From the headline of this article, you would think it was a bout for the Super Heavyweight Championship of the World, or at least a made-for-TV special the whole planet would be tuning in to see.
On the contrary, it’s more like a reality for this small nation comparable in size to New Jersey. From its earliest existence, Israel has constantly had to defend itself in a David-versus-Goliath-type battle for the simple right to exist.
One might think in our 21st-century world, the Jewish state would have been accepted by now, after decades of movements for national determination have swelled the ranks of nations to more than 200.
Welcome to Israel’s world.
From the days of Moses to the War of Independence in 1948 to modern-day threats from Iran and Islamist movements to wipe Israel off the map, along with a hate campaign called the BDS (Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions) movement, the headline of this article is all too real for Israel and its supporters.
As if that weren’t enough, UNESCO (United Nations Educational Scientific Cultural Organization) recently moved to ignore the reality of Jewish history on the Temple Mount, holy to Jews and Christians around the world. It’s almost unthinkable.
It is a place etched in Christian and Jewish history where Abraham offered Isaac up to God for a sacrifice and where Satan tempted Jesus. I know I wasn’t the only one shaking my head in disbelief upon hearing it.
As Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared, “That’s like saying the pyramids never belonged to the Egyptians and the Great Wall was never China’s.” I can only imagine the reaction of the religious leaders back in Jesus’ day tearing their clothes over the blasphemy they just heard.
Preposterous, one might say. Nevertheless, this is standard practice at UNESCO and other bodies within the United Nations. It’s been a common ideology of U.N. councils and committees for some time now concerning the stance toward Israel.
Their actions are truly louder than their words.
As believers in Yeshua (Jesus), we cannot idly sit and be silent. Nor can the United States, Israel’s greatest friend, as well as their other allies watch and do nothing. Now more than ever, Israel needs her “friends” to have her back.
Anti-Semitism is being re-birthed and branded in all kinds of forms these days. It’s not a matter of what’s next but how we can combat it together:
- If Christians would dismiss and denounce false teaching about replacement theology—the idea that the church has replaced Israel—it would build a closer bond with our Jewish brothers and sisters.
- Churches can also teach about the significance and importance of how Christians are truly grafted in (Romans 11) to the branch, Israel’s Messiah.
- This can potentially result in a major move of God that could truly benefit the church for blessing the apple of His eye. Nations, people and advocates would be blessed according to Genesis 12:3.
God’s covenant with Israel is eternal, non-debatable and certainly unconditional. As believers, who wouldn’t want to stand with that? {eoa}
Brian Sanders is the CEO and executive producer for the Why Stand With Israel documentary. For more info on the upcoming documentary and ways you can partner, go to whystandwithisrael.com. Also check out the Why Stand With Israel Facebook page for weekly updates and news on the film’s release date. For media bookings, email Brian at [email protected]. Brian is also the president and executive producer of HOPE Media, LLC, and an award-winning international broadcast-video producer/cinematographer after God’s heart.
