ECCE

When considering the troubling events of this week, my wife, Pastor Mary, made a comment that "there's nothing new under the sun". This is found in Ecclesiastes, written by King Solomon: "The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun...it hath been already from old time, which was before us." (Eccl. 1:9-10). The prophets were given the Word of the LORD in warning to God's people, and they were often ignored or accused because of it. The prophet Amos, a humble shepherd who was called by the LORD to be a prophet to Israel, wrote of the threat of war and conflict, and the judgment of the LORD upon those nations who attacked Israel. Amos wrote of the judgment against Damascus and Syria (Amos 1:1-5, see also Isa. 17:1). Amos also wrote about Gaza, the territory in our headlines today: "...For three transgressions of Gaza, and for four, I will not turn away the ...

General William Sherman, who led Union troops during the Civil War, issued the famous quote, "...War is Hell". Experienced soldiers often make up many of those who are the most reluctant to see a war begin, because they have seen first hand the horrors that it brings. We are seeing a war currently in the Middle East, and innocent blood is being spilt on both sides. We have also seen and heard the reports about those who have no respect for human life boasting of the beheading of children and other civilians. They took joy in it. Scripture tells us how war and other tragedies come upon one's land. The prophet Hosea wrote the Word of the LORD: "...there is no truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge of God in the land. By swearing, and lying, and killing, and stealing, and committing adultery, they break out, and blood toucheth blood. Therefore shall the land mourn, and every one that dwelleth therein shall languish...My people are destroyed for a lack of knowledge, because tho...