The Jews and The Land, Where We Stand
Struggles of Epic Proportion
Many Bible-believing Christians today see the handiwork of God in the regathering
of the Jewish People to their reborn state—Israel. The news is filled with the
great drama now going on there. Two peoples are locked in a struggle of epic
proportions. To the worldly, not enlightened by the prophetic lamp of the scriptures,
the struggle is merely political. It is not. At stake is the question, “Who
is God?” Is He the mighty Yahweh of the Torah or is He the defender of the Muslim
or other faiths? The question is valid and vital. Where we as Christians stand
on this issue is of utmost importance. Are we supporting the Arab side of the
land struggle? If so we may, unwittingly, be opposing our God. The prophet Ezekiel
shows us God’s perspective on the contested land and the embattled Jewish people.
Speaking to the invading forces of Gog at the time of Israel’s final battle,
God warns, “And thou shalt come up against my people of Israel, as a cloud to
cover the land; it shall be in the latter days, and I will bring thee against
my land, that the heathen may know me, when I shall be sanctified in thee, O
Gog, before their eyes.” Ezekiel 38:16 We emphasize the phrases my people and
my land. God tells us in this verse that He considers the Jewish people and
the Land of Israel to be His. Note that this occurs before the revealment of
Messiah to the Jews as recorded in Zechariah 12:10. The land of Israel and the
Jewish people are inseparable. This is by Divine decree. God promised the land
to Abraham and his seed after him. That promise was passed from Abraham to Isaac,
then to Jacob and on to the twelve tribes of Israel. Simply put, if Islam succeeds
in possessing the land of Israel and removing the Jewish people from their heritage—the
Bible would be invalidated as the true word of God to men. We have faith that
God’s word will not return to Him void. The Jewish people will receive all the
Biblically promised land. They will do so even if the whole world opposes them,
for God’s will shall be done.
A Brief History Lesson
Many are unaware of the modern history of the Jews in Hebron. Until 1929 there
was a thriving Jewish community in Hebron. Jewish merchants and citizens lived
in peaceful coexistence with their Arab neighbors. Civility characterized their
interaction. More importantly, Jewish physicians and nurses ran the sole health
clinic in Hebron. The amount of charitable care they provided the Arab community
was large. They were the only source of health care for the Arabs. Riots plagued
Jerusalem prior to 1929, instigated by the Arab community. The result of these
riots was murderous persecutions of Jews in the “City of Peace.” Hebron remained
quiet. Harmony between Jews and Arabs prevailed until Arabs from Jerusalem came
to foment uprisings in Hebron. The quiescent way of coexistence there was soon
to be shattered. British officers told Hebron’s Jewish community leaders that
they were short on weapons. Due to this shortage they couldn’t guarantee British
protection of Hebron’s Jews should the Arabs attack them. Unfortunately, the
British also told the Arabs the same thing. August 1929 in Hebron was a bloody
month. Arabs began attacking Jews. Using knives, axes, machetes, picks— whatever
they could find—indiscriminate attacks were unleashed. Not only were strong
young Jewish men brutalized, but also women, the elderly and even tender young
children. When Arab fury was, for the time being, satiated—69 of Hebron’s Jews
had been slaughtered. Photographs of the survivors keep the story fresh in our
minds. Pictorial records of victims’ wounds deeply jar our Christian sensibilities.
Having their fill of Jewish blood the rioters began to turn on the British,
who were standing by to watch the melee. Seeing the advancing mob, an officer
on horseback drew his pistol and fired two shots into the air. The riot stopped
then and there. If only that man had fired his precious two bullets an hour
or two earlier, much human suffering would have been averted. The survivors
were told that their safety could no longer be guaranteed. They had to leave
their homes, synagogues, businesses and fields without any financial compensation.
Imagine suffering such material loss in addition to their physical wounds. The
Jewish community of Hebron faded and, after the 1948 War of Independence, was
completely gone. Gone were benefactors of the Arabs. The medical clinic was
closed. Jews were barred from Hebron by its Jordanian Army occupiers until after
the ’67 War. In 1979, Jews finally began to return to their homes and synagogues
left behind for a half century. What drew them there? What could impel them
to move to such an inhospitable place—whose bloody past looms over the present?
Simply and powerfully—the Word of God!
Scriptural Reasons
We heard an oft repeated refrain in our travels in Israel. Jerusalem is the
heart of Israel and Hebron is the mother of Israel. Jewish roots here are deep—the
result of a history that goes back more than three millennia! Abram dwelled
in Mamre, which is in Hebron (Genesis 13:14-18). Abraham bought the cave of
Machpelah in Hebron for 400 shekels of silver (Genesis 23:17-20). Joshua took
Hebron as part of the promised land of Canaan (Joshua 14:6-14). Hebron was one
of the six Cities of Refuge (Joshua 21:13). David began his reign over Judah
in Hebron (2 Samuel 2:1-4). In Hebron David was anointed king over all Israel
(2 Samuel 5:1-3). Conversely, Hebron is not mentioned at all in the Koran. The
Tomb of the Patriarchs holds the bones of the Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and their
wives—the parents of the Jewish people. Is it any wonder that the Jews are compelled
to live here beside their ancestors? Their deep faith yearns to be connected
with the land and cities God gave to their fathers. Bible prophecy assures us
that one day their hopes will be amply fulfilled.
Christian Beware
Some of our Christian friends support the concept of Replacement Theology. That
is, believing Israel has been everlastingly superseded by the Christian Church.
Supposedly, Israel’s national role in God’s plan is finished. (We do not agree.
Limited space does not here permit a verse-by-verse consideration of Romans,
Chapter 11. Read it carefully several times. It powerfully teaches Israel’s
continuing and future place in God’s plan for mankind.) Generally the traditional
Christian churches tend to hold Replacement Theology’s tenants. Not seeing Biblical
promises to the land or people of Israel as existing any longer, these churches
actively support the Muslim cause. They say that Israel should give up land.
Recently (December 1996) they sponsored a full page advertisement in The New
York Times calling for Israel to give up sole administration of Jerusalem. Ironically,
in supporting Islam’s aims, these Christians may be hurting the cause of Christ.
Islam’s goal is world domination. We quote from their fiery rhetoric, “The governments
of the world should know that Islam cannot be defeated. Islam will be victorious
in all the countries of the world, and Islam and the teachings of the Koran
will prevail all over the world. Only then will their Jihad (Holy War) be complete.”
“We shall export our revolution to the whole world. Until the cry ‘Allahu Akbar’
resounds over the whole world, there will be struggle. There will be jihad.”
We note the burgeoning growth of mosques in the United States and Europe. (Interestingly,
for the first time, in December 1996 Islam’s half-crescent symbol was raised
in New York’s Grand Central Terminal alongside a Christmas tree and a Hanukah
Menorah for the holiday season.) As Christians we must support the message of
our Bible. Israel, dwelling in its God given land as a blesser nation, is part
of that message. The God of Israel, not Allah, shall reign over all the earth.
Concluding Thoughts
We have used Hebron as an example. The larger contest for possession of the
land will greatly intensify when the issues of final redeployment and Jerusalem
come to the bargaining table. Remember all God’s promises regarding the land
and the people of Israel. As Christians, perceiving the role of the Jewish people
in the plans of God, may our faith give us the courage to stand and to speak
for what is right.
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