Abraham peered through the darkness at the distant enemy camp in ancient northern Canaan (the modern-day Galilee Panhandle). The dim glow of a nearby campfire reflected a fiery line along Abraham’s drawn sword, as the moon cascaded a faded glow in the dead of night. The sword was then raised, silhouetting against the starry sky, signaling Abraham’s armed warriors to rush in a flanking attack that would soon dominate and defeat the enemy. 

It was the War of Nine Kings (Battle of Siddim) and it was the first war ever fought in what would eventually become the Land of Israel and it raged in some the same general areas where Israel is battling her enemies today. It was fought before the Jewish people ever came to be and before even ancient Israel came to be. It is the first-ever war of the Bible (Torah/Tanakh). 

It was the war that tested the toughness and determination of Abraham, the great patriarch of the Jewish people. In the Torah in Genesis 14, this bloody war breaks out between regional kings and in the ensuing battles Abraham’s nephew Lot and other family members are violently kidnapped by the enemy forces (sound familiar?) of Chedorlaomer, king of ancient Elam (it is interesting and very uncanny to note that ancient Elam is said to be located in what is present-day Iran). Abraham (called “Abram” at this time in the biblical narrative before God changed his name to “Abraham”) arms himself and over 300 of his men and personally leads his fighters to rescue his captured family members. Now Abraham was never a warrior/soldier/fighter by profession or calling; nevertheless, he transformed himself into a decisive warrior and military leader when the time necessitated it. 

During the War of Nine Kings, Abraham refused to sit back and let violent forces engulf his loved ones. Abraham decisively pursued his enemies and led that guerilla-style night attack and eventually rescued his people (14:14-16). Today Israel is fighting a war in the same geography against vicious terrorists who arbitrarily and violently attack Israelis, as well as committing other crimes and atrocities. The nation of Israel, like Abraham, must stay the course until the mission is accomplished and finished, and the terrorist networks and regimes that attack Israel are defeated. Like Abraham, the IDF must not stop until the objective is complete and Israel’s enemies are destroyed. 

Just a few chapters later in the Torah (Genesis 17), God calls to Abraham and promises that he will be the father to a great people (the Jewish people) and to a great nation (Israel). Abraham’s decisiveness and great courage in battle were among the many great qualities he had that made him chosen. The

Jewish people everywhere need to remember that we have a great warrior legacy and that Jews can and do fight ferociously, if needed to defend ourselves, our loved ones, and our homeland. To be Jewish is to be a part of a great warrior tradition and heritage. Even Jews who are not warriors/soldiers/fighters by calling or profession (like Abraham), those Jews can still rise up and have that warrior mindset and posture if circumstances make it necessary. As Abraham armed himself and his men, so too should Jews be armed and prepared. Jews must have a reputation for fierceness and toughness when attacked and know how to effectively respond with thorough and decisive self-defense. All violent antisemites must be made afraid and know that there will be dire consequences if Jews and Israel are attacked. 

As we see time and again, history repeats itself in the Land of Israel. 

© The Times of Israel (Blogs)