Why Should Christians Be Aware of Antisemitism?

Bethany Verrett Writer
Published Jun 17, 2024

Centuries ago, God developed a special relationship with a man named Abram, who was born in an area in modern-day Iran. Despite being 99 years old, God blessed this man with a son and a new name: Abraham. The descendants of this little family became known as the Hebrew people and, eventually, the Jewish nation. The Bible makes it clear throughout the text this nation would be small but used by God for a special purpose. However, God also makes it clear that other nations would despite them. This hatred has been given the name antisemitism, and people who are antisemitic are indulging in a practice and belief that Jews are somehow inferior, were abandoned by God, or are specifically evil.

As a form of racism, it should be condemned, but it should also be understood as a part of the spiritual war going on as long as Satan has free reign. Antisemitism is contrary to God’s will and God’s word, and Christians should learn to identify it and condemn it.

What Is Antisemitism?

The Encyclopedia Brittanica defines antisemitism as “hostility toward or discrimination against Jews as a religious or racial group.” While the word was not coined until the late 19^th century, it has existed since early history. It began with the Egyptian enslavement of the Hebrews.

“Now there arose a new king over Egypt, who did not know Joseph. And he said to his people, ‘Behold, the people of Israel are too many and too mighty for us. Come, let us deal shrewdly with them, lest they multiply, and if war breaks out, they join our enemies and fight against us and escape from the land.’ Therefore they set taskmasters over them to afflict them with heavy burdens” (Exodus 1:8-11).

The Jews had to fight for the land God had promised them, were perceived as weak by those around them, and struggled for centuries. They experienced oppression under various empires; the Roman Empire even renamed the area Palestine as a way of degrading the nation because they named it after the Philistines rather than the people who were there - the Jews.

As they scattered across the globe in a diaspora, the Jews continued to suffer and find discrimination and even open hostility. In some countries, they had to convert to Catholicism or Islam in self-preservation.

During the 20th century, the Jews were the targets of many oppressive regimes, including the National Socialist German Worker’s Party (NAZI) and the communist regime of the Soviet Union under Josef Stalin. Now that Israel as a country has been reconstituted, antisemitism continues to rise as Islamic nations that surround them wish to remove Israel from the map and push all Jews out of the region.

Why Is There So Much Hate for Israel and the Jewish People?

As the Hebrew nation followed God, despite their struggles to obey through many periods of history, nations would rise up against them. Many of these nations had no historic claim to the land, wanting to conquer them to diminish their presence and elevate their own false gods. Through the prophets, God said, “[The gentile nations] say, ‘Come, let us wipe them out as a nation; let the name of Israel be remembered no more!’ (Psalm 83:4).

While it is easy to look for political, racial, economic, or social reasons for why people hate the Jews, the ultimate reason is a spiritual one. The earthly reasons someone may feel antagonistic toward the Jewish people changes. They can range from feelings that the Jews don’t deserve the land of Israel to false beliefs that they are inferior people to the idea that they are responsible for killing Jesus. However, all these prejudiced excuses are rooted in Satan’s specific hatred for the people of God.

The Bible says that antisemitism will continue until one day. “Behold, I am about to make Jerusalem a cup of staggering to all the surrounding peoples. The siege of Jerusalem will also be against Judah. On that day, I will make Jerusalem a heavy stone for all the people. All who lift it will surely hurt themselves. And all the nations of the earth will gather against it” (Zechariah 12:2-3). Through the power of Jesus as the King of the World, whose throne will be in Jerusalem, Israel will prevail and stand until the last day.

Why Should Christians Support Jews and the Nation of Israel?

Christians are called to love others, even the people who hate them. From a general standpoint, Christians should support the existence of the Jewish people because if God loves all people, so should those who are to be image-bearers of Christ. Furthermore, the Bible is clear that Israel will be grafted back into God’s plan.

“But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, although a wild olive shoot, were grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing root of the olive tree…As regards the gospel, they are enemies for your sake. But as regards election, they are beloved for the sake of their forefathers. For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable” (Romans 11:17, 28-29).

God’s promises to Israel that have not yet come to pass will be fulfilled. In fact, Jesus will rule and reign from Jerusalem as the King of the Jews and of the world. “At that time Jerusalem shall be called the throne of the Lord, and all nations shall gather to it, to the presence of the Lord in Jerusalem, and they shall no more stubbornly follow their own evil heart” (Jeremiah 3:17). As believers pursue God’s will, supporting His chosen people and the nation that will hold Jesus’ throne is important.

There are Christians, both historically and contemporaneously, who practice a form of antisemitism. They believe the Jews are responsible for the death of Jesus, even though Jesus died because He allowed Himself to die. Others believe the Jews lost their chance, and now the Gentile Church will build God’s kingdom. Not everyone who believes the latter hates the Jewish people, but they miss the role that Israel will play in the End of Days because they believe the church replaced Israel in God’s will. Historically, replacing Israel with the church when interpreting Scripture underpinned historic antisemitism in Christian countries.

Ultimately, Christians are called to love and preach the Gospel to the ends of the earth. They should love and share the Gospel with their Jewish friends and neighbors. When they see Jews across the world suffering, they should mourn and pray for them.

A Prayer against Antisemitism

Holy Father,

Thank You for Your eternal mercies and that You always keep Your promises. Thank you for using the nation of Israel to bring forth Your plan for redemption and salvation, for showing that being small does not matter because You can use anybody, and for making salvation available to all. Lord, we know the Bible tells us that You will never forget Your people Israel. Please protect the nation of Israel, bless her, and continue to prove that You are God and that You will never abandon the Jewish people. For Christians who may harbor inappropriate understandings of Your love for Israel, please use the Holy Spirit to correct them. Protect the scattered twelve tribes across the globe, and break the stronghold of antisemitism where it exists. Remind the world that You never break Your promises, and You will never abandon Israel.

In the name of the Messiah, Jesus, I pray,

Amen.

*The opinions in this commentary do not necessarily reflect those of Crosswalk Headlines.

Sources

Berenbaum, M.. "anti-Semitism." Encyclopedia Britannica, June 3, 2024. https://www.britannica.com/topic/anti-Semitism.

Hunt, Dave. A Cup of Trembling. Eugene: Harvest House Publishers, 1995.

Jeremiah, David. Agents of the Apocalypse A Riveting Look at the Key Players of the End Times. Carol Stream: Tyndale Hous Publishing, 2014.

Prager, Dennis, and Joseph Telushkin. Why the Jews? The Reason for Antisemitism.

Publish Date: June 17, 2024

Bethany Verrett is a freelance writer who uses her passion for God, reading, and writing to glorify God. She and her husband have lived all over the country serving their Lord and Savior in ministry. She has a blog on graceandgrowing.com.