Gaza is certainly not a major theme in the Bible. And yet, this city, or rather this region (the Gaza Strip), appears repeatedly. Reason enough to take a closer look at some of these passages.
By Dr. Tobias Krämer
Gaza lies on the Mediterranean coast, bordering Egypt, and was, along with Ashkelon, Ashdod, Ekron, and Gath, one of the most important cities of the Philistines (Joshua 13:3). The Philistines were likely a seafaring people who arrived in Canaan around 1200 BC. They settled on the Mediterranean coast and became one of Israel's persistent enemies for centuries.
A well-known example of the Philistine conflicts is Samson. The 'finale' of his story takes place in Gaza (Judges 16). At times, Gaza comes into the focus of the prophets and is marked with pronouncements of disaster and judgment. For example, in Amos 1:7, God threatens: "I will send fire upon the walls of Gaza, and it shall consume its palaces." And in the following verse, God announces judgment upon other Philistine cities, indeed upon the entire Philistine people: "I will cut off the inhabitants of Ashdod and the ruler of Ashkelon, and I will turn my hand against Ekron, and the remnant of the Philistines shall perish, declares the Sovereign Lord." (Amos 1:8; compare also Jeremiah 47:1-7; Zephaniah 2:4; Zechariah 9:5-6)
Drastic words. However, the prophet Zechariah does not stop there. God shows him that He also has a prospect of salvation for the Philistines, or rather, the inhabitants of Gaza. Zechariah 9:7 says: “I will remove the blood from their mouths and the detestable things from between their teeth, so that they too may remain as a remnant to our God and become as a relative to Judah, and Ekron as the Jebusites.”
Good friends of Israel?
This passage can be interpreted in different ways. The "blood in their mouths" evokes the Old Testament dietary laws: the Philistines, too, will observe them because they will become part of the people of Israel. The "abomination between their teeth" can be thought of as a reference to idol sacrifices, which the Philistines will no longer eat—for the same reason. However, it could also be an image of the Philistines' vicious and warlike hostility toward Israel: the Philistine "beast" will no longer "devour Jewish flesh" (compare Daniel 7; Revelation 13 and 17).
However, the matter is clear. There will also be a remnant of Philistines who will serve God (the God of Israel!). The people of Gaza and other Philistine cities will become "like relatives" to Judah, that is, good friends of Israel. Ekron will even become "like the Jebusites," a pagan tribe that was integrated into Israel (compare 2 Samuel 24:18-25). In the end, Zephaniah 3:9 will also apply to Gaza. There God says: "Then I will give clean lips to the nations, that all of them will call on the name of the Lord and serve him with one accord."
Looking at Gaza today, a city infested with Hamas, one sees the exact opposite: endless hostility towards Israel. This makes it all the more important to keep God's perspective of salvation in mind. Gaza will not remain as it is. It will find peace. Peace with Israel and peace with God. Therefore, we should never give up hope.
This article first appeared in our newspaper "Israelaktuell," issue 142. You can order the newspaper here . We would also be happy to send you several copies for distribution.
