Jewish Insecurity

How remarkably Moses predicted by the Holy Spirit a pattern of judgement which has applied in Jewish history for over 3000 years!

Moses made plain to Israel that their national prosperity would be conditional upon their obedience to God's will. The blessing and the curse were put before them (Deut. 27:11-28:68). Bible history and subsequent secular history unite in confirming the outworking of both the blessing and the curse over 3,500 years of Israel's experience from Moses until the present time. It is striking to glean from the prophetic words of Moses certain principles which have consistently obtained in God's dealings with Israel during her periods of judgement, e.g.

(i)the scattering among other nations (Lev. 26:33; Deut. 4:27, 28:64)

(ii)the preservation of racial identity (Deut. 28:37)

(iii) their insecurity in dispersion (Deut 28:64, 65)

(iv)their indestructibility and ultimate national restoration (Lev.26:3945; Deut. 4:29-31).

Through these Mosaic prophecies God established a pattern of dealings with His people which has found remarkable application, both during the seventy years of Babylonish captivity, and also during the nineteen centuries of wider scattering and deeper persecution from AD 70 until 1948. In today's world the Jew still has good reason to feel the same sense of insecurity. For the tiny state of Israel is surrounded by hostile states whose combined populations and military potential could pose a threat to Israel's very existence. Israel has so far survived three wars, but the cost of continuing military preparedness imposes a severe economic strain on a relatively small population. This in turn gives rise to stresses and discontent within Israel, so much so that there is concern about the large number of Israelis who are emigrating to countries where conditions are less exacting.

It is understandable from the security point of view why Israel wishes to retain control of the West Bank, always fearing an enclave of

unfriendly population deep within her own borders. So Jewish settlements have been developed despite much international opposition, and plans for an autonomous Palestinian state have been resisted.

There are, of course, many millions more Jews living in Russia, America and Europe than in Israel, the "Diaspora", as they are called. What about their security? 1980 saw ominous developments in Russia and France.

The Russian government has further restricted the emigration of Jews who wish to leave that country. A prominent Jewish activist, computer scientist Victor Brailovsky, was arrested and charged with "defaming the Soviet state and social system". All the indications point to a strengthening of anti-Jewish policies.

In France last autumn there was a serious outburst of anti-Semitic violence, the worst in that country since World War II. Following lesser incidents over several months, a bomb exploded outside a Paris synagogue during an October sabbath service, resulting in four being killed and nine wounded. There followed protest marches in a dozen French cities against this fascist violence. 150,000 Parisians rallied to the Place de la Nation, and for three hours a vast procession demonstrated anger and concern.

Despite this tremendous public revulsion against the bombing, there must inevitably be a deepened sense of insecurity among Jews in France. As their Chief Rabbi, Jacob Kaplan, is reported to have said: "It was with such attacks against the Jewish community that the Nazis started in Germany". A comment made all the more significant because of anti-Semitic propaganda by extreme right wing groups in other European countries. Such sinister threats to Jews of the Diaspora seem like an echo to Moses' ancient words of warning: "among these nations shalt thou find no ease... but the Lord shall give thee there a trembling of heart... and thou shalt fear and shalt have none assurance of thy life" (Deut 28:65, 66).

Before Pontius Pilate the leaders of Israel declared: "Not this Man, but Barabbas", accepting responsibility for their choice by the words "His blood be on us, and on our children". Barabbas, an agitator and murderer, was preferred to the Prince of Peace. Insecurity and suffering have followed through all the centuries. "Did God cast off His people? ... Did they stumble that they might fall? God forbid: but by their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles... Now if their fall is the riches of the world, and their loss the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness?" (Rom. 11:1,11,12). So in a spirit of faith we anticipate the coming glorious day of Israel's millennial fulness, when as Isaiah foretold, "My people shall abide in a peaceable habitation, and in sure dwellings, and in quiet resting places" (Isa. 32:18).

unknown | May 1981
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