How Will A Christ-led Israel Respond To Hamas?
How Will A Christ-led Israel Respond To Hamas?
Collin Leong, September 11, 2023
1. Introduction
There are so many debates on whether Christians should support Israel or condemn Israel in the war with Hamas. It is difficult to chose a side, since both sides are using the bible as the source of their opinions.
For example, those who are pro-Israel often emphasize biblical prophecy, God’s covenant with Israel, and Israel’s right to self-defense. Here's what they lean on:
1. Covenantal Promises & Prophecy
Genesis 12:1–3 – God promises to bless those who bless Abraham’s descendants.
Genesis 15:18–21 – The land is given to Israel as an everlasting possession.
Romans 11:28–29 – “The gifts and calling of God are irrevocable,” affirming Israel’s continued place in God’s plan.
Jeremiah 31:31–37 – God promises to “plant them in this land with all my heart and soul.”
Ezekiel 36:24 – God will gather Israel from the nations and restore them.
2. Just War and Government Authority
Romans 13:1–4 – Governments are “God’s servants” to punish wrongdoers.
Luke 3:14 – Soldiers are not condemned but told to act justly.
Matthew 24:15–22 – Jesus prophesies future tribulation involving Jerusalem, often interpreted as validating Israel’s defense.
These Christians often see modern Israel as part of God’s unfolding plan, and Hamas as a threat to that divine covenant.
The Christians that are against Israel emphasizes Jesus’ teachings on peace, justice, and love for enemies, and often critiques Israel’s military actions as disproportionate or harmful to civilians. They use these verses as the reason:
1. Peacemaking and Mercy
Matthew 5:9 – “Blessed are the peacemakers.”
Romans 12:18–19 – “Live at peace with everyone… Do not take revenge.”
Luke 6:27–36 – “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you.”
James 3:18 – “Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.”
2. Justice for the Oppressed
Micah 6:8 – “Act justly, love mercy, walk humbly.”
Isaiah 1:17 – “Defend the oppressed… plead the case of the widow.”
Proverbs 21:15 – Justice brings joy to the righteous but terror to evildoers.
3. Universal Grace Over Ethnic Identity
Galatians 3:28 – “There is neither Jew nor Gentile… you are all one in Christ.”
Ephesians 2:14 – Christ “has broken down the dividing wall of hostility.”
These Christians often argue that God’s love and justice apply to all people, including Palestinians, and that the church—not any nation—is now the spiritual Israel.
It comes down to hermeneutics—how Scripture is interpreted:
Dispensationalists see modern Israel as a fulfillment of prophecy.
Covenant theologians believe the church has inherited the promises made to Israel.
Others focus on Jesus’ ethical teachings, prioritizing peace and justice over national identity.
This isn’t just a theological debate—it’s a reflection of how Christians wrestle with power, suffering, and the meaning of faith in a broken world. We can argue as much as we want, but we will never come to a consensus until Jesus comes again.
2. Questions and Answers
Instead of debating who's right or wrong, I've decided to look from the point of view on how would an imaginary Christ-led Israel will do in response to the October 7, 2023 attack, when Hamas broke through the fenced-border and killed 1,139 people, including 71 foreign nationals. They slaughtered families in their homes, including children as young as 10 months old. Victims were reportedly tortured, raped, burned, and mutilated, with some acts filmed by the perpetrators. They took 251 people as hostages, including foreigners.
In other words, if the Israel leaders are faithful Christians that obeys the Word, what would their response be like? To have a quick answer, I asked ChatGPT. Here are the questions and answers:
1. Question: If Israel is run by faithful Christians that obey the bible - both OT and NT, how should they respond to the Hamas attack on 7 October 2023?
That’s a powerful and complex question—one that touches on theology, ethics, geopolitics, and human suffering. If Israel were governed by faithful Christians who earnestly follow both the Old and New Testaments, their response to the Hamas attack would likely reflect a tension between justice and mercy, protection and peacemaking.
Here’s how such a biblically grounded response might unfold:
1. Mourning and Compassion
Romans 12:15 calls Christians to “mourn with those who mourn.” A faithful Christian government would grieve deeply for the victims of the attack—Israeli and Palestinian alike.
Matthew 5:4: “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” Compassion would be extended not only to their own citizens but also to innocent civilians in Gaza caught in the crossfire.
2. Pursuit of Justice, Not Revenge
The Old Testament affirms justice: “Let justice roll down like waters” (Amos 5:24). But vengeance is reserved for God: “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord” (Romans 12:19).
A Christian-led Israel might pursue measured justice—targeting perpetrators, protecting civilians, and avoiding indiscriminate retaliation.
3. Prayer and Peacemaking
Matthew 5:9: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God.” Even amid war, Christians are called to seek peace.
Prayer would be central—not just for victory, but for wisdom, restraint, and reconciliation.
4. Defense of the Innocent
The Bible supports defending the vulnerable: “Rescue the weak and needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked” (Psalm 82:4).
A Christian government would likely act to protect its citizens, but with a heavy heart and a commitment to minimizing harm.
5. Radical Love and Forgiveness
This is the hardest part. Jesus taught: “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:44).
While this doesn’t mean ignoring evil, it does mean resisting hatred. A faithful Christian leadership might seek long-term reconciliation, even with those who have committed atrocities.
6. Global Witness
Their response would be watched by the world. A Christian Israel would aim to reflect Christ’s character—justice tempered by mercy, strength guided by humility.
This kind of response would be deeply countercultural. It wouldn’t satisfy calls for vengeance, nor would it ignore the need for security. It would walk a narrow path—one that’s often misunderstood, but rooted in the radical ethics of the cross.
Answer:
That’s a deeply challenging dilemma—and one that tests the limits of both moral clarity and strategic restraint. If a Christian-led government were committed to pursuing measured justice in response to an attack like the one on October 7, 2023, while recognizing that Hamas operates as a militant organization embedded within civilian infrastructure, here’s how they might approach it:
1. Distinguishing Combatants from Civilians
Even if Hamas functions as a military force, not every person in Gaza is a fighter. A Christian government would:
Use intelligence and precision to identify actual perpetrators and leadership figures.
Avoid blanket assumptions that every member of Hamas is equally culpable or irredeemable.
Recognize that some individuals may be coerced, indoctrinated, or trapped in cycles of violence.
2. Targeting Leadership and Infrastructure
Rather than indiscriminate bombing or collective punishment, justice would focus on:
Key operatives responsible for planning and executing attacks.
Command centers, weapons depots, and logistical networks—not homes, hospitals, or schools.
Cyber operations, arrests, and international cooperation to isolate and dismantle Hamas’s leadership.
3. Protecting the Innocent
Measured justice means:
Avoiding civilian casualties even when it slows down military objectives.
Providing humanitarian corridors, medical aid, and safe zones.
Publicly affirming the dignity of Palestinian civilians and condemning any form of dehumanization.
4. Offering Redemption and Dialogue
This is where Christian ethics diverge from conventional warfare:
Encouraging defections from Hamas through amnesty programs or rehabilitation.
Supporting grassroots peacebuilding efforts that give young Palestinians alternatives to militancy.
Engaging in dialogue with moderates, even if imperfect, to break the cycle of violence.
5. Pursuing Justice Through Law
Instead of relying solely on military force:
Collaborate with international courts to prosecute war crimes.
Document atrocities meticulously to ensure accountability.
Use diplomatic pressure to isolate Hamas politically and financially.
6. Praying for Enemies, Not Excusing Evil
Christian ethics don’t ignore evil—they confront it with truth and grace. Praying for enemies doesn’t mean tolerating terrorism. It means:
Holding perpetrators accountable.
Refusing to let hatred define the response.
Seeking transformation, not annihilation.
This kind of justice is slow, costly, and often unpopular. But it’s the kind that builds peace rather than perpetuating war. It’s the kind that reflects the cross—not just the sword.
Great question—and it cuts to the heart of what “measured justice” really means in practice. If a Christian-led government were trying to secure the return of hostages held by Hamas, the strategy wouldn’t rely solely on military might. Instead, it would combine moral clarity, strategic pressure, and human dignity in ways that could actually increase the chances of hostage recovery. Here's how:
1. Strategic Leverage Over Brutal Retaliation
Indiscriminate bombing often hardens enemy resolve and endangers hostages.
A measured approach—targeting Hamas leadership and infrastructure while avoiding civilian harm—can create pressure without escalation, making Hamas more likely to negotiate rather than retaliate.
2. Moral High Ground as Diplomatic Capital
A Christian-led response that prioritizes justice and mercy could galvanize international support, isolating Hamas politically.
With global pressure mounting, Hamas may find it harder to justify holding hostages and more incentive to release them for humanitarian or political gain.
3. Humanitarian Engagement Channels
By maintaining humanitarian corridors and aid to civilians, the government signals that its fight is with Hamas—not the people of Gaza.
This opens backchannels for negotiation through third parties like Egypt, Qatar, or the Red Cross, who often mediate hostage releases.
4. Offering Redemption Instead of Annihilation
A Christian ethic might include amnesty or rehabilitation for lower-level fighters who defect or cooperate.
This can fracture Hamas’s internal cohesion and incentivize hostage release as a gesture of goodwill or bargaining chip.
5. Public Commitment to Hostage Safety
By publicly committing to the safety of hostages—even those held by enemies—a Christian-led government builds trust with mediators and families, increasing the likelihood of successful negotiations.
6. Long-Term Vision Over Short-Term Rage
Measured justice doesn’t mean weakness—it means discipline with purpose.
Hostage recovery is often a slow, delicate process. A government that resists the urge for vengeance may be better positioned to wait, negotiate, and act wisely.
In short, this method doesn’t guarantee success—but it avoids the traps of escalation, preserves moral clarity, and keeps the door open for diplomacy. It’s not just about defeating Hamas—it’s about saving lives, including those held captive.
4. Question: Even if this method will reduce casualties and end the war early, how should Hamas be treated after the war, for they are hell-bent to get rid of Israel's existence and want the land for themselves?
Answer:
That’s the heart of the dilemma: how do you treat a group that remains ideologically committed to your destruction, even after the fighting stops?
If Israel were governed by faithful Christians who obey both the Old and New Testaments, their post-war approach to Hamas would need to balance justice, protection, and the possibility of redemption—without being naïve about the threat Hamas poses.
Here’s how such a response might unfold:
1. Hold Leaders Accountable
Romans 13:4 affirms that governing authorities are “God’s servant for your good,” but also “an avenger who carries out wrath on the wrongdoer.”
Hamas leaders responsible for atrocities would be tried and punished—ideally through international courts or transparent legal processes.
This isn’t vengeance—it’s justice with integrity.
2. Prevent Future Violence
A Christian government would take firm steps to dismantle Hamas’s military capacity and prevent its resurgence.
This includes disarming militants, cutting off funding, and securing borders—not out of hatred, but out of a duty to protect life.
3. Separate Ideology from People
Not every person under Hamas’s rule is a terrorist. Many are victims of indoctrination, poverty, or fear.
A Christian response would distinguish between hardline ideologues and those who can be rehabilitated, offering pathways out of extremism.
4. Invest in Reconciliation and Rehabilitation
Post-war efforts would include:
Education and economic development to break cycles of radicalization.
Dialogue with moderate voices in Palestinian society.
Support for trauma recovery—for both Israelis and Palestinians.
5. Love Your Enemies—Without Letting Them Kill You
Jesus’s command to “love your enemies” (Matthew 5:44) doesn’t mean surrendering to them.
It means refusing to dehumanize them, even while resisting their evil.
A Christian-led Israel would pray for Hamas members, even as it neutralizes their threat.
6. Model a Different Kind of Power
Instead of domination, the goal would be peace through justice.
The world would see a nation that defends itself without cruelty, punishes evil without hatred, and seeks peace without compromise on truth.
This approach doesn’t guarantee Hamas will change—but it ensures that Israel’s response reflects the character of Christ: strong, just, and merciful. It’s not weakness. It’s moral courage.
3. Conclusion
I agree with ChatGPT that this is what a Christian nation will do. However, this is ideal situation as no nations are totally obedient to the Word today. Therefore it is possible for any nations to do this, not just Israel.
However I am of the opinion that as Christians, we do not need divide each other. We know Jesus will come back to Israel at the end of the tribulation, to judge them but also to redeem the remnant. It is really God's decision to decide what Israel have done right or wrong, not ours to judge.
Recall that God asked the Israelites to wipe out the Canaanite nations because of their extreme wickedness, when they entered the Promised Land. (Deuteronomy 20:16-18). Can we say that God asked Israel to commit genocide? No, God is holy, just and merciful, and He knows the full picture.
Let us continue to intercede for the victims of the war, and allow God to fulfill His purpose at the end the times through Israel. Let us focus on God's mission to redeem people to Himself, and preach the good news to all people, including the Jews.
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