Antisemitism is being witnessed all over the world. It didn’t die; it went into hiding. Since the war between Israel and Hamas, antisemitism has increased. For those unaware of what this is, it means “the intense dislike for and prejudice against Jewish people”.
As believers in Christ, we are to love the Jewish people and pray for them. The bible tells us to, “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: “May those who love you prosper, Psalm 122:6.” As a believer in Christ, we should not be standing for antisemitism. However, as the world continues to grow in antisemitism, this stand will become more difficult.
History of Antisemitism
To understand what is happening today, it is helpful to know the history behind it. I am sure you have heard of the expression, “history repeats itself.” The hate for Jews has always been here, and it begins with the bible. If you read the bible, you will see a pattern of this hatred. Below, we have provided snippets of what happened during WWII.
The history of the word antisemitism.
“The term antisemitism was coined only in the nineteenth century, but anti-Jewish hatred and Judeophobia (fear of Jews) date back to ancient times and have a variety of causes.” [1]
The Nazi-Party began in 1920.
“The National Socialist German Workers’ Party—also known as the Nazi Party—was the far-right racist and antisemitic political party led by Adolf Hitler. The Nazi Party came to power in Germany in 1933. It controlled all aspects of German life and persecuted German Jews. Its power only ended when Germany lost World War II.” [2]
During the Holocaust, the hatred they had caused millions of Jews to die.
“The Holocaust was the systematic, state-sponsored persecution and murder of six million European Jews by the Nazi German regime and its allies and collaborators. The Holocaust was an evolving process that took place throughout Europe between 1933 and 1945.” [3]
Read more about antisemitism and the Holocaust to comprehend the full impact of what is happening today and what happened back then.
Antisemitism Growing Worldwide
Antisemitism has increased steadily over the years. It would seem the same lies told in the past are gaining renewed popularity. People are still using the same strategy that Hitler used today. You can find many images from the Nazi reign, outing Jews from public acceptance. Today, we see this happening everywhere again.
In North America, there has been an 81% surge in the number of Jews considering the option of making aliyah to Israel, while in France, the increase is even more pronounced at 149%.
United with Israel
The Global Movement for Israel ™
The Star of David symbol was daubed on residential buildings in Berlin where Jewish people live, German media reported over the weekend. AND German outlets noted that during the Holocaust, Nazis marked Jewish homes and properties with the Star of David.
Times of Israel
“I think it’s shameful that you had to have public feedback until you finally included the 1,200 people in Israel who were butchered and set on fire,” Lucinda Casson from Temple Beth Hillel in Richmond said to the council. Before the meeting, the city’s resolution was amended to include information about the Israeli people who were killed by Hamas militants in border neighborhoods.“
LA Times
‘Tremendous Anxiety in the Jewish Community’: US Jews Targeted by Anti-Semitic ‘Mapping Project’
The Mapping Project includes ‘a disturbing and antisemitic call to dismantle and disrupt most of Boston’s Jewish community’
Iran reportedly could be behind an anonymous “Mapping Project” website that pinpoints locations of Jewish or Zionist communal spaces and organizations, as well as law enforcement agencies in the northeastern United States, to “expose and isolate” supporters of Israel.”
i24 News
There are many more videos and pictures of these types of events. It is disturbing to watch society, especially young people, repeat a history they do not know or believe. Will antisemitism stop, no. It will only increase over time. How do we know this? Let’s look take a look at the Word of God and read what it has to say about the Jews.
God Promises the Land of Israel to His Chosen People
We understand that antisemitism is causing persecution to the Jews and is difficult to watch. When Hamas attacked Israel, the rise of antisemitism increased worldwide. This is causing the Jews to move back to their homeland. Which is part of God’s purpose and plan, Psalm 107.
The promise God gave Abraham goes back to Genesis. In Genesis, God promises Abraham the land that he was residing on to him and his descendants forever. Which was the land of Canaan.
Genesis 17: 7-8 BSB; 7 I will establish My covenant as an everlasting covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you, to be your God and the God of your descendants after you. 8 And to you and your descendants I will give the land where you are residing—all the land of Canaan—as an eternal possession; and I will be their God.”
God repeats his promise again in Exodus 32:13, Deuteronomy 1:8, Luke 1:73 etc.
The promise was handed down from Abraham to Isaac. Then from Isaac to Jacob. God changed Jacob’s name to Israel. This is how the nation of Israel was born. Therefore, the land belongs to Israel.
History of God’s Promise
God’s promise of land to Israel, His chosen people, was fulfilled. Let’s begin with a brief history of how it got there.
It begins in Isaiah 11:12. God scatters his people to the four corners of the earth, and Israel no longer exists as a unified nation living in their homeland. However, God promises to bring them back and to restore their nation in one day. This happened in 1948. Since the Holocaust, Jews have been returning to their homeland, mainly through persecution. Below is a brief summary of Israel’s history.
“Third, the Bible predicts Israel would return to her Land through persecution. The Hebrew Scripture says of Israel, “For I will restore them to their own land which I gave to their fathers” (Jer. 16:15). God will use “fishermen” and “hunters” to pursue His people back to Israel (Jer. 16:16). This metaphor for persecution has been literally fulfilled in Israel’s rebirth. Since the birth of modern Zionism, the primary motivation for return to the Land of Israel has been anti-Jewish persecution. In the last hundred years, Czarist pogroms, Polish economic discrimination, Nazi genocide, Arab hatred, Soviet repression, and more recently, an alarming rise in European and North American antisemitism have driven Jewish people back to their homeland.”
Chosen People
When Hamas attacked Israel, the urgency to go back to their land is fulfilling what God prophesized. And this sets the stage for God’s fulfillment of His future purpose. Which is for the Jews to cry out to Jesus as their Messiah. Zechariah 12:10, Matthew 23:37-39
Jews in Israel today do not believe their Messiah has already come and fulfilled the prophecy of their prophets. But during the Tribulation, that will change when one third repent and cry out to Jesus as the Messiah. The tribulation has not begun and until then we are to pray for Jerusalem.
Pray For The Peace Of Jerusalem
When we pray for Peace in Jerusalem, we are ultimately praying for the Prince of Peace to return.
Isaiah 9:6 BSB; For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government will be upon His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 54:10 BSB; Though the mountains may be removed and the hills may be shaken, My loving devotion will not depart from you, and My covenant of peace will not be broken,” says the LORD, who has compassion on you.
Jesus is coming again soon; are you ready to meet your Creator and Judge of all?
Cited:
[1] United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. “ANTISEMITISM.” Holocaust Encyclopedia. https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/article/introduction-to-the-holocaust. Accessed on [11-18-2023].
[2] United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. “The Nazi Party.” Holocaust Encyclopedia. https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/article/introduction-to-the-holocaust. Accessed on [11-18-2023].
[3] United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. “Introduction to the Holocaust.” Holocaust Encyclopedia. https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/article/introduction-to-the-holocaust. Accessed on [11-18-2023].
