Know History, or No History?

“Go ahead and hate your neighbor,
Go ahead and cheat a friend.
Do it in the name of Heaven,
You can justify it in the end.
There won’t be any trumpets blowing,
Come the judgment day.
On the bloody morning after,
One tin soldier rides away” (1969) “One Tin Soldier” Recorded By: The Original Caste Composers; Dennis Lambert and Brian Potter (Other artists recorded the song as well)

There was an 18-wheeler semi full of cattle racing down a Texas freeway. The breeze cooling off the cattle through the air vents was welcoming.

One of the cows had her eyes wide opened as she carefully analyzed her surroundings, not to mention, she was highly observant of her families’ history. As the truck rattled down the expressway, she finally spoke of her concerns to the cattle around her.

“Hey, don’t you know what’s happening? Haven’t you heard of what our relatives have told us? These humans, who raised us from calfhood, are eating us. We are all going to die! I’m telling you, we are all going to wind up on their dinner plates! Look at that sign ahead. It says, ‘Meat Packing Plant!'”

The other cattle sneered and laughed at the outspoken cow. After a few choice words, demeaning their fellow bovine traveler, another bellowed back,

“You’re full of bull! They feed us, give us pasture and stalls, and all they want is our milk. We’ve heard it all before. Besides, that sign is talking about us, packing in our plants. I’m chewing on some right now. You, and your conspiracies and propaganda.”

Just then, the semi pulled into a loading dock at a very busy slaughter house.

Fierce anger rose up in my heart. Steam was pouring out of my ears. My blood boiled in my veins. Honestly, I have been delaying for a week now from approaching my keyboard with anything about the outrageous barbaric actions of Hamas in Israel.

Do you know where Hamas got its name?

The name, “Hamas” is the word, “Violence, wrongdoing” in Hebrew. It’s first mentioned in Genesis 6:11 just prior to the great flood in Noah’s time. Read the barometer of his culture.

“Now the earth was corrupt in the sight of God, and the earth was filled with violence (Hamas).” Genesis 6:11 (NAS)

Jesus mentioned the characteristic in relation as warning signs leading up to His second coming.

“And just as it happened in the days of Noah, so will it also be in the days of the Son of Man:…” Luke 17:26 (NAS)

Although I could write all day long concerning the atrocious, evil, wicked actions of the haters coming out of Gaza in southern Israel, I will say something much shorter here.

You may not embrace what I write below. You may have another political persuasion, or opinion, and that’s fine. You have the freedom to click off, or scroll on. If you stay, you will be challenged to reason and research. So beware.

Learning the details of babies being beheaded, women hostages being paraded naked in the streets, injured rape victims being violated next to their dead family members and loved loved ones, children and entire families being burned alive, the elderly being beaten and slaughtered, etc, I must speak up. We all must speak up.

I would call the members of Hamas “animals”, but that would be degrading to the animal kingdom. No animal would perform such evil atrocities. It’s easy to not spell out the heinous, monstrous actions, but too often the Holocaust Deniers continue to defend the Nazi crimes of just 80 years ago. The world has a tendency to look away, saying it can’t be true, or it didn’t happen. There’s much of that happening right now.

My ex-mother-in-law was once a child growing up in Nazi Germany. Her uncle was an SS officer, a translator for Hitler’s Generals. As a 6 year old, she lived in a small town just outside a concentration camp where the ashes of the cremation ovens often rained down on her way to school. She thought it was black snow floating down. She says she and her family had no idea what was being done behind the gates of that camp where Jews were held and exterminated. Still, stories from other German civilians testified that they heard rumors of the death camps, but turned a blind eye to it. We cannot make the same mistake. Scripture demands we look evil in the face.

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Yes, Israel MUST finally destroy Hamas, just like the outcome of ISIS, although some remain. Destruction of these demonic actors must happen for, not only the safety of the Israeli citizenry, but for the Palestinians, too. These monsters claim they fight for the Palestinian people, but nothing could be further from the truth. Hamas is all about the domination of the Palestinians, to rule over them. In fact, Hamas leads them around by the nose. Hamas is in the hatred business. Like many, they want to see all Jews murdered. Of course, they aren’t the only organization thirsty for Jewish blood. In fact, they are puppets themselves being animated by the greatest supporter of terrorism on earth, Iran. The puppet masters, Iran supports many terrorists across the globe. Hamas would be nothing if not for Iran. The main focus is to destroy Israel.

The Palestinians are pawns, uniquely placed in line as window dressing for their ultimate purpose, their ultimate goal. In fact, they have a history of using the Palestinian people as human shields to protect themselves. Read that again. Human shielding. They are doing it now as I write this sentence. Yep! Cowardly dweebs. They even set up their rocket launchers in schools, playgrounds, hospitals, civic centers, etc. Why? Because they know Israel would not target live hard ammo at non-combatants, civilians trying to be civilized. Hamas realizes the IDF (Israel Defense Force) will avoid civilian casualties if at all possible. The IDF warns civilians of an upcoming military move in their area prior to advancement. America’s military doesn’t even do that. So the brave souls of Hamas hides behind the skirts of mothers, and their children. THEY CARE NOT for the Palestinian population! Zero concern, unless it serves them!

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Billions of dollars are given to the Palestinians for their betterment, for schools, parks, sewer systems, and the like. Yet, Hamas, who took over in Gaza in 2007, shatters much of those purposes. The Palestinians believe the deceptions Hamas feeds them, advertising they are only there to protect and serve as a resistance organization. However, their mission statements and training says differently. So, victory through elections always go to Hamas. they are good at the media battle. At the same time, Hamas digs up sewer pipes, water and gas pipes, power lines and equipment, and whatever else serves the people, so they can produce makeshift rockets and mortar muzzles for launchers. Does that sound like a love for their fellow civilians to you? They teach, or rather brainwash, their youth from toddler years to hate the Jews, in very creative ways. Like the depravity of the Nazis, they soak the Kindergartners in stories of the Israeli people wanting to murder and even eat them. Their games often consist of targeting a Jewish individual. It’s not unusual for neighborhood parties, or any celebration, rallying around a stuffed dummy dressed up like a Jew, or wrapped in the Star Of David flag, which winds up being beaten, stabbed, shot with slings, and burned. All done while shouting how great their god is.

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Unfortunately, today we have an entire generation raised to embrace an anti-Semitic ideology based on old lies. We have a slew of Americans, neighbors, family members, who have taken a sip of the Kool-Aid out of the red Solo cup which has been brewed by the Enemy of Israel. It’s a host of indoctrination going back thousands of years, to the days of the enemies of Abraham and his family. Hitler was a genius at pouring out this poison to millions. Today, fools continue to lap it up off the cement without truly knowing the history, or thoroughly searching for the truths brushed away by the cupbearers. We have allowed curriculum in schools, as well as university professors, who have been marionettes of hellish ideology against the Jewish people. Have you notice how the anti-Semitic rallies, demonstrations, and public signage have grown in frequency and size over the years? It’s shocking. Chanting with words like, “GAS THE JEWS!” which echo through the streets and allies. That was caught on video in Sydney, Australia last week in front of the famous opera house. It’s as if Hitler’s Nazi Germany never died.

Today, it was reported of a new slogan being dished up at some rallies in America. “Death to Christians who support Israel!” Of course, targeting Christians goes all the way back to the Caesars of Rome beginning in the first century. Nothing new.

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The ignorance, either willingly self-made, or fed by a poisonous snake in a Cardigan sweater, is incredibly astonishing to me. I’ve heard it shouted out that Jesus was a Palestinian because He was born in Bethlehem. So ignorant. Through the bullhorns at rallies it’s no longer surprising to hear a 21 year old try to condone Hamas’ wicked behavior by saying Palestine has always been there and the Palestinians are natives. It’s usually blurted out by indoctrinated people who are repeating what they have been told like parrots.

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Before I say anything else, let me say, God, the Defender of Israel, loves all peoples. He sent His Son to redeem all, not just Israel proper, but all. The passage of time has not changed that fact. Redemption through Jesus’ willing sacrifice on His cross was meant for all sinners around the globe. Still, let honest history testify for itself.

There can be no greater clarity in the Torah, from Genesis onward, that God, the Creator, sectioned out a land specifically for Abraham and his seed, the promised son, Isaac. In fact, Hagar, the Egyptian handmade who had Ishmael by Abraham, was not abandoned by God, even though Ishmael was NOT the promised son God planned for Abraham and his wife, Sarah. God promised Ishmael’s descendants they would be huge, a race to be reckoned with, and would be given many lands. God went on to promise Hagar that her descendants would be violent, living by the sword. Of course, as God promised, it has become a reality. God even outlined the land’s boundaries promised to Abraham, which later would be called, Israel. (The record of this early history can be found, starting in Genesis 12.)

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Ever since God brought His people into the land promised, they have had to defend it tooth and nail. The Old Testament details times when Israel was captured for slavery through the centuries, but always returned to rebuild. In 70AD, the Romans, through Titus, destroyed Israel, just as Jesus said. The Jews who survived, were dispersed, spreading all over the known world. They always held to the promise of God to bring them back to their land, but this time the promise included that they would not be moved ever again. But God stated His people would return to the land, filling it once again. It is written, and it has happened.

14 “I will restore My people Israel from captivity,

they will rebuild and inhabit the ruined cities.

They will plant vineyards and drink their wine;

they will make gardens and eat their fruit.

15I will firmly plant them in their own land,

never again to be uprooted

from the land that I have given them,” Amos 9:14-15

In 135 AD, the Romans renamed the land, “Palestine” as a psychological injury to Jews worldwide. It derives from one of Israel’s great enemies, which King David defeated during his rule, the Philistines, as they were called by the ancient Greeks. The title from the Romans didn’t last. In fact, there have been eight names concerning the land after Rome fell, as various nations claimed the region during their political reigns. Look it up. They are all listed in history. The Ottoman Empire of Turkey was the last conquering nation to rule over the land.

For many centuries, the land, once known as Israel, remained virtually empty, with very few residing in the region. Conquering nations scorched and scourged the land over and over again, even building on top of ancient structures. Virtually every Muslim building in the Israeli infrastructure sits on top of ancient Jewish structures. Often, Turkish architecture sits atop Roman, or Greek structures, layered over Jewish construction. It speaks to the chronological order of the conquerors of Israel through the centuries. Even the buildings, pottery, iron works, and ruins themselves speak the truths of the factual historical significance of Israel. What’s missing in the strata of Israel’s ruins and historical buildings? Palestinian architecture, or layers of constructed Palestinian buildings. Why? Because they were not there! Ask any serious archeologist who has worked in the region.

The landscape went from lush, vibrant fertile ground with blooms, crops and forests, to wastelands of brush, sand and rock. But that all changed when the Jews were allowed to reclaim their land of the covenant.

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An idiotic thing took place after WWI. In 1920, the British were given authority over the land after the war, Instead of re-establishing the name, “Israel”, the Brits decided to reuse the old Roman title, “Palestine”. So, any tribe, or village, or bedouin nomadic shepherds pitching a tent in “Palestine”, were suddenly called, “Palestinian”. A mix of Turks, Jordanians, Egyptians, Syrians, and so much more were given this title. Think about that. That modern title, “Palestinian” is only 103 years old, thanks to the British.

In May of 1948, just three years after WWII, which brought the horrendous atrocities of the Nazis where six million Jews were murdered, Israel officially returned to their homeland as a sovereign nation. With no hunger for war, or dominance over any neighbor, Israel’s name was restored and a government was assembled. But as soon as their worn-out shoes set foot on the sands, Israel’s first modern war broke out as the newcomers were attacked. They had to fight their way to the old capital which King David held dear, Jerusalem. Today, it remains the only true democracy in the region. However, since day one, Israel has had to defend itself daily, over the decades, from those who want to disrupt their peace and push them into the sea. For a good reenactment of the 1948 event, I thoroughly recommend the movie, “Exodus” starring Paul Newman & Eva Marie Saint from 1960.

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It would take a book to write all of the efforts Israel has taken to keep the peace between neighbors, and anyone who is labelled, “Palestinian”. Through terroristic attacks, suicide bombers, and splurges of bus bombings and stabbings, Israel has gone the second mile to keep the nation at peace. The overall restraint of the Israeli military has been phenomenal over the last eight decades.

In 1967, during the Six Day War, Egypt controlled what we now call the Gaza Strip. For only six days, being attacked by her neighbors, Israel defeated them in an astonishing way. The world was in awe as God, the Defender Of Israel, shielded her. Documentaries with film footage of this miraculous war is simply a jaw dropper. Most any other nation, under the same circumstances pound for pound, would have collapsed in the dust. After attacking Israel, their forces were beaten back from the region, Egyptian forces retreated to save their hides and Israel took over Gaza. Egypt didn’t even want it back. The population in Gaza at the time was allowed to stay, but it was trouble from that point on.

Another page was turned in 1973, during the Yom Kippur War. Israel was attacked again by her neighbors. This war was bloody and heartbreaking on all sides. Once again, it didn’t last long as Israel rose to the defense while God’s hand moved over her enemies. Much was learned. Much was gained. Much was lost. I recommend the new movie, “Golda” staring, Helen Mirren. She should receive an Oscar for playing the role. She was top shelf, all the way. But again, the Lion Of Judah solidly defeated Israel’s attackers.

A deal was made, starting in 1993, when it was agreed Israel would withdraw from Gaza, among other concessions. It’s what the PLO wanted, and asked for. They agreed to it, and signed a deal. (Unlike today where young minds of mush are taught Israel imprisoned the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, this was a signed agreement.)

Israel’s Prime Minister, Ariel Sharon, I believe in 2005, wholeheartedly gave the Palestinians the coastal strip of southern Israel where they could govern themselves. The stationed IDF moved out of the area. Israeli families, who had communities established in Gaza, were ordered by their own government to move out of Gaza. Israeli soldiers went in to remove some 9,000 of their own people from Gaza because some refused to leave. Whole Israeli communities were bulldozed by the Israeli government. Read that again. Israel bulldozed their own communities to appease the Palestinians. Does that sound like a terroristic occupier to you? Still, at recent rallies you can hear indoctrinated minds shouting out that Israel are “colonizers”. Truly mindless chatter.

Keep in mind, Israel’s population is filled with Gentiles from all over the world. Arabs, Palestinians, and many other nationalities live together, do business together, work alongside one another, even party together. Does that sound like an apartheid state to you, imprisoning individuals because of their DNA?

Still, individual terrorist attacks continued on the peaceful population of Israel where many Jews and Arabs live, not to mention others visiting or residing in Israel. Hamas moved in around 2007-2009. Soon, security was tightened around the border of Gaza to thin out the terrorist attacks on Israel’s civilians which were increasingly growing. The terrorist offenders were pouring out of Gaza. A fence, then a monitored wall was put up. When investigations delivered identification of attackers from Gaza, and where they lived, Israel often went in surgically to arrest or take out the criminals. However, the Palestinians under Hamas rule, constantly send fighters into Israel through the underground tunnels they built with humanitarian funds given them. Kidnappings, bomb balloons over the border, and sniper activity are just some of what Israel deals with inside their own country. I don’t think even Sweden could hold their patience if they suffered such evil within their borders.

Know history, or no history. That is the choice. Ignorance is bliss, so they say. When you pretend there is no historical context, as you take the latest filtered news reports out of context, you can avoid knowing factual history altogether. Text without context is pretext. Fools are persuaded to go with what they hear, not what they search out on their own. If you want to believe that the Alamo was defeated because the volunteers were less than brave, then you can blindly go through life thinking that’s the kind of people who founded Texas. But you would be an ignorant person who just believed what you’ve heard. An influencer online can spout off all kinds of false statements for the gullible to soak in. No matter how big the screen is, it doesn’t make the information true. Before you know it we will have a vast number of people who either look the other way, or they silently applaud and cheer for the heads of Jewish babies rolling down the streets in Gaza, or desecrated Jewish bodies on social media for shock factors. Before you know it, they will see it as acceptable to gas massive amounts of humanity because of their Jewish DNA. The slope is very, very slippery. It’s not just crimes against Israel, but also against humanity.

Case in point:

Maybe you have seen the video of Hamas terrorists in the back of a pick-up truck sitting over a naked 30 year old woman parading her like a big-game trophy. She was one of the attendees of the music festival for peace being held in southern Israel when it was raided by murderous monsters from Gaza. At last count, 265 concert goers were mowed down like yesterdays grass, and many taken hostage. This young woman was a German tattoo artist. Shani Louk’s lifeless naked body claimed as some twisted prize. Dozens of victims from several nations are missing, or murdered by Hamas.

However, we have those who refuse to believe it.

American Congresswoman, Omar from Minnesota, one who is known for showing a vicious disdain for Israel, recently posted on social media a photo of the bodies of dead children, murdered in the dirt where they lived. She indicated the IDF fighting in Gaza killed those innocent children. Afterwards, it was discovered she used an old photo from a gas, or chemical attack on civilians in Syria. When confronted, the liar took down her deceptive post. Absolutely despicable. What’s worse, she will get away with it. Yet, it’s a great example of what lengths the haters of Israel will go to in order to create a narrative, to create a following of the gullible.

As for the popular rhetoric of late, “The cycle of violence must stop.”, it’s hot air. You want to know what the “cycle of violence” truly is? It starts with rockets suddenly being rained down upon Israeli citizens without notice. Maybe followed up with sniper fire from a truck. Maybe a brutal attack on a young Israeli soldier at a road checkpoint. Then, Israel responds to defend herself. Just as soon as the IDF returns fire, or bulldozes the home of a violent Hamas leader, the world starts to demand a rollback ceasefire. In other words, “Don’t respond, Israel. Someone, other than an Israeli, might get hurt.” There’s the “Cycle of violence” people shout out at anti-Semitic rallies. Hitler had it easy. In his day, he knew the Jews in Europe couldn’t protect themselves. He was a cowardly man.

It was clear most have never heard of the decades of assistance, money, jobs, land, and more Israel has bestowed on the lives of the Palestinians. Does it mean Israel has done everything right all the time? No, not at all. Yet, the standard phrase still hovers in the air all over the world. It began from the survivors of the Holocaust. Simply put, “Never again.”

Photo: Michell (My wife)

Soon, in fact already, you may be hearing the U.N. calling for a ceasefire. Even though Jewish babies, elderly women, and young families asleep in their homes, were unarmed. The bullets were coming from one direction, as usual. Soon, in fact already, you may hear a co-worker spout off how Israel is an occupier. Remind them of Hamas using children and women as shields for themselves. Remind them of young women like the German, Shani Louk. When Israel warns the population of Gaza to evacuate for their own safety, Hamas tries to keep the population there. Why, you might ask? Hamas wants the civilians to stay put so they can use them as body stacks for the cameras to gain global sympathy, There will be, and are, casualties of war, but Israel will NOT target civilians purposefully. Hamas is not interested in a two-state solution, or the betterment of Gaza. They want Jewish blood. That’s it. Even if there was a two-state solution enacted, Hamas would never stop attacking Israel.

I belong to a Christian Messianic Jewish congregation. Many of my closest friends are Jewish. Some of them lost family in the Holocaust in WWII. I also have known Palestinian families. I have an old friend who is Palestinian, although not currently living in Gaza, or the West Bank. There’s one thing I have learned from both. It all depends upon the individual heart. If the heart is changed, if it sees clearly without bias, or distortion, or political fog, love can rule. Redemption is available. History can teach the heart’s door to love, but not a heart of murderous hatred.

Please read the passage from Psalm below.

As for me, I refuse to be in the cattle truck.

Enrich yourself with the true God of grace written in fuel for the race.

1O God, do not remain quiet;
         Do not be silent and, O God, do not be still.

2For behold, Your enemies make an uproar,
         And those who hate You have exalted themselves.

3They make shrewd plans against Your people,
         And conspire together against Your treasured ones.

4They have said, “Come, and let us wipe them out as a nation,
         That the name of Israel be remembered no more.”

5For they have conspired together with one mind;
         Against You they make a covenant: Psalm 83:1-5 (NAS)