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
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While Christians surrender the West, Muslims are converting to Christ in the East (via NoApologies) >> http://bit.ly/183A3J
Also linking in:
‘Christians’ celebrating Ramadan? (via WorldNetDaily).
The article speaks nicely of this site but goes on to say, “But a smaller left-wing Christian sect, often referred to as “the emerging church,” is taking a very different approach … and then quotes Brian McLaren”
We have God’s promise in Scripture that He will answer our prayers for the Muslim people!!
Check out the listing of the 12 sons of Ishmael in I Chronicles 1:29. In this we find two sons listed, Kedar and Nebajoth (Nebaioth). Then look in Isaiah 42:10-11 and Isaiah 60:7. In these verses God has declared that these descendants of Abraham will give glory to the Lord and ascend with acceptance on His altar. These scriptures reveal that our prayers in faith for the sons of Ishmael (root of the Muslims worldwide) will be answered. We see their response to the Word of God; they will be open and come into salvation! Hallelujah!
For those who believe Muslims follow a different God to Christians.. may I encourage you to read this from the article
“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.”
I of course believe that Muhammad SWT received a fuller revelation of God.. but that is not the point of this post.. whether or not the revelation was complete.. the article shows that Muhammad called people to worship the God of Abraham, Moses and Jesus.. The revelation of God is the key difference between Islam and Christianity.
Remember, the article is just stating the opinion of the author. While Mohammed may have tried to turn the Arabs from their idolatry to the one true God, we know that he chose one of the many false gods on the Kaba and called it Allah! Since we know that the new revelations given to Mohammed do not agree with the Word of God that came before, it should not be listened to. It may contain some of the truth that had been revealed before, but it was also full of many untruths. The only way to know the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth about God and his plan for mankind is to study the Bible. The Qur’an contradicts the plain teaching of the Bible and it should not be trusted, especially in what is has to say about God and his will for our lives. The only thing that can be trusted in the Qur’an is the parts that contain the unadulterated Word of God that comes from the Bible.
I think Muhammad was seeking to worship God, even if he was misguided. It is actually very similar to the state of the Jews upon the arrival of Jesus. They had heard the truth, but weren’t very good at following it. They had a lot of rituals and human ideas they were trying to mix in with the true worship to which God had called them. What Muslims need is a true revelation of Jesus. They resist Him even as the Jews resist. Remember, Hosea 2 speaks of the predestination of the Jews to come to salvation, and Isaiah 60 speaks of the predestination of the Arabs (if not all Muslims) to come to salvation. just…keep…praying.
Carol, I usually do not comment but I must say this. (Although of course I know this will not convince you.)
But for the record, why not simply ask God for his reality, for his answer. Are all our gods alive? Do all our gods really speak? Ask god. If Muslims and Christians and everyone else follow the same “God”, then he will answer. Please just ask him. If he is really a god at all, then surely he can answer you and me personally. Or?
The story of Muhammad’s journey spiritually impacted me in that I can see how clearly in our own lives, how the fruit of any distortion and deception and any selfish motives will impact many others in an increasing way, unless we surrender all – continually – to our Heavenly Father – to teach, correct, encourage and empower. The more we go our own way, the more we put blockages up to the One True God, and the more we misrepresent the One we are meant to be witnesses for. We dishonour Him in the eyes of others when we dishonour Him in our own – knowingly or unknowingly.
The result is no less damaging that what we see happening around us in Islam.
How much we need one another to pray for us!
GOD LOVES ARABS…
Of course, God loves Arabs, why not? He created them and God loves all what He created… Genesis 1. Why should we not love what God loves? The only problem is that God doesn’t love lies because He loves truth, He is Truth! This is the problem and as Christian we should be consecrated, and surrendered, only to the Truth and live in the Truth. Christians should hate lies so that the father of lies loses his power in the nations, and over humanity. How Christians live is so important and is the only testimony in the visible and invisible realm… not primary words, but a holy living, amen.
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