Philistine Flags

It seems fashionable again to dislike Jews. Of course one may differentiate between the current, earthly nation of Israel (which has a large Arab section of its citizenry) and the global Jewish population, many of whom live in many nations around the world, including our own. They are not Israelis, and, in some cases, offer little support to Israel. Yet at this year's famous Glastonbury music festival, Palestinian flags were two-a-penny, while Diane Abbot, the 'Mother of the House' of Commons objected to the "Jewish Defence Force", rather than the Israeli Defence Force, as though in her mind, the two words were interchangeable. Any who dismiss her should remember that she served as Shadow Home Secretary and has a degree from Cambridge, both of which belie any claim that she is short of intelligence.

Our morning Bible studies have been looking at the book of Esther, which details the first multinational attempt at antisemitic genocide, a wholesale destruction of the Jewish people. God raised Esther to the consort’s throne for such a time as that, and made her His instrument to effect His people’s safety and survival. Although large scale and coordinated international antisemitism has not been common (Hitler’s machinations being a major exception), small scale, nationwide or even localised anti-Jewish hostility has been as common as muck.

Rejection of antisemitism and even a general support for the existence of the state of Israel must not blind us to the suffering of the Palestinian Arabs, who also call that land and region their home. Possession of Jewish blood and pedigree does not exempt one from the Law of Moses’ high moral expectations regarding orphans and aliens, and the suffering of non-Jews in Gaza and elsewhere will not go unnoticed by the God of Abraham. Nevertheless, just as the 1920s and 30s led to the most hellish atrocities against Jewry which history had ever seen, so the 2020s and 30s may lead to, or witness, more horrors. Whether its source is Muslim migrants, left wing activists, far right thugs, Arab nationalists or just plain, old fashioned dislike of anyone who is different, time will tell.

Come, Lord Jesus!

Image by hosny salah from Pixabay