Based on 1 Samuel 14:47 – 15:7 (New King James Version)
“So Saul established his sovereignty over Israel, and fought against all his enemies on every side, against Moab, against the people of Ammon, against Edom, against the kings of Zobah, and against the Philistines. Wherever he turned, he harassed them. And he gathered an army and attacked the Amalekites, and delivered Israel from the hands of those who plundered them. The sons of Saul were Jonathan, Jishui, and Malchishua. And the names of his two daughters were these: the name of the firstborn Merab, and the name of the younger Michal. The name of Saul’s wife was Ahinoam the daughter of Ahimaaz. And the name of the commander of his army was Abner the son of Ner, Saul’s uncle. Kish was the father of Saul, and Ner the father of Abner was the son of Abiel. Now there was fierce war with the Philistines all the days of Saul. And when Saul saw any strong man or any valiant man, he took him for himself. Samuel also said to Saul, ‘The Lord sent me to anoint you king over His people, over Israel. Now therefore, heed the voice of the words of the Lord. Thus says the Lord of hosts: ‘I will punish Amalek for what he did to Israel, how he ambushed him on the way when he came up from Egypt. Now go and attack Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and do not spare them. But kill both man and woman, infant and nursing child, ox and sheep, camel and donkey.’’ So Saul gathered the people together and numbered them in Telaim, two hundred thousand foot soldiers and ten thousand men of Judah. And Saul came to a city of Amalek, and lay in wait in the valley. Then Saul said to the Kenites, ‘Go, depart, get down from among the Amalekites, lest I destroy you with them. For you showed kindness to all the children of Israel when they came up out of Egypt.’ So the Kenites departed from among the Amalekites.”
Whether we like it or not, everything in this life is about a war, and each of us has our own war. Since we are begotten and conceived, before leaving our mothers' wombs, we are already involved in war. Many today do not even survive that battle because their own mothers become their worst enemies, killing them before they see the light of day. And so, even when we begin to exist, we become part of a great conflict, and there is nothing we can do to avoid it.
Now, is this God's will? We can say yes and no. No, because God does not wish evil, in any way. God is life. But also, since sin has entered the universe through a being who instead of worshiping God decided to worship himself, and envied God, wanting to be like Him, then the devil’s will brought about war. This being that rebelled against God is the devil. Many prefer to think that the enemy does not exist, but unfortunately, he does exist, and he is our worst enemy, and of course, he is God's main enemy because he is His opposite. But well, since sin exists, which has given rise to choice, God allows there to be war, because His desire is to test mankind, individually, and see with His eyes what each of us decides to do. As a result, there is such a conflict in this universe that there is a war that affects all existence, and also each of us have our own war with endless battles.
Now, returning to today's passage, we can see what happened with Israel and what continues happening with them today, and what is happening with each of us. In order to understand Israel's present, we have to see the past. The problem that exists today is the same reason that existed a long time ago. Israel arrived at the promised land by the hand of God, and God gave that land to Israel, and yes, they defeated many kingdoms to take possession of the land. The problem that arose, and why Israel was (and is today) surrounded by enemies, is because they left undone what God commanded them to do. One can say: “Did God order to get rid of entire groups of peoples to give the land to Israel as a possession? And the answer is, yes. And why did God do it? Because God wanted to remove people who only did evil, totally dominated by the devil. God never does anything just because. Everything has a purpose. And some may say, “Why does he allow destruction if he is supposedly good and full of love?” Because along with being loving and good, He is also just, and He cannot set aside His justice for His love and goodness. And the Word also tells us that He is consuming fire. Then, God gave opportunities to those kingdoms and peoples that previously existed in those places to repent, but they decided to serve the devil rather than God. But, as Israel disobeyed God and left many things unfinished, they always lived surrounded by enemies, the ancestors of the same enemies they have today. And just as before, these enemies only want one thing, to make Israel disappear completely. That is why it is impossible to find peace in the Middle East, because no matter what Israel does, no matter what they give up (as it has done for years), the desire of its neighbors is to see them disappear. When Israel was destroyed by the Roman Empire and the survivors were dispersed, those around Israel took advantage of the opportunity and began to occupy the land, and thus this people of Palestine was formed, groups of people who simply took land that did not belong to them. And at the end of the Second World War, the prophecy was fulfilled, that God would bring His people Israel back to the land that He had promised them. In 1948, Israel was established once again, and the occupation of those who took its land were removed. And this brings us to the conflict that exists today. Whether you agree or not, the land belongs to Israel, and the promise of the Sovereign God to His friend Abraham remains valid to this day: “Now the Lord had said to Abram: ‘Get out of your country, from your family and from your father’s house, to a land that I will show you. I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” Genesis 12:1-3.
So, let's see how all this applies to us. In reference to Israel, our task as followers of Jesus Christ is very clear and simple: we must support and bless Israel. But also, and just like Israel, we are at war (and we cannot leave things unfinished), therefore, we will have affliction, we will have many battles, some momentary and others that last for years. And all those who are like-minded in our faith in Christ will help us and receive mercy (as God did with the Kenites, those that did show mercy to Israel). But, those who oppose, seeking to obey sin, ultimately the devil, sooner or later, will receive their eternal punishment. Meanwhile, God tells us: “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” John 16:33. But, the Word also says: “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed—always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.” 2 Corinthians 4:7-10. We will have many battles here, but if we win our war with Christ, remaining faithful to Him until the end, we will have the eternal life that only the Eternal God can give. And best of all, we are not alone. God is with us, if we honor him, as the Word says: “…for those who honor Me I will honor, and those who despise Me shall be lightly esteemed.” 1 Samuel 2:30b. So then, how is your war going? Lord bless! John. God bless Israel!