by John Nantz

Created on: July 22, 2010

“And Hagar bare Abram a son: and Abram called his son’s name, which Hagar bare, Ishmael.” Genesis 16:15

The Arab peoples readily identify themselves as the children of Ishmael, you may reference the Encyclopedia Britannica, or any other tome if you wish.  Mohammad himself claims a lineage descending from Ishmael.  And, it is from this ancient patrimony that the conflict between Arab and Hebrew springs.  Abram, or Abraham, was the father of Isaac and Ishmael.  From these two sons descended two great peoples, the Hebrews (Israel) and the Arabs respectively.  Arab animosity was predicted millennia ago and is not directed solely at the Hebrews. 

“From Ishmael the Arab tribes have sprung to fulfill the role of destiny upon the stage of time so accurately predicted of them here [Genesis 16:12]. They remain in the background of the Bible, joining hands with Israel’s foes.  They found for themselves a prophet and hurled themselves like wild men against the ramparts of the world, building up a brilliant empire and spreading their creed with the sword. Christian explorers, blazing gospel trails into Africa, found that the sons of Ishmael had gone before and had set the continent ablaze in their savage hunt for slaves.  Today they sit astride the oil reserves of the world and threaten the peace of the world.  Their rage against Israel keeps the world in turmoil, ever on the brink of global war: It was all foreseen and wrapped up in that embryonic prophecy spoken to Hagar long ago.  What a revelation of the greatness of God wrapped up in His sovereignty!” [1]

It seems that most inquisitors begin with a ponderous recitation of historical data, arranged chronologically, in the hope of demonstrating some causality between the pile of adumbrated “facts” and the existence of Israeli-Palestinian animosity.  But, as with any epistemological inquiry we must begin with presuppositions and not with a time line.   

I take as my guide, in resolving the Israeli-Palestinian question, the Holy Bible.  Space does not permit for a thorough hermeneutical study here. However, serious scholars recognize the Bible to be historically accurate.  In fact, The Dead Sea scrolls, the oldest Biblical and extra-Biblical documents known to exist, match the record we find in the modern Bible. Parenthetically, Islamic scholars recognize the Bible as historically valuable and accurate. 

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