that he is completely drenched with oil (133:2). Anointing the priest was to empower him for ministry before God and to the people. The blessing of unity, God’s people in harmonious relationship, is refreshment and empowerment for service bringing everlasting life and it is commanded by God himself (133:3b).
The world in the twenty-first century is deeply divided across ethnic, racial, national and political lines. Humanity’s penchant to divide into warring factions is everywhere in evidence. Conflicts are both ancient and modern and they are ubiquitous around the globe. Tragically, the message of the gospel has not always resulted in unity among God’s people living in places of conflict, especially when they are on opposite sides of ethnic, national, racial or political divides. Unity among God’s people is particularly important in times and places where ethnic conflict exists.
Unity in the Middle East
The conflict in the Middle East is perhaps the oldest conflict in today’s world. Israel and the Arab world are ancient enemies. From biblical times, the conflict continually recycles. The gospel has reached both Israel and the Arab world and today there are vibrant communities of believers in Jesus living among both peoples. In Israel and Palestine, these believers are increasingly aware of the need to be in relationship with one another. According to the world, they are enemies, but by the power of the gospel, they are brothers. Can these brothers dwell together in the unity prayed for by Jesus in John 17 and described in Psalm 133? In theory, the answer is yes, and happily, in practice this is a growing reality.
Congregations of Jewish believers meet with Arab Christian congregations in Israel. Pastors speak in one another’s churches. Over Christmas holiday 2006, collections of money and clothing were sent by Messianic congregations and individual believers to the needy Christians of the Bethlehem area. This is unity characterized by mercy and compassion, across the divides.
Reconciliation in Israel
In the context of conflict and wide cultural diversity that is Israel/Palestine, Musalaha Ministries is the only faith-based reconciliation ministry in Israel that intentionally brings Arab Christians from the Palestinian territories and Gaza together with Arab Israeli Christians and Messianic Jews. Working from an unambiguous basis of common faith in Messiah, Musalaha brings together people from these different communities in order to deepen understanding and relationship.
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