Israel and Lebanon Clash Over Tree of Knowledge

August 3, 2010 an Israel soldier, with the aid of a crane, extends over a fence to trim a tree.  This act is seen by Lebanese soldier’s who become angered over the maintenance being performed on the tree.  Filled with rage they open fire on a nearby Israeli base, delivering a fatal wound to the head of an Israeli senior officer and wounding another officer.  Israel returns fire on the Lebanese force, which would take the lives of 2 Lebanese soldiers and a journalist.   

The U.N. has investigated the clash between Israel and Lebanon forces and has determined that the tree being trimmed was indeed on the Israeli side of the border, which was determined by the U.N. in 2000.  Despite the U.N. recognized border, some Lebanon officials claim the tree was in Lebanon territory and the trimming of it, was a provocative act.  They also claim that they only fired warning shots after the soldier refused to stop the ongoing maintenance and then Israel responded to their warning, with attack.

As I read about this story, I was saddened from the idea of how uncontrolled this world has become.  Such meaningless events have led to catastrophic consequences, due to the hate in man.  Something as simple as trimming a tree, provoked a battle that would claim the life’s of four human beings.

So who do we blame?  Who do we hold accountable in this situation?  Well, we could indeed say Israel was to blame, if they intentionally provoked Lebanon by trimming a tree they knew was sensitive to Lebanon.  How do we really know this though, unless some Intel is leaked or Israel just comes straight out and admits they actually were trying to provoke Lebanon?  What if Israel was only performing routine maintenance as they claim, to help them keep an eye on the nearby border, in case Hezbollah is preparing to send more rockets into Israeli territory?  How about we get rid of all the “what if’s” and let the tree tell its tale?

I like to call this tree, the tree of knowledge, because it revealed something that some of us have known for a long time, but others refuse to admit.  The tree was good in nature and had limbs unscathed from rocket blasts, which represented the peace that at least existed in a small area, but the innocent act of taking from the tree brought out the evil of man.  There is no chance of peace for Israel and Lebanon, this is not anything new, but if even a tree cannot be maintained without violence then how will they maintain order amongst themselves?  This is more than territorial, this is more than a tree, this is hate.

Some people will say “Israel is wrong; they need to give up their land for it was first Lebanon’s.”  Who are they to choose who had the land first, for before Lebanon it was in the hands of someone else and before that someone else?  This land has switched hands so many times and many times it belonged to Israel.  If we were to apply this philosophy to every country where would we all be?  Where would America be?  I wonder if a band of Native Americans were to go around firing rockets into residential areas and killing people, would these ideologues say they are in the right, for they were in the land first?  If a group of Mexican’s were to rally against the citizens of this nation, murdering and bringing destruction, should we just ignore it because we took land from them?  If they indeed say that Mexican’s and Native American’s have the right to attack innocent people based on the philosophy of “finders keepers”, then let it be them who are the first to perish.

The rule of this unruly world is this: if you can’t defend it, it doesn’t belong to you.  I would like to see one of them negotiate with a burglar and teach them their doctrine, they’ll be lucky if they keep their life let alone their belongings.  Now am I saying this mentality is right?  Of course not, but it’s a broken world that cannot be fixed by the work of man, in fact man is the very problem. 

The war between Israel and Lebanon and even other Muslim nations, is much deeper than land.  It’s about faith, it’s about an ancestral division, a family feud so to speak.  It’s a battle of who was the true chosen son, Isaac father of the Jews or Ishmael father of the Muslims.  Who can blame them really, even families in the U.S. will tear each other apart over the inheritance of a relative, so who are we to demand they make peace when we can’t even peacefully decide who gets grandpa’s truck?  Some people think peace is anything other than physical violence… what such ignorance, for a black eye will heal itself but who will heal the hearts of torn families dragged through lawsuits, slander and assaults from hateful words?  Sure death is horrible, but also what good is a ruined life that’s been abused and disabled by means of “peaceful” actions, for surely some would rather rest in the grave then labor through misery.

I’m a Christian so of course I stand with Israel, for I am indebted to the Jewish people, out of them came my Savior.  I believe the Bible when it claims Isaac is the chosen son and that his descendants should inherit the land.  I also believe that the Bible states that God would bless the descendants of Ishmael too.  So both Jews and Muslim’s should be prosperous. The Jews could care less what the Koran says and Muslims can care less what the Torah says, so there will always be war between them, if there is peace you can be sure war will come and if there is war you can be sure a time of peace will come, there is nothing man can do to change this, lest one side is annihilated.  Faith rarely can be persuaded.

The bottom line is this; if you believe Lebanon has right to the land, then help them defend it and if you believe Israel has right to the land, help them defend it, but do not think for one moment that one side or the other will lay down their arms and allow the land to be taken from them.  You might as well be waiting for the next “big bang” to kick off another life stable planet…. It just aint gonna happen folks.  What happens to the man who peacefully stands between two furious lions who are enemies?  He gets devoured by them both and then they continue their quarrelling.

I believe and hope that Israel will do their best to avoid conflicts.  It’s my personal belief that when they are seeking God, that He protects them.  I affirm this belief with amazing stories of Israel’s victories, such a small nation and yet so powerful.  These guys can take tanks out with rocks (tad bit exaggeration).  They have some of the best pilots in the world and yet they’ve only been a nation for a few decades.  Their military is definitely one to fear.  They’ve absorbed thousands upon thousands of rockets fired by their enemies, with minimal casualties.  Even in this conflict over the tree, they were fired on first and only one of them was killed opposed to three on the Lebanese side. (assuming Israel’s account is correct)  The Jewish people have out lived and out survived all those who’ve pursued their complete destruction and I don’t believe that will ever change, got that Ahmadinejad?  I can only hope that America will stand up and help defend Israel, because I’m not sure who else will.  I do not believe that Israel needs our help, because if God truly is on their side, that’s all they need, but surely for our sake, I hope we stand with them.  Those who curse Israel will be cursed and those who bless Israel will be blessed. (this is my personal belief and opinion, you are certainly entitled to your own faith and opinion as well)

-Herb Gruenwald III