Evangelicals: Stand Up for Jews! – Part 1

It is more prevalent than one would think and wish—antisemitism. Once again, a supposed evangelical Christian spewed an antisemitic remark during a conversation with this writer. The comment was something to the effect that Jews are despicable because they are in positions of control and wealth in the world today. 

I was grieved … and quiet. Yet, given the history of the Jews, I was not shocked. Once again, God’s sentence upon this special people more than 2500 years ago, found a willing complicitor among the Christian Gentiles.

And many antisemitic Christians and Gentiles there remain. In fact, in one form or another, antisemitism is surging today. Sadly, this is also true among supposed Christians, both individually and institutionally.

Since Hamas’ attack on Israel, antisemitism has surged in America. The FBI’s head has said that the number of anti-Jewish hate crimes is reaching historic highs. Antisemitism among left-wing college students is widespread.

Even America’s richest man, Elon Musk, appears to have chimed in. Since he took over X (previously named Twitter), antisemitic posts have soared (“gone viral”) on his media platform. Responding to an antisemitic post, he replied, “You have said the actual truth.” This may have been a regrettable mistake; however, it is worrisome coming from a man of such great influence. (This reminds of another automaker a century earlier, who was a fervent antisemite—Henry Ford.)

Antisemitism is a topic to take very seriously. Why? Because the Bible clearly indicates some serious consequences. For this and a number of other reasons, it is timely to investigate further. Also intersecting this topic, as we will see, is the fate of America.

As we tackle this issue, however, a word of warning to Gentiles. It must be approached with great humility. For He is the Judge, the One who says, “It is mine to avenge; I will repay” (Deuteronomy 32:35a). All will fall under judgment: Jew, Gentile, and Christian.

Why the Jews, According to Scripture
To ensure that we launch our investigation on a firm foundation, let’s begin with what Scripture has to say. After all, it is a document written exclusively by the Jews. We must first remember who it was that God made a covenant with—Abraham—and issued the pronouncements upon all his children and heirs. It was He, Jehovah, that very early inspired the Hebrew prophets to write His taunt, that no false god or idol would ever dare wager.

He stared down all doubters to His glory with the unhedged claim, “I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please’” (Isaiah 46:10). Therefore, it is the subject of fact and required belief that all Spirit-inspired prophecy will come to be fulfilled. 

The prophecies applying to the Hebrews—almost all of them very plain and clear—are also true, no matter what modern theologians may think or what preferential positions or vested interests some denominations may like to appropriate for themselves. The prophets clearly outlined the result of Israel and Judah’s disobedience, demonstrating God’s foreknowledge of their choices, as well as their yet-coming Millennial role.

Seemingly countless times—in fact, many tens of times—warnings were given to the Israelites that they would be scattered to the four corners of the earth if they did not turn from their errant ways and repent. Not only that, but much worse: “I will pursue them with the sword, famine and plague and will make them abhorrent to all the kingdoms of the earth, and an object of cursing and horror, of scorn and reproach, among all the nations where I drive them” (Jeremiah 29:18). Judah would be scattered, its people facing conditions of scorn and persecution during that time of dispersion.

But crucially, something else was also prophesied: that the Jews would be restored. Not just restoration to Old Testament primacy, but rather being placed at the head of the nations … in other words, the entire world. The Jews will yet rule the world and reign from Zion. The conditional blessings set down by Moses would finally be righted.

For Gentiles that have oppressed the Israelites, there is one more prophecy to acknowledge: “May the praise of God be in their mouths and a double-edged sword in their hands, to inflict vengeance on the nations and punishment on the peoples, to bind their kings with fetters, their nobles with shackles of iron, to carry out the sentence written against them” (Psalm 149:6-9a). Just as played out in the Book of Esther, the Jews themselves will be used as the instruments of God’s vengeance. 

These developments—all of them yet to fully unfold in the future—hold some great admonitions for all people: Christians, Jews, and Gentiles alike.

Why the Chosen People
Why did God choose the Hebrews as His people? This topic is a stumbling block for many. Why did He make one people superior … superior in so much that they might be considered “super humans”? To begin, this question reveals an incorrect perspective.

God did not choose the Hebrews for their greatness or superiority in any sense. Said Moses, “The LORD did not set his affection on you and choose you because you were more numerous than other peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples” (Deuteronomy 7:7).

To believe that God needs superior numbers, or peoples, or armies, contradicts Scripture. Said Paul: “But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him” (1 Corinthians 1:27-29).

Most Christians who have received undeserved grace would identify with the “lowly things of this world,” having no reason to boast. The same applies to the Hebrew. Therefore, the question of selection may never be fully answered or understood. For the Lord says, “I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion” (Exodus 33:19b).

A point to recognize in the case of the Hebrews is made by Michael Medved, a high-profile talk-show host and author who is a Jew. “According to Scripture, the Jews have been chosen for distinct responsibilities, not for unique privileges: we accept special obligations, rather than claiming special power.” The Hebrews were not chosen to have special privileges or might to take over the world, but rather were given a task: “I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring my salvation to the ends of the earth” (Isaiah 49:6b).

The Hebrews were appointed as servants of God. “But you, Israel, are My servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, the descendants of Abraham My friend” (Isaiah 41:8). By contrast, believers in Christ (whether Gentile or Jew) become God’s spiritual children. “Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God” (John 1:12-13). According to Scripture, therefore, it will be the Jews that finally spread the Gospel to the four corners of the earth, after the Church is gone.

The Blessings of the Jews
The Bible clearly says that the Jew will be a blessing to the world in many ways, this also being the case during the Diaspora. “As you have been an object of cursing among the nations, O Judah and Israel, so will I save you, and you will be a blessing” (Zechariah 8:13a). And indeed, the Jew has brought great blessings to the world in many ways. Just as Scripture reveals: “The remnant of Jacob will be in the midst of many peoples like dew from the LORD, like showers on the grass, which do not wait for man or linger for mankind” (Micah 5:7).

Possibly without major exception, every nation that gave harbor to the Jews eventually prospered and rose in prominence. For example, during the Golden Age of Poland in the mid-1800s, approximately 30% of all Jews were estimated to be living in that country at that time. Later, the Jews were severely persecuted. It has been a long time since Poland has been a prominent country. The same applies to Spain after the 1400s. Before that time, Jews were a large reason for the prosperity and progress of Spain. To no surprise, Spain rapidly declined after 1492, the year the Jews were expelled.

Other examples could be cited, including Russia and even the Ottoman Empire, a Muslim empire that at one time, allowed a great deal of freedom to the Jews (however, not at other times, and hardly so in Turkey today). But how does this observation reflect upon the world? Frankly, it begs the question of the role of the Jew in America today, in which approximately 70% of the Diaspora “core” Jews live (those living outside Israel). Overall, approximately 40% of “core” Jews worldwide live in the US. Consider that the period since the 1950s has been dubbed by some as the Golden Age of the America Jew. We will consider the implications of this situation in Part 2.

This is part of a re-edited, four-part excerpt from the 2009 book, Preserving True Riches in an Age of Deception and Trouble (secondary title). 

Midnight Call - 03/2024