The Explosive Middle East: How Will It End?
Hello everyone, Simon Jacobson here for another episode of Meaningful Life. As you can see, I’m on a journey, not my regular location, but in St. Louis, Missouri, for a lecture. Despite this, we continue our regular series. Today’s topic is a deeply painful but critical one: the explosive events in the Middle East. This program is dedicated by Jackie Stowers in memory of her mother, Florence.
The Current Turmoil
Recent explosions across Lebanon, involving beepers, pagers, and other electronic devices, signal a new stage of battle and war. Our hearts and souls go out to all innocent people caught in this senseless hatred, senseless deaths, and senseless wars. Such wasted resources lead us to wonder: will this ever end, and how?
Contextualizing the Conflict
Looking back over the past 23 years, and especially the last few, it’s clear that this isn’t an isolated event. The Middle East has been a battleground for civilizations—Judaism, Christianity, and Islam—all children of Abraham. This historical context doesn’t lessen the tragedy but helps us understand that there’s something deeper happening here.
The Middle East, often considered the cradle of civilization, has seen continuous battles and wars between these major religions. The biblical story of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, all taking place in this region, sets the stage for these conflicts.
A Spiritual Confrontation
This isn’t just a fight over land or resources; it’s a spiritual confrontation. The children of Ishmael (ancestors of the Arab world) and Isaac (ancestors of the Jewish people) have been in conflict for millennia. The Zohar, a classic work of Jewish mysticism, predicts that these confrontations will come to a head at the end of time. We’re witnessing this unfold now.
The Role of Religion
Radical Islam, feeling chosen to control the world, clashes with Christian and Jewish passions. This volatile mix leads to toxic confrontations. Abraham, a man of kindness, taught us to bring God, purpose, and transcendence into a selfish world peacefully. Yet, history shows us that both Christianity and Islam have had their violent phases.
The Promise of Clarity
According to the Zohar, these confrontations will ultimately lead to clarity. Everything will come out of the woodwork, revealing true colors. This painful process is essential for the ultimate peace, where all people will recognize the Divine image in each other.
The Vision of Unity
The prophet Isaiah foretells a time when there will be no more evil or destruction because the world will be filled with Divine knowledge. This is our mission: to embrace and disseminate this Divine knowledge, living lives of kindness, virtue, and service.
Taking Action
As we approach the Hebrew New Year, let’s reconnect with our common ancestors, Adam and Eve, and the values embodied by Abraham and Sarah. While military action may be necessary to protect lives, remember that the ultimate battle is spiritual.
A Call to Reach Out
Let’s commit to reaching out to five new people each week. Share a kind word, a deed of charity, or a gesture of gratitude. You never know how one small act can tip the scales toward personal and global redemption.
Final Thoughts
May we all be blessed to see peace in our times, and let us do our part. Be proactive, make things happen, and spread a positive viral explosion of goodness and kindness.
Everyone be blessed and be well. Please share this with others. I’d love to hear your comments, thoughts, and feedback. Subscribe to our offerings on Meaningful Life Center and our YouTube channel, Facebook, and other platforms. Let’s transform this world into a Divine garden.
Thank you.
