ISRAEL UPDATESeptember 7, 2003 - In the past week there have been reports of Yasser Arafat undermining Mahmoud Abbas and his government in many areas, including appointing new leaders.
But this shouldn't surprise anyone after watching Arafat's active career, especially the last 10 years since the Oslo agreement was signed.
Arafat's nine year tenure before Abbas has shown total contempt for written agreements, expectations, human rights, i.e., blatant and total disregard for the peace process.
Last spring, during the clamor for the Road Map implementation, one of the main “sales pitches” was that Arafat would be gone and the new administration would make the peaceful transition.
But Arafat has not stopped the Al-Aqsa Martyr’s Brigade, Force 17, Fatah, or any other of his offshoot terrorist groups.
On the other hand, Abbas says he cannot get Hamas and Islamic Jihad to stop their violence or dismantle their operations.
So… as we are now less than six months into the Road Map - all we have show for it is a two-headed monster - Arafat and Abbas - and both refuse to control terrorism. . .
It would appear that if this scenario continues, the civil war Mr. Abbas says he cannot afford will come regardless. As this author has stated so many times in the past, the problem is not Israel. Peace is very far away, even with the Road Map - the supposed answer to the problem.
September 7, 2003 - The fifth type of Pharisee is the ever seeking, or the one who exclaims, "What is my duty, that I might perform it?"
Obviously in this mindset every duty has already been performed. They are saying in effect, “I want to know what is incumbent upon me.”
Today, many churches deal with this same type of mentality, full of people who need to be told what the needs are, and where their duties and obligations lie.
It's no wonder Jesus rebuked this mentality of the Pharisees when he said "Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone." Matthew 23:23
Reverse theology is the key to this dysfunctional mentality. Pursue judgment, mercy and faith, then the tithe will come naturally, and the attributes of G-d will be manifested in our lives.
Perhaps a question here should be… Will we be seen as a fruit tree or a Christmas tree?
Will our pursuit of G-d cause us to flourish, providing shade with widespread branches, and fruit with deep roots… or will we be “ornamentally correct” until the holiday is over, the ornaments put away, and the tree burned?
Our cry to G-d should not be what duty may I perform, but rather our personal heartfelt prayer should be… G-d, move in my life and change me that I might do all that you want me to do.
To be continued…