It All Began at the Beginning

The news shouts from the living room. I can hear bits and pieces from the kitchen: Syria, Iraq, Egypt, Ukraine, Russia, Nigeria, Sudan, France, etc., etc. The media bombards us with war,  terrorism, sectarian violence, refugees, missing girls, rescues and attempts at peaceful solutions. It never ends. We hear signs of hope dashed by protests, riots and uprisings.

The question was asked, "Will there ever be peace between the Jews and the Muslims?" One can wonder. It all started ages ago, according to Biblical history, with Abraham and Sarah. Abraham was promised a son who would become the beginning of as many descendants as the stars in the heavens. Abraham was very old. His wife, Sarah was far beyond child-bearing years. Neither of them could believe the promise from God. Sarah gave her servant, Hagar, to Abraham to bear him a child since she was young and could bear children. Hagar had her child, Ishmael, and Sarah became pregnant with Isaac. For whatever reason, jealousy, birth rights, or whatever, Sarah banished Hagar and Ishmael to the desert. As recorded, Isaac was the forefather of the Jews and Ishmael of the Arabs.

Ever since, up to the present day, the descendants of Isaac and Ishmael have been rivals. They do not forget since their memories seem be everlasting. I am not an expert on the Bible and anyone may read and interpret for him/herself but it appears that the hostility began centuries ago and seems unlikely to be abating any time soon, at least not during my lifetime.

So, it all began with Sarah and Abraham. Further back, if we look at jealousy, rivalry, hatred, suspicion and even murder, it all began with Adam, Eve, Cain and Abel.

As I see it (purely personal musings), not much has changed.