Only God can untie the Gordian knot
What did I know before?
Israel has been an oft-addressed topic in my family and church community for as long as I can remember. It was and remains the focus of many eschatological discussions. My father, a pastor, usually has stacks of Zion’s Fire magazines and Chosen People Ministries’ updates scattered throughout his office. In addition, the church I grew up in had several End Times enthusiasts, and each occurrence in Israel was often viewed as prophetic fulfillment that could usher in the Second Coming of Jesus. Although, as a young person, I could not fully grasp the End Times enthusiasts’ discussions, I knew the State of Israel was significant.
When I was a teenager, my aunt took an interest in Messianic Judaism, and I regularly accompanied her to Shul on Shabbat. There, I met Holocaust survivors, enjoyed bagels and shmear, gained a bit of Yiddish vocabulary (Oy vey!), and memorized the Shema and Shabbat prayers in Hebrew. I was also introduced to Aliyah, the immigrating of Jews to Israel, which was celebrated. At the end of each Passover Seder, participants sing, “Next year in Jerusalem,” denoting the hope of return. As a non-Jewish person, I was intrigued by this community, its unique traditions and culture, and its love for the land of Israel. However, I was naïve about the conflict that had plagued the country and unaware of its complex and tumultuous history.
I became keenly aware of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict during Israel’s Disengagement from Gaza and North Samaria in 2005. This event sparked my interest in studying Israel’s history further. I found Martin Gilbert’s Israel: A History a beneficial and comprehensive read and was privileged to visit Israel in 2014. Tension in Jerusalem was palpable. The high separation walls were a constant reminder of the reality faced by both Israelis and Palestinians. My tour group was carefully escorted through the Muslim quarter in the Old City and briefed on what not to do at the Temple Mount. My trip to the Promised Land catered to Western evangelicals, but a perpetual sense of unrest permeated the land.
Why didn’t I think of that?
Before reading Bunton’s The Palestinian-Israeli Conflict, I knew Palestine was once under Britain’s rule. However, I did not consider nor connect British Imperialism and its colonial framework to which Palestine was subjected from 1917 to 1948. As someone living in a previously French-colonized African country, I have dedicated time to studying the impact of colonialism in Africa. However, I overlooked British colonial rule in Palestine. Bunton’s perspective is new but profoundly resonates. William Easterly, professor of economics at New York University, writes concerning Western colonialism in The White Man’s Burden, “The political crises that make the headlines today, such as the Israeli-Palestinian conflict…have some roots in past Western treatment of peoples as ‘pawns in a game.’ Look behind a modern-day headline, and often you will find the machinations of some long-forgotten colonial planner.” [1] Westerly’s words share similarities with Bunton’s description of British rule in Palestine and the treatment of both Jews and Arabs as “pawns in a game.” Sadly, it is a game that continues today. Bunton and Westerly discuss colonialism and the negative impact of the West’s decision-making concerning boundaries. Essentially, the West chose which people got their own nations and which did not. Bunton highlights in a recent interview that the [Palestinian-Israeli] conflict did not originate in [Palestine] but started in Europe. [2] This reality is often overlooked in the complex Gordian knot of the present-day conflict.
So, what now?
Since October 7th, I have lived cautiously. On Saturday, October 7th, 2023, I enjoyed an afternoon at the beach with friends and, upon returning home, saw the atrocities of Hamas’ attack on Israel. As an expatriate in a Muslim country, my first thought was, “I might have to leave.” I considered arranging my cat’s papers with a veterinarian for a quick departure. Demonstrations began throughout the city, specifically in front of the American, French, and German embassies. When I went outside, my local colleagues encouraged me not to look American (e.g., be covered entirely and wear sunglasses). All Westerners were told to keep a low profile and not to go near mosques on Friday, the day of assembly for Muslims.
The hardest part of the October 7th aftermath was the feeling of isolation. I felt unable to discuss the events with local friends. I shuddered at the WhatsApp profiles that posted celebratory scenes of Hamas entering Israel.
I believe the Jewish people and the State of Israel have a significant role in God’s plan, and so do the Palestinians. As an overseas worker, I frequently write letters to update friends and family in the United States. On Tuesday, October 31st, 2023, I wrote,
I must admit the past few weeks, I have been navigating feelings that come with deeply loving the Jewish people and my Muslim friends. This has not been easy to watch. Along with your prayers for Israel, I would ask that you also pray fervently for the Muslim world. [3]
This is where I still find myself, profoundly loving the Jewish people and my Muslim friends. Ultimately, I believe God is the only one who can untie the Gordian knot of this conflict. I am often reminded of the Apostle Paul’s words in Eph. 2:16-18 (AMP), “And [that He] might reconcile them both [Jew and Gentile, united] in one body to God through the cross, thereby putting to death the hostility. And He came and preached the good news of peace to you [Gentiles] who were far away, and peace to those [Jews] who were near. For it is through Him that we both have a [direct] way of approach in one Spirit to the Father.” This message of peace and hope is for Jews and Muslims, Israelis and Palestinians. Thus, even after October 7th, I continue with hope.
[1] Martin Bunton, “Book: The Palestinian-Israeli Conflict,” 2024, Book Café Podcast, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SvcNdbO-mlk.
[2] William Easterly, “The White Man’s Burden: Why the West’s Efforts to Aid the Rest Have Done So Much Ill and So Little Good,” (Westminster, London: England, Penguin Publishing Group, 2006). Kindle Edition.
[3] Elysse Burns, “Let Oxford Be Oxford,” 2023.
About the Author
Elysse Burns
8 responses to “Only God can untie the Gordian knot”
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Thanks Elyse,
I often forget that we have Americans living in countries that this conflict greatly impacts. I also think that many Americans do not stop to consider the number of Palestinian Christians that are being impacted by this when we offer our support for Israel and our strong judgement against Palestinians. We see two people groups at odds against each other but often fail to consider the other identities that exist within each people group (infant, pregnant woman, disabled person, etc.) that demand care, compassion and respect.
I understand that you live cautiously in the aftermath of Oct 7th. Where you are, have tensions risen and fallen over the past year, or has the tension surrounding this conflict been a fairly steady?
Thank you for your comment, Jeff. I agree with you. We often forget that many types of people are represented in Palestine, not just Hamas. I want to do a better job remembering these different groups of people. Unfortunately, I believe the media plays a significant role in framing our thinking regarding present-day Palestine. Tension concerning the conflict ebbs and flows here. The last demonstration occurred when Ismail Haniyeh was assassinated in Iran. Since then, things have been relatively calm. However, similar to dynamics in the Middle East, there is a sense that the climate could change at any moment.
Elysse, thank you for bringing colonization to light. These roots are hard to detach from, as the effects have wide-ranging impacts that affect our present state of affairs. I too have Muslim and Jewish friends and I am curious to know how your conversations went. Do they have any optimism about a ceasefire in the near future?
Thank you for your comment, Daren. Unfortunately, most of my conversations with friends do not go far. The majority of the discussion is focused on the suffering of the Palestinian people and the unfair, harsh treatment of Israel. I try to remind my friends that humans are on each side, and God desires Palestinians and Israelis to live in peace with Him and one another. In these conversations, I think some of my biggest frustrations come from people venting but showing no initiative to do anything about it. Sadly, I haven’t sensed any optimism concerning a ceasefire, nor am I sure it is desired. However, these are only my observations from my context and are not representative of the entire Muslim community.
Hi Elysse,
Thank you for your post. In what ways did the feeling of isolation after October 7th manifest for you, and how did it affect your interactions with local friends?
Your reflection on the events following October 7th captures the intense personal and emotional challenges you faced. It is striking how the geopolitical turmoil around you heightened your sense of isolation and the need for caution. Your commitment to maintaining compassion for both Jewish and Muslim communities amid such a crisis demonstrates a profound depth of empathy and faith. Balancing these deeply held beliefs and navigating the conflict’s impact on your daily life must have been incredibly difficult. Your hope for reconciliation and peace, rooted in your spiritual convictions, offers a poignant reminder of the enduring strength of hope even in the face of adversity
Thank you for your encouraging words, Shela. The perceived isolation manifested in initial anger towards my host country and a desire to avoid interactions. When going out, I felt constantly stared at and wanted to stay inside the house. However, one day, shortly after October 7th, I went to the grocery store early in the morning, and an employee asked me, “Are you American?” I responded, “Yes.” He replied, “We are friends.” I didn’t expect this comment, but it reminded me how quick I had been to make generalizations about the people here. I still live cautiously as tension can escalate. However, the initial anger has subsided, and I can now treat each interaction with an open mind and allow each individual to share their unique perspective.
Elysee, I appreciated your post and the introduction to Martin Gilbert’s work. I resonated with your description of your Promised Land trip and the tension that permeated the land. This was similar to my own experience in Israel last year. Given what you have encountered through Bunton and Gilbert’s work, how has this affected the way you engage with your father and others in eschatological discussions?
Thank you for you comment, Chad. Honestly, I haven’t had much discussion with my father or others regarding the history of modern-day Israel, nor do I talk much about eschatology. As soon as I hear, “The seventy weeks of Daniel…” you will find me running in the opposite direction. However, I am probably missing out on good discussion opportunities, as we all have something to contribute to the conversation. Your question has caused me to rethink my passive stance on the subject matter. Thank you.