Seeds Of Turmoil

Peace in the Middle East? Not likely. In Bryant Wright's book Seeds of Turmoil, he traces the current unrest in the Middle East back through the centuries to where it all began: the sons of Abraham. He shows quite clearly that the trouble truly began when Abraham and Sarah acted faithlessly and Abraham took matters (and Sarah's maid Hagar) into his own hands, siring Ishmael because He was too impatient waiting for God's plan to materialize.

The results have been manifold: through the centuries Arabs have been pitted against Persians, Jews and even other Arabs. Muslims have sought to exterminate Jews, Christians, and even other Muslims. Seeds of Turmoil does a good job of laying out in a simple and understandable way the scenarios that brought us to where we are today and how historical events have demonstrated this deep-seated tension.

What is truly fascinating is that the tension between Jews and Arabs, and even between different Arab groups, exists and persists because of one man, and the weakness of that one man displayed in a less than faith-filled act. It's a clear and present demonstration to us that acting in faith and obedience is always the best route.