A renewed call for Gentile Christian commitment to Israel
by Derek Gardner
The story of Ruth is one of the most beloved Bible stories, but are today’s Christians really ‘getting’ it I’ve been challenged by her example during these recent times of great trial for the Jewish people, surrounded by enemies who want to annihilate them and facing vicious antisemitism in the diaspora.
Though a Gentile, Ruth was totally committed to the Jewish people for whom, it seems, she was even prepared to die. She duly became an ancestor of the Jewish Messiah. And in identifying with Naomi, her mother-in-law – “Where you die, I will die” (Ruth 1:17) – she was surely speaking prophetically of Yeshua’s (Jesus’) death on the Cross, outside Jerusalem.
“Ruth made the ultimate vow to Naomi, and I believe God is calling the global Church to make this same vow, as Ruth did by faith.”
Jesus came to his own – he died for them – and he has called his disciples to take up their Cross and follow him there (to Golgotha). In other words, be prepared to die the death he endured, both for his own as well as for Gentiles. True, Jesus was rejected by many of his own, but many others gladly received him and paved the way for our salvation. Even today, Jewish believers in Yeshua continue to be persecuted by “their own”, including religious leaders still blind to the Gospel truth. But Ruth refused to budge from her commitment to Naomi, declaring: “Where you go, I will go, and where you stay, I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God.”
The story of Ruth is one of the most beloved Bible stories and I’ve been challenged by her example during these recent times of great trial for the Jewish people
Is that the Gentile Christian response to the current perilous plight of the Jewish people? On the whole, I think not. But it should be. Suzie Georges, in a Christian Friends of Israel prayer letter from Jerusalem, writes: “Ruth made the ultimate vow to Naomi, and I believe God is calling the global Church to make this same vow as Ruth did, by faith.” Reporting on a ‘prayer walk’ through Israel partly spent near the Gaza kibbutzim which had suffered so terribly on 7 October 2023, she said it had required great courage from the participants under the present circumstances, with tourism having virtually ground to a halt in view of the dangers involved. One 81-year-old female ‘tourist’ had sought the Lord in prayer about it and been released to come to Israel for the purpose.
One way to help is to stop referring to Israel as Palestine, as many otherwise excellent Christian organisations keep doing, only serving to fan the flames of antisemitism by appearing to justify Arab claims to the land – which is wrong both legally and biblically.
Suzie reckons that our times are calling for a more costly love from God’s elect. But, she adds, there is One who has paid the price in advance in order that we might share his love for his people.
Who among us would have rushed to the aid of the Israeli football fans being run over by cars and beaten unconscious in November’s Amsterdam pogrom? Who among us came to stand with Jews when pro-Palestinian marchers were calling for their demise on the streets of London? If not we Christians, then who? It took the likes of Dietrich Bonhoeffer and Corrie ten Boom to arouse the Church to her calling “to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile” (Romans 1:16).
The Jews are loved by God with an “everlasting love” (Jeremiah 31:3); his covenant promises to them will never be broken. But they need our help more than ever. Jews for Jesus have been distributing cards among South Africa’s Jewish community expressing love and support for Israel. One recipient burst into tears as he repeatedly thanked one of the distributors. These messages meant so much to him and his family. They felt so alone. Should we Gentiles not be doing something similar among UK Jewish communities?
British-Israeli Emily Damari, who was released from captivity after 471 days in Gaza without Red Cross or other contact, had her first conversation with her family. Emily lost two fingers from gunfire of terrorists the day she was kidnapped on 7 October 2023.
Emily is a lifelong Spurs fan and for months fellow fans of the North London club had called for her immediate release. Their campaign was called, ‘She’s one of our own’.
(Photo credit to respective owner)
Legendary preacher Leonard Ravenhill once said: “The world out there is not waiting for a new definition of Christianity; it’s waiting for a new demonstration of Christianity.” With the exponential rise of antisemitism around the world and so many having justified the 7 October atrocities against the festival-goers and kibbutz dwellers, let alone Iran’s simmering nuclear threat, the conditions are ripe for another Holocaust. This also means that the Church has a fresh opportunity to demonstrate her true allegiance to her Jewish roots.
One way to help is to stop referring to Israel as Palestine, as many otherwise excellent Christian organisations keep doing, only serving to fan the flames of antisemitism by appearing to justify Arab claims to the land – which is wrong both legally and biblically. In truth, Palestine closely resembles the re-naming of Israel after the Philistines, their old enemy, as a parting insult by the conquering Romans. The Philistines have since become extinct, but the name has stuck, though no such state ever existed.
Yes, the Christian world needs revival, but it will not come without defying the antisemitic spirit of the day by blessing the Jewish people who first brought us the Gospel (Genesis 12:3, Numbers 24:9).
Nations and people groups will stand or fall over their treatment of Israel. “For the nation or kingdom that will not serve you (Israel) will perish; it will be utterly ruined” (Isaiah 60:12).
Charles is a regular contributor to Israel Today at www.israeltoday.co.il and is author of ‘To the Jew First’, ‘King of the Jews’, ‘A Nation Reborn’, ‘Israel the Chosen’ and ‘Peace in Jerusalem’, variously available from Christian Publications International, Amazon and Eden Books (Eden.co.uk).
To read Charles’ other articles in Heart, search for “Gardner’s World” on this website.