Please read Part 1 which lays a foundation for the following…
As I mentioned before, I believe the Cain and Abel scenario truly illuminates the initial cause of anti-Semitism. Again, what fosters a hatred of a people group so much, that no matter who they are, they become the “reason” for all of societal woes?
Hatred is emotional and spiritual matter. One look at earlier DSM volumes shows how powerful it is – enough to deem an individual legally insane, a foundation for multiple personality disorders, and a basis for even Bi-Polar issues. Hatred is something which is pondered upon and where scheming occurs, to the point of creating a disassociation of oneself. This is a general model of what hatred can do to someone at the clinical level.
Appropriate this mentality against a people group: Why is it that throughout the ages, the Hebrew/Jewish people have undergone the longest standing hatred as a people? If any of you remember the Bosnian War about 25 years ago, There was an ethnic cleansing effort against the Bosnian by Serbians, in attempts to create “a greater Serbia”… Whenever this takes place, the most heinous of atrocities ensue from the perpetrating force. The desired outcome is always a “greater…fill in the blank (people group)”; no different from Hitler, Stalin, Trotsky, Lenin, Edi Amin, Sultan Abdul-Hamid, and many others.
Economic disparity is, at the surface, the focus of reasoning behind this hatred. Following the attack in NY at a rabbi’s home during Hanukkah, at least a dozen more attacks on Jews in the streets of New York City have followed. So much so, that a “March against anti-Semitism” was attended by over 25,000 people. During that time, interviews were conducted on the streets of Harlem and Brooklyn, asking people why is there so much hatred against the Jews of NY. The most common answer was that, “the Jews own everything and won’t share it with anybody…” When asked if this type of violence against Jews was acceptable, most of those interviewed said they had no problem with it. (Horowitz).
When does a civilized people come to the place where this is acceptable? This happens first, because there is no relationship with God. When one hates a group of people, no matter who they are and their classification; if they call themselves a Christian or Believer, there is a definitive breakdown of their walk with God. Love is the first attribute we are shown by our Savior, and the first virtue we are to display as a believer. Jesus touched the Samaritan Woman (…talk about cultural differences and disassociation of people groups), the Tax Collector, the Roman Centurion, the woman with the issue of blood, and the Canaanite woman. There were so many cultural and societal reasons for Him not to engage these folks, but Jesus always showed love outside of the “rules”.
When we begin to internalize disdain for a people group, we are on the pathway towards hatred. It doesn’t mean we do not come against the deplorable actions of a people group, but when that is turned to hatred of them as to generate actions based upon that, we have lost our spiritual foundation in Christ. We cease to love people – we begin to take on a worldly mindset of only being able to see change through natural means – when we haven’t even prayed for them – no matter what group that is.
This, my friends, is what the Jewish people have endured for so long – longer than any others, and why it is imperative, that according to Romans 11, we must not only agree that the Jews are our rootedness and support them as a people, but we must be proactive about it. The Apostle Paul cried out for his own people in Romans 9: 1-4 – “I speak the truth in Christ—I am not lying, my conscience confirms it through the Holy Spirit—I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my people, those of my own race, the people of Israel.” Paul says that this love for his people came from the Holy Spirit – and it was the truth in Christ to declare it. This doesn’t mean we agree on everything – it means we love them, because they are the Father’s – what He calls his “First Born”. If Paul, who was sent to the gentiles, is teaching and declaring this – why aren’t more believers on board?
Getting back to Cain and Abel – Cain attempted to generate favor through his own efforts, not through God’s instruction. He was categorically disobedient. His disdain for his brother turned to hatred and he killed him BECAUSE of his own envy of the Father’s favor upon Abel, which Cain could not gain nor understand. This spirit of murder lasted through 7 generations following Cain – to Lamech – where all of Cain’s generations were murderers and died off as such. Cain could have been a part of the generations which were blessed but chose hatred and murder to disqualify him from God’s plan.
Today, the Jewish People have been sustained; in spite of 2000 years of pogroms, inquisitions, persecutions, and a holocaust, they have endured and have their own land. The spirit of Cain’s murder is alive today in those who envy and hate the Jews because of how blessed Jewish people are inherently. This was God’s design – His blessing over them has never been changed. The church in America is becoming divided over this, as the Marxist mindset permeates through upcoming generations. This ideology is based in envy and class warfare and destroys everything in its path when it succeeds in predominance in a society. And, the Jews are always at the brunt of initial persecution from this movement. (Over 3 million Jews were killed under Stalin)
Whenever Socialist and Collective ideology arises, so does anti-Semitism. The burgeoning BDS (Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions) movement – where attempts are made to refuse financial dealings with an Israeli or Jewish-owned business by an individual, organization, or government originated in Ireland, and has metastasized throughout Europe, the Middle-East, and around the world. Socialist and Radical Islamist nations have actually capitalized on this. The very fact of this should clue us in why it is imperative for believers to unite powerfully for Israel.
Ask the Father, like David did at the end of Psalm 139 – “Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me and know my thoughts; And see if there be any hurtful way in me, And lead me in the everlasting way.” Realize that anti-Semitic feelings and thoughts can be generationally generated – again look at Cain’s descendants. Repent and renounce any roots of anti-Semitism from your family heritage and move forward to unite around Israel’s right to exist as a Biblical mandate. May the Lord bless you today!
Next – The Bible prophetically declares Israel’s existence
