What is Zionism? Britanica (along with many other sources)
defines “Zionism” as the:
·
Jewish nationalist movement with the goal of the
creation and support of a Jewish national state in Palestine, the ancient
homeland of the Jews (Hebrew: Eretz Yisraʾel, “the Land of Israel”). Though
Zionism originated in eastern and central Europe in the latter part of the 19th
century, it is in many ways a continuation of the ancient attachment of the
Jews and of the Jewish religion to the historical region of Palestine.
According to Judaism, Zion, one of the hills of ancient Jerusalem, is the place
where God dwells.
Can Christians also be Zionists? Of course, as long as they
believe that the Jewish people have a right to exist and to have a refuge from
a world of Jew-hatred. However many are attempting to redirect the Evangelical Church—Israel’s
only steadfast friend—away from any support for Israel.
Is there anything unbiblical about “Christian Zionism” as
some allege? Not at all! Instead it can be argued that this devotion to the
survival of Israel is at the heart of Jesus Christ and our Triune God. This
divine commitment to His Jewish people is imprinted upon the annuls of their
history. As such, they are a sign people both of the wrath of their God and His
faithfulness, a light to the world of the reality of God and of His promises.
Their God had promised:
·
Deuteronomy 8:16–20 …to do you good in
the end. Beware lest you say in your heart, ‘My power and the might of my hand
have gotten me this wealth.’ You shall remember the LORD your God, for it is he
who gives you power to get wealth, that he may confirm his covenant that he swore
to your fathers, as it is this day. And if you forget the LORD your God and go
after other gods and serve them and worship them, I solemnly warn you today
that you shall surely perish. Like the nations that the LORD makes to perish
before you, so shall you perish, because you would not obey the voice of the
LORD your God.
Today, Israel’s gods are largely atheism/agnosticism and self-trust
and not the God who has blessed and continues protect them amid worldwide
Jew-hatred. Nevertheless, their God has also promised to never entirely give up
on them. He had promised to bring them back to their Promised Land and has done
so three times: from Egypt, Babylon, and most recently when the UN voted in 1948,
against all odds, to recognize the State of Israel. These Israelite returns represent
an historical anomaly which has never happened to a single nation even once.
God has also promised to fully restore Israel to what it had been intended to
be.
·
Isaiah 49:14–16 But Zion said, “The LORD
has forsaken me; my Lord has forgotten me.” “Can a woman forget her nursing
child, that she should have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these
may forget, yet I will not forget you. Behold, I have engraved you on the palms
of my hands; your walls are continually before me.”
·
Isaiah 54:5–8 For your Maker is your
husband, the LORD of hosts is his name; and the Holy One of Israel is your
Redeemer, the God of the whole earth he is called. For the LORD has called you
[Israel] like a wife deserted and grieved in spirit, like a wife of youth when
she is cast off, says your God. For a brief moment I deserted you, but with
great compassion I will gather you. In overflowing anger for a moment I hid my
face from you, but with everlasting love I will have compassion on you,” says
the LORD, your Redeemer.
the New Testament also promises the salvation of Israel even
for those who had rebelled against their God:
·
Romans 11:25–29 Lest you be wise in your
own sight, I do not want you to be unaware of this mystery, brothers: a partial
hardening has come upon Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in.
And in this way will be saved, as it is written, “The
Deliverer will come from Zion, he will banish ungodliness from Jacob”; “and
this will be my covenant with them when I take away their sins.” 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.
Should not the Church celebrate the faithfulness of God to
Israel ?To be anti-Jewish is also to be anti-Christian. For one thing, the
Christian faith is based upon the very Scriptures that the Jews had preserved
over the centuries.
For another thing, Jesus and all His apostles—the authors and foundation of the
New Testament—had been faithful Jews. Therefore, to discount these men is to
reject the foundation that had been created for Christianity.
Romans 3:2 …The Jews were
entrusted with the oracles of God.
God had entrusted the Hebrew Scriptures to the Jews. Is it surprising
that the Church should be grateful for this! Therefore, to hate the Jews and
the Jewish writers of these Scriptures is to oppose the plan and purpose of God.
It is even to hate Jesus!
Even in their rebellion, Israel remains central to God’s
purposes. In the end, Israel will become one with the Gentile believers. God’s
promises to the Church are even intertwined with those He had made to Israel:
·
Romans 15:8–12 For I tell you that Christ
became a servant to the circumcised to show God’s truthfulness, in order to
confirm the promises given to the patriarchs, and in order that the Gentiles
might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written, “Therefore I will praise you
among the Gentiles, and sing to your name.” And again it is said, “Rejoice, O
Gentiles, with his people [Israel].” And again, “Praise the Lord, all you
Gentiles, and let all the peoples extol him.” And again Isaiah says, “The root
of Jesse will come, even he who arises to rule the Gentiles; in him will the
Gentiles hope.”
·
To be on God’s side is to seek Israel’s ultimate
welfare: Psalm 122:6–8 Pray for
the peace of Jerusalem! “May they be secure who love you! Peace be within your
walls and security within your towers!” For my brothers and companions’ sake I
will say, “Peace be within you!”
As a Jew and a Christian, I thank God for the Evangelical
Church and its love to the Jews and for Israel. May this love continue to blossom!
