I received a short email (below) asking that we pray for Israel. Rather innocuous enough, right? Why not pray for the peace of a nation constantly embroiled in conflict, and opposed on all sides by the many who want to drive them into the sea? Clearly, there's great value in praying for peace. Jesus is the Prince of Peace!
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| The horrors of Aushwitz |
Having said that, I don't believe it's morally justified for those who have been so severely persecuted to vindicate themselves by committing atrocities on a similarly vulnerable people i.e. the indigenous Palestinians. The truth is that bigotry and ethnic cleansing should be abhored no matter who the perpetrator is. I believe it's racist to favor one people group over others regardless of the group's composition.
Let me be clear at this point. I love the Israelis. I visited Israel in 2000 and found the people to be quite industrious and engaging. But to be quite frank, I also love the Arabs, the Brits and my postal carrier. Aren't Christians supposed to love ALL people without prejudice?
So please, before you castigate me with racially-charged rhetoric and mischaracterize my probing, consider what "pray for Israel" implies. I have found the constant cry of anti-Semitism to be a faulty but rather effective defense mechanism shielding this necessary discussion from objective conversation while summarily insulating Israel from even the slightest bit of criticism.
So, don't you think it's at least reasonable to ask if the New Covenant, in fact, sanctions the exaltation of one nation, Israel, above all other nations? In other words, is God partial to those of one genetic predisposition over those of another fleshly lineage? Some might answer that question affirmatively, but I believe they would be ignoring the bulk of the New Testament writings. I'll deal with this matter Biblically in a moment.
As I further contemplated this whole notion, it dawned on me that I hadn't received similar prayer requests for the plight of other nations. Darfur and Sudan immediately come to mind. So, since the majority of Israel’s citizenry blatantly rejects Jesus Christ, why specifically should we pray for this secular nation? Yes, of course I believe we should pray for the salvation and peaceful estate of everyone who resides within its borders, especially since unrest has become a way of life. And surely we should abhor all violence and decry acts of barbarism. However, that's really not the intent of my question. I'm speaking strictly of the special treatment afforded one nation, Israel.
So, if we're going to give Israel a special dispensation, I think it's apropos to at least ask who it is that lives within its borders. Are they God-fearing? Is this a nation patterned after Old Covenant Rabbinic Judaism? Is there a continuity of land ownership since the time of Christ and before? Does modern day Israel bear even the slightest resemblance to the people who inherited the Promised Land 1,500 years before Christ? Unfortunately the answer to each is a resounding NO. The vast majority of Israelites are secular but those who are devout hate Jesus Christ. In "Christians in Israel an Endangered Species" was written the following:
The Jewish Encyclopedia tells us He was a bastard—“for polemical purposes, it was necessary for the Jews to insist on the illegitimacy of Jesus, as against the Davidic descent claimed by the Christian church.” His mother, “…Mary…was known to be an adulteress.” 2 Concerning “Miriam,” or “Mary,” the Talmud in Sanhedrin 106b says: “… “She who was the descendant of princes and governors played the harlot with carpenters.’…’”
Israel is a completely secularized society with little interest in Yahweh and an outright aversion of Jesus Christ. So why do some expect God to bless those who bless Israel (Gen 12:3), if they reject and abhor "The Way, the Truth and the Life"?
If Jesus was enamored with sacred bloodlines, why then did He tell Nicodemus, a devout Jew, that must be "born again"? (John 3:3) or he "cannot see the Kingdom of God." And why did John the Baptist tell the Jewish religious elite that God could manufacture children of Abraham out of stones? (Matt 3:9) This passage doesn't speak about the restoration or regathering of the Jews according to the flesh. Quite the contrary. John foretells of the wrath that was "about to come" upon this wicked and adulterous generation. So in the New Covenant, if to God, ethnic origin is of no consequence, what therefore is the allure of favoring modern day Israel?
Talmudic Judaism is vehemently opposed to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. At this point it should be noted that the "Anti-Missionary" law conspicuously passed during Christmas week on December 27, 1977. Although it remains legal in Israel for a Christian to talk with an Israeli about Christ, it is a crime punishable by up to 5 years in prison to attempt to convert an Israeli to Christianity by use of any material inducement. If a Christian gives even a gospel leaflet to an Israeli, he violates this law. Also, if the Israeli converts to Christianity after receiving the leaflet he himself could face 3 years in prison.
So the question remains. Should a nation which enacts such laws, be considered a brother in the New Covenant simply because they share thousands of years of pre-Christ heritage?
If Jesus was enamored with sacred bloodlines, why then did He tell Nicodemus, a devout Jew, that must be "born again"? (John 3:3) or he "cannot see the Kingdom of God." And why did John the Baptist tell the Jewish religious elite that God could manufacture children of Abraham out of stones? (Matt 3:9) This passage doesn't speak about the restoration or regathering of the Jews according to the flesh. Quite the contrary. John foretells of the wrath that was "about to come" upon this wicked and adulterous generation. So in the New Covenant, if to God, ethnic origin is of no consequence, what therefore is the allure of favoring modern day Israel?
Talmudic Judaism is vehemently opposed to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. At this point it should be noted that the "Anti-Missionary" law conspicuously passed during Christmas week on December 27, 1977. Although it remains legal in Israel for a Christian to talk with an Israeli about Christ, it is a crime punishable by up to 5 years in prison to attempt to convert an Israeli to Christianity by use of any material inducement. If a Christian gives even a gospel leaflet to an Israeli, he violates this law. Also, if the Israeli converts to Christianity after receiving the leaflet he himself could face 3 years in prison.
So the question remains. Should a nation which enacts such laws, be considered a brother in the New Covenant simply because they share thousands of years of pre-Christ heritage?
Once again let me ask why should we not also specifically pray for nations other than Israel such as South Korea, which are experiencing major revival and are also sandwiched by evil on all sides? Has anyone ever suggested that we pray for South Korea? I don't mean to sound obtuse, but why do we constantly sanctify the modern nation of Israel as though they are the apple of God's eye?
The truth is that they are just like every other godless nation that needs Jesus Christ. According to Scripture, they no longer enjoy any privileged status nor do they maintain any divine right to the land in which they currently reside. And if you think they do, please watch the video below. Are you aware that there's not one New Testament verse that speaks of a Holy Land. Quite the contrary. Jesus, when he was speaking to the Samaritan woman at the well made it clear that physical locale was being rendered totally insignificant. This is powerful and it must not be missed.
John 4:21-24 (NKJV) 21 Jesus said to her, "Woman, believe Me, the hour is coming when you will neither on this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, worship the Father. 22 You worship what you do not know; we know what we worship, for salvation is of the Jews. 23 But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. 24 God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth."
Did you catch that? Neither on Mount Gerizim or in JERUSALEM! Why? Because the worship of God was no longer going to be confined to temples made by human hands.
On May 14, 1948, those who identified themselves as Jews were given the land by U.N. mandate. But, regarding that piece of real estate, there's a dirty little secret that no one seems to talk about. There were people living in the land at the time. And a whole lot of them. It wasn't just barren dessert as it has been portrayed. Yet, how many times have you heard it said, "A people without a land, and a land without a people"? The implication? The land was vacant. That's simply not true. Do you realize how important it is to recognize that fact?
During the past 63 years, it's an understatement to say that those Arab and Christian inhabitants of the land of Palestine have been severely persecuted. In the process of the "regathering", close to a million Palestinian refugees have been created. Many were killed. Villages were bulldozed to the ground. Land was confiscated, and illegal Jewish settlements have continued construction on land acquired through war. You simply cannot imagine the horror.
So is there any surprise that the indigenousness Palestinian people who resided in the land prior to the tanks rolling in, in 1948, might not appreciate the outright confiscation of their land. Should there be any wonder why their constantly degrading socio-economic circumstances might cause some of them to lash out in barbaric ways? Does any reaction warrant suicide bombings or other forms of terrorism? Of course not, but have you ever considered what might motivate a person to do such an evil thing? If you put a boot on a man's throat and hold him down for a prolonged period of time, would it later surprise you if he reacted?
On the surface, "Pray for Israel" seems rather innocuous enough. Surely Christians ought to care about peace. But have you ever wondered what kind of a message this sends to the billion or so Arabs that surround them? Were the Arabs born on the wrong side of the tracks? Are they doomed simply because they have the wrong genetic predisposition? When was the last time someone said, "Pray for Iran" or "Pray for Syria"? I believe the underlying and insidious message we're sending to the rest of the world (especially the Arab world) is one of favoritism based solely upon a what I believe is a misperceived birthright. So let me ask again. Where we get this precedent of singling out Israel?
Did you now that there is no Jewish race? In "Who Are the Modern Jews", Scott Stinson quotes none other than the Jewish Encyclopedia for that answer. It states, ""The question whether the Jews of today are in the main descended from the Jews of Bible times, and from them alone, is still undecided". I found this to be a rather startling admission from a source that can hardly be accused of anti-Semitism. The Jewish Encyclopedia further explains. "Some anthropologist are inclined to associate the racial origins of the Jews, not with the Semites, whose language they adopted, but with the Armenians and Hittites of Mesopotamia, whose broad skulls and curved noses they appear to have inherited" (Jew. Enc. X (1905), 284).
Contrary to the opinions of many Christians, I believe these things have been clearly documented. Blasphemy, you say? (Let it be said that this is NOT intended as an indictment to those who currently reside in modern day Israel. I am simply attempting to establish the fact that few Jews living in Israel are In Israel are of Abrahamic lineage. Not since the AD 70 Diaspora when 1.1 million Jews died in the wake of the Roman siege, was national Israel vital. And those who survived this first century holocaust (according to Jesus brought about by their rejection of HIM) were assimilated into the surrounding cultures/nations.
Today, there are no priests. There is no temple and God will never allow it to be rebuilt since it would stand as an abomination to Jesus' once-for-all perfect sacrifice. (Heb 9:11-28) And there are no genealogical records documenting racial origin. For good reason, they were forever destroyed in the war. Everything was summarily destroyed by God as He avenged the murder of His Son (Matthew 23:36; Matthew 22:6-7). And from the cross forward, the only true children of Abraham are those born of faith in Jesus Christ. (Gal 3:6-9; Rom 9:6-8) It has nothing whatsoever to do with bloodline.
The ax was at the root of Israel's tree in AD 27 (Matthew 3:7-12) and it was about to be cut down and thrown into the unquenchable fire, never to rise again. Jesus Christ is THE Israel of God. He is THE seed of Abraham (Gal 3:16). Only those born from above (John 1:12) are "In Christ" and therefore children of Abraham according to promise (Gal 3:29). The gates of the Kingdom have been opened wide for people of all cultures and nationalities. There is neither Jew nor Greek in the New Covenant (Gal 3:28). The dividing wall of separation has been forever demolished.
Contrary to the opinions of many Christians, I believe these things have been clearly documented. Blasphemy, you say? (Let it be said that this is NOT intended as an indictment to those who currently reside in modern day Israel. I am simply attempting to establish the fact that few Jews living in Israel are In Israel are of Abrahamic lineage. Not since the AD 70 Diaspora when 1.1 million Jews died in the wake of the Roman siege, was national Israel vital. And those who survived this first century holocaust (according to Jesus brought about by their rejection of HIM) were assimilated into the surrounding cultures/nations.
Today, there are no priests. There is no temple and God will never allow it to be rebuilt since it would stand as an abomination to Jesus' once-for-all perfect sacrifice. (Heb 9:11-28) And there are no genealogical records documenting racial origin. For good reason, they were forever destroyed in the war. Everything was summarily destroyed by God as He avenged the murder of His Son (Matthew 23:36; Matthew 22:6-7). And from the cross forward, the only true children of Abraham are those born of faith in Jesus Christ. (Gal 3:6-9; Rom 9:6-8) It has nothing whatsoever to do with bloodline.
The ax was at the root of Israel's tree in AD 27 (Matthew 3:7-12) and it was about to be cut down and thrown into the unquenchable fire, never to rise again. Jesus Christ is THE Israel of God. He is THE seed of Abraham (Gal 3:16). Only those born from above (John 1:12) are "In Christ" and therefore children of Abraham according to promise (Gal 3:29). The gates of the Kingdom have been opened wide for people of all cultures and nationalities. There is neither Jew nor Greek in the New Covenant (Gal 3:28). The dividing wall of separation has been forever demolished.
Ephesians 2:14-17 (NASB) 14 For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall, 15 by abolishing in His flesh the enmity, which is the Law of commandments contained in ordinances, so that in Himself He might make the two into one new man, thus establishing peace, 16 and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, by it having put to death the enmity. 17 And He came and preached peace to you who were far away , and peace to those who were near;
I hate terrorism, and there should be no doubt in any Christian's mind that Islam is a religion that opposes Jesus Christ. But so does Talmudic Judaism! They, Israeli and Arab, both need Christ, so why pray specifically and single-mindedly for the peace of Israel (at the exclusion of the Arab population) when the Israelis are oppressing a people (the Palestinians) who live within their borders? Why are Christians not encouraged to pray for the peace and safety of the heavily persecuted Palestinian Christians? This is a sad mystery.
I believe a pervading ignorance of that which took place pre-1948, fuels a misdirected blame for the current Middle East circumstances. I abhor all violence, but to ignore the atrocities committed against the indigenous Palestinian population, at least 10% of whom were Christians, is to fight a battle blind-folded.
I recently watched a video of a Jewish Rabbi who was filled with aspirations of peace. As he was decrying violence he made a rather poignant statement. Basically he asked, "How can we who know the severity of suffering (referring to the holocaust) if we don't recognize the suffering of others? We, above all, he said, ought to be the most cognizant of oppression and abuse. They cannot right the wrong of the Holocaust by doing the same to others.
In closing, let me make it clear that I believe in Israel's right to self-determination and self defense regardless of the past. However, not at the expense of innocent people. Because, in the process, the rage emanating from the innocent (63 years of oppression), foments the cycle of violence while radicalizing a whole new generation. And the beat goes on. I believe we must acknowledge the past before we can move forward.
If you still feel compelled to pray for Israel, please also pray for Palestinian people. No, that doesn't mean we are under obligation to condone the actions of Hamas or Hezbollah or side with those who desire to drive Israel into the sea. It simply means that we are champions of those who cannot speak for themselves. It means that we are peacemakers and it means that we love Jesus Christ.
Matthew 5:9 (NKJV) Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God.The solutions to these very serious and vexing problems are solidly within our grasp. The Prince of Peace, through His redemptive blood, can and will one day tear down the walls that separate us. The answers are within the bounds of Scripture. In the New Covenant, race should NEVER be a motivating factor. The dividing wall of separation has been eternally torn down. So in the future, let's pray for the peace of ALL, knowing that ONLY the Gospel can bring both vertical (between God & us) and horizontal (between each of us) peace.
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Forwarded message:
CHUCK,
CHUCK,
PRAY FOR ISRAEL. OUR PRESIDENT HAS THROWN THEM UNDER THE BUS. GOD IS STLL IN CONTROL
GOD BLESS
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As an addendum, if anyone would like to more fully understand the Palestinian / Israeli conflict from a Biblical perspective, I highly recommend the following books, DVD's and websites:
Stephen's Blog (Stephen is a wonderful human being)
Christian Zionism on the Road to Armageddon
With God on Our Side
Christian Zionism on the Road to Armageddon
With God on Our Side
