I read a quote by David French a few days ago that I appreciated:
Jewish lives aren’t more precious than Palestinian lives, and any
Toward a Sane Christian Zionism, New York Times, February 15, 2026
form of advocacy for Israel that treats Palestinians as any less
deserving of safety and security than Israelis isn’t just
un-Christian; it’s anti-Christian. It directly contradicts the
teachings of Scripture, which place Jews and Gentiles in a position of
equality.
Given the events of this day and this year, I might add that Iranian lives are not less previous than other human lives. And immigrant lives are not less precious than citizen’s lives. War begets war. Violence begets violence. Hate begets hate. Injustice begets injustice. We are called as followers of Jesus to make peace – to love enemies even.
George Washington often quoted from Micah 4.4 in his writing. I’ve quoted Micah 4.2-4 below. The last sentence is Micah 4.4.
Micah 4.2-4
Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the temple of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths.” The law will go out from Zion, the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. He will judge between many peoples and will settle disputes for strong nations far and wide. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore. Everyone will sit under their own vine and under their own fig tree, and no one will make them afraid, for the LORD Almighty has spoken.
Please, LORD, teach us your ways.
Jesus is Lord.