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Living Out Wisdom Literature in Middle Eastern Culture

Susan Schmidt, Middle East

Photo by Steve Winget

At first appearance, people in the Middle East, where we serve, can look and act like us from the West. They adopt many of our external trappings, while remaining unaffected at an ideological level. This can confuse many Europeans and Americans. People groups who have actively rejected the claims of Christ for 2,000 years may drive a Mercedes and they may be outfitted with the latest weapons, but their leader may rule their country like a tribal chieftain or a feudal lord from medieval times. Women may wear Parisian makeup and own Italian clothing, and at home they may cook in an expensive German kitchen. At the same time, their husbands and brothers may murder them for the sake of family honor, while the authorities condone it.

To them, modern frills are an illusion because they are external and seen as “instruments,” which is foundational to understanding the Middle Eastern mindset. They use email, cell phones, and possess all the latest computer technology, but their core attitudes and value systems remain in opposition to the West. This extends also to the gospel message we bring with us.

In order to successfully present the gospel to these cultures, it is necessary to realize we are trying to communicate to an Old Testament style of culture, as opposed to a Western, Beatitudes-based culture, which Americans take for granted.

Practically speaking, being in this culture is quite challenging. Being humble in spirit, kind, and loving can seem incredibly weak to Middle Easterners and make Western “sent ones” a target for all kinds of abuse. In the Middle East, people think of their clan or family as number one. Their trust does not often extend beyond that realm. People are not trust or love based, but power based. Typically, Middle Eastern society is a power hierarchal society based on getting ahead by standing on the necks of other out-groups. Connections and wealth are especially valued, because they provide the ability to influence or dominate others. Contrary to Western culture, the Middle East is a non-egalitarian society. Greek thinking of democratization and “the individual” is not placed at such a high value.

Truth, in this part of the world, is not based solely on religious texts; instead, it is established by the “community.” Truth is constantly changing and evolving in order to find ways to outsmart God. That explains how people can kill for the “sake of righteousness”—because of the clan’s standards. Beatitude values have not been accepted and internalized.

The result of their belief system is a society where truly godly and honest people seem incredibly weak. This is where living according to the wisdom literature (Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes) of the Bible comes in. The Lord will be our shield. We must learn a new level of trust in God’s protection and not in man, when we are totally helpless. Our calling is to absorb the wickedness of others as Christ did and be prepared to be persecuted for it. Suffering in the Middle East is absolutely an integral part of giving the gospel. This does not mean we are to be doormats, but we “choose to lose” sometimes in order to win a greater battle. It is an incredible way to let our light shine in these cultures, by persevering and forgiving our enemies in a place where an “eye for an eye” means that you will not be forgiven. Having enemies is an undeniable fact of living here. Self-control is probably the greatest fruit of the spirit to use in an Old Testament–style economy. Therefore, influencing people can take decades, and consistency is more valuable than intensity, which can lead to burnout.

We can copy the prophets, who are our greatest role models for living in the 10/40 Window. Like them, we know we are called to failure, because the people will actively refuse to listen to our message. But we give it out anyway. How did the prophets deal with that? They obeyed to please God and suffered persecution. This is what it means to live in the Middle East and represent the gospel of our Lord. The love of Christ compels us. Only love could motivate us to do what we do. In such societies, Jesus’ teachings were truly remarkable, and we have a chance to be partakers of the exact same scenario.

People will criticize and intimidate us. The tyranny of the urgent will wage a war of attrition against us. As a result, we can keep our eyes on long-term goals and what we want to be for the Lord. As we practice good attitudes and character, over the long term, people will see that and be drawn to the Lord.

“When a man’s ways please the Lord, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.” —Proverbs 16:7