The Middle East ~ Part 1

Welcome back to another article on geography. Last week, I discussed some characteristics of Asia in general, and today’s article is very similar. I will not be talking about individual countries just yet, but today I will talk about the Middle East. In a sense, the world began in the Middle East, and its end will focus on this area. Hopefully, with this article, we will all be able to understand the conflicts happening here (I usually do quite some research in writing these articles so I am able to learn alongside my readers).

As I have mentioned, history began in the Middle East and stayed there until after the Flood. This area is called the Crossroads of the Ancient World because it is such a crucial intersection between Europe, Asia, and Africa. Nearly every country in the world is concerned about this area in one way or another. There are not many countries who haven’t directly or indirectly tried to promote peace between Israel and every other country in this region. Also, many countries in the world have faced terror attacks or other forms of violence to their citizens. Most of the blessings and curses of this universe first began in the Middle East.
 

I am going to discuss two major characteristics that contribute to this region, and it will hopefully help each of us understand this region better. The first one is the history. Many of the events that I discussed in the Beginning of Time series did indeed began here. I haven’t written about the formation of Israel yet, but each of the countries in this area especially Israel is extremely important.
 

The Middle East is where three major world religions began: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam (I listed those in the order of which they were founded). Judaism is traced back to the patriarchs of Israel and the giving of the Mosaic law. Judaists do not believe that Jesus was the Messiah that was promised to them, and according to the book of Revelation, they will believe that the antichrist is the Messiah. I will expound more on that in another article. Technically, Christianity should have been listed first because God’s plan to save mankind had no beginning. God is eternal, and so is His knowledge and Providence of what would happen in history. I talked about Christianity in my first historical article, but I would like to state what I, as a Christian believes. A lot of preachers ask the question: “How would you sum up the gospel?” This is how I would do it:

• All men are sinners, and voluntarily run away from God and anything that is righteous.
• Because God loves us, He sent His Son to earth to save us.
• Jesus lived the perfect and sinless life that none of us could ever live.
• He died on a cross to pay the penalty for our sins.
• If we place our trust and give Him complete control of our lives, we can be saved from an eternity in hell, and be with Him in heaven instead.

I tried to make that as short as I could, but comment below on how you would sum up the gospel if someone asked you to. Lastly of all, Islam traces its roots to Mohammed who lived during the Medieval ages. It is estimated that Islam began between the beginning and end of the Byzantine Empire. The Koran or (Quran) is the Muslims’ holy book, as Judaists hold to the Torah and Christians hold to the Bible. Unlike most liberals say, the Koran does actually promote violence.

Again, I am focusing on the Middle East in this article and will probably write more on this in a later article. Religious warfare between Israel and its neighbors is a prime instigator of the violence in the Middle East. Because of that, the conflict in the Middle East is basically permanent. Islam won’t stop until the whole world is under its control and Israel is one of those countries who stand in the way.
 

Another key factor in the Middle East are the natural resources. Saudi Arabia is the world’s largest producer of oil. Oil in the Middle East has caused quite a few conflicts recently such as Saddam Hussein’s invasion of Kuwait. OPEC, which is a Middle-Eastern organization that controls to oil of some countries in the region, has cut oil exports to certain countries. For example, when the U.S. began to support Israel financially, OPEC cut off all oil exports to the U.S. This has also caused problems. Israel and the surrounding countries are within the Fertile Crescent so conflicts over land are also common.
 

In general, the conflict in the Middle East is mostly caused by the religious clashes and is coupled with the conflict over land and resources. It is a warfare that exists between those who don’t want God’s chosen nation to succeed and those who want to promote peace for the world. The history of Israel is one long series of miracles, and God is preparing for some important things to happen there in the future just as it had in the past. God always keeps His promises and is control of every circumstance. I’m going to keep looking for the next step in world history. How about you?
 

I am going to end this article with a humorous quote I found by Golda Meir, the former prime minister of Israel. She is also called the “Iron Lady” of Israel which is a reference to former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher of Great Britain, the first person who was given the title “Iron Lady.” Golda Meir said, “Let me tell you something that we Israelis have against Moses. He took us 40 years through the desert in order to bring us to the one spot in the Middle East that has no oil!” It was true in the late 1900s when she was serving as prime minister. Israel didn’t have near the amount of oil as its neighbors. In 2015, vast amounts of oil were discovered in Israel that could change the country’s economics. Also, the 40 years of wandering were punishment for the Israelites lack of trust in God. Israel does have access to the coast, major rivers, and fertile lands so in my opinion, that is something else to be thankful for although if you are the leader of your country, you would want all of the best for your country.
 

Although I said that I would be posting on prominent authors, I have changed my mind. Come back next week for another article of book reviews.