When Evil Men Die: A Response to the Death of Al-Baghdadi
Justice Collective is excited to interview Jessika Tate of Yielded Ministries on our podcast. In the lead-up to the podcast, we are cross-posting one of her blogs reflecting on the recent death of an ISIS leader, Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi.
The original blog can be found here: https://yieldedministries.com/blog/2019/10/27/when-evil-men-die-a-response-to-the-death-of-al-baghdadi
You can find more information about Yielded Ministries here:
Website: https://yieldedministries.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yieldedministriesglobal/
Earlier this morning I heard the news that ISIS leader Al-Baghdadi was killed in a special ops raid. Probably like most of you my first reaction was relief and excitement.
I’ve spent time in the Middle East with victims of ISIS. I’ve heard firsthand the brutal atrocities of this terror group. I’ve looked into the eyes as mother’s told stories of losing children. I’ve prayed for years that this terrorist group would be stopped.
After my first few minutes of delight in this man’s death I sat down with my Dad to watch a news update. They told the story of Al-Baghdadi taking three of his children with him as he fled and subsequently set off his suicide vest effectively killing him and those kids. When I heard the story it struck different. Tears filled my eyes and I heard Holy Spirit speak to me,
“Do you delight in the death of the wicked, because I don’t.”
Ezekiel 33:11 tells us that God does not delight in the death of the wicked, but rather that they would turn from evil.
If He doesn’t delight in the death of the wicked, I don’t want to either, but it begs the question what is the appropriate response?
I want the brutal murders to end. The raping of young girls. The indoctrination and abuse of young men. The lies. The fear tactics. There is no doubt in my mind that the world is not worse off with this man gone. If his life was not enough evidence of this, obviously the way he chose to die was.
It is not wrong to desire an end to injustice (in fact I would say it’s part of our assignment). It is not wrong to pray for God’s intervention (again part of our assignment). So how do we posture our heart in moments like this?
I believe we have to look to Him and posture ourselves like Him. Today I’m choosing to be grateful and to mourn.
I am grateful that we’re seeing the dismantling of ISIS. I’m grateful that we are getting closer to seeing the end of their reign of terror.
I also mourn the death of a man who did not ever come to know Jesus. A man who know doubt was demonically influenced. I mourn with those who have lost children, spouses, brothers, sisters, friends due to this man’s decisions and the reality that he will give an account for his choices in this life. I mourn his children that he selfishly led to their deaths.
Christians please, as news outlets release this news, as posts go viral on social media, as the discussions are opened. Posture heart like His. Please don’t be the ones waving a victory flag and celebrating his death. Be grateful, but walk in love. God desires all men to be saved and He does not delight in the death of the wicked.
-Jessika Tate
