Explore the Bible

The old man stood high on the hillside, the Israelites below him hushed and expectant as they waited for him to continue. These were his people, the flock he had shepherded for over 40 years. Moses' voice rang clear through the desert air: "The Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for his own possession, out of all the peoples that are on the face of the earth" (Deuteronomy 7:6).

There are over 160 million Arabs living in the Middle East and North Africa. Most of them are Muslims, but some belong to Christian sects. The Arabs are among the most important people in the world today. This is not simply because the price of their oil affects the living standards of all the industrial nations; more important, it is because the Arabs are part of God’s plan for the future of the world. They are “Semetic” peoples (ie. from Shem) and they trace their history from Abraham, alongside the Jews. Their holy book is called the Koran.

The old man stood high on the hillside, the Israelites below him hushed and expectant as they waited for him to continue. These were his people, the flock he had shepherded for over 40 years. Moses' voice rang clear through the desert air: "The Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for his own possession, out of all the peoples that are on the face of the earth" (Deuteronomy 7:6).

No other nation in history has had such a colorful and remarkable story, nor has held the attention of the world for so long. The Jewish community was constituted a nation over 3,500 years ago, whilst encamped in a dry, dusty wilderness. During the years that followed, the nation of Israel has felt the heights of world glory, and experienced the valleys of persecution and oppression. Yet they have continued to exist, when more mighty nations have disappeared. What is the secret of their unique history, and future destiny? It is found in the purpose that God has with this ancient people -- a purpose that will continue notwithstanding all the efforts of mankind to avert it.

The recent suicide bombings in Jerusalem have sparked off more violence in the Middle East, creating further fear of an all out war in that region. The rhetoric is in high gear, Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon said, "Israel does not open wars. We know who has brought it on us -- [Palestinian leader Yasser] Arafat is responsible for everything that is happening here." At the same time the chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erakat said, "Now it's time for war, peace may come later."