Letters to my students (April 2002)

What follows is one of a series of discipleship letters to my believing students in the Bethlehem area, that I am unable to be together with at present, but hope to see when the current conflict subsides. I have a set of letters to Jewish believers as well, and I will be offering them to you in the coming days and weeks to help all of you to hear the discipleship process, Near East style. I hope it will help you to pray for the believers of this land, both Arab and Jew.

Letter to an Arab student:

Salaam Issa,

I wanted to take the time to write some things down, because our many talks have helped me to think more clearly about some of the issues that we have shared with one another. I want you to know that you are dear to me, not only as a friend, but as a brother in the Lord Jesus. I also want to thank you for how much you have meant to me. The time we have shared has not been simply a time for me to teach you. I have learned much from you. You have helped me see things differently, and consider things I may never have been aware of. You have also helped me understand how you feel about many things,
especially the hurt that you have felt among other believers in the Lord as they spoke about your people, your future and the land that you hold dear. I want to try to capture these things in this set of letters, in hopes that other believers will hear from your heart as well.

First, I want to encourage you to walk in the strength of your calling as both a fully accepted and beloved follower of Jesus, but also in accordance to the truth we discussed about your heritage in God. You have shared that you were hurt by the inference of other believers that there was something “wrong” with your apparent lineage in the prophecies concerning Ishmael. You must not listen to foolish talk that somehow “predestines” you or your people to evil work and destruction. The God of Abraham is no such God!

I want to lay aside the fear that you are somehow cursed by the words spoken of Ishmael and his generations in Genesis 16:12, (as some of our erring brethren have implied in their writings about your people):

“And he will be a wild man (literally “wild ass”); his hand will be against every man, and every man's hand against him; and he shall dwell in the presence of all his brethren.”

First, I cannot say who exactly are the sons of Ishmael today, and I cannot say that you are one. What we know is that Ishmael was the father of many, but it is difficult to conclusively say who they are today. Many believe these are the children of the Arab nations, and that may well be so, but it is not certain. Second, and much more important, I truly believe that a closer examination of the Genesis promise about Ishmael will reveal that there is NO curse of Ishmael.

For a generation, many believers taught that those of black skin were “afflicted” by the “curse of Ham”. They were wrong, and I believe that someday the same will happen to those who believe in a “curse of Ishmael” for Arabs. A careful look at the verse (I believe) will reveal that in the same way the Bible was at times translated and interpreted in an anti-Semitic way by some perhaps in ignorance and others who had a deliberate anti-Jewish bend (as we have discussed), so the text here (I believe) reflects an inadequate view of the God’s true Word and His real heart toward Ishmael and his descendents.

I do not believe the verse says ANYTHING NEGATIVE about Ishmael and his descendants. On the contrary, when you look carefully, it is set in the middle of a story when Hagar (mother of Ishmael) was running away because of the harsh treatment of Sarai, her master. In the time of Abraham, it was
permitted to have a handmaiden - one who served a master for a period (normally to pay a debt for her family). Because Sarai was jealous of her conception of Ishmael (16:5-6) after Hagar slept with Abraham (also allowed according to the law of the time), Sarai scorned her. Hagar left because she
could not bear the mistreatment. The angel of the Lord came to her and promised her some great things if she would return and submit to the difficult treatment.

First, he said that God would multiply her seed into a huge multitude. Second, he told her that she would have a son (presumably through which the first promise would be accomplished) – and that she was to call the child “Ishmael” (Literally “God hears”). Third, she heard about the blessing of this child.

The blessing was in three parts: First, he would be a “wild ass”. At the time of the prophecy, Hagar saw wealth in terms of herds of camels, goats, sheep and donkeys. The nomadic life was not unlike the Bedouin today, a life of travel. The better pack animals were expensive, but necessary for moving.
The onacker (wild ass) is the kind left to wander and breed in the donkeys to add strength. It was an expensive animal, somewhat rare and very sought after. The promise, I believe was simple: your son will be an admired and valuable asset.

Second, the phrase “his hand will be against every man” is probably better translated more literally. The Hebrew of the passage reads: “YADO B’KOL V’ YAD KOL BO..” A literal reading of the passage says: His hand in everything and hand everything (in)… The translation has taken as a negative, “His hand will be against every man”, but is not the only way to read the passage. I wonder why an angel would try to encourage a mother with words like, “Everyone will be against your child!” It seems strange. I think the promise was also economic, and matches the end of the verse. I would suggest the
meaning to be, “His hands will be in everything, and mixed with many others” , as in “He will be an enterprising youngster!” What could you say to a mother that would be more encouraging than “Your child will be wise in business!”

The third and final phrase bears out this translation. The final phrase is translated in some versions, “He shall dwell in the presence of all of his brothers” (KJV) or “he shall live east of his brothers” (NAS). I suspect that both were to be true, but it seems like the issue of the text is the opportunities of the child. If he would be a “valuable young man, and his hands would be well mixed in the economy of his brothers”, the final phrase was probably meant to assure her of “his ability to live among his brothers” (as opposed to her feeling that she must flee the tents of Abraham!).

I think the promises are positive, and there is NOT a justification for the tradition of some of the Rabbis and many of the Bible believing Christians that you are somehow “destined” to be against the Jewish people - a people of contention. I do not believe this is true, and I believe it accepts a notion that is fatalistic and Islamic in nature! I have often told you that believers in Jesus must think distinctly differently than their Muslim friends and neighbors! You are destined to bring praise and glory to God as a believer. His heart was never to create you and “set you up” to hate the world around you.Here, Issa, is the heart of what I want to say to you. God loves you and your people. If, in fact, you are children of Abraham through Ishmael, then He created you as a child of blessing, and not curse. God has a special plan for Arabs (Isa. 60), and that will be a subject for another letter. You are a precious person in God’s eyes. His love for the sons of Abraham through Isaac does not blind Him for love to the sons of Abraham through Ishmael. God is bigger than that. He can love you and does love you!

How can you be accepted as Christian born in the Arab community? First, stop saying you are an “Arab Christian”. Remember, you are Christian, a follower of Messiah Jesus. Your ethnicity, your culture and everything about your identity should be wrapped up in your commitment to Jesus. Anything that is larger than that commitment subtracts from the honor we must give our Savior. His work at Calvary paid for you completely, and he doesn’t want you to surrender to him half way. Your attitudes must reflect His.

Pride is at the heart of most people in the Near East, Arab or Jew. Humiliation (a term used so often in Arabic) and retaliation are words for unbelievers. You cannot follow Jesus and still agree with those who deliberately ad indescriminately kill God’s most precious creation (people). In the end, judge everything by this rule: “I truly know God when I love what he loves (people), and hate what he hates (sin).” It seems in this emotionally charged place we live, people end up trying to convince us that
there are good reasons to hate, but I want you to know there are NOT.

He does not accept the behavior of leaders in our part of the world that justify killing innocent people, even when we feel passionately about our reasons. As a follower of Jesus, reject this thinking. It must not be named among the true believers in Jesus!

May this letter find you safe, well and looking forward to time we shall share together shortly!

Dr. Smith (Randy)