Information Related to "Turning Swords Into Plowshares: Starting Now"
| Audio/Video |
 |
This Is the Way... Turning Swords Into Plowshares: Starting NowA nation ahead of its time in repairing the breaches.by Robin WebberAt times prophecy can appear foreboding, even gloomy. Especially if we focus on aspects of the historical cycles of pain that humans inflict upon others that are not quite like themselves. Christ shared in the Olivet Prophecy this natural tendency brought about by deception, armed conflict, famine and pestilence. Any serious student of the Scriptures knows all too well the refrain "nation will rise up against nation, and kingdom against kingdom!" But have we ever considered the time when this phrase will be passe, replaced by "nation shall apologize to nation, and kingdom will say, 'I am sorry to kingdom'"? You will not find much news like this today. But occasionally there are faint glimmers of light in current events that offer us a sense of the possible that lies ahead when nations have the vision and capacity to apologize and forgive. The question or concern that so often holds off reconciliation-whether between nations, families or individuals-is, "Who goes first?" Kevin Sullivan, a reporter for the Washington Post Service, writes of such a bold first step in "In a First, Japan's Leaders Apologize to Kim for Occupation of Korea" (International Herald Tribune, October 6, 1998). Mr. Sullivan spotlights the challenge, frustrations, and opportunities that forgiveness between former enemies can produce. "Emperor Akihito and Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi have offered frank and unambiguous apologies to President Kim Dae Jung of South Korea for suffering Japan caused during its 1910 occupation of the Korean Peninsula. In a joint statement issued by the leaders...during Mr. Kim's state visit to Japan, Mr. Obuchi expressed 'deep remorse and a heartfelt apology to the people of South Korea, having humbly accepted the historical fact that Japan inflicted heavy damage and pain on the people of South Korea through its colonial role.'" The background to this historic event makes it all the more remarkable. "It was the first written apology issued to an individual country by Japan for its actions before and during World War II. In the past, Japanese leaders have expressed 'regret' for any suffering Japan may have caused this century, but never offered an outright apology or specifically mentioned Korea." Apology Accepted It is one thing to officially apologize, another to have that apology accepted. "In a speech to the Japanese Parliament, Mr. Kim forgave Japan for its behavior during the occupation and emphasized a future of partnership between the Asian neighbors." In a visionary thought, the South Korean leader said, "It is truly infantile to regard 1,500 years of exchanges and cooperation as insignificant because of unfortunate periods that totaled fewer than 50 years. Isn't it something we should be ashamed of and something we should be reproached for by our ancestors, who forged such a history, and by our descendants?" He received a standing ovation at the end of the speech. Even so, as the old expression goes, and perhaps especially with the volatile field of emotions that forgiveness can cause to surface, sometimes it truly is "easier said than done." Mr. Sullivan brings to us this reality by stating, "Many conservatives in Japan continue to defend the occupation, saying it was legal under international law and no different from the actions of western colonial powers of the era." On Thursday, several senior lawmakers from the governing Liberal Democratic Party protested the ideal of Japan's issuing any kind of apology to Mr. Kim. Likewise, it is extremely difficult for many Koreans to move forward over the "roadblock of the past." Mr. Sullivan offers the immensity of their new challenge to accept the Japanese apology by relating, "In South Korea, where people were forced to take Japanese names, speak Japanese, attend Japanese schools and obey Emperor Hirohito, memories of the occupation are still fresh. In Seoul, a civic group representing South Korean women forced into sexual slavery by the Japanese military during World War 11, said it was disappointed 'because the joint announcement does not even mention the issue of comfort women, the Japanese euphemism for sex slaves.'" To say you are sorry is simply not an easy thing to do. On the other side of the coin, to hear others say they are sorry is not always easy to hear, especially when you are not ready to hear it! As it is with people, so it is with nations. For all of us it is often easier to stay in the past, where we are comfortable and can take pity on ourselves for life's unfair turn. We become "secure in our insecurity" because we don't have to take the challenge to live in the present, much less move towards the future. Tim LaHaye in his book, Anger Is a Choice, on page 116 shares the comical but very real dilemma of a man "who rushes into the marriage counselor's office and said, 'You've got to help me! My wife is historical!' 'You mean hysterical!' replied the counselor. 'No, historical! She keeps bringing up the past!'" It is easy for both the perpetrator and the victim to simply stay "historical." But when persons or nations begin to walk down the path of apology, the victims have to face themselves and ask what they are made of. Some make it, some don't. All we have to think of is the brother of the prodigal son, whose world seemingly came crashing down when he had to face himself, rather than point to his brother's poor choices. Mr. Sullivan shares in his article a pivotal and personal statement as expressed by Emperor Akihito at the welcoming banquet for Mr. Kim when he quotes Emperor Hirohito as saying, "He had deep sorrow, and that the sorrow that I feel over this never leaves my memory." It is a remarkable statement by the son of the wartime Emperor. Forgiveness is Costly Now it is up to the Korean populace to be able to mount the formidable challenge of being able to forgive the Japanese. Think again of the prodigal son's brother. As Tim LeHaye relates on this pivotal moment of encounter on page 112 of his book: "Forgiveness is very costly. It costs you, not the person being forgiven. Forgiveness means that justice will not always be fulfilled. Forgiveness does not rebuild the house that has been burnt down by someone carelessly playing with matches. Forgiveness does not always put a broken marriage back together. Forgiveness does not restore virginity to the rape victim. Forgiveness is letting go. It is the relaxation of your death grip on the pain you feel." Le Haye quotes Archibald Hart as saying, "Forgiveness is surrendering my right to hurt you back if you hurt me." Le Haye concludes with a thought by David Augsburger saying, "Forgiveness seems too easy. There should be blood for blood. Eye for eye." Earlier in this article the brother of the prodigal son was mentioned as an individual who had a hard time with forgiveness. Big brothers are not the only ones who can lack vision. Prophets, men sent from God, can also be lacking in the ability to reconcile. Jonah comes to mind. It is interesting to note that Jonah was commissioned and sent forth by God to call upon Ninevah to repent, which means to change its ways. Such a change could possibly have led to a new form of relationship between Israel and Ninevah. But as we know, Jonah could not move beyond the desire to see Ninevah destroyed. In fact, that is why he fled in the first place. He knew what God really desired. It's found in Jonah 4:1-3: "But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he became angry. So he prayed to the Lord, and said, 'Ah, Lord, was not this what I said when I was still in my country? Therefore I fled previously to Tarshish for I know that You are a gracious and merciful God, slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness, One who relents from doing harm. Therefore now, O Lord, please take my life from me, for it is better for me to die than to live!'" Jonah could only focus on the past relationships of his country with Assyria-one in which Israel lived in dreaded fear of the Assyrians and their war machine. The last thing he wanted to do was deliver a message that could improve the atmosphere between their two countries. He would rather face the jaws of a "great fish." In fact he felt, "It is better for me to die than to live" (Jonah 4:8). Peace Must be Made Jonah was a type of Christ, commissioned by God to go to an unbelieving people, buried in a great fish for 3 days and 3 nights, "resurrected" to new service before God and man. It's fascinating that his very name means "dove," often thought of as a symbol of peace. But it takes more than being named "Dove" or a desire for peace. God says, "Blessed are the peacemakers." Peace has to be built one word, one apology, and one act of forgiveness at a time. It takes vision, courage, and a willingness to see it through. When Jesus first came and proclaimed the intent of the gospel it was very clear that he was ready to move forward when it came to relationships between God and man. He triumphantly stated in Mark 1:15: "The time is fulfilled, the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe the gospel." As The Interpreter's Bible, page 656 states: "A new order is at hand. Get a new mind that fits it." This was His initial call-to put our personal and historical past behind once and for all, be it people or nations. Isaiah 58:12 (RSV) shows us that when Christ comes again what this "new order," this new and different way of thinking, will accomplish. "And your ancient ruins shall be rebuilt; you shall raise up the foundations of many generations; you shall be called the repairer of the breach, the restorer of streets to dwell in." Is this simply speaking of physical ruins? Are the cities of Israel, and the rest of the world to be rebuilt? Certainly. But how can they be rebuilt if there is not a healing of a greater breach between nations? Today in our world, many nations cannot even begin to build any meaningful dialogue because of the dismal historical ruins of war or cultural misunderstanding. Most nations have not spoken the courageous and sensitive words of the Emperor and Prime Minster of Japan. Neither have nations heard the response of a visionary like the Korean President. Imagine those first years of the Millennium when nation after nation will be following in their footsteps. No longer an anomaly, but the most important step in future international relationships. Diplomatic communiqués of "We were wrong, We are sorry, We forgive You." What a wonderful world we have to look forward to! This work of the future, our privileged opportunity now, is shown clearly in Isaiah 2:4: "They shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks." As "kings and priests in training," we are being called to fulfill a very tangible role in the future rebuilding of relationships between individuals, peoples and nations. But, before we can assist others in bending instruments of war into instruments of peace, and straighten out the seemingly endless cycle of frustrations between nations, we have to do some bending and straightening in the present. We have to go to work on ourselves. You might be saying, "Unthinkable! Unheard of!" But 50 years ago at the end of World War 11 who ever thought that the Imperial Japanese Empire would one day apologize to their former colony for the horror inflicted upon them? What's holding us back from dealing with our former or current adversaries? Waiting till Christ comes back? God doesn't always grant a 50-year period of reconciliation as in the case of Japan and Korea, and He doesn't always have a "great fish" off shore as a reminder of the work of reconciliation to which we are called. Rather, He has given us a Spirit to guide us. It is the same straightforward and powerful Spirit of God that stirred the prophet to say, "This is the way, walk you in it!" WNP |
|||||||||||||||||||||
| © 1995-2022 United
Church of God, an International Association | Request
Free Literature Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. All correspondence and questions should be sent to info@wnponline.org. Send inquiries regarding the operation of this Web site to webmaster@churchofgodtwincities.org. |
|
Related Information:
Other Articles by Robin Webber
Origin of article "Turning Swords Into Plowshares: Starting Now"
Keywords: Japan Korea apology forgiveness
Japan:
