“WE HAVE HEARD THAT GOD IS WITH YOU”

Martin M. van Brauman 

In those days it will happen that ten men, of all the [different] languages of the nations, will take hold, they will take hold of the corner of the garment of a Jewish man, saying, ‘Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you!’ Zechariah 8:23.

The nation of Israel has not been brought into existence as an end itself, but as a means to an end – the salvation of the world.  Jesus said that “salvation is of the Jews.” John 4:22.  The Jewish people are the means by which God delivers His redemptive gift to the world.  Jesus came to “confirm the promises made to the fathers (Patriarchs)” Romans 15:8 and that Jesus came so “that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles.” Galatians 3:14.

Scriptures affirm that Israel will exist forever as a nation before God and He will not cut her off because of all that she has done. Jeremiah 31:35-37; Romans 11:25-27.  The Abrahamic Covenant is affirmed by Romans 3:3-4; 11:11, 29.

Christians can trust God and His promises because He is completely faithful to His promises made in the Abrahamic Covenant. Hebrews 6:13-20.  Since God is hidden in the world, the continued existence of the Jewish people testifies to the world of God’s existence. God is known to the world through the Jewish people and the building of a Jewish society in Israel and affirming Jewish identity testify to the existence of God. Judaism means bearing witness to God.

The Jewish historic nation dedicated to the Torah is the immortal nation of the Covenant.  As the individual participates in the study of Torah, the individual participates in eternity.  At Mount Sinai, God said to Moses So shall you say to the Children of Israel, you have seen that I have spoken to you from heaven. Exodus 20:19.  The entire Jewish nation received a direct revelation from God.

Has a people ever heard the voice of God speaking from the midst of the fire as you have heard, and survived? Deuteronomy 4:33.

All Jews ever born stood at Sinai for their souls were there when revelation took place and God revealed Himself and Spoke to all Israel. Exodus 19. All Jews saw sounds and the fire and accepted and today stand at Sinai again twice daily repeating the ancient vow of their ancestors, the Shema.

Hear; O Israel: the Lord is our God, the Lord is One. You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your possessions. Deuteronomy 6:4-9.

The Shema acknowledges acceptance of God’s sovereignty and acceptance of the responsibility for living according to God’s commands. Everything that the Lord has spoken we will do! Exodus 19:8.  When the Pharisees asked Jesus what is the greatest commandment in the Law, from the Shema Jesus replied, Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. Matthew 22:35-40.

Today, anti-Semitic NGO campaigns have revived ancient theological hatreds, as reflected by the activities of Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, the Church of Scotland, mainline church organizations in general, Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movements (“BDS”) and others. Such hatred directed at Jews and the Jewish state is accepted by the world, which would be unthinkable directed at any other racial, ethnic, or religious community.  These groups employ a combination of historic anti-Semitism and double standards, targeting Israel and Jewish existence.

The United Nations and other human rights organizations should begin living up to their principles and properly place Muslim anti-Semitism on the human rights agenda. These groups and especially the BDS movements are about Israel’s destruction, and not about any negotiated peace with the Arabs.

The drivel coming from these groups and especially the BDS movements are based upon lies and they survive on lies in the spirit of Dr. Joseph Goebbels.  For 2,000 years people have been persecuted and killed for being Jewish, along with the tradition of the world ignoring, condoning, or justifying its perpetrators. So what is new!

Anti-Israel is a transgression against God. I will bless those who bless you (Abraham), and him who curses you I will curse; and all the families of the earth shall bless themselves by you. Genesis 12:3.