Can Gaza Go from Terror to a Five-Star Paradise?

What Trump, the Super Bowl, and the Bible Teach Us About Transformation

Shalom, Modern-Day Esthers,

Tonight, millions will tune in for Super Bowl LIX, watching two powerhouse teams—the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles—battle it out for the ultimate title. The debate over the GOAT (Greatest of All Time) will rage on. Is it legendary Tom Brady, or will Patrick Mahomes, the young phenom rise up with a three-peat this year?

But what if we’re asking that same question about global leadership?

This week, President Donald Trump stunned the world by proposing that America “take over” Gaza and transform it from a terrorist breeding ground into “the Riviera of the Middle East.” A bold claim, to say the least. If he actually pulls this off—turning Gaza from Hamas-controlled terror to a peaceful, thriving vacation destination—it would be the biggest geo-political transformation in modern history.

The reactions have been mixed. Some call it “insane.” Others, like Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, call it “the kind of thinking that could reshape the Middle East.”

So, is this just Trump throwing out another headline-grabbing idea, or could we be witnessing a shift in history? More importantly, what does the Bible say about radical transformation—both in nations and in people?

From Terror Stronghold to Five-Star Resort?

Let’s be clear: Gaza has been a terrorist training camp for decades. Hamas has used foreign aid to build rockets, not roads; tunnels, not schools. They’ve raised generations of children to hate Israel and America, brainwashing them into believing that Jewish people are the enemy.

Now, imagine flipping that script entirely. Imagine Gaza as a bustling economic hub, a beachside paradise, a place where Jews and Arabs live and work side by side in peace. 

Sounds impossible, right?

But history—and Scripture—teach us that radical transformation is possible.

Of course, such a transformation wouldn't be easy—decades of conflict, security concerns, and international resistance stand in the way. But hasn’t God moved mountains before?

• Saul became Paul—a persecutor of Christians turned apostle of Christ.
• Nineveh repented—a wicked city on the brink of judgment turned back to God.
• Esther changed the fate of her people—one woman’s courage altered history.

If God can take the worst sinners and make them saints, could He do the same with Gaza?

Biblical Transformations: When the Impossible Becomes Reality

The Apostle Paul gives us the blueprint for transformation:

"Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things." – Colossians 3:2

Before he was Paul, Saul of Tarsus was the terrorist of his day. He hunted Christians, believed he was doing God’s will, and was blind—both physically and spiritually—until God knocked him off his high horse (literally) and changed his heart.

For decades, Gaza has been blind, trapped under the rule of Hamas. What if God is about to knock Gaza off its high horse? What if a Saul-to-Paul moment is coming—one that no one saw coming, just like no one saw Saul’s conversion coming?

Here’s the challenge:

• Do we believe that God can redeem even the most broken places?
• Do we believe that people raised in hate can come to know peace?
• Do we believe that Gaza—like Nineveh—could repent and rebuild?

Trump: The Greatest of All Time?

If Trump’s plan gains traction—turning a terror and war zone into a thriving economy—and God uses this moment to shift the course of history, it could be the biggest transformation since Saul became Paul.

Some critics say this is just political theater, a bargaining strategy to force Saudi Arabia and other Arab nations to take greater responsibility for Gaza. Others believe it’s serious, a long-term vision to eliminate Hamas and reshape the region for peace.

One thing is certain: this is a defining moment in history.

Will it happen? We don’t know.

But here’s what we do know:

• God has changed nations before.
• God has redeemed people before.
• God has used unexpected leaders to fulfill His purposes before.

Could we be on the brink of another radical transformation—one that only God could orchestrate?

What Can Modern-Day Esthers Do?

As Modern-Day Esthers, we are called to pray and take action. We don’t sit on the sidelines of history—we intercede, we speak, and we stand for truth.

So here’s our call to action:

1️⃣ PRAY for Gaza—not as it is, but as it could be. Pray that God would bring peace, not just politics.

2️⃣ PRAY for Israel. As we pray for the peace of Jerusalem (Psalm 122:6), we are praying for the entire region.

3️⃣ PRAY for leadership. If Trump’s plan is a bargaining tool, pray for wisdom. If it’s the start of something bigger, pray for favor.

4️⃣ SPEAK OUT against antisemitism. Be bold. Be vocal. Be an Esther in your sphere of influence.

 When God Moves, History Changes

The Super Bowl may crown a new GOAT (Greatest of All Time) quarterback tomorrow. But history has already seen its true GOAT moments—when God stepped in and changed everything.

Throughout history, when men said 'Impossible,' God said, 'Watch Me.' What if Gaza is next? What if we are the ones called to stand in prayer for such a time as this?