why do Arab Muslims hate Jews?

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Can you love Jesus too much?

I have long wondered why Arab Muslims hate with such an unending and unquenchable hate.   Certainly their greatest hate is reserved for Christians and Jews, but they seem hate even other Muslims and even their own family members. It seems that forgiveness is only a theoretical concept for Muslims. 

While watching a PBS special on a Muslims pilgrimage to Mecca, I received new insight that may explain the source of the hate. 

According to the documentary, Arab Muslims consider themselves to be children of Abraham through Hagar’s son Ishmael. 

According to the Christian Bible (Genesis 16), when Hagar had conceived a child, “her mistress (Sarai) was despised in her sight.” 

When Sarai complained to Abraham, she was given permission to treat Hagar however she wanted.  Sarai treated Hagar harshly and Hagar fled from her presence.

According to the Bible, an "angel of the LORD" appeared to Hagar after she had fled into the wilderness.  The angel told her to return to her mistress and submit to Sarai’s authority.  The angel also said that Hagar’s descendants would be multiplied so the “they will be too many to count.” 

The angel also said:

“Behold you are with child,

And you will bear a son;

And you shall call his name Ishmael,

Because the LORD has given heed to your affliction.

He will be a wild donkey of a man,

His hand will be against everyone,

And everyone’s hand will be against him;

And he will live to the east of all his brothers.”

What an apt description of the Arab Muslim people!

According to the Bible, after Sarah bore Isaac, as God had promised that she would, she saw Ishmael “mocking” Isaac.  Sarah told Abraham (Genesis Chapter 21) to “drive out this maid and her son”. 

God said to Abraham, “Do not be distressed because of the lad and your maid; whatever Sarah tells you, listen to her, for through Isaac your descendants shall be named.   And of the son of the maid I will make a nation also, because he is your descendent.”

It is this rejection of Ishmael, by the mother of Isaac, that caused the unquenchable hate that the Arab Muslims have for Isaac’s descendants - the Jews and the Christians.

©Terry Lefler, 06/2005, 08/2006  All rights reserved

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