Sometimes, I wish the war in Gaza, was being fought between two Christian nations. Because then, I would point to a verse like the one in the book of James, which reads, “In that judgment there will be no mercy for the one who is showing none. Mercy triumphs over judgment. “ James 2:13

As war drags on, mercy has been in short supply, while cruelty continues. The deaths of six Israeli hostages, execution style, only adds to the cumulative grief. Meanwhile, continued bombing in Gaza, at places that we’re supposed to be ones of refuge, result in deaths of children.  Both show us a lack of conscience.

No one in this war, is standing on the moral high ground. Both Israel and Hamas  have exhibited acts of cruelty. Both are guilty of war crimes.

Meanwhile the suffering in Gaza continues, and grows in the West Bank. Tears of Israeli  family members, whose loved ones were about to be released . . . only to die in captivity, cry out for an end.  Cries of Gaza’s distraught parents, and orphaned children beg for an end.

The question remains, who is actually listening, paying attention to the tears and shouts and cries of agony, in Israel and Palestine?

Who is really, willing to end the Carnage? Does either Israel or Hamas care enough to do that?

“Thus says the Lord of hosts: Render true judgments, show kindness and mercy to one another; do not oppress the widow, the orphan, the alien, or the poor; and do not devise evil in your hearts against one another.” Zechariah 7:9-10