Only a few days after October 7, when Hamas terrorists massacred 1,200 of my fellow Israelis, I read two comments from two different people on two different social media platforms, both saying, “Mark my words, give it a few days, two weeks tops, and they’ll be back to hating us.” I thought it odd at the time, having a hard time believing that the world could forget such horrific atrocities in such a short time.
Then, on October 17 the Al-Ahli Hospital incident happened. Just 10 days after the war broke out, while the national morale was “below the floor,” the first report, courtesy of Hamas, was that Israel bombed the hospital, killing more than 500 people. I looked everywhere online to see what official statements my government issued or the IDF relayed. Nothing. Not a single word.
A few hours later, the IDF spokesperson said the incident was under heavy review from all angles and that an official statement would be given once all the evidence had been considered. Throughout the next few days, the IDF released many pieces of evidence refuting the false claim, proving that an Islamic Jihad missile had misfired and caused all these deaths.
Truth, it seemed, was not in people’s interest to look for, listen to, or be held accountable to.
However, the damage was done. Back then, it seemed everyone was waiting for the first spark to ignite and advance the war. The immediate report from Hamas claiming that Israel brutally and indiscriminately killed more than 500 people was too much to bear. Truth, it seemed, was not in people’s interest to look for, listen to, or be held accountable to.
The Root of Israel’s Vilification
My heart and spirit were heavy. As a matter of fact, “heavy” would be an understatement to the millstones I felt were attached to my shoulders. To make matters worse, a friend from Bible school started replying to my advocacy posts on social media with extremely combative, pro-Palestinian comments. At first, I tried reasoning with her, texting back and forth, presenting one fact after another, but after a while, I felt like I wasn’t getting anywhere. Her responses were the same as those I saw on TV in the massive demonstrations calling for the destruction and annihilation (yet again) of my people.
I suspected we were not standing on the same ground of biblical truth and faith, so I asked her straightforwardly whether she believed any of what the Bible said about Israel. She replied that the fact that her faith had changed in recent years and that she wasn’t going steadily to a church didn’t matter and was irrelevant to our discussion.
How could someone I ministered with for six months and shared a room with on an intense mission trip call for my and my people’s destruction?
At that moment, my mind knew there was nothing else I could tell her to make a difference (except to implore her to return to her first love, Jesus), but my heart had a more challenging time realizing that I had to let it go. I had to let her go. “If a wise man contends with a foolish man, whether the fool rages or laughs, there is no peace” (Proverbs 29:9).
The interaction haunted me for months. How could someone I ministered with for six months and shared a room with on an intense mission trip call for my and my people’s destruction? A quote I read in Rod Dreher’s book Live Not By Lies: A Manual for Christian Dissidents gives one explanation:
Today’s left-wing totalitarianism once again appeals to an internal hunger, specifically the hunger for a just society, one that vindicates and liberates the historical victims of oppression. It masquerades as kindness, demonizing dissenters and disfavored demographic groups to protect the feelings of “victims” in order to bring about “social justice” (p. 9).
While this book gives a comprehensive analysis of the undercurrent of what is going on in the world today, those of us who use the Bible as a map key and a lens by which to see and understand everything that’s unfolding around us know that there’s more to it.
The battle for the human heart and soul started in Genesis 3, with Satan the Deceiver planting a seed of doubt, a misconception within Eve’s mind. It has always been his method to portray half-truths, to plant doubt, to prey on the weak of mind and heart. And that is what we see all around us today.
Finding the Truth About Israel
Truth has become somewhat elusive, for we must be diligent, even sacrificial, to find it. We need to (1) invest more time (not just 0.3245 seconds on a Google search that convinces us to believe the first result), (2) ask the right questions (Is there a hidden agenda? What might it be? Why? Who gains from it?), and, most of all, (3) read the Bible as though it’s today’s newspaper and tomorrow’s events’ key and lens.
God chose to love Israel, and we can either accept this fact with submission and joy or fight it and ultimately lose.
And one more thing: Israel.
For reasons reserved only to God, He chose to weave His Name, character, and reputation into the Jewish people (Deuteronomy 7:6–8). He calls them the apple of His eye (Zechariah 2:8); He gave them the land of Israel (Genesis 12:7; 15:18; 17:8; 26:3–4; 28:13, Joshua 1:2–4); and He promises to never break His unilateral covenant with them (Psalm 105:8–11). God chose to love Israel, and we can either accept this fact with submission and joy or fight it and ultimately lose.
Many of you have already decided about your relationship to God and Israel. To those of you who also have taken an active stand in voicing your decision for God and Israel—thank you. Know that your stand matters, your care touches, and your courage encourages.
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Comments 13
Israel is Gods chosen nation of whom He has set as a special people for Him. Don’t be discouraged. One day all these people will see the mistake they have made by denying the truth of Gods Word about His chosen people…Israel. Praying for you all brothers and sisters!
Do not be discouraged. So many Christians are praying for God’s chosen people. All that is happening is heartbreaking but God’s plan is playing out for His return. Many Christians will be suffering along side our Jewish brothers in the coming months as we, too, are hated by the world. But many will see God’s free and atoning gift of His Son will be the only real answer to the world’s darkness that we are experiencing.
Dear Jael,
I met you in Jérusalem in November of 2022 while participating in FOI’s Up To Jérusalem Tour. You played your guitar and sang so beautifully!
Anyway, you are 100% spot on with your analysis of what happened with your “friend”. However, I understand the feeling (heartbreak!) that such a breach in the friendship would cause. One sometimes does not expect such hurt and upset coming from someone who claims the name of Christ. But, alas, it is happening and sometimes comes from a direction we least suspect. May Our Lord comfort and strengthen you each day as you endeavor to serve Him!
I also met Meno on that occasion, and I pray daily for him, you, and your ministry in Israel.
Excellent, succinct article, very edifying. Thank you. As the first button in God’s knitted sweater, getting Israel wrong is getting everything wrong from there. Blessings and love to you and Israel!
They Hate God more than they Hate Israel!! These people protest against Israel and in all Truth they know not why they protest! They think they know, but they know not the truth about God and his chosen people! You know these protesters by their fruit and their fruit is of Satan! But God is in control and nothing good nor bad can happen unless God permits!! Listen for the trumpets because the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is coming back and it could be soon!! Repent and be born again!!
Shalom Jael from Brazil. Those who put their trust in the God of Israel will not be ashamed. Israel a miracle, the language of our God. Col 1:9-18. Keep on worshiping with your beautiful voice and instruments. We love you and your family. Always praying for the peace of Jerusalem. Maranata, vem Senhor JESUS! Until His return.
I agree wholeheartedly that lsrael
and the Jewish people are the “apple of God’s eye” those who come against them He will “swat them”
It does say as well though that there will be opposition to them untill they cry out to the one they pierced. At that time He will return and come to their aid.
Hopefully many will see that now and cry out to Him and avoid the time of David’s trouble
Book Amos chapters 1 through 10
I as an atheist, 100% agree with your statements. Different religions aside, does the bible not teach people to love thy neighbor? I wholeheartedly support Israel and their plight. War is never pretty or good. But to protest Israel because terrorists are using Palestinian citizens as human shields both figuratively and literally is more than asinine.
The world has always hated Jews.
Jews were slaughtered by Europeans for doing nothing bad.
Jews have been demonized by Nazis and by Muslims for years.
Eventually, the evil people who support Hamas will wake up. They will eventually learn the hard way.
I am a Catholic and had the privilege of working with a Jewish family and they taught me so much about their history, culture, and religion. They knew I was of a different background and they accepted me for who I am. Their kids would ask me questions about Santa Clause and I did my best to make sure I answered it in simple terms. I also reminded them that they get many days of gifts and we get only one. I wish that more people would meet up with a Jewish family and open their eyes and listen to them. They don’t hate us, we can all learn from each other.
I pray for the Jewish community both here in America and abroad.
The god of this world ie. Satan has always hated and tried to destroy Israel. Why ? Simply because if Israel does not exist then the Lord Jesus Christ cannot return and Satan will not be destroyed. So Satan from creation has always hated the “woman” or the nation of Israel. But thank the Lord, Satan will not win and he will be destroyed when Jesus returns. So it is not surprising that the world hates Gods people.
God’s love for us and the Jewish people is forever. No matter how hard Satan tries to change that, it’s impossible. God will not allow his Chosen People to irradicated. They are here forever with God and also in heaven. What happens here on earth is Satan’s doings. The Jewish people know that when they die, “they will be with God in eternity and not afraid to die for their faith.” When you realize how committed they are, you will understand that “they’re not going to give up what God gave them. “would you”? They will fight for sovereignty and protect their lands (with God’s help), who is an amazing team player, putting it mildly. The Jewish people cannot be eliminated by any country or even Satan as sure as the four winds blow or the sun rising in the morning time. God bless them all for their courage and their strong faith in everything they do. AMEN!