Page 143 - Attractive Deception - The False Hope of the Hebrew Roots Movement

If a blind and indiscriminate support of Israel and its people is wrong, then what is the proper attitude
that a Christian should have toward the nation and Jews wherever they may be found. The apostles
did not leave us to wonder. They provided instruction on this subject. We can glean much from the
writings of Paul.

Romans 11:11-15, 25-32
I say then, they did not stumble so as to fall, did they? May it never be! But by their transgression
salvation has come to the Gentiles, to make them jealous. Now if their transgression be riches for the
world and their failure be riches for the Gentiles, how much more will their fulfillment be! But I am
speaking to you who are Gentiles. Inasmuch then as I am an apostle of Gentiles, I magnify my
ministry, if somehow I might move to jealousy my fellow countrymen and save some of them. For
if their rejection be the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the
dead? For I do not want you, brethren, to be uninformed of this mystery, lest you be wise in your own
estimation, that a partial hardening has happened to Israel until the fulness of the Gentiles has come
in; and thus all Israel will be saved; just as it is written, “The Deliverer will come from Zion, He will
remove ungodliness from Jacob.” “And this is My covenant with them, when I take away their sins.”
From the standpoint of the gospel they are enemies for your sake, but from the standpoint of God's
choice they are beloved for the sake of the fathers; for the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.
For just as you once were disobedient to God, but now have been shown mercy because of their
disobedience, so these also now have been disobedient, in order that because of the mercy shown to
you they also may now be shown mercy. For God has shut up all in disobedience that He might show
mercy to all.

The salvation of the Jewish people will result in untold spiritual wealth for the world. We should
earnestly desire the peace of Jerusalem, understanding that peace will be their portion only when the
Prince of Peace rules in the hearts of the Jewish people. As disciples of Christ we should seek the
salvation of all men, especially the Jew. Christ commanded His disciples to preach the gospel “In
Jerusalem and Judea and Samaria and unto the uttermost parts of the earth.” This is the order.
Salvation came to the Jews first, for Christ was born of Jewish kin. He chose 12 Jewish men to be His
disciples and to lay the foundation for His church. The virgin church was born in Jerusalem. The
Gentile believers should never view the Jewish people with scorn, or contempt, yet neither should
they adopt a false romantic image of the Jews as a holy people.

Let us be wise and not confuse a desire for the salvation of the Jews with a mandate to blindly support
the policies of the Zionist state of Israel, or to embrace as brothers those who not only deny Yahshua
as Lord and Savior, but who have proclaimed an undying hatred of Him. Politically, I believe the
nations (and Christians) should take a hands-off approach to Israel. When Laban pursued Jacob
(whose name was later changed to Israel) Yahweh warned this man in a dream about how to conduct
himself before Jacob.

Genesis 31:29
It is in my power to do you harm, but the God of your father spoke to me last night, saying, “Be
careful not to speak either good or bad to Jacob.”

The nations who seek Israel’s harm, or the injury of the Jewish people, will bring judgment upon
themselves, for Yahweh has covenanted to be their protector. Yet, there is also a danger of seeking
to do good on behalf of Israel when Yahweh has not commanded it. Those who seek to be Israel’s