Remembering Until Swords Are Beaten Into Plowshares

Around the country in small communities and large cities the names will be read and the years will be counted. Every community has lost sons and daughters, every generation from statehood to the present has been represented. In Israel’s short seventy-three year history she has fought seven wars, but the truth is, war in Israel began before 1948 and has continued on almost unabated ever since. It is a sad dimension of this country that war weighs heavy on our collective memory and culture. We are either in a war, in the aftermath of a war or anticipating a war. It is an undercurrent that pervades the nation and unconsciously influences every Israeli. Grandparents that fought in wars and then worried about their children now worry about grandchildren. For most people around the world “peace in the Middle East” has become a far off dream – very few are optimistic that we will see the longstanding conflicts resolved in our lifetime.

A Prayer From Someone Who Knows

One Shabbat I enjoyed lunch with a group of friends that included a dear 82 year old lady, herself a soldier in the War of Independence. Just as the traditional blessings over the bread and wine were concluded, this veteran who had seen so much war in her lifetime quickly added “and may God grant us peace and peace for our neighbors and for the whole world.” Those who know about war first hand are the ones who desperately hope that wars will cease. Indeed, peace is the dream of all Israel. We say “hello” and “goodbye” with shalom, our priestly benediction, the prayer Adonai promises will put His name upon Israel concludes, “The Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace” (Numbers 6:26).

Yet war has always been our reality. The scriptures tell us, “The Lord has sworn: the Lord will have war with Amalek from generation to generation” (Exodus 17:16). Again and again, Amalek has risen up to threaten the Jewish people and war on one level or another has ensued. No-one should think this is some sort of cosmic grudge. There will be war with Amalek because until he is dealt with once and for all, Amalek (and the spiritual forces he represents) will always violently oppose the Jewish people. Israel serves as a geopolitical, historical reminder to the whole world that Creator God is the God of Israel. In a very real sense, Israel’s wars reflect the spiritual conflict being fought in the heavenly realms. This is not to say that there is perfect correspondence between God’s will in heaven and Israel’s behavior on earth – far from it. But the establishment and maintenance of the state is a testimony to the faithfulness of the God of Israel to keep His covenant promises. The inexorable hatred against Israel finds its root in the shaking fist of those who rage against the Lord and His Messiah, “Let us break their bonds in pieces and cast away their cords from us” (Psalm 2:3). The spiritual forces that oppose the Lord and His Messiah oppose Israel because the nation of Israel is a testimony to the God of Israel’s political Lordship over the planet.

Yeshua told us not to be misled, “Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword” (Matthew 10:34). War is a feature of spiritual life. From the beginning there has been an enemy whose intent has been to kill, steal and destroy (John 10:10). We need to be on our guard because even if we are not looking for a fight, the fight will come to us. Just as Israel remains in a constant state of war, so too the spiritual battle requires constant vigilance. Our battle is not against “flesh and blood” but it is a real battle.

A Profound irony

We cannot escape conflict; we have no choice but to participate in a war. But the Lord does not leave us defenseless, in fact, “He teaches my hands to war” (Psalm 18:34). He has equipped us with spiritual weapons for warfare that are “mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God” (II Corinthians 10:4,5). Our warfare carries on until the day when Yeshua returns. He will do so as one who “makes war” and heaven’s armies will follow Him (Revelation 19:11,14).

A Time to Mourn and a Time to Dance

Before we celebrate our Independence Day with rejoicing, we mourn all those who have fallen on Yom HaZicharon. Mourning always carries the hope and sure destiny of the peace to come. On Yom HaZicharon Jews all over the world will gather in synagogues to chant the Kaddish for those who have fallen. The Mourners’ Kaddish is not a woeful lament such as David sang over Jonathan and Saul. It is not a dirge extolling the virtues of the “mighty who have fallen.” The Mourners’ Kaddish is an affirmation of life and a sure hope in the One who will make peace. On Yom HaZicharon may we all join in that prayer and sing:

He who makes peace in His High heavens, May He make peace for us And for all Israel And say ye, Amen!