Daily Lesson for July 22, 2014

Today we have two lessons:

Joshua chapter 8 verses 21 and 22:
 21 And when Joshua and all Israel saw that the ambush had captured the city, and that the smoke of the city went up, then they turned back and struck down the men of Ai. 22 And the others came out from the city against them, so they were in the midst of Israel, some on this side, and some on that side. And Israel struck them down, until there was left none that survived or escaped.

and Matthew 26 verse 52:
“Put your sword back into its place. For all who take the sword will perish by the sword."

We see the images on television and the Internet. Gaza burning.  Hundreds killed in just a matter of days.  Refugees making their way through streets of rubble and ruin.  We see these images and we know this is not the way to peace.

They say that the definition of insanity is to do the same thing over and over again with the expectation of different results.  Yet again and again the results are the same - more death, and more destruction, and another generation of enemies made.

The just peace Palestinians are looking for will not come through bombs and rockets and the mustering of its people into intifada.  Israel will not allow itself to be bowed by war and neither will its backers.  On the other hand, the peace Israel seeks will not be gained by erecting more settlements in the name of security.  Creating more enemies is not an effective means of security.

It is insanity, this living by the sword.

In the coming days I pray a ceasefire will be declared which will last more than just a few hours.  When a ceasefire is declared there will be a period of mourning. In that mourning I pray leaders from both sides will see the insanity - that in trying to live by the sword they are actually dying.

Until then, Gaza burns; and her children pledge vengeance.