God really loves Arabs
Muslims are found in literally hundreds of different ethnic groups around the world. Possibly three quarters of the world’s Muslims are not from an Arabic background; however, Mohammed’s Arab lifestyle and cultural background have profoundly influenced Islam. Knowing that Islam has such deep roots in Arabia it would be good for all Christians to understand that God really loves Arabs. The Bible is a major source of Arab genealogies. We know that there are at least three types of Middle-Eastern Arabs: the Joktanites, the Ishmaelites and the Keturahites.
The Descendants of Joktan:
Many Arabs see themselves as descendants of Joktan. The Arabs call him “Kahtan.” One of the very famous tribes descending from Joktan was Sheba whose descendants founded the kingdom of the Sabeans in Yemen. The Arabs call the famous queen of Sheba by the name “Bilquis.” Her visit to Jerusalem during king Solomon’s reign is an example of how God’s people had an influence on Arabia even in Old Testament times. Solomon writes one of the so called “Messianic Psalms” (Psalm 72) partly with Sheba in mind (see verses 10 and 15). Jesus speaks very positively concerning the Queen of Sheba (Matthew. 12:42). It would appear that at least some of the Semitic tribes worshipped the God of Shem even if they did not know him fully.
The Descendants of Ishmael:
God made promises to Abraham concerning Ishmael that he would bless him exceedingly (Genesis 17:18-27). God’s covenant to bless all the nations did not come through Ishmael but rather through Isaac, however, God did not forget Ishmael. His descendants are included in God’s promise to bless all the nations (all ethnic groups around the world) through the seed of Abraham (See Genesis 12:1-3; 18:18; 22:18; 24:4; and 28:14). This promised blessing was eventually fulfilled in Jesus.
It is remarkable that Ishmael’s name is a revelation concerning God’s person and character. His name means “God hears”. God clearly heard the distress of Hagar when she called out for help in the desert (Genesis 16:1-16). It was God who designated the name. The name Ishmael is an everlasting testimony of God’s concern for the weak, the afflicted and those who are unjustly treated.
The descendants of Ishmael seem to have settled predominately in northern Arabia. One of Ishmael’s twelve sons named Nabajoth (Nebaioth) fathered (See below) the tribe which eventually became the head of the Nabatean kingdom. The kingdom’s famous capital, Petra, is in present day Jordan. Muslims believe that Mohammed was descended from Nabajoth.
The Descendants of Abraham through Keturah:
After Sarah’s death Abraham took another wife (or concubine) named Keturah (Genesis 25:1-3). Abraham had six other sons through Keturah after the birth of Isaac (Zimran and Jokshan and Medan and Midian and Ishbak and Shuah). All of Keturah’s sons eventually became the heads of Arab tribes. Later Moses married Zipporah the daughter of Jethro the priest of Midian, (Exodus 2:16-22). Jethro recognized the true God and even gave Moses good advice which apparently pleased the Lord (Exodus 18). Certainly the Midianites had some revelation of God through their father Abraham. Some members of the tribe also strongly opposed Israel.
The Arabs were involved in gross idolatry for many centuries. In a similar way Jews were also involved in idolatry and God gave them scriptures and prophets to bring them back to repentance. Mohammed (570 – 632 AD) eventually sought to turn the Arabs from their idolatry to worship the God of Abraham, Moses and Jesus but he did not have a full revelation of God. His distorted understanding led his people into error and this has resulted in present day Islam.
Hope of Salvation for Arabs
Millions of Arabs around the world already identify themselves with the Messiah. Many are in the ancient churches of the Middle East in Lebanon, Egypt and Iraq. Isaiah the prophet speaks of a time when the glory of the Lord will be manifested among the Arabs (Isaiah 60:1-7).
We also find encouragement to believe God for the salvation of a multitude of Arabs from the story of Pentecost. On the day of Pentecost some of those who were filled with the Spirit spoke of the mighty deeds of God in Arabic (see Acts 2:11). The praises of God were proclaimed in Arabic before they were ever proclaimed in English, French, German or Spanish! Arabs can also be blessed with Abraham through Christ. Pray along these lines today and ask for revelation of the love God has for the Arab peoples.
Recommended reading: “Understanding the Arab World” by Louis Bahjat Hamada
TDI
The difference beteen the converts to Islam and the converts to Christianity is obvious:
Converts to Christ are majority the poor, uneducated vaunerable & hungry who would do anything to be fed and looked after. The misssionaries lie to them and indirectly black manipulate them with lies, that Jesus sent you to feed them, and to be fed is to convert……i have WITNESSED IT IN AFRICA. When i approached a later convert, they told me that this is life and whom ever feeds them they will follow. Also they are secure for life with being looked after….
Converts to Islam are ALAYS the educated from civilised countries ho read and see the logic proof. They are not manipulated and preached lies , or starving and will do anything to get by.
Arabs are the one bewteen the two promises that became true. They are the ones that filled the land from Egypt to Iraq…(no agrument about it). It is known as the Arab/ Muslim landsss ith trickles of Christians & jews here and there….so the words in the Bibles may have been omitted and added to, but the promise cannot be omitted or added to.
Macca is Bacca and is prophesised in the Bible as here the new people of God & religion who’s people will make pilgramage every year , and praise the lord on the cliff tops, and cry ….now unless you kno of any religion in the middle East that do pilgramage every year in millions, climb mount Arafat, cry and call out loud prays to God…then you just have to accept it as ISLAM
The Arab Christians get persecuted, let’s not forget the Copts in Egypt who are now constant targets of the Muslim Brotherhood. Those “ex-Muslims” on YouTube are all fakes, the real ex-Muslims who find Yahushua HaMashiah (Jesus) as savior get persecuted and don’t have time to waste on YouTube. The Arabs and Jews share a very close history, the Arabs were among the earliest Christians along with the Greeks and Hebrews, Arabs became very powerful Christian leaders.
Honestly, Islam is so-embedded with the majority Arab population and their culture today, let’s not forget the in Disney’s movie “Aladdin”, the name “Allah” is used. The ancient Arab Christians never used Allah, they used Yahweh, God’s true name. The descendants of these pre-Islamic Christian tribes make up the minority Arab Christian population today. Because of these, it’s so hard to ever imagine Arabs being Christians a whole. I’ve never met an Arab Christian before, they were all Muslims.
@EpiSadural ,
-it’s Yeshua’, there is no Yah.
-the Muslim Brotherhood also persecutes political rivals
-It’s ‘Ala ad-Din (Exalted in Faith), Allah’s not there.
- There is archaeological proof that Christians used Allah 300 years before Muhammad, as well as ‘Isa.
-Jews don’t say Yahweh because the vowels are lost in history. How could Christians have said it?
-The Syrian and Iraqi Christians are not descendants of Arabs, that is just their language.
-We share a common bond in the love of the Christ. Peace be with you.