Good Will?
For some time, there have been efforts to alert the international community to all the good Israel does, in myriad ways.
From technological breakthroughs (ever use a cellphone?) to medical advances that boggle the mind, the Jewish state is a lead innovator. Aside from all the other remarkable things about the country, the innovation offers an astonishing glimpse into just how much God has blessed His people.
Yet, continual reports come in outlining the world’s hatred of Israel. We’ve talked about this before, but I believe it’s very clear that anti-Semitism is a spiritual sickness.
Literally from Genesis to Revelation, we see a clear pattern that the Jewish people are a target of the evil one.
“And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.” (Genesis 3:15)
“And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child.” (Revelation 12:13)
ow, we must remember that the vast majority of the people in the world do not believe the Bible. They either have no frame of reference, or they know what it says but reject it. So our invoking the Bible does little good with most. As a result, anti-Semitism flourishes.
America’s lead negotiator between the Israelis and Palestinians this week visited Israel and the Jerusalem Post reported the following:
“The world should hear about Israel’s quality treatment of Syrian patients in its hospitals, US Special Representative for International Negotiations Jason Greenblatt said on Tuesday after visiting Ziv Medical Center in Safed.
“’These are the stories of Israel the world needs to hear, and stories like this show how peace in the region can be possible,’ Greenblatt said after visiting the hospital, which has taken care of hundreds of Syrians wounded in their country’s civil war.
“According to a US Embassy statement, some 3,500 Syrian wounded have been treated in Israeli hospitals, including more than 1,000 at Ziv. Greenblatt toured the facility, and spoke with some of the Syrians being treated there.”
All well and good, and of course true. But I would argue that such efforts—to gain friends for Israel by touting its accomplishments—will not be a long-term solution.
Remember too in 2002, when Israeli commandos captured the ship Karine A, as it transported weapons to Gaza. The world was able to see in grotesque detail the mass of weapons intended to kill Israeli men, women, and children. Journalists were brought out to inspect the cargo.
Still the world hates Israel.
I have noticed something striking the last few years. Raw data and statistics (such as how many Israelis murdered since Oslo in 1993), along with narratives of individuals and families has not prevented Israel from being considered a pariah in most circles.
So I would advocate peace through strength, until the Prince of Peace arrives. Most of us pray for that, long for that. We are also labeled crazy for believing such.
Yet it will happen. I believe a proper understanding of reality and history—past, present, and future—is the key to a healthy mind in today’s chaotic world.
Have influence where you can, by teaching the Bible and its prophecies. Only then will people begin to understand just who the Jewish people really are.