Killing Cycle

In the time before King David had brought the Northern and Southern Kingdoms of Israel together, the two commanders of the respective armies Abner and Joab led the men in battles with one another. On this day Abner had killed the brother of Joab (after warning Joab's brother to back off). Abner knew this would surely heat the battle up until everyone died. So after retreating and gaining some separation, Abner shouts back to Joab to call a truce. And we read: Abner shouted down to Joab, "Must we always be killing each other? Don't you realize that bitterness is the only result? When will you call off your men form chasing (their)brothers?"--2Sam.2:26---It hit me that this was so applicable to today. We are all brothers of the human race. When will the chasing stop? When will the bullying stop? When will the killing stop? These all lead to bitterness and bitterness fuels the fire. Our world is on a perpetual killing cycle. Ultimately, it won't stop until Jesus comes back. However, we can be the voice of reason in our respective households and communities and yell back as we retreat "Must we always be (hating) on each other?" We must do something to eliminate the bitterness that keeps the hate-movements charged up.