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As antisemitism and anti-Israel sentiment surges globally, the Church faces a critical test of faithfulness. Will we stand with our spiritual family, or repeat the silence of history?

Dr Juergen Buhler, ICEJ’s Executive Director, writes:

“We are living in a decisive moment for the Church. Across the whole world, antisemitism is surging at an alarming rate following the October 7 terror invasion. At the same time, Israel is increasingly delegitimised — not only politically, but also within theological discourse. Even within Evangelical and Charismatic circles, old doctrinal errors are returning dressed in new garments and biblical clarity is being quietly eroded.”

And yet, we, the Christian believers, are linked to the Jewish nation by our Saviour who is the Son of David, the Lion of Judah. Our Messiah was born a Jew and lived as an observant Jew. We share Abraham as the ‘father of many nations’. We are family whether they, or us, like it or not.

“Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of His household…” (Ephesians 2:19)

It is alarming that parts of the Christian community are joining antisemitic voices, or, at best, standing aloof when the Jewish community needs our support.

The shameful history of the churches’ horrific persecution in a previous era caused the name ‘Jesus’ and the word ‘Christian’ to become words of fear and loathing to the Jewish people. So, we are thankful that God has restored understanding to much of the Church of the Jewish roots of our faith. As well, our obligation to His first chosen people with directives like Isaiah 40:1, “Comfort, comfort My people.”

But there are many who have not received that revelation. Many who believe the LORD has finished with His people. Scriptures that declare that He will never forsake them are ignored, as is Paul’s horrified exclamation in Romans 11:1, “I say then, Hath God cast away His people? God forbid.”

“As it is written, Jacob have I loved but Esau I have hated.”

The Biblical nation of Israel endured many attacks from its enemies, and sometimes God employed those attacks as a means of punishment as a consequence of His people’s idolatry or disobedience.

However, many Scriptures speak of the judgment facing those nations that attacked or harmed Israel in any way beyond what He intended. In many passages, harsher judgment is reserved for Edom, the nation that sprang from Esau. The small Book of Obadiah tells why.

“Because of the violence against your brother Jacob, you will be covered with shame; you will be destroyed forever. On the day you stood aloof while strangers carried off his wealth and foreigners entered his gates and cast lots for Jerusalem, you were like one of them. You should not gloat over your brother in the day of his misfortune, nor rejoice over the people of Judah in the day of their destruction, nor boast so much in the day of their trouble.” (Obadiah 1:10-12)

Jacob and Esau were twin brothers. Esau was born first with firstborn rights which went to Jacob. The story in Genesis 27 ends with Jacob fleeing to Haran from Esau’s jealousy and rage. By the time Jacob and his household returned to Canaan, his brother had become the ruler over the area of Mount Seir, the area which became known as Edom. After the two brothers met in a form of reconciliation, “Esau returned… to Seir.” (Genesis 33:16)

Later, when on their way to establish their nation, the Israelites needed a passageway through Edom on their way to the Promised Land. The Edomites refused. Instead, they turned the weary company away from their border with threats of war, forcing a long detour.

There were other people groups whom the Children of Israel encountered on their way from Egypt to the Land of Israel. They engaged them in battle. They did everything they could to prevent them from reaching their goal. But Edom was family.

The attack by Babylon that destroyed Jerusalem and took its citizens into exile, as described in  2 Kings 24 and 25 in 586 BC was devastating. (Psalm 137:7, “Remember O LORD against the sons of Edom. The day of Jerusalem, who said, ‘raze it, raze it, to its very foundations’.”)

There were other enemies of Israel that watched as Babylon stormed the ancient city of Jerusalem. As the House of God was destroyed, captives were taken. But Edom was family.

Family Betrayal

Sadly, while the Jews everywhere, including Australia, have been held as collectively responsible for the war in Gaza, the silence from most churches has been deafening. There have been compassionate voices from both Christians and non-Christian Australians. But not nearly enough from the Family of God, the spiritual relatives of the Jewish people.

During Hitler’s rise to power, “Christian leaders responded to Nazi rule in a wide variety of ways. Most Christian leaders did not speak out against the Nazi regime’s anti-Jewish policies or its persecution of other targeted groups.” (Experiencing History)

The Worldwide Call to Action

The International Christian Embassy Jerusalem (ICEJ) has watched with alarm the growing and unbelievable antisemitism. They have declared the situation so serious that they are calling an urgent worldwide summit. Dr Buhler continues:

For this reason, we are urgently convening the Jerusalem Summit. Our aim is to equip Christian leaders to understand and respond to modern antisemitism, to restore biblical clarity on Israel, covenant and the Church, and to strengthen the Church’s public and theological witness in a time of confusion.

Participants will receive usable teaching from leading theologians and experts around the world, pastoral tools and resources ready for immediate implementation in churches, Bible schools and leadership networks.

The Jerusalem Summit (June 9–11, Jerusalem) is especially for pastors, theologians, Bible teachers and leaders responsible for doctrine, education and public witness — for all who love Israel and care about the integrity of the Church.”  (For further information: Connect@icej.org.au)

Remember the Root that Supports You (Romans 11:17-18)

May every congregation who shrugged their shoulders in indifference to Israel’s heartbreak and struggle, and now to the huge problem of Jew hatred in Australia, leaving them out of their prayers and awareness, realise the seriousness of this verse when translated literally. God speaks to Abraham saying, “I will bless those who bless you, but the one who treats you lightly I must curse…” (Genesis 12:3I NET)

We dare not, as those grafted into the Olive Tree of Israel, place ourselves under the judgment of God and stand aloof, like the brother of Jacob did, from current Jewish pain.

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