Who Owns the Land?: An In-Depth Look at the Truth Behind the Middle East Conflict

by Charles H. Dyer, Stanley Ellisen

Who Owns the Land? That’s the question being asked in homes and on college campuses all over the world. The conversations can be heated and fraught with tension. There are accusations. Anger. And pain. Who is at fault? Are the Israelis occupiers and oppressors? We are seeing a rising tide of antisemitism across the globe. What is the history of this conflict? You may have looked to Google for some clarity, but a mere Google search is not able to provide sufficient understanding or answers to your questions.

Who Owns the Land? provides insight and knowledge behind the Arab-Israeli conflict. In addition to offering perspective on recent events, Who Owns the Land? traces the journey of the Jewish people through history and explains the events that have led to the current situation in the Middle East today. This revised and updated version of Dr. Stanley Ellisen's bestselling book examines the numerous Jewish migrations and expulsions, the emergence of Zionism, World War II and the Holocaust, and a view of the Jews' promised restoration.

Who Owns the Land? helps readers place the current Middle East conflict in its proper historical context and enables us to interpret current events in light of the Bible.

256 pages, Paperback

Published October 1, 2024

About the author

He is an Old Testament scholar as well as an authority on Middle Eastern history and geography. A licensed tour guide to Israel, he has traveled extensively throughout the Middle East over the past 25 years, leading over 70 different trips throughout the region to countries including Israel, Jordan, Egypt, Greece, and Turkey. He twice visited Iraq as an official invited guest of Saddam Hussein’s government.

When he is not working, traveling to the Middle East, or speaking, Charlie enjoys spending his time writing, reading, and golfing. He is a devoted (some would say fanatical) Macintosh computer user, and he collects antiquities—especially oil lamps from biblical times.

Charlie and his wife, Kathy, have been married for over 33 years, and they have two grown children—Ben and Becky. Becky and her husband are both graduates of Moody.

(http://www.moody.edu/edu_facultyprofi...)

Reviews

[Raina Rausch · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a history lover and thoroughly enjoyed this book largely because of Dyer's comprehensive, yet not overwhelming, look at the history of the Jewish people. It was unusual for me to be reading a book of history, while at the same time seeing items in the news that were reflective of what I was reading. I'm glad to have learned the perspectives presented in this book and feel that it helps me to better understand what is happening in the Middle East in present times. I also had to smile at the end when reading his reminder of Jesus' return and how He will bring the nation of Israel back to Himself!

[Zorina Shepard · Rating 2 out of 5]

After reading a memoir on Hamas, I found this book and it immediately peeked my interest. I was pretty disappointed. I honestly had a hard time finishing this one. The author holds to a very different hermeneutics than I do and has a distain for the early church. This was a huge red flag to me.

This book attempts to answer the main question concerning the middle east conflict. The author does so coming from a Christian perspective. I was disappointed in his lack of Scriptural support though and Biblical analysis. This was more of a historical analysis and less based on God’s Word. I wish he focused on how God's Word informs us in this situation added on to the historically helpful information he shares. He talks disparagingly of the early church without seeming to truly understand their side of the argument and hermeneutics.

I do think he did a good job of showing the complexity of the problem from both sides of the Palestinians and the Isrealites.
I feel like he got so focused on speculation of Isreal fulfilling prophecies though, that this actually distracts from Christ. This is just speculation and not supported by Scripture. In fact, Scripture tells us that the land promised to Isreal is a heavenly one. We can't put our hope in an earthly kingdom. Hope in Christ instead!

Hebrews 11:13–16 (NASB95): "All these died in faith, without receiving the promises, but having seen them and having welcomed them from a distance, and having confessed that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. For those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a country of their own. And indeed if they had been thinking of that country from which they went out, they would have had opportunity to return. But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; for He has prepared a city for them."

Thank you @moodypublishers for a copy of this book for my honest review!

[Melissa Mazur · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredibly thorough account of the history between Israel and Palestine. While maintaining a biblical perspective for Christians who believe in the incarnate God as Jesus and fall under the full authority of the living, breathing word of God (The Bible), this work also includes equal justice for both sides of the coin in today’s climate. You’ll learn about The Quran and what it commands of its people under the authority of Islam, you’ll learn The Talmud and the commands of its people under the authority of Judaism, and you’ll learn about the covenants that God made in the Old Testament that essentially “started” this war between the Jewish people and the Palestinians once the Palestinians occupied the land after the Turks. Essentially, everything points back to this covenant between God and Abraham, whom both Jews and Palestinians give credit to in their respected holy documents. At a deep level, this book speaks to how God promises Abraham a great nation and blessings throughout his lineage. His lineage consisted of both Isaac and Ishmael however, God was very specific when renewing this covenant with Abraham’s son, Isaac, who was born out of supernatural faith while Ishmael was born out of human effort between Abraham and his Egyptian servant outside of the covenant of Marriage since Abraham was married to Sarah. Ishmael is said to have started the lineage that leads up to Muhammad who is recognized as the “final messenger of god” in the Quran by Muslims. It becomes a game of, “mine, or yours” as to whose lineage is the rightful heir to the land where the Holy Temple sits. I’d invite any Christian to dive into this work given today’s climate with radical ideology coming from all angles.

[Lianna Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I highly recommend this look at the contested land of Israel in the Middle East. The compilation of pertinent history is fascinating (and, of course, difficult to read at times). I find the analysis as to the land in this work excellent and illuminating. I stand very convinced as to the historic ownership of the land with the Jewish people—and that those who bless her will be blessed.