Why The Jews? Pt. 2

“Why The Jews?” Pt. 2

Zechariah 8

In 518 B.C. the prophet envisioned a day when Zion or Israel would be a place of:

· The return of God’s passion. Vs. 1-3

· The repentance of God’s people. Vs. 4-8

· The reliance on God’s prosperity. Vs.12

· The realization of God’s Promise. Vs. 13

Well this vision would take some time to be fulfilled. Over the centuries the Jews came and went with the ocean’s tide. Never being able to claim this vision – until 1948. Since that time, never again will the Jews be gone from their land again.

This prophecy has a two-fold fulfillment…

· Verses 1-19 are now being fulfilled since 1948.

· Verses 20-23 will be fulfilled in the millennium.

1. The Hatred Towards Zionism.

“Zion” = the mountain on which ancient Israel was built.

Today, the word “Zionism” or “Zionist” is such a loaded word and really a buzzword for many in the world for hate. It seems that in the last 20 years Zionism is a threat to many religions and governments around the world today!

Who is a Zionist? God’s people who want to return to their homeland of Israel.

Fact: The modern Zionist movement was started in 1894 and founded by Theodor Herzl, a Hungarian Jew.

He thought this would help stop the hatred towards the Jews and give them a place to live so they end their living with non-Jews. Ever since then, much of the world has struggled with “Zionism” and the thought of giving them any place to call their own!

Martin Luther King Jr. said in 1967, “You declare, my friends, that you do not hate the Jews, you are merely anti-Zionists. And may I say, let the truth ring forth from the highest mountaintops. Let it echo through the valleys of God’s green earth. When people criticize Zionism, they mean Jews. Zionism is nothing than the dream and ideal of the Jewish people retuning to live in their own land.”

Key: The hatred of Zionism is based on the Zionist’s standard of life, system of theology and the spread of democracy!

The late Senator and former Ambassador to the U.N., Daniel Patrick Moynihan said, “For Israel is a democracy and it is simply the fact that despotism will seek whatever opportunities come to hand to destroy that which threatens them most, which is democracy.”

These Jews believe in holiness and separation, and the tradition of Rabbinical Law.

I think it could be proofed that the treatment and hatred of the Jews can serve as a barometer of humanities morality! Jewish hatred starts with them but doesn’t end there! Because Zionism teaches a moral standard for one to live by - the world hates this! Case in point: orthodox Christianity.

Over the past 40 years the 10 commandments that God gave the Jews have gone from 10 suggestions to now 10 offenses - Something is terribly wrong in the world!

May I also say that with is one reason why “America bashing” is going on in many parts of the world including the United Nations! Because we live by the principle of freedoms and not the power of fear - this is a threat to many nations and governments around the world.

Our President sees the world very black and white with very little gray area, where much of the world is just the opposite! This is frightening to me as a Pastor!

Eleven hours after 9/11, President Bush said to America from the Oval Office, “Today our nation saw evil, the very worst of human nature…pray to a power greater than any of us, who had spoken through the ages in Psalm 23, even though I walk through the valley of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me.”

Will you notice…that America and Israel are often identified as the same enemy?

2. God’s Blessings To The Supporter of Israel.

Zechariah 2:8 “For this is what the Lord Almighty says, “After he has honored me and has sent me against the nations that have plundered you – for whoever touched you (Israel) touches the apple of His eye.” NIV

America for over 227 years has blessed the people of Israel. And for that God has blessed us in ways that no nation has ever been in the history of civilization!

Consider The Deep Roots America Has For The Jews:

· Near the beginning of the American Revolution, when the colonial soldiers were dressed poorly and starving to near death on the battlefield, a Jewish banker Hyman Salomon, collected 1 million dollars from European Jews. He presented this gift to General George Washington so the all the soldiers could have new uniforms and shoes!

Washington later showed his gratitude, he had engraved on the U.S. dollar a memorial to the Jewish people.