Could Israel's Enemies be Really One with Israel???

I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers and sisters, so that you may not be conceited: Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in, and in this way all Israel will be saved. As it is written: “The deliverer will come from Zion; he will turn godlessness away from Jacob. And this is my covenant with them when I take away their sins.” Paul, Rom 11:25-27

So much is happening these days in Israel. I am of the view that though the events of the Middle East have a flavor of Biblical prophecy I understand very clearly the tragedies they have caused in thousands of lost lives, the displacement of hundreds of thousands and seeing generations living as refugees some only miles from what used to be their homes. 

Many think that this battle is between Ishmael and Isaac, the Jews and Arabs living in the Land of Israel and in their immediate vicinity, in particular Lebanon - which boasts Israel's most potent enemy in Hizbollah (an Iranian funded, Lebanese Shi'ite force that initially resisted Israeli occupation of Lebanese lands from 1984-2000).

I would like to flip this narrative on its head. Having read the history of the Tribes of Israel for many years in the Bible, I think this War is most probably a conflict between the Tribes of Israel themselves! Judah (the Jews) and the descendants of the ancient Northern Kingdom of Israel - the Tribes of Joseph (Ephraim and Mannaseh half tribes), Dan, Asher, Zebulun, Levi (who were spread across ancient Israel) and other tribes. In fact, the Bible does show how the political dynasties of Israel and Judah fought many battles and existed side-by-side, bonded by their blood ties but somehow were very tense and hostile towards each other throughout most of their history. This is actually very similar to the state of affairs in region (except the "blood-ties" have been mostly wiped from these communities' memory).

Paul's prophecy doesn't just speak about the return of Judah to the Lord but says "all Israel". In the Bible, the distinction was very, very clear (see Ezek 37 as a perfect example). We don't see the difference today but that is a shame since Jews of Israel and the world are descendants of Judah and maybe some are from the tribes of Benjamin, Levi and Simeon among others. In the end, Judah was one son and Tribe of 12 Sons and Tribes of Israel. The term Israel (Jacob) became synonymous with the Northern Kingdom after Solomon's son, Rehoboam, saw his kingdom torn apart with him only ruling Judah. Israel and Joseph's sons' and their Tribes - Ephraim and Manasseh also became synonymous.

So Paul speaks about this amazing turning of ALL ISRAEL to the Lord, but who in the world are the descendants of the Israelites who came from the Northern Kingdom?

The most robust studies using the best technology of DNA analysis show that the multiple peoples of the Levant are related to the Jewish peoples more than any other people - and to varying degrees. (e.g. Maronites and Druze are descendants of Jews, Shi'ites from Israel, Palestinians have a shared ancestral heritage with Jews that has been more diluted than the above two groups).

So what?

I'm not saying that this should change the way anybody acts now that we really are more than just 'cousins'. Jesus died for every person on earth, from every tribe, nation, language and family. He called us to love even our enemies and to be peacemakers.

However I believe that revealing these genetic similarities may help us reformulate the narratives that have enforced these endless wars. For example, the Jews are not outsiders but long lost brothers returning home. Maybe if the peoples warring each other understood that they are really family that would bring a common point for them to build peace on.

Well... I did say maybe!