“When I say we have no greater friends than Christian supporters of Israel, I know you’ve always stood with us . . . You stand with us because you stand with yourselves because we represent that common heritage of freedom that goes back thousands of years.”
Benjamin Netanyahu
As an evangelical Christian I wish to say something to my fellow believers about this horrible attack on Israel. Supporting the Jewish state during these perilous times is absolutely necessary and vital!
War tests both moral integrity and personal resolve. It therefore becomes imperative to know why we should stand with Israel and the Jewish people worldwide. To that end, here are 4 reasons why we must stand with Israel, and 4 things you can do to help.
1). We must stand with Israel because it is Biblical.
And Yahweh said to Abram, “Go forth from your land, And from your kin And from your father’s house, To the land which I will show you; And I will make you a great nation, And I will bless you, And make your name great; And so you shall be a blessing; And I will bless those who bless you, And the one who curses you I will curse. And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed.”
Genesis 12:1-3 LSB
God’s covenant with the Jews is based on His divine plan. It starts with Abraham, whom God chose to bless all nations through his descendants. This blessing extends to both the Jewish people and the land of Israel. In the future, when Jesus returns, God will judge nations based on their treatment of the Jews (Matthew 25: 31-46).
God told Abraham “I will give to you and to your seed after you, the land of your sojournings, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God.” (Genesis 17:8 LSB). This covenant marked the beginning of a profound relationship between God and the patriarch, establishing a spiritual bond that would transcend generations.
Abraham trusted in God’s sovereignty and promise, even though it seemed unfathomable at times. Through this covenant, Abraham became the father of a great nation, and his descendants inherited the Promised Land. God’s faithfulness to His covenant endured throughout generations, shaping the identity of Abraham’s descendants and serving as a testament to His providence. Just as God has been faithful to His people through the ages, He will remain faithful now.
The Abrahamic covenant serves as a foreshadowing of God’s plan of redemption, demonstrating His unwavering commitment to humanity. It reveals His desire to establish a relationship with His creation and to bring forth blessings and salvation. Therefore, standing with Israel is biblical.
2). We must stand with Israel because Israel has a moral compass her enemies lack.
“He who justifies the wicked and he who condemns the righteous, Both of them alike are an abomination to Yahweh.”
Proverbs 17:15 LSB
God has revealed His moral precepts through two writings. The first, He has written on the hearts of everyone (Romans 2:12-16). This innate understanding of right and wrong is a moral code that guides our actions and ethics. It is a universal recognition of fundamental principles such as love, justice, and respect for human life.
The second form of divine revelation is through His word, the scriptures (2 Timothy 3:16-17). The Bible not only provide guidance on individual and societal morality but also offer wisdom, historical accounts, and insights into the nature of God. They serve as a compass for navigating life’s complexities and challenges, offering timeless principles to live by.
The Bible is the foundation of many civilizations and has greatly influenced Western culture. It was given to us through God’s people, Israel, as the bearers of His truth. In the context of the current war against terror, one can observe a stark contrast by looking at the rhetoric and actions of those who reject both the moral laws written on their hearts and the principles outlined in the scriptures. Hamas has disregarded the sanctity of human life and resort to barbaric acts of violence.
Israel, both ancient and modern, abides by the biblical injunction of “do not kill the innocent or the righteous” (Exodus 23:7 LSB). They do not declare war on the helpless, infants, children, women, or the elderly. Tragically, these vulnerable groups become deliberate targets of the sickening acts perpetrated by terrorist organizations like Hamas. And make no mistake, Hamas is the same as Isis.
Israel. . . is the child of hope and the home of the brave. It can neither be broken by adversity nor demoralized by success. It carries the shield of democracy and it honors the sword of freedom.
John F. Kennedy
While civilian casualties are an unfortunate reality in any conflict, it is crucial to differentiate Israel’s approach from that of terrorists. Israel does not seek to kill the innocent, as terrorists do. Instead, they employ their resources to protect the innocent and ensure their safety. As some have aptly noted, “Israel uses weapons to protect the innocent while Hamas uses the innocent to protect their weapons.” This is not rhetoric. This is reality.
“When peace comes we will perhaps in time be able to forgive the Arabs for killing our sons, but it will be harder for us to forgive them for having forced us to kill their sons. Peace will come when the Arabs will love their children more than they hate us.”
Golda Meir
3). We must stand with Israel because our Christian roots are in Israel.
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.”
Romans 1:16 LSB
Christianity has its roots in the rich tapestry of Israel’s history. From ancient times to the present day, the land of Israel has played a pivotal role in shaping the beliefs, teachings, and practices of the Christian church.
At the heart of Christianity lies Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God. The life, teachings, death, and resurrection of Jesus are foundational. It was in Israel where Jesus was born and that the story of Christianity begins. Beyond the birth of Jesus, Israel holds significant importance in Christianity through various stages of his life. The city of Nazareth, located in the northern region of Israel, is where Jesus spent his childhood and early adulthood. Jerusalem, the capital city of Israel, holds immense significance for Christians worldwide. It was in Jerusalem where Jesus carried out his ministry, preached sermons, and performed miracles. The Last Supper took place in an upper room in the city of Jerusalem. The crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus also unfolded within the walls of this ancient city.
“A Christian is the last person who ought ever to speak disrespectfully or unkindly of the Jews.”
Charles Spurgeon
Moreover, the land of Israel is not just a physical place for Christians. It holds immense spiritual and symbolic significance. While Christianity has expanded far beyond the borders of Israel, its roots in the Holy Land remain a cornerstone of the faith. And it is this same Holy Land that is being assaulted today by those who seek to inflect terror and not truth.
4). We must stand with Israel because God has promised to defend His people.
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or be in dread of them, for Yahweh your God is the one who goes with you. He will not fail you or forsake you.”
Deuteronomy 31:6 LSB
The biblical narrative is rich with accounts of God’s faithfulness towards Israel. From the miraculous Exodus from Egypt to the victorious battles led by Joshua, God consistently displayed His mighty power in defense of His chosen people. Time and again, He demonstrated His unwavering commitment to their well-being and preservation. This present time will be no exception.
“In Israel, in order to be a realist you must believe in miracles.“
David Ben-Gurion
In time, as this war goes on, world opinion will turn against Israel. As believers we must be steadfast and always stand with and for Israel.
“If the Arabs put down their weapons today, there would be no more violence. If the Jews put down their weapons today, there would be no more Israel“
Benjamin Netanyahu
What does standing mean? The Jewish Voice summed it up with these brief points:
- It means supporting the State of Israel’s right to exist, based on Scripture and the United Nations’ actions granting a Jewish homeland after World War II.
- It means believing the State of Israel has the right to defend herself against and respond to attacks against her land and people.
- It means support and encouraging fair treatment of Israel in the media, the United Nations and world opinion.
- It means desiring and praying for welfare and blessing on the Nation of Israel, comprising the modern State of Israel and Jewish people everywhere.
- It means speaking out against anti-Semitism.
- And it means praying for and blessing Israel.
What Can We Do?
1). Pray
Scripture instructs us to pray for the peace of Jerusalem (Psalm 122:6-7). As we navigate through the horror Israel has faced, we need to keep in mind the importance of unity behind Israel and understanding their tremendous loss. Let us keep Israel in our prayers as its journey toward a brighter future continues. And let us ask God for empathy for those who have suffered such unmentionable terror. Remember, unity is strength, and by praying for Israel, we contribute to a collective aspiration for peace and victory in this cherished land.
2). Comfort
Scripture also instructs us to comfort God’s people (Isaiah 40:1-2). This can be done privately or in your public stand with Israel. Remember that Job’s comrades were at their best when they silently stood by their friend to comfort him.
3). Share
The forces of evil and unrest are very vocal. While we can comfort with reverence and silence, we can also counter the voices of terror with truth. Don’t turn away from the horror and don’t be silenced by the horrible. Share on social media posts such as this, or the wonderful open letter my friend Dr. William Varner wrote for Focus on the Family, and speak up against those who oppose and oppress the innocent.
4). Give
It is not enough to just say we stand with Israel. We need to support the Jewish people. There are a number of good groups who offer humanitarian aid for those who have suffered so much. Give to groups such as Samaritans Purse, and the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews.
Additional Jewish groups are:
Jewish Community Federation and Endowment Fund
Jewish Federations of North America
NATAL: Israel Trauma Center for Victims of Terror and War
The security of Israel is a moral imperative for all free peoples.
Henry Kissinger
“For thus says Yahweh of hosts, “After glory He has sent Me against the nations which have taken you as spoil, for he who touches you, touches the apple of His eye.”
Zechariah 2:8 LSB
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