As Jewish people around the world gather to celebrate Rosh Hashanah, believers in Jesus have an opportunity to reflect on the prophetic significance of this biblical feast and what it teaches us about the Lord’s return.

The Day of the Blowing of Trumpets

The biblical name for this holiday is Yom Teruah, meaning The Day of the Blowing of Trumpets.

“Again the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, ‘Speak to the sons of Israel, saying, “In the seventh month on the first of the month, you shall have a rest, a reminder by blowing of trumpets, a holy convocation.”’”

— Leviticus 23:23-24

The central symbol of this feast is the shofar, a trumpet made from a ram’s horn. Its curved shape has long been associated with humility, brokenness, and repentance.

God commanded Israel to observe this feast on the first day of the seventh month, Tishri, as a day set apart for worship and reflection.

A Time to Stop

The Lord further instructed:

“You shall not do any laborious work, but you shall present an offering by fire to the Lord.”

— Leviticus 23:25

This was not a day for business as usual. It was a day to stop.

A day to examine one’s heart.

A day to consider one’s spiritual condition before God.

Sometimes God tells us to go. Other times He tells us to stop. Stop what is distracting you. Stop long enough to hear His voice. Stop and take inventory of your walk with Him.

The Trumpet Yet to Sound

For Christians, the sound of the trumpet points beyond ancient Israel to a future event.

The Apostle Paul wrote:

“For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ shall rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord.”

— 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17

One day there will be a final trumpet blast.

The next great sounding of God’s trumpet will gather believers into the presence of the Lord. The dead in Christ will rise, and living believers will be caught up to meet Him.

Every blast of the shofar serves as a reminder that history is moving toward that moment.

Rosh Hashanah and the Days of Awe

Although Scripture calls this day the Feast of Trumpets, it later became known as Rosh Hashanah, meaning “Head of the Year,” marking the beginning of Israel’s civil year.

Jewish tradition associates Rosh Hashanah with the beginning of the Ten Days of Awe, a period of self-examination that concludes on the Day of Atonement, Yom Kippur.

The emphasis during these days is repentance, reflection, and a renewed commitment to God. One traditional greeting is:

Leshanah tovah tikatevu — “May you be inscribed for a good year.”

Another familiar custom is dipping apples in honey, expressing the hope for a sweet year ahead

One meaningful tradition is the Tashlich ceremony, in which people gather near a body of water and symbolically cast away breadcrumbs or stones, representing repentance from sin.

The practice is often associated with Micah’s words:

“He will again have compassion on us; He will tread our iniquities under foot. Yes, You will cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.”

— Micah 7:19

While these customs developed after biblical times, they reflect an important truth: God calls people to repentance and offers mercy to those who seek Him.

God’s Calendar of Redemption

The seven biblical feasts of Israel can be viewed as God’s prophetic calendar of redemption.

The first four feasts were fulfilled during Christ’s first coming:

• Passover points to Christ’s sacrificial death.

• Unleavened Bread points to His burial.

• First Fruits points to His resurrection.

• Pentecost points to the coming of the Holy Spirit and the birth of the church.

Today we live between the fulfillment of the fourth feast and the fulfillment of the fall feasts that many believers associate with Christ’s return and the completion of God’s redemptive plan.

We are living in the Church Age.

And we are waiting.

Waiting for the trumpet.

Waiting for the King.

Are You Ready?

The final trumpet will be both a warning and an invitation.

A warning of coming judgment upon a rebellious world.

An invitation for God’s people to be gathered to Him forever.

When the trumpet sounded at Jericho, the walls fell down. When God’s trumpet sounds in the future, His people will rise up.

Jesus said:

“Therefore be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming.”

— Matthew 24:42

As Rosh Hashanah approaches, may the sound of the shofar remind us to examine our hearts, renew our devotion to Christ, and live with expectancy.

The King is coming.

Are you waiting?

Are you watching?

Are you prepared?

—Stuart

Previous articles can be located in my Archive at:

www.fromstuart.com/archive

Before we begin, let me remind you that you can access previous articles by going to my Archive at: www.fromstuart.com/archive

“If most Jews in Israel do not believe that Jesus is the Messiah, why should Christians support Israel?”

A growing number of Christians are asking this question:

At first glance, the question seems reasonable. If Israel remains largely in unbelief, doesn’t that undermine claims that the modern State of Israel has prophetic significance?

The answer is found in Bible prophecy itself.

The prophets never predicted that the Jewish people would return to their land as a believing nation. Instead, they repeatedly foretold a physical regathering first, followed by a spiritual restoration later.

Israel’s present condition is therefore not a contradiction of Scripture—it is exactly what Scripture said would happen.

The Jewish people are back in their ancient homeland, but largely in unbelief. According to the prophets, that is not the end of the story. It is the beginning of the final chapter.

The Miracle of Israel’s Return

For nearly two thousand years, the Jewish people were scattered among the nations.

Moses warned that this dispersion would occur because of Israel’s disobedience:

“The LORD will scatter you among all peoples” (Deuteronomy 28:64).

Yet Moses also promised that God would one day bring them back:

“The LORD your God will restore your fortunes and have mercy on you, and He will gather you again from all the peoples where the LORD your God has scattered you” (Deuteronomy 30:3).

Centuries later, Isaiah expanded the promise:

“He will assemble the banished of Israel, and gather the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth” (Isaiah 11:12).

Today, after centuries of exile, millions of Jews have returned to Israel from nations across the globe. Nearly half of the world’s Jewish population now lives in the land promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

Historically, this is astonishing.

Biblically, it is precisely what the prophets predicted.

The Prophetic Pattern: Return First, Repentance Later

The crucial point many Christians overlook is that Scripture presents Israel’s restoration in two distinct stages.

Stage One: Physical Regathering

God first brings the Jewish people back to their land.

Ezekiel writes:

“I will take you from among the nations, gather you from all the lands and bring you into your own land” (Ezekiel 36:24).

Notice that the return to the land comes first.

Stage Two: Spiritual Restoration

Only after the regathering does God promise spiritual renewal:

“Then I will sprinkle clean water on you... I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you” (Ezekiel 36:25–27).

The sequence is unmistakable:

1. Regathering to the land.

2. Spiritual cleansing.

3. National renewal.

The prophets consistently present this same order.

Ezekiel’s Valley of Dry Bones and Modern Israel

Ezekiel 37 provides perhaps the clearest illustration of this prophetic pattern.

The prophet sees a valley filled with dry bones, which God identifies as “the whole house of Israel.”

The restoration unfolds in stages:

First

The bones come together.

Second

Sinews, flesh, and skin cover them.

Third

The breath of life enters them.

The first two stages restore a national body, but there is still no spiritual life.

Only afterward does God’s Spirit enter them.

Many Bible teachers see a remarkable parallel with modern Israel.

The Jewish people have been regathered.

The nation has been restored.

Hebrew has been revived.

Israel is thriving and functioning as a nation.

Yet most Israelis still do not recognize Jesus as Messiah.

In Ezekiel’s imagery, the body has been restored, but the final breath of spiritual life is still future.

Zechariah’s Vision of Israel’s Future Conversion

The prophet Zechariah describes a future moment when Israel, already living in the land, experiences national repentance.

“I will pour out on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace and supplication; so that they will look on Me whom they have pierced” (Zechariah 12:10).

Notice what is already true when this event occurs:

• The people are living in Jerusalem.

• The nation is back in the land.

• Israel has been regathered.

Only then does God open their eyes.

Once again, the prophetic order remains consistent:

Return first. Conversion later.

Paul’s Confirmation in Romans 11

The New Testament affirms exactly the same pattern.

Paul acknowledges Israel’s present unbelief while insisting that God’s covenant purposes remain intact.

“For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable” (Romans 11:29).

Paul explains that Israel is currently experiencing a temporary hardening:

“A partial hardening has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in” (Romans 11:25).

Yet he immediately points to a future national salvation:

“And so all Israel will be saved” (Romans 11:26).

Present unbelief does not mean God has abandoned Israel.

Rather, it means God is continuing to unfold His prophetic plan exactly as He promised.

Why Israel’s Unbelief Does Not Negate God’s Hand

Many Christians assume that if God is working through Israel today, then:

• Israel’s government must be righteous.

• Israel’s leaders must be godly.

• Israel’s people must be spiritually faithful.

Scripture never makes those claims.

Throughout biblical history, God continued working through Israel despite repeated seasons of rebellion, unbelief, and disobedience.

If national faithfulness were the standard by which God’s activity was measured, one would have to conclude that God was absent during much of Israel’s Old Testament history.

The Bible teaches the opposite.

God’s covenant faithfulness is not dependent upon Israel’s perfection.

The modern regathering demonstrates God’s faithfulness to His promises, not Israel’s worthiness.

Israel’s Place in the Future Prophetic Program

Numerous prophetic passages indicate that Israel must exist as a nation before end-time events can occur.

Scripture anticipates:

• Israel dwelling once again in the land.

• A future covenant described in Daniel 9:27.

• A period of tribulation and refinement.

• National repentance.

• The return of the Messiah.

• The ultimate restoration of Israel.

The existence of Israel in unbelief is therefore not evidence against prophecy.

It is a necessary element within the prophetic sequence itself.

A Christian Response to Rising Antisemitism

One troubling trend in recent years is the growing belief among some Christians that because Israel does not yet believe in Jesus, support for Israel is unnecessary—or even wrong.

But that conclusion ignores what the prophets plainly taught.

The Bible anticipated:

• Israel’s return in unbelief.

• International hostility toward Israel.

• Growing pressure from the nations.

• God’s preservation of the Jewish people.

• A future national turning to Messiah.

Christians should reject antisemitism in all its forms.

We can acknowledge Israel’s imperfections while still affirming God’s continuing covenant purposes.

Supporting Israel does not require believing that every government policy or military action is correct.

It means recognizing God’s faithfulness to His promises and opposing hatred directed toward the Jewish people.

What Should Christians Do?

The biblical response is neither blind nationalism nor indifference.

Instead, Christians should:

• Rejoice in God’s faithfulness to His Word.

• Pray for the peace of Jerusalem (Psalm 122:6).

• Oppose antisemitism.

• Love the Jewish people.

• Share the gospel with Jewish people.

• Pray for Israel’s future national salvation.

The Jewish people need Jesus just as every other nation does.

Supporting Israel should never diminish our commitment to proclaiming the gospel. Rather, it should increase our anticipation of the day when Israel recognizes her Messiah.

The Bigger Picture

When we step back and view Israel through the lens of biblical prophecy, the modern Jewish return to the land becomes difficult to ignore.

The Bible predicted:

• A worldwide regathering.

• A return to the land in unbelief.

• Continued spiritual blindness.

• Increasing hostility from the nations.

• A future outpouring of God’s Spirit.

• National repentance.

• Israel’s ultimate salvation.

The sequence matters.

The prophets did not foresee a regenerated nation returning to the land.

They foresaw a nation returning first—and then being transformed by God.

The bones have come together.

The nation stands once again in the land.

But the final breath of spiritual life—the great turning to Messiah described by Ezekiel, Zechariah, and Paul—still lies ahead.

For Christians who believe the Scriptures, Israel’s present unbelief is not a reason to withdraw support.

It is one of the strongest evidences that God is keeping His Word exactly as He promised.

—Stuart

It’s the Day of Atonement—Yom Kippur.
You’re standing in Jerusalem nearly 2,000 years ago.

The air is still. The nation is waiting.
The High Priest disappears behind the veil…
carrying blood into the very presence of God.

Everything depends on that moment.

Because everyone knows this truth:

“For the life of the flesh is in the blood… for it is the blood by reason of the life that makes atonement.”
—Leviticus 17:11

Now imagine this:

The Temple is gone.
The altar is gone.
The sacrifices have stopped.

And they have never returned.

So here’s the question:

How are the sins of Jewish people atoned for today?

Why This Matters for Christians

If you have Jewish friends, neighbors, or coworkers, this isn’t theoretical.

Many are deeply sincere, morally serious, and committed to honoring God.

But they are also living within a system that developed after the sacrificial system ended.

To love them well, we need to understand two things:

1. What they believe about atonement today

2. What Scripture actually teaches about atonement

Only then can we clearly—and graciously—point them to the Messiah.

What Changed After 70 A.D.?

In 70 A.D., the Romans destroyed the Second Temple.

That wasn’t just a political event—it created a theological crisis.

Under the Law of Moses, sacrifices could only be offered at the Temple:

“Be careful that you do not offer your burnt offerings in every cultic place you see, but in the place which the LORD chooses…”
—Deuteronomy 12:13–14

No Temple meant no altar.
No altar meant no sacrifices.

So the question became unavoidable:

How can sin be atoned for without the system God Himself established?

How Atonement Is Understood in Judaism Today

In response, rabbinic Judaism developed alternative ways to seek forgiveness.

Today, most Jewish people emphasize:

• Repentance (teshuvah)

• Prayer (tefillah)

• Good deeds (mitzvot)

• Charity (tzedakah)

• Fasting, especially on Yom Kippur

These are sincere and meaningful practices.

Scripture certainly affirms the importance of repentance:

“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise.”
—Psalm 51:17

But the key question remains:

Is repentance alone sufficient for atonement?

What the Bible Actually Teaches

The Bible gives a consistent and unchanging principle:

“For the life of the flesh is in the blood… it is the blood that makes atonement.”
—Leviticus 17:11

And again:

“Without shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.”
—Hebrews 9:22

From the earliest pages of Scripture, the pattern is clear:

• A substitute is provided

• Sin is transferred to that substitute

• The substitute dies

• The sinner is spared

Even in the beginning, after sin entered the world:

“The LORD God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife, and clothed them.”
—Genesis 3:21

A life was given to cover sin.

The Meaning of Yom Kippur

The Day of Atonement makes this unmistakable.

On that day:

• Blood was brought into the Holy of Holies

• A sacrifice was made for sin

• A scapegoat carried sin away

“Then he shall kill the goat of the sin offering… and bring its blood inside the veil… and sprinkle it on the mercy seat.”
—Leviticus 16:15

“He shall lay both of his hands on the head of the live goat… and send it away into the wilderness… and the goat shall bear on itself all their iniquities.”
—Leviticus 16:21–22

The message is unmistakable:

Sin requires death—but God provides a substitute.

The Tension That Remains

Here is the difficulty:

• God required blood for atonement

• The Temple is gone

• No sacrifices have been offered for nearly 2,000 years

So we must ask:

Did God change His requirement?
Or did He provide something greater?

The Prophets Point Forward

The Hebrew Scriptures anticipated a solution.

The prophet Jeremiah wrote:

“I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more.”
—Jeremiah 31:34

The prophet Daniel declared:

“To finish the transgression, to make an end of sin, to make atonement for iniquity…”
—Daniel 9:24

And Isaiah gives the clearest picture:

“He was pierced through for our transgressions…
the LORD has caused the iniquity of us all to fall on Him.”
—Isaiah 53:5–6

This is substitution.
This is atonement.
This is sacrifice.

The Fulfillment: Jesus the Messiah

When John the Baptist saw Jesus, he declared:

“Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!”
—John 1:29

Jesus Christ did not abolish the sacrificial system.

He fulfilled it.

“Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill.”
—Matthew 5:17

He became the final sacrifice:

“Not through the blood of goats and calves, but through His own blood, He entered the holy place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption.”
—Hebrews 9:12

“But He, having offered one sacrifice for sins for all time, sat down at the right hand of God.”
—Hebrews 10:12

“For by one offering He has perfected for all time those who are sanctified.”
—Hebrews 10:14

The Moment Everything Changed

At His death:

“And behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.”
—Matthew 27:51

Access to God was opened.

Not through repeated sacrifices—
but through one perfect atonement.

Why This Matters for Your Jewish Friends

Many Jewish people are sincerely seeking forgiveness.

They pray.
They repent.
They pursue righteousness.

But Scripture makes this clear:

Atonement is not complete without a sacrifice.

This is not about winning arguments.

It’s about helping them see God’s provision.

How Christians Should Respond

With humility.
With compassion.
With truth.

The apostle Paul, himself a Jewish man, wrote this about Jewish people:

“For I testify about them that they have a zeal for God, but not in accordance with knowledge.”
—Romans 10:2 (NASB 1995)

Our role is not to condemn—but to point.

The Gospel, Clearly Stated

• Sin requires atonement

• Atonement requires a sacrifice

• God has provided that sacrifice. His name is Jesus.

“In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace.”
—Ephesians 1:7

A Final Encouragement

If you know someone Jewish, please pray for them.

Ask God for wisdom, love, and opportunity.

Because the story of Scripture leads here:

The Lamb has been provided.

“He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world.”
—1 John 2:2

Blessings to you,

—Stuart

To see all previous articles, click on this link:

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While some raise legitimate questions, many are persuasive because they simplify extraordinarily complex issues, appeal to our emotions, and confirm what we may already be inclined to believe.

As followers of Jesus Christ we have a biblical obligation to investigate claims carefully before accepting or repeating them. This is especially important when accusations have historically been used to justify hatred and violence against an entire people.

Sadly, many modern conspiracy theories about Israel and the Jewish people are not new discoveries. They are simply old lies dressed in modern clothing.

The Mother of Modern Jewish Conspiracy Theories

Nearly every major conspiracy theory about Jews or Israel can be traced—either directly or indirectly—to one infamous forgery: The Protocols of the Elders of Zion.

First published in Russia in 1903, the Protocols claimed to reveal the secret meeting minutes of Jewish leaders plotting to dominate the world. The document purported to expose a vast Jewish conspiracy controlling governments, banks, the media, education, financial markets, and world events.

It was all a lie.

The Protocols has been repeatedly exposed by journalists, historians, governments, and courts as a complete fabrication. Nevertheless, it remains the most influential antisemitic publication of modern history. It continues to circulate around the world in dozens of languages, both in print and online.

Old Lies in New Forms

Although the accusations continually change, they almost always follow the same pattern established by the Protocols.

1. Jews Secretly Control the World

This is the foundational claim of the Protocols. It alleges that Jews secretly manipulate governments, banking, commerce, education, media, and international politics for global domination.

2. Jews Control the Financial System

Claims that Jewish families secretly manipulate the world’s banking system, financial markets, or economies are centuries old but were popularized by the Protocols. Modern references to secret banking dynasties merely recycle the same accusation.

3. Jews Control the Media and Hollywood

Another familiar allegation is that Jews secretly dominate newspapers, television, Hollywood, and social media in order to shape public opinion and suppress the truth. Again, this simply echoes the Protocols’ claim that Jews secretly control information.

4. Jews Manipulate Nations into War

For centuries Jews have been accused of dragging nations into wars for their own benefit. Today the accusation often appears in claims that Israel or “the Israel Lobby” secretly controls American foreign policy or military decisions.

5. Jews Possess Dual Loyalty

This theory argues that Jewish citizens can never truly be loyal to their own country because they ultimately serve Israel or an international Jewish agenda. Though older than the Protocols, it became one of its central themes and continues to circulate today.

6. Israel or Jews Were Behind 9/11

Almost immediately after September 11, conspiracy theories claimed that Israel or the Mossad orchestrated the attacks or warned thousands of Jews to stay home that morning. Every major version of these claims has been thoroughly disproved, but they persist because they fit the Protocols’ assumption that Jews secretly engineer world events.

7. Jews Created or Profited from COVID-19

During the pandemic, conspiracy theories claimed that Jews either created COVID-19 or profited from vaccines. Similar accusations appeared during the Black Death, when Jews were falsely blamed for poisoning wells and spreading plague.

8. “White Replacement”

Some extremists claim that Jews are orchestrating mass immigration to destroy Western civilization or replace white populations. Although expressed in modern political language, the underlying accusation remains unchanged: Jews are secretly manipulating history.

9. Secret Technologies and “Space Lasers”

Even bizarre claims that Jews control the weather, manipulate natural disasters, or possess hidden technologies follow the same template. The details become more absurd, but the basic accusation never changes.

10. Organ Harvesting and Ritual Murder

Ancient blood libels accused Jews of murdering Christian children for religious purposes. Modern versions accuse Israel of harvesting organs or deliberately targeting civilians as part of organized evil. The details differ; the demonization is identical.

11. Holocaust Denial

Some claim the Holocaust never happened or was exaggerated as part of a Jewish conspiracy to gain sympathy or political influence. Even history’s greatest documented crime against the Jewish people is transformed into another supposed Jewish plot.

The Pattern Never Changes

Notice the recurring theme.

• Jews secretly control powerful institutions.

• Jews manipulate governments and world events.

• Jews create wars, financial crises, or pandemics.

• Jews deceive the public through media and banking.

• Therefore, Jews become responsible for nearly every major problem in history.

This is precisely the worldview promoted by The Protocols of the Elders of Zion.

The names, technologies, and political issues have changed.

The conspiracy has not.

Throughout history these lies have served one purpose: to demonize the Jewish people and justify discrimination, persecution, and violence against them.

A Biblical Response

Christians should be especially cautious before embracing sensational claims about Israel or the Jewish people. Scripture repeatedly warns God’s people against believing accusations without careful examination.

That verse could almost have been written for the age of social media. The first video, article, or podcast often sounds convincing—until the evidence is examined. Wisdom requires investigation before conclusion.

The Bereans provide an example worth following.

“Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.” (Acts 17:11)

If the Bereans carefully tested the preaching of the Apostle Paul, surely we should test the claims of internet personalities, political commentators, anonymous social media accounts, and conspiracy theorists.

Scripture also reminds us:

“Whoever answers a matter before he hears it, it is folly and shame to him.” (Proverbs 18:13)

Many conspiracy theories flourish because people reach conclusions before hearing all the evidence.

God also commands:

“You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.” (Exodus 20:16)

Repeating unverified accusations may make us participants in bearing false witness—even if we sincerely believe them.

Paul likewise exhorts believers:

“Test everything; hold fast what is good.” (1 Thessalonians 5:21)

Biblical discernment is neither naïve nor cynical. It neither believes everything nor assumes hidden conspiracies behind every event. Instead, it patiently weighs evidence, seeks truth, and refuses to spread falsehood.

Conclusion: Followers of the One Who Is Truth

The history of antisemitism teaches a sobering lesson: the accusations change, but the pattern rarely does. Medieval blood libels became modern conspiracy theories. The names, technologies, and political circumstances have changed, but the underlying claim remains the same—that the Jewish people are secretly responsible for the world’s troubles.

Christians should recognize this pattern and refuse to participate in it.

Our Lord identified Himself by saying, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life” (John 14:6). As His followers, we are called to be people of truth. Paul therefore commands believers, “Having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor” (Ephesians 4:25). Truthfulness is not optional; it is a mark of Christian discipleship.

That means we should be slow to believe sensational accusations and even slower to repeat them.

• Proverbs 18:13 reminds us that answering a matter before hearing it is “folly and shame.”

• Proverbs 18:17 teaches that the first account often appears convincing until the evidence is carefully examined.

• 1 Thessalonians 5:21 instructs us to “test everything; hold fast what is good.”

These verses describe the posture of a mature believer. Biblical discernment is neither gullible nor cynical. It is careful, patient, humble, and committed to the truth.

This does not mean Christians must agree with every policy of the modern State of Israel. Nations, including Israel, may be evaluated—and even criticized where criticism is warranted. But our judgments must be grounded in evidence rather than rumors, facts rather than fabrications, and truth rather than prejudice.

The Protocols of the Elders of Zion is one of history’s most destructive lies. For more than a century it has fueled suspicion, hatred, persecution, and violence against the Jewish people. Followers of Jesus should have no part in perpetuating its offspring.

In a world overflowing with misinformation, Christians should be known not for spreading sensational stories, but for loving truth, exercising discernment, and refusing to bear false witness. Such conduct honors Christ, protects our witness, and reflects the character of the One who is Himself “full of grace and truth” (John 1:14).

Pursuing truth with you,

—Stuart

To see all previous articles, click on this link:

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This world is not your final destination. You are a citizen of another kingdom, traveling through a fallen world toward your heavenly home.

And along the way, you need something indispensable:

👉 The blessing of God.

Without His blessing, you cannot make it.

The good news is that God delights to bless His people.

The text before us makes this wonderfully clear.

📜 An Ancient Blessing

In 1979, archaeologist Gabriel Barkay discovered two tiny silver scrolls while excavating a burial cave in Jerusalem’s Hinnom Valley. Inscribed on them was part of the blessing found in Numbers 6.

These scrolls date to the late seventh or early sixth century B.C.—approximately 400 years older than the biblical manuscripts found among the Dead Sea Scrolls.

For over 2,500 years, these words have testified to one unchanging truth:

God desires to bless His covenant people.

✡️ A Blessing Rooted in Israel’s Covenant Story

God originally gave these words to Aaron, Israel’s high priest, to pronounce over His covenant people. For centuries, faithful Jews heard this blessing spoken over them as a reminder of God’s covenant faithfulness.

Even today, the Aaronic Benediction remains one of the most beloved prayers in Jewish worship.

📜 Christianity did not appear out of nowhere. Our faith is rooted in God’s promises to Israel and fulfilled in Jesus Christ.

The roots are Jewish.

The fulfillment is in Jesus.

And the blessing belongs to all who are united to Him by faith.

📖 The Priestly Blessing

“The LORD spoke to Moses, saying, ‘Speak to Aaron and to his sons, saying, Thus you shall bless the sons of Israel. You shall say to them...’”

— Numbers 6:22–23

God is so committed to blessing His people that He gave specific instructions to His priests regarding how to do it.

The blessing originated with God, but it was mediated through Aaron.

Today, however, we have a greater High Priest.

✝️ The Lord Jesus Christ is the High Priest of a new and better covenant.

As we read this blessing, we should hear it as God’s gracious word to us through Christ Himself.

✨ “The LORD Bless You”

“The LORD bless you and keep you...”

— Numbers 6:24

Interestingly, the word “you” in Hebrew is singular.

This blessing is personal.

If you belong to the Lord Jesus, you can place your own name into it:

“The LORD bless me.”

This is God’s heart toward His people.

Even when His providence is difficult to understand, His desire for the ultimate good of His children never changes.

We often think we know what blessing looks like. God knows better.

Because He is the source of every good gift, being blessed by God is being blessed by the very best.

💡 A Beautiful Word Picture

The Hebrew word behind “bless” carries the idea of kneeling.

Picture a loving father stooping down to meet a small child at eye level.

That is how God blesses.

The infinite God bends low to show kindness to His people.

🛡️ “And Keep You”

“The LORD bless you and keep you.”

— Numbers 6:24

The word keep conveys protection, preservation, and watchful care.

Ancient shepherds sometimes slept across the entrance to their sheepfold, becoming the gate that protected their flock.

What a picture of our Lord.

🐑 Jesus, our Good Shepherd, does not promise a life free from suffering, but He does promise that none of His sheep will be lost.

He is our keeper.

Christians may face hardship, persecution, and even death, but the Good Shepherd never loses His sheep.

If the Lord keeps you, you will be kept.

Forever.

☀️ “The LORD Make His Face Shine Upon You”

“The LORD make His face shine on you, and be gracious to you.”

— Numbers 6:25

Have you ever waited for a loved one at the airport?

You scan the crowd. Then suddenly you see them.

Their face lights up, and so does yours.

That is the picture here.

God’s shining face represents His favor and delight.

You are not lost in a crowd.

He knows you.

He sees you.

He has turned His face—not His back—toward you.

✨ You may experience the frown of the world, but if you belong to Messiah Jesus, you possess something infinitely greater:

You have the smile of God.

Not because of what you have done, but because of whose you are.

You are His.

😊 “The LORD Lift Up His Countenance Upon You”

“The LORD lift up His countenance on you, and give you peace.”

— Numbers 6:26

The pagan nations surrounding Israel imagined gods who were distracted, distant, and difficult to engage.

The God of Israel is entirely different.

His attention toward His covenant people is neither distracted nor reluctant.

👉 You have God’s full attention.

The Creator of the universe is not too busy for you.

His countenance is directed toward you.

And what does that produce?

Peace.

🌿 God’s Smile and Your Peace

The blessing ends with one of the Bible’s richest words:

Shalom.

Shalom is more than the absence of trouble. It is well-being that flows from being in a covenant relationship with God.

Your body may be hurting.

Your finances may be strained.

Your family may be struggling.

Your future may be uncertain.

But because you have peace with God through the Lord Jesus, it can still be well with your soul.

God’s smile. Your peace.

The two belong together.

✝️ A Trinitarian Blessing

Notice the threefold repetition:

The LORD bless you.

The LORD make His face shine upon you.

The LORD lift up His countenance upon you.

Three declarations.

Three blessings.

Three invocations of the divine name.

Many Christians throughout church history have seen here a beautiful foreshadowing of the Trinity:

🔹 The Father blesses.

🔹 The Son blesses.

🔹 The Holy Spirit blesses.

The triune God is fully committed to the blessing of His people.

🏷️ God’s Name Upon You

The blessing concludes:

“So they shall invoke My name on the sons of Israel, and I then will bless them.”

— Numbers 6:27

God places His name upon His people.

This signifies ownership, identity, and belonging.

You bear His name.

You are His possession.

And because you belong to Him, He blesses you.

❤️ A Final Word

For centuries, this blessing has been pronounced over the people of God.

Today, through our Great High Priest, Jesus Christ, it remains gloriously true.

If you belong to Christ:

✅ The Lord blesses you.

✅ The Lord keeps you.

✅ The Lord smiles upon you.

✅ The Lord gives you His full attention.

✅ The Lord grants you peace.

You are traveling home.

The road may be difficult.

The journey may be long.

But you do not travel alone.

You travel under the smile of God.

And that blessing is enough.

—Stuart

Want to see other articles in my archive? Click here:

www.fromstuart.com/archive

Though many nations act primarily out of economic interests, military calculations, or political ambitions, this is not the case with the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Iran is a revolutionary Islamic regime founded upon a particular interpretation of Shi’ite Islam.

Its leaders do not see themselves simply as politicians.

They see themselves as guardians of a divine mission.

It is theology that drives the Iranian regime.

Understanding this helps explain Iran’s otherwise irrational hostility toward Israel—and toward America.

The Great Divide in Islam

Islam’s two largest branches are Sunni and Shi’a Islam.

The split occurred shortly after the death of Muhammad.

Sunnis believed leadership should be selected by the Muslim community.

Shi’as believed leadership belonged exclusively to Ali, Muhammad’s son-in-law, and his descendants.

Over the centuries, this disagreement evolved into a profound theological division.

Today, most Muslims in the world are Sunni.

Iran stands apart.

Approximately 90 percent of Iranians adhere to Shi’a Islam, specifically the Twelver branch of Shi’ism.

Iran is the only nation whose official state religion is Twelver Shi’ism.

Understanding Twelver Shi’ism is essential to understanding modern Iran.

The Hidden Imam

Twelver Shi’ites believe God appointed a succession of twelve divinely guided Imams descended from Muhammad through Fatimah, Muhammad’s daughter, and Ali.

According to Twelver theology, the Twelfth Imam disappeared in the ninth century and entered what is called the Occultation.

He is known as the Hidden Imam—or the Mahdi.

Twelver believers await his return at the end of history, when he will establish justice throughout the world.

The question naturally arises:

If the rightful ruler remains hidden, who governs until he returns?

The answer became the foundation of the Islamic Republic.

Khomeini’s Revolutionary Vision

In 1979, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini led the revolution that toppled the Shah and transformed Iran into an Islamic republic.

Khomeini advanced the doctrine known as Wilayat al-Faqih—the Rule or Guardianship of the Islamic Jurist.

According to this doctrine, Islamic clerics possess both the authority and responsibility to govern society during the Hidden Imam’s absence.

This is why Iran’s Supreme Leader is not merely a political figure.

He is a religious authority with significant power over military, judicial, and governmental affairs.

Unlike the American system, where church and state are constitutionally separated, Iran’s political structure is built upon the fusion of religion and government.

The Islamic Republic therefore sees itself as far more than another country pursuing national interests.

It sees itself as the custodian of an Islamic revolution and a key player in a larger spiritual drama.

Why “Death to America” and “Death to Israel”?

The revolutionary regime’s hostility toward Israel and the United States is not simply geopolitical.

It is ideological.

It is theological.

Since the revolution, Iranian leaders have repeatedly portrayed America as the “Great Satan” and Israel as an illegitimate entity that should ultimately disappear.

Iran’s leaders view Israel as more than a rival nation.

Israel represents a direct challenge to their vision of Islamic supremacy in the Middle East.

The existence of a thriving Jewish state in territory once ruled by Muslims is considered an insult to Allah.

This explains why Iran spends vast sums funding proxy forces such as Hezbollah and Hamas, surrounding Israel through regional allies and armed movements.

The regime’s war against Israel is not merely political.

It is deeply rooted in its revolutionary worldview.

The leaders of Iran’s ruling establishment see the struggle against Israel and the West as connected to the eventual appearance of the Hidden Imam.

Hence the cries:

“Death to America.”

“Death to Israel.”

The Danger of Apocalyptic Thinking

Many analysts make a serious error when evaluating Iran.

They assume all nations are governed by the same cost-benefit calculations familiar to Western policymakers.

But ideology matters.

Religious belief matters.

Eschatology matters.

Within Iran’s revolutionary movement, the expectation of the Mahdi’s return has often been linked to dramatic end-times expectations.

There is the belief that the Hidden Imam will appear in the midst of a violent conflict marked by the defeat of God’s enemies.

It is firmly believed that Israel and America are God’s enemies.

Iran’s leaders are not unintelligent.

They understand the risks of conflict with Israel and America.

Yet their religious worldview welcomes sacrifice, martyrdom, suffering, and divine destiny in ways that many Western observers struggle to comprehend.

History repeatedly demonstrates that people will die—and kill—for what they believe to be sacred causes.

Which raises some sobering questions.

If a movement sees its objectives as divinely commanded, how much confidence should we place in negotiation alone?

If Iran’s leaders view Israel and America not merely as geopolitical rivals but as theological enemies, how should that affect our understanding of the conflict?

Can you see why the present war with Iran is not, as some claim, merely “Israel’s war”?

Can you see why America—the “Great Satan” in Iran’s revolutionary rhetoric—remains a target as well?

And can you see why many Americans believe the United States and Israel cannot allow Iran to acquire a nuclear weapon?

A Clash of Two Messianic Visions

Ultimately, the conflict goes deeper than politics.

It is a clash of worldviews.

Twelver Shi’ism looks forward to the appearance of the Hidden Imam.

Christianity proclaims that the Messiah has already come.

Jesus Christ is not a hidden figure waiting to emerge from obscurity.

He entered history.

He died on the Cross for sinners.

He rose bodily from the grave.

He ascended into heaven.

And He now reigns at the Father’s right hand.

Christians are not waiting for a political revolutionary to establish God’s kingdom through earthly conquest.

We are waiting for the return of the risen King who has already defeated sin, death, and Satan.

The Gospel advances through the proclamation of truth—not through coercion, violence, or revolutionary upheaval.

The Lesson for the Church

We should pray for the Iranian people, many of whom live under an oppressive regime and long for greater freedom.

We should pray for the salvation of Muslims, including the leaders of Iran.

We should pray for the peace of Jerusalem.

And we should recognize reality.

The Islamic Republic is not simply another government with which the West has policy disagreements.

It is a revolutionary regime animated by religious convictions, hostile toward Israel, antagonistic toward the United States, and committed to advancing an ideology authored by the Prince of Darkness.

The Apostle Paul reminds us:

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. (Ephesians 6:12 NASB1995)

So very grateful for our powerful, all-knowing, fully in control King above all kings.

Come quickly Lord Jesus!

—Stuart

P.S. If you’d like, you can read previous articles in my Archive by clicking on this link: www.fromstuart.com/archive

It is about the sovereignty of God.

Long before Iran existed as a modern nation, the Lord had already revealed Persia’s place in His redemptive plan. From the rise of the Persian Empire to the future invasion described in Ezekiel, one truth stands above every event:

God rules history.

Nations may imagine they are directing the course of history, but Scripture declares otherwise.

As Daniel told King Nebuchadnezzar:

“...the Most High is ruler over the realm of mankind, and bestows it on whom He wishes...“ (Daniel 4:17, NASB1995)

That truth is the foundation for understanding both ancient Persia and modern Iran.

📜 Persia: A Kingdom God Chose to Use

Most history books remember Persia as one of the greatest empires the world has ever known. At its height, it stretched from India to Egypt, ruling millions of people across three continents.

The Bible tells a different story.

Rather than celebrating Persian military power, Scripture emphasizes God’s sovereign control over Persian kings.

Nearly 150 years before Cyrus was born, Isaiah wrote:

“It is I who says of Cyrus, ‘He is My shepherd! And he will perform all My desire.’“ (Isaiah 44:28, NASB1995)

Imagine hearing that prophecy before Cyrus’ grandparents were even born.

Only the God who declares

“...the end from the beginning...“ (Isaiah 46:10)

could name a future king generations in advance.

When Babylon finally fell, Cyrus became the most powerful ruler on earth. Yet the Lord introduced him with remarkable words:

“Thus says the LORD to Cyrus His anointed...“ (Isaiah 45:1, NASB1995)

Cyrus was not an Israelite. He did not worship the God of Abraham. Yet God called him “My anointed” because He had chosen him for a unique purpose—to release the Jewish exiles, rebuild Jerusalem, and restore the Temple.

Think about what that means.

The most powerful man on earth was unknowingly carrying out the plans of the King of Heaven.

That is the sovereignty of God.

It also teaches a lesson every generation needs to remember.

God is never dependent upon believing rulers to accomplish His will.

He raises kings.
He removes kings.
He directs nations.

Presidents, prime ministers, dictators, and emperors exercise only the authority God permits.

As Proverbs reminds us:

“The king’s heart is like channels of water in the hand of the LORD; He turns it wherever He wishes.“ (Proverbs 21:1, NASB1995)

That truth should profoundly shape how Christians read today’s headlines.

🌍 Why Iran Matters

Modern Iran occupies the territory once known as ancient Persia.

Persia appears repeatedly at pivotal moments in biblical history.

• Daniel served under Persian rulers.

• Esther preserved the Jewish people within the Persian Empire.

• Nehemiah received permission from a Persian king to rebuild Jerusalem’s walls.

Again and again, Persia became an instrument through which God advanced His covenant purposes.

Yet Scripture also reveals that Persia will appear once more—not as Israel’s benefactor, but as part of a future coalition against her.

In Ezekiel 38, Persia is specifically listed among the nations that will join Gog in a massive invasion of Israel.

Unlike some of the ancient names in Ezekiel’s prophecy, Persia requires no guesswork.

Persia is modern Iran.

That does not mean every missile launch, diplomatic crisis, or military exercise fulfills Ezekiel 38.

The Bible never encourages newspaper exegesis.

Neither should we ignore developments that move history in the direction Scripture describes.

The wise believer avoids both extremes.

⚔️ Ezekiel 38: A Battle Bigger Than Iran

Why would God permit such an invasion?

At first glance, Ezekiel 38 appears to be about war.

It is actually about the glory of God.

Throughout Ezekiel one phrase appears repeatedly:

“...they will know that I am the LORD.“

That is the heartbeat of the entire prophecy.

The armies of Gog believe they are pursuing their own ambitions. They see Israel dwelling securely. They imagine an easy victory.

What they do not realize is that God Himself is directing history toward His appointed end.

The Lord tells Gog:

“I will turn you about...and bring you out...“ (Ezekiel 38:4, NASB1995)

The coalition marches because it chooses to march.

Yet behind those choices stands the sovereign God who governs the affairs of nations.

History is never out of His control.

In fact, the coming invasion becomes the very means by which God displays His holiness before the watching world.

⚔️ God’s Purpose: More Than Defeating an Army

Ezekiel describes earthquakes, widespread confusion, pestilence, torrential rain, hailstones, fire, and brimstone (Ezekiel 38:19–22).

Israel is not portrayed as winning through military superiority.

The Lord Himself fights for His people.

This should sound familiar.

He drowned Pharaoh’s army in the Red Sea.

He destroyed the Assyrian army in the days of Hezekiah.

And in the future, He will once again demonstrate that the security of His people ultimately rests in Him—not in military alliances or advanced weapons.

But defeating Israel’s enemies is not God’s highest purpose.

The Lord explains His purpose in unmistakable language:

“I will magnify Myself, sanctify Myself, and make Myself known in the sight of many nations; and they will know that I am the LORD.“ (Ezekiel 38:23, NASB1995)

The nations will witness His power.

His holiness will be vindicated.

His name will be exalted.

Yet there is another purpose that is often overlooked.

🇮🇱 A Turning Point for Israel

Ezekiel 39 reveals that this victory is also intended to awaken Israel.

After centuries of discipline, dispersion, and unbelief, the Lord declares:

“And the house of Israel will know that I am the LORD their God from that day onward.“ (Ezekiel 39:22, NASB1995)

Notice the emphasis.

The battle is not simply about judging Gog and his allies.

It is also about God revealing Himself to His covenant people.

Israel will recognize that her preservation has never depended upon political alliances, military strength, or international support.

It has always depended upon the faithfulness of God.

The Lord goes on to promise that after He restores Israel, He will no longer hide His face from them,

“for I shall have poured out My Spirit on the house of Israel.“ (Ezekiel 39:29, NASB1995)

That points beyond a military victory to God’s larger redemptive purpose.

The God who preserves Israel will also restore her.

The God who judges will also show mercy.

That has always been His way.

❤️ God’s Heart for the People of Iran

As Christians, we must distinguish between a government and the people it governs.

The Iranian regime may threaten Israel and persecute believers.

But millions of Iranians are men and women created in the image of God.

They need the same Savior we do.

One of the most remarkable prophecies concerning ancient Elam—located in present-day Iran—ends not with judgment but with hope.

The Lord says:

“‘But it will come about in the last days that I will restore the fortunes of Elam,’ declares the LORD.“ (Jeremiah 49:39, NASB1995)

Even in judgment, God’s heart is toward redemption.

That should shape our prayers.

Rather than viewing the people of Iran merely as characters in future prophecy, we should pray that many will come to saving faith in Jesus Christ.

In fact, some of the most encouraging reports in the global church today come from Iran.

Despite persecution, imprisonment, and government restrictions, many Iranians are turning to Christ.

👑 The Sovereign God Still Reigns

The story of Iran is ultimately the story of every nation.

Kingdoms rise.

Empires fall.

Governments change.

Borders shift.

Military alliances come and go.

But above them all stands the Lord of history.

The God who named Cyrus before he was born...

The God who directed the Persian Empire...

The God who revealed the future to Ezekiel...

The God who rules over Iran today...

He has not changed.

Daniel declared:

“...the Most High is ruler over the realm of mankind, and bestows it on whom He wishes...“ (Daniel 4:17, NASB1995)

✨ Three Truths to Remember

As we watch events unfold in the Middle East, remember these three truths.

1. God rules over every nation—even those that oppose Him.

2. God will fulfill every promise He has made.

3. Our confidence rests in God’s character—not our prophetic timeline.

We may not understand every headline.

We may not know exactly where today’s events fit in God’s prophetic calendar.

But we know the One who holds the calendar.

That changes everything.

—Stuart

To view previous articles click here:

www.fromstuart.com/archive

Jesus said,

“Therefore I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people, producing the fruit of it.” (Matthew 21:43, NASB 1995)

Many Christians read this verse and conclude that God permanently rejected Israel and replaced her with the Church.

But is that really what Jesus meant?

Let’s look at the passage in its context.

Who Was Jesus Speaking To?

Jesus made this statement while telling the Parable of the Wicked Vine-Growers (Matthew 21:33-46).

In the story, the owner of the vineyard sends servants to collect fruit from the tenants. Instead of honoring him, the tenants beat the servants and kill them. Finally, the owner sends his son. They kill him too.

The meaning isn’t difficult to see.

The vineyard represents Israel.

The servants represent God’s prophets, whom Israel repeatedly rejected.

The son represents Jesus Himself.

The tenants represent Israel’s religious leaders.

Now notice something very important.

Just two verses after Jesus says the kingdom will be taken away, Matthew tells us exactly who Jesus was talking about:

“When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard His parables, they understood that He was speaking about them.” (Matthew 21:45, NASB 1995)

That is the key to understanding the passage.

Jesus was speaking directly to the chief priests and Pharisees who had rejected Him. They were the ones who had failed to lead God’s people faithfully.

What Was Being Taken Away?

Jesus said the kingdom would be taken away from “you.”

Who is the “you”?

The context says it was the religious leaders standing before Him.

Jesus was announcing judgment on those who rejected God’s Son.

He was not saying that God had permanently rejected the nation of Israel.

There is a big difference between judging unbelieving leaders and canceling God’s promises to Israel.

Those are two very different ideas.

Does “A People” Mean the Church?

Many teachers say the “people” receiving the kingdom is the Church.

That is certainly one possible interpretation.

But even if it is correct, it still does not prove that the Church replaced Israel.

Today, God is working through the Church to proclaim the gospel to the world. That does not mean His promises to Israel have been canceled.

Other Bible teachers believe the “people” in Matthew 21:43 refers to a future generation of believing Jews who will receive their Messiah when He returns.

Whichever view you take, neither one requires Replacement Theology.

The verse simply doesn’t say that God has abandoned Israel forever.

What Does the Rest of Matthew Say?

One of the best ways to understand a difficult verse is to keep reading.

Just two chapters later Jesus says,

“For I say to you, from now on you will not see Me until you say, ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’” (Matthew 23:39, NASB 1995)

Notice the word until.

Jesus expected a future day when Israel would welcome Him as Messiah.

That doesn’t sound like a nation God has permanently cast aside.

What Does Paul Say?

If anyone wondered whether God had rejected Israel, the Apostle Paul answered the question directly.

“I say then, God has not rejected His people, has He? May it never be!” (Romans 11:1, NASB 1995)

Later in the same chapter Paul explains why:

“...for the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.” (Romans 11:29, NASB 1995)

God’s promises do not change.

Israel’s present unbelief is real, but it is not permanent.

Paul goes on to describe it as a partial hardening that will last only until God’s present work among the Gentiles is complete (Romans 11:25-26).

God Judges Sin—but He Keeps His Promises

Throughout the Old Testament, God repeatedly judged Israel’s kings, priests, and leaders.

He removed unfaithful leaders.

He raised up faithful ones.

But He never broke His covenant with the nation.

Matthew 21 follows that same pattern.

Jesus condemned corrupt leaders who rejected God’s prophets and ultimately rejected God’s Son.

Their privilege was taken away because of unbelief.

But that is very different from saying that God permanently replaced Israel with the Church.

The Real Message of Matthew 21:43

Matthew 21:43 teaches that God removed kingdom privilege from those who refused to believe and entrusted His work to those who would bear fruit.

It does not say that God canceled His promises to Abraham.

It does not say that Israel is no longer God’s covenant nation.

It does not say that the Church has become the “new Israel.”

Those ideas have to be read into the passage—they are not found in the passage.

When Matthew 21 is read in its context and alongside Romans 11, the picture becomes clear.

God judged unbelieving Israel in Jesus’ day.

God is now saving people from every nation through the gospel.

And God will still fulfill every promise He made to Israel.

The God who disciplines His people is also the God who keeps His Word.

And because He is faithful to Israel, we can be confident He will also be faithful to every promise He has made to us.

—Stuart

Myth vs. Fact

To read the previous articles in this series, and to access all articles in my Archive, click here: www.fromstuart.com/archive

In Parts 1 and 2, we explored what Scripture teaches about Israel and what history reveals about the Jewish people’s connection to the land. These foundations help us approach today’s headlines with greater clarity.

When biblical truth and historical record are understood, the increasing misinformation about Israel can be more accurately confronted.

In this final installment, we will examine several widely repeated modern claims about Israel and consider them carefully in light of documented facts, historical background, and responsible reasoning.

“The one who states his case first seems right,
Until the other comes and examines him.”
— Proverbs 18:17 (NASB 1995)

⚔️ Myth vs. Fact — Modern Conflict

Understanding modern Israel requires examining both security realities and humanitarian concerns.

War is never simple, and headlines rarely tell the full story.

❌ Myth

Israel occupies Gaza.

✅ Fact

Israel withdrew all soldiers and settlers from Gaza in 2005.

In August 2005, Israel dismantled its settlements in Gaza and removed thousands of Israeli residents as part of a unilateral withdrawal. Israeli military forces also withdrew completely from the territory.

However, following Israel’s withdrawal, armed groups gained control of Gaza and launched repeated rocket attacks into Israeli civilian areas. In response to ongoing attacks and security threats, Israel and neighboring Egypt imposed border restrictions intended to prevent weapons smuggling and reduce violence.

These measures were not implemented as an attempt to reclaim Gaza, but as a response to sustained security threats.

Scripture acknowledges the responsibility of governments to protect their citizens:

“For it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid;
for it does not bear the sword for nothing.”
— Romans 13:4

National defense is not aggression—it is responsibility.

❌ Myth

Israel intentionally targets civilians.

✅ Fact

Israel targets military threats and uses warnings and evacuation notices to reduce civilian casualties.

Modern urban warfare presents enormous challenges, especially when armed groups operate from densely populated areas. Israel’s military operations focus on military targets such as weapons depots, rocket launch sites, and command centers.

Before many operations, warnings are issued through:

• Phone calls

• Text messages

• Leaflets

• Public announcements

These measures are intended to allow civilians time to evacuate danger zones.

Civilian loss of life is always tragic and should never be minimized. Yet tragedy alone does not prove intent.

Responsible governments must balance defense with protection of civilian life.

❌ Myth

Israel is committing genocide.

✅ Fact

Genocide requires intent to destroy a population.

Genocide is a legal term requiring deliberate intent to eliminate a people group. While war produces suffering and loss, population data provides important context.

Since 1948, the Palestinian population in Israel, Gaza, and the West Bank has grown significantly. Population growth contradicts the definition of genocide, which involves systematic destruction.

Scripture condemns the deliberate destruction of innocent people:

“Thus says the LORD…
Do not shed innocent blood in this place.”
— Jeremiah 22:3

War should never be confused with genocide without careful legal and historical evaluation.

❌ Myth

Israel deliberately starves Gaza.

✅ Fact

Large amounts of humanitarian aid regularly enter Gaza.

Food, water, medical supplies, and fuel are regularly delivered through coordinated humanitarian efforts. International organizations, along with Israeli authorities, facilitate delivery through designated crossings.

However, aid distribution is often complicated by:

• Ongoing conflict

• Infrastructure damage

• Diversion or theft of supplies

• Logistical challenges within Gaza

These factors affect distribution and availability within civilian areas.

Scripture repeatedly commands care for the vulnerable:

“He who is gracious to a poor man lends to the LORD.”
— Proverbs 19:17

Humanitarian concern remains an essential moral responsibility in any conflict.

❌ Myth

Israel is an apartheid state.

✅ Fact

Israel is a democratic state where Jewish and Arab citizens vote, serve in government, and receive legal protections.

Israel’s Declaration of Independence affirms equality regardless of religion, race, or ethnicity. Arab citizens participate actively in Israeli society and serve in:

• Parliament (Knesset)

• Courts

• Universities

• Medicine

• Journalism

• Local government

Unlike real apartheid systems, Israeli law provides voting rights and legal protections to minority populations.

Scripture affirms the importance of justice and fairness:

“Justice, and only justice, you shall pursue.”
— Deuteronomy 16:20

Societies are measured not only by their policies, but by their commitment to justice.

❌ Myth

Israel does not want peace.

✅ Fact

Israel has signed peace agreements with multiple Arab nations and participated in numerous peace negotiations.

Peace agreements have been signed with neighboring nations including:

• Egypt

• Jordan

• United Arab Emirates

• Bahrain

• Morocco

Israel also entered negotiations with Palestinian leadership, including the Oslo Accords and later peace proposals.

Peace has repeatedly been pursued—though not always accepted.

Scripture consistently emphasizes the pursuit of peace:

“Seek peace and pursue it.”
— Psalm 34:14

Peace requires willingness on all sides.

🕊️ Final Series Reflection

Israel remains central to:

• Biblical prophecy 📖

• World history 📜

• Modern geopolitics 🌍

For Christians, the question is not merely political—but theological.

God’s covenant faithfulness remains a powerful reminder of His unchanging nature:

“Thus says the LORD…
If this fixed order departs…
then the offspring of Israel also will cease from being a nation before Me forever.”
— Jeremiah 31:35–36

God’s faithfulness to Israel reminds believers of His faithfulness to all His promises.

Modern debates about Israel often generate strong emotions and divided opinions. Yet believers are called to seek truth with:

• Wisdom

• Humility

• Discernment

Our understanding of Israel must be shaped not merely by headlines, but by:

• Scripture 📖

• History 📜

• Careful reflection 🧠

• Prayer 🕊️

May we continue to pray for peace, pursue truth, and trust in the faithfulness of the God who keeps His promises.

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem:
‘May they prosper who love you.’”
— Psalm 122:6 (NASB 1995)

—Stuart

To read the previous articles in this series, and to access all articles in my Archive, click here: www.fromstuart.com/archive

Click here to see previous articles: www.fromstuart.com/archive

In Part 1, we examined what Scripture teaches about God’s covenant with Israel and the enduring promises connected to the land. Those biblical foundations are essential, but they naturally lead to another important question:

What does history actually show?

Many modern claims about Israel depend on historical assumptions that are repeated so often they sound authoritative. Yet repetition does not equal truth. When examined carefully, the historical record tells a more complete—and often very different—story.

In this second installment, we will examine widely repeated historical claims about Israel and compare them with documented events, legal decisions, and long-standing ties between the Jewish people and the land.

❌ Myth

Jews are foreign colonialists with no connection to the land.

✅ Fact

The Jewish people are indigenous to Israel, with over 3,000 years of recorded presence.

Jewish kingdoms existed in the land long before the rise of Rome, Islam, or modern European powers. Jerusalem became Israel’s capital during the reign of King David around 1000 B.C.

“David captured the stronghold of Zion, that is the city of David.”
— 2 Samuel 5:7

Scripture repeatedly affirms Jerusalem’s central place in Israel’s history:

“Nevertheless, David took the stronghold of Zion, that is the city of David.”
— 1 Chronicles 11:5

Archaeological discoveries—including inscriptions, coins, city ruins, and temple remains—confirm the presence of Jewish civilization throughout the land. Excavations in Jerusalem and surrounding regions continue to uncover physical evidence consistent with the biblical record.

Even after foreign conquests and dispersions, Jewish identity remained tied to this land through language, worship, and national memory.

This is not the pattern of colonial settlement—but of indigenous continuity.

❌ Myth

Palestine was always an Arab country.

✅ Fact

The land was historically known as Judea.

The name Palestine was introduced by the Romans after suppressing Jewish revolts in 135 A.D. Roman Emperor Hadrian renamed the region Syria Palaestina in an effort to minimize Jewish identification with the land.

Yet long before Roman renaming, Scripture consistently referred to the land as belonging to Israel:

“So the LORD gave Israel all the land which He had sworn to give to their fathers, and they possessed it and lived in it.”
— Joshua 21:43

The name itself derived from the Philistines—an Aegean people, not from modern Arabs.

For centuries following Roman rule, the region passed through multiple empires, including:

• Byzantine

• Persian

• Arab

• Crusader

• Ottoman

During these centuries, the land functioned as a province—not an independent Arab Palestinian state.

No independent Arab Palestinian state existed historically prior to the modern era.

❌ Myth

Jews have no historical claim to Israel.

✅ Fact

Jewish civilization in Israel dates back more than 3,000 years.

Israelite society flourished long before many modern nations existed. The kingdoms of Israel and Judah developed:

• Agriculture

• Law

• Worship systems

• Urban life centered around Jerusalem

Even after exile periods, Jewish communities remained active in the land.

Scripture anticipated both exile and return:

“Then the LORD your God will restore you from captivity, and have compassion on you, and will gather you again from all the peoples.”
— Deuteronomy 30:3

Historical records confirm Jewish communities in:

• Jerusalem

• Hebron

• Tiberias

• Safed

These cities became centers of Jewish scholarship, religious life, and culture.

Jewish pilgrims continued traveling to Jerusalem across centuries—even when the land was ruled by foreign empires.

Jewish connection to the land was never abandoned—it was preserved generation after generation.

❌ Myth

Israel was created illegally in 1948.

✅ Fact

Israel’s establishment followed internationally recognized legal processes.

Israel did not emerge suddenly or without legal foundation. Its establishment followed decades of diplomatic recognition and international agreements.

Key Historical Milestones

📜 Balfour Declaration (1917)
Britain publicly supported the establishment of a national home for the Jewish people while protecting the rights of existing non-Jewish communities.

📜 League of Nations Mandate (1922)
The international community formally recognized the historical connection of the Jewish people to the land.

📜 UN Partition Plan (1947)
The United Nations proposed dividing the land into Jewish and Arab states.

Scripture repeatedly emphasizes God’s sovereign role in establishing nations:

“He changes the times and the epochs;
He removes kings and establishes kings.”
— Daniel 2:21

Israel’s founding followed internationally recognized processes—not unilateral action.

❌ Myth

Palestinians were never offered their own state.

✅ Fact

Multiple proposals for Palestinian statehood were offered and rejected.

Several major opportunities for Arab or Palestinian statehood occurred across decades.

Notable Proposals Included:

• 1937 — Peel Commission Partition Plan

• 1947 — United Nations Partition Plan

• 2000 — Camp David Negotiations

• 2008 — Olmert Proposal

Scripture frequently highlights the importance of choosing peace when opportunities arise:

“Seek peace and pursue it.”
— Psalm 34:14

Repeated rejection of partition proposals contributed to continued conflict rather than peaceful coexistence.

History records multiple missed opportunities for negotiated settlement.

❌ Myth

Jews arrived suddenly in the modern era.

✅ Fact

Jewish presence in the land never ceased.

While waves of Jewish migration increased in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, Jewish communities existed in the land long before modern Zionism.

Historical records show:

• Jews became the majority population in Jerusalem by the 1860s

• Jewish agricultural settlements existed before the modern State of Israel

• Jewish religious communities remained active across centuries

This ongoing presence reflects a people returning to ancestral land—not appearing without historical roots.

Scripture anticipated long remembrance of the land:

“If I forget you, O Jerusalem,
May my right hand forget her skill.”
— Psalm 137:5

This pattern reflects restoration—not invention.

✍️ Closing Reflection

History tells a consistent story:

“Israel was not invented in modern times—it was restored after centuries of exile.”

When examined honestly, the historical record reveals enduring connections between the Jewish people and the land of Israel—connections that survived exile, persecution, and foreign rule.

Understanding the historical record helps believers evaluate modern claims more carefully and thoughtfully. It allows Christians to approach difficult conversations:

• With knowledge rather than assumption

• With discernment rather than reaction

“The works of the LORD are great,
Studied by all who delight in them.”
— Psalm 111:2 (NASB 1995)

🔎 Looking Ahead

In our final installment, we will move from history into the present day, examining modern claims about Israel, including:

• War

• Security

• Humanitarian concerns

• The pursuit of peace

🙏 A Personal Note

I am sincerely grateful for your willingness to read these articles, written as an effort to address the increasing spread of misinformation about Israel and the Jewish people, and the antisemitism that so often follows.

— Stuart

📚 Continue Reading

To read Part 1 in this series, as well as all previously written articles, click this link:

www.fromstuart.com/archive

Christians today are hearing many strong claims about Israel—on television, in classrooms, and across social media. Some of these claims sound convincing, yet many are built on assertion rather than evidence.

In today’s information climate, it often seems that an influential voice can make a claim without substantiation, and it quickly takes root in the minds of listeners. Repetition alone can make an idea feel credible, even when it lacks historical or biblical support.

Too often, careful examination and critical thinking are left behind.

But for believers who take God’s Word seriously, it is essential to examine such claims carefully, thoughtfully, and truthfully. Christians are not called to react emotionally—but to think biblically and to measure every claim against truth.

This three-part series is designed to help Christians distinguish between commonly repeated myths and documented facts about Israel—beginning not with politics, but with the Bible itself. 📖

“Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth.”
— John 17:17 (NASB 1995)

📖 Myth vs. Fact — Biblical Foundations

Before discussing headlines, diplomacy, or modern conflict, we must begin where Scripture begins—with God’s covenant purposes.

Israel’s story is not merely political.
It is biblical, historical, and theological.

❌ Myth

The Jewish people are no longer part of God’s plan.

✅ Fact

Scripture clearly teaches that God has not rejected Israel.

Some claim that Israel’s role ended in the New Testament, or that the Church permanently replaced Israel in God’s purposes. Yet the Apostle Paul directly addressed this misunderstanding.

“God has not rejected His people whom He foreknew.”
— Romans 11:2

“For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.”
— Romans 11:29

Paul warned Gentile believers not to become arrogant toward Israel:

“Do not be arrogant toward the branches… but fear.”
— Romans 11:18–21

God’s covenant faithfulness remains central to biblical theology.

The continued existence of the Jewish people—despite centuries of dispersion, persecution, and exile—stands as powerful evidence of God’s preserving hand.

Israel remains part of God’s unfolding redemptive plan.

❌ Myth

Jews have no biblical claim to the land of Israel.

✅ Fact

God promised the land to Abraham and his descendants as an everlasting possession.

This promise was not vague or symbolic—it was specific, repeated, and enduring.

“I will give to you and to your descendants after you… all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession.”
— Genesis 17:8

God reaffirmed this promise multiple times:

• Isaac — Genesis 26:3

• Jacob — Genesis 28:13

• Israel — Exodus 6:8

This repeated reaffirmation shows that the land promise was not temporary or conditional upon a single generation.

Throughout Scripture, the land of Israel is tied directly to God’s covenant dealings with His people. The Old Testament repeatedly records Israel entering, leaving, and returning to the land—yet always under the authority of God’s promises.

❌ Myth

Israel exists only because of modern politics.

✅ Fact

Scripture foretold Israel’s regathering from the nations.

For centuries, the Jewish people lived scattered among nations across Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East. Yet long before modern political movements existed, the prophets spoke of a future regathering.

“I will take you from the nations, gather you from all the lands and bring you into your own land.”
— Ezekiel 36:24

This promise was echoed by multiple prophets:

• Isaiah spoke of gathering from the ends of the earth (Isaiah 11:12)

• Jeremiah foretold restoration to the land (Jeremiah 30:3)

• Amos declared Israel would be planted in their land again (Amos 9:14–15)

For centuries, the Jewish people lived scattered among nations—yet returned in modern times in numbers that history records and Scripture anticipated.

This regathering is not merely political—it reflects the unfolding of biblical prophecy.

❌ Myth

The land promises were symbolic, not literal.

✅ Fact

Scripture repeatedly describes the land as a real geographic inheritance.

Some interpret the land promises as purely spiritual or symbolic. Yet Scripture consistently treats the land as physical territory promised to a physical people.

“You shall live in the land that I gave to your forefathers.”
— Ezekiel 36:28

God’s promises involve both:

• A people

• A land

The covenant with Abraham included specific geographic boundaries (Genesis 15:18–21). Israel’s history repeatedly records physical possession of the land—not symbolic possession.

When Scripture speaks of restoration, it consistently describes return to an identifiable place—not merely spiritual blessing.

❌ Myth

Christians should be neutral about Israel.

✅ Fact

Scripture calls believers to pray for Jerusalem.

Christians are not commanded to ignore Israel, nor to treat it as historically irrelevant. Instead, Scripture encourages active concern for Jerusalem and its peace.

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem:
‘May they prosper who love you.’”
— Psalm 122:6

This does not mean blind support for every government action, nor does it eliminate the need for discernment. But it does mean recognizing that Israel occupies a unique place in God’s covenant purposes.

Believers are called to:

• Pray for peace 🕊️

• Seek understanding 📖

• Pursue truth 🧠

✍️ Closing Reflection

Israel’s story does not begin in 1948—but in Genesis.

Before debates, headlines, or politics, Scripture establishes enduring truths:

• God chose Israel

• God promised the land

• God preserved the people

• God foretold their return

Understanding these truths prepares us to examine the historical claims surrounding Israel.

Christians are called not merely to hold opinions—but to seek truth.

“You will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.”
— John 8:32

📬 Coming in Part 2

We have briefly looked at some of the biblical foundations concerning Israel. In the next installment, we will turn to history itself and examine what the historical record reveals about Israel and the land.

In the meantime, may the Gospel of Peace go forth in Israel, and all places, so that Jesus, the Prince of Peace, may rule in Jewish and Gentile hearts.

— Stuart

For many Christians, the connection to Jesus seems unmistakable.

But that raises an important question:

If Isaiah 53 appears to point so clearly to Jesus, why do most Jewish people not see it that way?

Let’s take a look at the most popular alternatives.

Early Jewish Interpretation: A Personal Messiah

It may surprise some readers to learn that…

Some of the earliest written interpretations describe a servant who would suffer on behalf of others. In these early traditions, the servant was not primarily seen as the nation of Israel, but as a person—an individual chosen by God.

This is significant because it shows that the concept of a suffering Messiah did not originate with Christianity. It already existed within Jewish interpretation before the rise of the Christian church.

But over time, another interpretation gained influence.

The Rise of the Israel-as-Servant Interpretation

Beginning in the medieval period, a different explanation gradually became dominant.

This interpretation taught that the Servant in Isaiah 53 represents the nation of Israel, not an individual Messiah.

The figure most closely associated with this interpretation is Rabbi Shlomo Yitzchaki, better known as Rashi, who lived in the eleventh century.

Rashi proposed that the suffering described in Isaiah 53 reflects the suffering of the Jewish people throughout history—their persecution, exile, and hardship among the nations.

In this reading:

• The servant is Israel

• The suffering represents national hardship

• The future exaltation reflects Israel’s eventual restoration

Today, this interpretation remains widely taught within traditional Judaism.

Yet when we examine the text closely, several challenges arise.

The Difficulty of Identifying the Servant as Israel

When Isaiah 53 is read carefully, certain details appear difficult to reconcile with the idea that the servant represents the nation as a whole.

Consider Isaiah 53:6:

“All of us like sheep have gone astray…
But the LORD has caused the iniquity of us all
To fall on Him.”

Notice the distinction:

• “us” — those who have sinned

• “Him” — the one who bears sin

The servant is portrayed as bearing the sins of others. If the servant represents Israel collectively, the picture becomes difficult to explain: Israel would be both the guilty party and the sin-bearing substitute.

Another example appears in Isaiah 53:8:

“…He was cut off out of the land of the living
For the transgression of my people, to whom the stroke was due.”

Here, “my people” refers to Israel. The servant suffers for Israel—not as Israel.

And in Isaiah 53:9:

“…He had done no violence,
Nor was there any deceit in His mouth.”

The servant is described as completely innocent—without violence or deceit. Yet the Old Testament repeatedly portrays Israel as a nation in need of repentance, not as a sinless substitute.

For these reasons, some Jewish scholars themselves questioned the national interpretation.

Jewish Voices That Favored a Personal Servant

Not every Jewish interpreter accepted the Israel-as-servant view.

For example, Rabbi Moshe Kohen ibn Crispin, a fourteenth-century Jewish scholar from Spain, argued that interpreting Isaiah 53 as referring to Israel:

“…distorts the passage from its natural meaning.”

He believed the chapter described a personal Messiah rather than a collective nation.

Other interpreters who rejected the national interpretation still proposed individual alternatives. Among the suggested identities were:

• Isaiah himself

• King Cyrus

• King Hezekiah

• Josiah

• Jeremiah

• Ezekiel

• Moses

• Job

• Or an unnamed righteous individual

These proposals demonstrate that, even among those who rejected the Israel interpretation, there was no universal agreement about the servant’s identity.

Why the Israel Interpretation Became Influential

Understanding historical context helps explain why the Israel-as-servant interpretation became widely accepted.

After the rise of Christianity, believers frequently used Isaiah 53 to argue that Jesus was the promised Messiah. In response, Jewish scholars developed alternative readings that preserved traditional expectations of a Messiah who would triumph politically and restore national strength.

Over time, Rashi’s interpretation gained prominence and became widely taught within Jewish communities.

Today, many Jewish readers encounter Isaiah 53 through this inherited interpretive tradition.

A Personal Observation: The Missing Chapter

Allow me to share a personal memory.

In Jewish tradition, when a boy turns thirteen, he celebrates his Bar Mitzvah. During the ceremony, he chants a passage of Scripture assigned according to the weekly reading cycle.

Based on the timing of my birthday, I should have been assigned a reading from Isaiah 53.

But I was not.

Instead, the reading moved directly from Isaiah 52 to Isaiah 54.

Isaiah 53 was skipped.

At the time, I did not question it. That was simply the assigned reading. But later, after reading Isaiah 53 for myself, I began to wonder why such a remarkable passage would not be included in the regular synagogue cycle.

That discovery became part of my own journey toward recognizing Jesus as Messiah.

And I am not alone.

The Question Still Stands

So we return to the central question:

If Isaiah 53 is not about Jesus—then who is it about?

Is it:

• A nation?

• A prophet?

• A king?

• A symbolic figure?

Each proposal faces challenges when measured against the details of the text.

But when those details are compared carefully with the life of Jesus, the correspondence is striking.

Consider again what Isaiah foretold:

• A servant rejected by his own people

• A man of sorrows

• One who suffers silently

• One pierced for transgressions

• One buried with the rich

• One who lives again after death

• One who bears the sins of many

Taken together, these details form a portrait that aligns remarkably with the Gospel accounts of Jesus.

An Understanding Approach Matters

When discussing Isaiah 53 with Jewish friends, humility matters.

These are sacred texts within Jewish tradition. Interpretations are shaped not only by theology but also by history, identity, and community experience.

Many Jewish people have inherited centuries of misinterpretation of texts like Isaiah 53.

Understanding that background encourages better conversations.

It replaces confrontation with thoughtful dialogue.

A Simple Invitation

One of the most meaningful ways to begin such a conversation is also the simplest.

Share Isaiah 53:6:

“All of us like sheep have gone astray,
Each of us has turned to his own way;
But the LORD has caused the iniquity of us all
To fall on Him.”

Then ask:

Who do you think Isaiah is describing?

That question invites reflection.

Not argument.

Not pressure.

Reflection.

A Final Word

Isaiah 53 stands as one of the most remarkable passages in all of Scripture.

It speaks of suffering.

It speaks of substitution.

It speaks of redemption.

And it leaves every reader with a decision:

Who is the Suffering Servant?

We Christians believe the answer is clear.

The servant is Jesus—the One who bore sin, died in our place, and rose again.

And perhaps it still will be.

May the Lord grant you the privilege and opportunity of sharing Isaiah 53 with a Jewish or Gentile friend.

I am ETERNALLY grateful for the Gentile friend who shared it with me.

—Stuart

That is exactly what we find in Isaiah 53.

Isaiah lived approximately seven centuries before the birth of Jesus. Yet in Isaiah 53, he describes a Servant who suffers unjustly, bears the sins of others, dies among the wicked, is buried with the rich, and ultimately triumphs.

It is one of the most remarkable passages in all of Scripture.

As we begin Isaiah 53, consider asking your Jewish friends:

Who Is Isaiah Talking About?

Rejected Before He Was Understood

Isaiah 53:1

Who has believed our message?
And to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?

These words carry a tone of grief. The message has been announced—but not widely believed.

The phrase “arm of the Lord” refers to God’s saving power. It pictures God stepping forward in strength to deliver His people.

Yet many failed to recognize that deliverance when it came.

Why?

Isaiah explains.

An Unexpected Messiah

Isaiah 53:2

For He grew up before Him like a tender shoot,
And like a root out of parched ground;
He has no stately form or majesty
That we should look upon Him,
Nor appearance that we should be attracted to Him.

The Messiah would not look like what people expected.

Instead of towering greatness, He would resemble a tender shoot growing from dry ground—fragile, unimpressive, easily overlooked.

There would be no outward splendor, no royal appearance, nothing that naturally commanded attention.

This reflects the life of Jesus.

He was born not in a palace, but in poverty. He grew up in Nazareth—an obscure village so insignificant that people once asked, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?”

He appeared ordinary.

Not ugly. Not regal. Simply ordinary.

And that disappointed expectations.

The Scottish writer George MacDonald captured this contrast beautifully:

They were all looking for a king
To slay their foes and lift them high;
You came a little baby thing
That made a woman cry.

Despised and Rejected

Isaiah 53:3

He was despised and forsaken of men,
A man of sorrows and acquainted with grief;
And like one from whom men hide their face
He was despised, and we did not esteem Him.

People evaluated Him—and dismissed Him.

The word esteemed carries the idea of assigning value. He was assessed and judged unworthy.

This description fits the life of Jesus with striking accuracy.

He was mocked, spat upon, beaten, and crowned with thorns. Public humiliation became part of His path.

He was misunderstood—even by those closest to Him.

He truly became a man of sorrows, familiar with grief.

But Isaiah now reveals something astonishing.

He Suffered for Us

Isaiah 53:4–5

Surely our griefs He Himself bore,
And our sorrows He carried;
Yet we ourselves esteemed Him stricken,
Smitten of God, and afflicted.

But He was pierced through for our transgressions,
He was crushed for our iniquities;
The chastening for our well-being fell upon Him,
And by His scourging we are healed.

Here we arrive at the very heart of the Gospel.

Notice how often the word our appears.

Not His sins.

Our sins.

People assumed His suffering meant God was punishing Him for wrongdoing.

But Isaiah tells us the opposite.

He was:

• pierced

• crushed

• scourged

Not for His own guilt—but for ours.

The healing Isaiah describes is primarily spiritual. It addresses the deepest human problem—the sickness of sin.

As someone once observed:

The Universality of Sin

Isaiah 53:6

All of us like sheep have gone astray,
Each of us has turned to his own way;
But the LORD has caused the iniquity of us all
To fall on Him.

This verse describes the human condition with painful honesty.

We have all gone astray.

Sin is choosing our own path instead of God’s.

Like sheep wandering without a shepherd, we move toward danger without realizing it.

Yet God did something extraordinary:

He placed our sin on Him.

This is substitution—the very center of the Gospel.

Silent Submission

Isaiah 53:7

He was oppressed and He was afflicted,
Yet He did not open His mouth;
Like a lamb that is led to slaughter,
And like a sheep that is silent before its shearers,
So He did not open His mouth.

Jesus stood silent before His accusers.

Not because He lacked an answer—but because He willingly submitted.

His silence was not weakness.

It was obedience.

It was love.

Cut Off From the Living

Isaiah 53:8–9

By oppression and judgment He was taken away…
For the transgression of my people to whom the stroke was due.

His grave was assigned with wicked men,
Yet with a rich man in His death,
Because He had done no violence,
Nor was there any deceit in His mouth.

Though innocent, He was executed.

Though condemned as a criminal, He was buried with honor.

This was fulfilled when Joseph of Arimathea, a wealthy man, placed Jesus in his own tomb.

His burial confirmed His death—and fulfilled prophecy.

The Mystery of God’s Plan

Isaiah 53:10

But the LORD was pleased to crush Him,
Putting Him to grief;
If He would render Himself as a guilt offering,
He will see His offspring,
He will prolong His days…

These words can feel difficult at first.

How could God be pleased to crush Him?

Because His suffering accomplished redemption.

The Servant became a guilt offering—a sacrifice for sin.

Yet notice what follows:

He will see His offspring.
He will prolong His days.

This points beyond death.

It points to resurrection.

Satisfaction and Justification

Isaiah 53:11

As a result of the anguish of His soul,
He will see it and be satisfied;
By His knowledge the Righteous One, My Servant,
Will justify the many,
As He will bear their iniquities.

The Servant would be satisfied because His work would succeed.

Through Him, sinners could be declared righteous.

Not earned.

Given.

That is justification.

Victory After Suffering

Isaiah 53:12

Therefore, I will allot Him a portion with the great…
Because He poured out Himself to death,
And was numbered with the transgressors;
Yet He Himself bore the sin of many,
And interceded for the transgressors.

Rejected by men.

Exalted by God.

Dishonor turned into glory.

Death turned into victory.

Fulfilled in Jesus

Consider how closely these details align with the life of Jesus.

Isaiah foretold that:

• The Messiah would come from humble beginnings

• He would be rejected by many

• He would suffer unjustly

• He would remain silent before accusers

• He would be pierced

• He would die with criminals

• He would be buried with a rich man

• He would rise and be exalted

Seven hundred years later, Jesus fulfilled these details—not by coincidence, but by divine design.

The Heart of the Message

Isaiah 53 is the Gospel—written centuries before the Cross.

It reveals:

• The seriousness of sin

• The depth of God’s love

• The cost of redemption

• The certainty of victory

The Suffering Servant did not suffer accidentally.

He suffered intentionally.

For Jewish people and for Gentile people.

A Final Reflection

Isaiah closes this passage with a Servant who bears sin, intercedes for sinners, and triumphs after suffering.

That description fits only one person.

Yeshua HaMaschiach… Jesus the Messiah.

The One who:

• Was despised

• Was pierced

• Was buried

• Was raised

• And now reigns

Isaiah saw Him—seven hundred years before He came.

A Jewish prophet spoke to Jewish people of a Jewish Messiah in the Jewish scriptures.

My fellow believers, let me encourage you to ask God to give you an opportunity to share Isaiah 53 with a Jewish person.

Ask this simple question:

Who do you think the Jewish prophet Isaiah is speaking of in Isaiah 53?

I am so grateful for the Gentile believer who helped me to find Jesus, my Messiah.

—Stuart

In effect, Israel said:
“Thank You, God… but no thanks.”

If you were God, how would you respond?
Would you obliterate Israel? You surely would be justified in doing so.

But with God, there is always a divine surprise. ✨

God did not obliterate Israel.
Instead, He gave Israel the king she demanded.

His name was Saul.

A King Like the Nations… and the Consequences

Saul got off to a promising start, but he could never provide for Israel as God would have. As a result, Israel fell prey to the predators around her—Moabites, Ammonites, Philistines, and others.

Eventually, Israel cried out to God for help.

Again, imagine yourself in God’s place.
How would you respond?

Would you say:
“Tough luck.”

That response would certainly be understandable.

But once again, we encounter the surprising grace of God. 💡

Here is what we read in 1 Samuel 12:22 (NASB 1995):

“For the Lord will not abandon His people on account of His great name, because the Lord has been pleased to make you a people for Himself.”

Wow!
Grace greater than all their sin. 🙌

God’s faithfulness to Israel persisted in spite of her unfaithfulness.

Why?
What was so special about Israel?
What good thing was in her?

Nothing.
No good thing.

She sinned.
She rejected God as her King.

And yet—
on account of His great name—
He did not, He would not, He never will reject Israel, His people.

The Real Point: God’s Character

Those who believe Israel’s sin exceeded God’s grace—that He had enough of Israel and rejected and replaced her—are missing the point.

The point is not Israel.
The point is the character of God.

In spite of Israel’s unfaithfulness, God would not reject her—
on account of His great name.

Listen to what we read in 2 Timothy 2:13 (NASB 1995):

“If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself.”

Too Good to Be True?

This sounds almost too good to be true.

How can I believe that God’s faithfulness exceeds my unfaithfulness?

The answer is simple:

Look at how God responded to unfaithful Israel.

That is exactly how He responds to all those who, by faith, have been adopted into His family. 👑

And just when you think God’s gracious response to Israel is beyond reason, we read the final phrase of 1 Samuel 12:22:

“…because the Lord has been pleased to make you a people for Himself.”

God is not pleased with sin.
And He will allow His people to experience the natural consequences of sin.

But God will never abandon His people because of their sin.

Why not?

Because:

1️⃣ His Name
His character. His faithfulness to His promises.

2️⃣ His Pleasure
He has been pleased to make Israel a people for Himself.

As With Israel… So With You

So what’s the point?

Simple.

As with Israel, so too with you who are in Christ. ✝️

Though you and I may sin, our Savior will never abandon us,
on account of His great name.

And not only that—

our Savior has been pleased to make us a people for Himself.

The Right Response to Sin

I do not want to encourage sin.

But I do want to encourage the right response to sin:

✔️ Confess it
✔️ Repent of it
✔️ Run back to the Savior’s loving embrace

There is no need to run from Him.

Run to Him.

He will never abandon you—
even when you have sinned against Him.

Why?

Because He is pleased to have made you His. ❤️

Grace Greater Than All Our Sin 🎶

In 1911, Julia H. Johnston wrote the beloved hymn:

“Grace Greater Than All Our Sin.”

Its refrain beautifully captures this truth:

Grace, grace, God’s grace,
Grace that will pardon and cleanse within;
Grace, grace, God’s grace,
Grace that is greater than all our sin!

The Final Word

Saved by grace.
Sanctified by grace.
Sustained by grace.

God’s grace.

As with Israel,
so too with all who have accepted Messiah Jesus as Savior.

Grace that is greater than all our sin. ✝️✨

—Stuart

P.S. If you are a new subscriber, you may not know that you can access all previous articles by going to my Archive at: www.fromstuart.com/archive

Few phrases in the Bible have created more confusion—and more harm—than the expression “synagogue of Satan.”

Some readers assume this phrase refers to Jewish people in general. But when we slow down and read the text carefully, a very different picture emerges.

That idea does not fit:

• The wording of the passage

• The historical situation

• The teaching of the rest of Scripture

Understanding these verses carefully matters—not only for biblical accuracy, but for how Jewish people are perceived and treated in this day of increasing antisemitism.

Read the Words Carefully

The phrase “synagogue of Satan” appears only twice in the Bible.

“I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich), and the blasphemy by those who say they are Jews and are not but are a synagogue of Satan.”
— Revelation 2:9 (NASB 1995)

“Behold, I will cause those of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but lie…”
— Revelation 3:9 (NASB 1995)

Notice the key phrase in both verses:

“who say they are Jews and are not.”

That phrase limits who is being described.

Jesus is not speaking about all Jews.

He is speaking about a specific group who claimed to be Jews but were not.

This observation is simple—but extremely important.

If the description applies only to people who falsely claimed Jewish identity, then it cannot describe Jewish people as a whole.

Test the “All Jews” Idea Against the Rest of Scripture

If someone insists that this phrase refers to all Jews, serious contradictions immediately appear.

• He was born into a Jewish family

• He worshiped in synagogues

• He taught regularly in synagogues

If synagogues were inherently evil, why did Jesus teach in them?

He did not avoid synagogues—he used them as places to proclaim truth. That alone shows that synagogues were not universally condemned.

The Apostles Continued the Same Practice

After Jesus rose from the dead, His followers followed the same pattern.

The apostle Paul repeatedly entered synagogues to teach about Jesus.

In Berea, Jewish listeners were praised:

“Now these were more noble-minded… for they received the word with great eagerness.”
— Acts 17:11 (NASB 1995)

Not all Jews were enemies. Not all synagogues were hostile.

Remember the Original Audience

Revelation was not written to modern readers first.

It was written to specific believers living in specific cities—especially Smyrna and Philadelphia—who were facing pressure and danger.

Understanding their situation helps explain Jesus’ words.

Life Under Roman Authority

Under the Roman Empire, some religions were officially recognized and legally protected.

Jewish communities had that protection.

They were allowed to practice their faith without interference.

Followers of Jesus, however, were in a more uncertain position.

Many early Christians:

• Worshiped the God of Israel

• Read Jewish Scriptures

• Followed a Jewish Messiah

From the outside, they looked similar to Jews. But Roman authorities demanded clear distinctions—because legal protection, taxation, and punishment depended on identity.

So the question “Who counts as Jewish?” became extremely important.

Why Conflict Developed

In that environment, tensions grew.

Some groups had strong motivation to separate themselves from followers of Jesus.

If Christians were declared separate from Judaism, they could lose legal protection. That could lead to:

• Loss of property

• Imprisonment

• Even execution

Understand the Meaning of the Words

The Word “Synagogue”

Today, we usually think of a synagogue as a Jewish religious building.

But the original Greek word simply means:

A gathering
or
An assembly

It refers to people gathering together—not necessarily to a building.

So the phrase “synagogue of Satan” can be understood as:

“assembly of the accuser”
or
“gathering of adversaries.”

This shifts the focus from ethnicity to behavior.

The issue is not who people were by birth—but what they were doing.

The Word “Satan”

The word “Satan” literally means:

Accuser
or
Adversary

It does not automatically mean devil worship.

Instead, it likely refers to people acting as accusers—those who:

• Identified believers

• Reported believers

• Opposed believers publicly

Under Roman authority, such accusations could lead to imprisonment or death.

Who Might These People Have Been?

Scholars suggest several possibilities.

Some believe the group included local religious leaders who opposed the message about Jesus.

Another possibility is that the group included Gentiles who adopted Jewish customs or claimed Jewish identity.

In the first century:

• Some Gentiles attended synagogue gatherings

• Some practiced Jewish customs

• Some closely identified with Jewish communities

That created confusion about identity.

If individuals claimed Jewish status while opposing followers of Jesus, the phrase:

“say they are Jews and are not”

would make perfect sense.

What We Can Say with Confidence

Even though scholars debate details, several conclusions are clear.

The phrase describes:

✔ A specific group
✔ A local conflict
✔ A historical situation

It does NOT refer to Jewish people as a whole—then or now.

Common Misreadings of Revelation 2:9 and 3:9

These misunderstandings appear again and again. Recognizing them helps prevent repeating harmful errors.

Misreading #1 — “This Refers to All Jewish People”

This is the most widespread misunderstanding.

But the text itself prevents that conclusion.

Jesus specifically says:

“who say they are Jews and are not.”

That phrase narrows the group—it does not expand it.

A limited description cannot be turned into a universal accusation.

Misreading #2 — “All Synagogues Were Evil”

This idea contradicts the actions of Jesus and the apostles.

Jesus taught in synagogues.
Paul preached in synagogues.
Some synagogues welcomed the gospel.

Therefore:
Synagogues were not universally condemned.

Misreading #3 — “This Describes Jewish People Throughout History”

Some assume these verses apply to Jewish people in every generation.

But Revelation was written to specific churches in specific cities. it is not meant as a timeless and universal indictment of all Jewish people.

Misreading #4 — “The Phrase Means Devil Worship”

Because the phrase includes the word “Satan,” some assume that, in Jewish synagogues, occult behavior is involved.

But “Satan” means accuser or adversary.

In context, the likely meaning involves opposition and accusation, not ritual evil.

The Bottom Line

There are different ideas about the exact identity of the group mentioned in Revelation.

Some think they were:

• Local religious opponents

• Informers cooperating with Roman authorities

• Religious rivals resisting the gospel

Others suggest Gentile imitators claiming Jewish identity.

But one conclusion stands:

This phrase does not condemn Jewish people as a whole.

That interpretation ignores:

• The wording of the passage

• The historical setting

• The broader teaching of Scripture

And…

Why This Matters Today

Misinterpretation rarely stays theoretical—it eventually shapes how people are treated.

Throughout history, misuse of these verses has contributed to real suffering.

Historical Examples

• As early as the fourth century, church leader John Chrysostom described synagogues as: “Worse than a brothel… a den of scoundrels.”

• During the Black Death in 1349, thousands of Jews, wrongly accused of being “a synagogue of Satan,” were killed in Strasbourg after being accused of poisoning wells.

• Later, in 1492, Spain expelled Jewish communities entirely, declaring:

“We have resolved… that all Jews depart from our kingdoms.”
— Alhambra Decree, Spain, 1492

• Even influential Reformers sometimes spoke with alarming venom. In 1543, Martin Luther wrote:

“Their synagogues should be set on fire…”
— Martin Luther, On the Jews and Their Lies (1543)

Sadly, misuse of these verses did not end in the past.

Misuse of Revelation 2:9 and 3:9 is not merely a historical problem—it is an ongoing one.

In modern times, extremist groups and commentators have continued to quote Revelation language as justification for hostility toward Jewish people.

• For example, American white nationalist Richard Butler, founder of the Aryan Nations movement, repeatedly referred to Jewish people collectively as:

“The synagogue of Satan.”

Similarly, modern extremist propaganda associated with conspiracy-based movements often repeats claims such as:

“The Jews today are the synagogue of Satan spoken of in Revelation.”

More recently, public figures connected with fringe nationalist movements have echoed similar rhetoric.

• During online broadcasts and speeches, white nationalist commentator Nick Fuentes has stated, with reference to Jewish people:

“The Bible calls them the synagogue of Satan.”

Statements like these show that the misuse of Revelation 2:9 and 3:9 is not merely a historical problem—it is an ongoing one.

This is not the product of careful Bible reading, and it is certainly not consistent with the heart of the Lord Jesus, Himself a Jew.

A Closing Word

Shaul—more widely known as Paul—gave this instruction:

“Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.”
— 2 Timothy 2:15 (NASB 1995)

May we heed those words carefully—today and always.

— Stuart

Scroll social media long enough and you’ll see it used like an insult. In some circles, calling someone a “Christian Zionist” is meant to shut down conversation before it even begins.

But here’s the strange thing:

For Bible-believing Christians, the idea behind Christian Zionism should not be controversial at all.

In fact, if we simply read Scripture as written, the conclusion becomes surprisingly straightforward.

So let’s talk about it— calmly and biblically.

What Is Christian Zionism?

At its simplest, Zionism is the belief that the Jewish people have the right to live in their historic homeland—the land of Israel.

And Christian Zionism?

It’s simply this:

A Christian who believes that God’s promises to Israel—especially regarding the land—are still valid today.

That’s it. No secret conspiracy. No blind nationalism. No cult-like devotion to political leaders.

Just a conviction rooted in Scripture.

Christian Zionism teaches:

• God chose Israel as a nation (Deut. 7:6; Ps. 135:4)

• God promised the land of Canaan to Abraham’s descendants (Gen. 12; 15; 17)

• Those promises were declared everlasting

• And nowhere in Scripture are those promises revoked

The Real Foundation: God’s Covenant with Abraham

Everything begins in Genesis 12.

God calls Abraham and makes a covenant—one of the most important turning points in all of human history.

God promises:

• A people

• A land

• And blessing to the entire world through that people

God later confirms:

“I will establish My covenant… for an everlasting covenant.” (Gen. 17:7–8)

That covenant was:

• reaffirmed to Isaac

• reaffirmed to Jacob

• confirmed through the prophets

• and never canceled

Not once. Not anywhere. Not ever.

And that’s why, as someone has said, “Christian Zionism isn’t political ideology—it’s biblical theology.”

Replacement Theology vs. Biblical Zionism

At the heart of this discussion is one major theological question:

Did God replace Israel with the Church? Some teach that He did.

This view is commonly called Replacement Theology.

You can view previous articles on this subject by going to my Archive at: www.fromstuart.com/archive

Replacement Theology claims:

• Israel forfeited God’s promises

• The Church inherited those promises

• The land promises are now symbolic

But here’s the problem:

The New Testament never says that.

In fact, the Apostle Paul says the opposite.

“For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.”
—Romans 11:29 (NASB 1995)

Irrevocable means:

Not canceled.
Not transferred.
Not spiritualized away.

Paul goes even further and reminds Gentile believers that they were grafted into Israel’s promises, not the other way around (Romans 11).

That matters—a lot. You see, if God can abandon Israel… Might He not abandon the church?

Israel’s Restoration Was Predicted—Not Accidental

The Hebrew prophets repeatedly foretold that Israel would be scattered—and later regathered.

Not symbolically.

Physically. Nationally. Back to the land.

For example:

• Ezekiel 36 describes Israel being gathered from the nations

• Jeremiah 32 speaks of restoration to the land

• Zechariah describes future national redemption

For centuries, skeptics mocked those promises. “How could a scattered people return after thousands of years?”

Then came 1948.

Against all historical odds, the Jewish people returned to their ancestral homeland—and the modern State of Israel was born.

That event was not random. It was remarkable. And to many Christians, unmistakably providential.

Christian Zionism Didn’t Begin in 1948

One of the biggest myths is that Christian Zionism is a modern political invention.

It isn’t.

Long before modern Israel existed, Christians were already expecting Jewish restoration to the land.

Early church thinkers—including figures like Justin Martyr and Irenaeus—anticipated a future restoration of Israel.

Even outside evangelical circles, major thinkers supported Jewish restoration.

Some did so not out of prophetic speculation—but simple moral conviction.

After centuries of persecution, exile, and violence, many Christians believed the Jewish people deserved a homeland where they could live safely.

Not Every Christian Zionist Is a Dispensationalist

Another common misunderstanding is that Christian Zionism is limited to dispensational theology.

While dispensationalists strongly support Israel, Christian Zionism is broader than any single theological system.

Many Christians support Israel because:

• They believe God’s promises remain valid

• They see Israel’s survival as evidence of God’s faithfulness

• They recognize Israel’s central role in redemption history

You don’t need to be a Dispensationalist to be a Christian Zionist…

You just need a Bible.

Does Supporting Israel Mean Supporting Every Policy?

No. Absolutely not. Christian Zionism does not mean:

• Agreeing with every Israeli decision

• Ignoring injustice

• Or elevating Israel above moral accountability

Christians should evaluate all governments—including Israel—through the lens of righteousness and justice.

But there is a difference between:

• Fair criticism

• And demonization

Holding Israel to standards no other nation is expected to meet is not justice—it’s bias.

Why This Conversation Matters Right Now

We are living through a time of rising hostility toward Israel—and toward Jewish people globally.

Since the terrorist attacks of October 7, 2023, something has changed.

Protests erupted across the world. Antisemitic slogans resurfaced. Old stereotypes found new life through social media.

Much of it fueled by misinformation. Much of it driven by emotion rather than truth.

And many Christians—especially younger ones—are confused. Some are indifferent. Some are hostile. That should concern us because the Bible speaks clearly about God’s relationship with Israel.

And when believers forget that…

History shows the consequences can be devastating.

Zionism Is Not Hatred—It Is Recognition

Critics often claim that Zionism is inherently oppressive.

But historically, Zionism has meant something simple:

The Jewish people returning to their historic homeland and exercising national self-determination.

That’s not unusual.

More than a hundred modern nations have formed in the past century. Yet only one nation’s existence is continually questioned:

Israel.

Why?

That question deserves honest reflection.

So Why Wouldn’t Every Christian Be a Zionist?

After all, if:

• God promised land to Abraham’s descendants

• The prophets predicted Israel’s restoration

• The apostles affirmed Israel’s future

• And history shows Israel restored

Then the real question isn’t: “Why are some Christians Zionists?”

It’s: Why aren’t all of them?

The Bottom Line

Christian Zionism is not a fringe belief.

It is not heresy.

It is not political extremism.

It is the natural conclusion of reading Scripture plainly and believing God means what He says.

God chose Zion.

God promised Israel.

God preserved His people.

And God is not finished yet.

So perhaps the simplest way to summarize Christian Zionism is this:

If you believe God keeps His promises, then standing with Israel isn’t optional—it’s biblical

---Stuart

In the Scriptures, Shavuot is both a harvest festival and a prophetic picture. It looks backward to Mount Sinai and forward to Acts 2. It celebrates both the giving of the Law and the giving of the Holy Spirit. And woven throughout the feast is a powerful message about redemption, harvest, and the unity of Jews and Gentiles in Messiah.

What Does “Shavuot” Mean?

The Hebrew word Shavuot means “weeks.” The feast was named for the seven weeks Israel was commanded to count following Passover and First Fruits.

“You shall also count for yourselves from the day after the sabbath, from the day when you brought in the sheaf of the wave offering; there shall be seven complete sabbaths.”
— Leviticus 23:15

Seven weeks were counted from the Feast of First Fruits. Then, on the fiftieth day, Israel celebrated Shavuot.

“You shall count fifty days to the day after the seventh Sabbath; then you shall present a new grain offering to the Lord.”
— Leviticus 23:16

This is why the feast became known in Greek as Pentecost, meaning “fiftieth.”

In 2026, Shavuot begins at sundown on Thursday, May 21, and ends at sundown on Saturday, May 23 outside Israel. In Israel it is observed for one day.

A Harvest Festival

Originally, Shavuot marked the beginning of the summer wheat harvest. First Fruits celebrated the barley harvest in the spring; Shavuot celebrated the wheat harvest several weeks later.

It was one of the three pilgrimage feasts in which Jewish men were commanded to appear before the Lord in Jerusalem. The other two were Passover and Tabernacles.

One of the most unusual features of Shavuot was the offering of two loaves of bread:

“You shall bring in from your dwelling places two loaves of bread for a wave offering… baked with leaven as first fruits to the Lord.”
— Leviticus 23:17

That detail is startling.

The bread contained leaven.

Normally, leaven symbolized sin and corruption. During Passover and Unleavened Bread, leaven was carefully removed. Yet here, at Shavuot, God specifically commanded leavened bread.

Why?

The Prophetic Pattern of the Feasts

The spring feasts unfold in a remarkable prophetic order.

• Passover points to the death of Christ.

• Unleavened Bread points to His burial.

• First Fruits points to His resurrection.

• Shavuot/Pentecost points to the coming of the Holy Spirit and the birth of the church.

The sequence matters.

Jesus first died as the Passover Lamb. He was buried. He rose again. He ascended to heaven. Only then did the Holy Spirit come.

The two loaves of Shavuot appear to foreshadow the church itself — Jews and Gentiles brought together as one offering before God.

Two groups. One body.

And why leavened bread?

Because the church is made up of redeemed but still imperfect people. Believers are forgiven, growing, and being sanctified, but not yet glorified. Full perfection awaits the return of the Lord.

Shavuot and Mount Sinai

Over time, Jewish tradition connected Shavuot with the giving of the Torah, God’s Law, at Mount Sinai.

That event transformed Israel from a nation of former slaves into God’s covenant people.

The scene at Sinai was unforgettable:

• thunder

• lightning

• fire

• smoke

• the sound of a trumpet

• the voice of God

God was doing something new.

Jewish tradition today still reflects this connection. Many stay up all night studying Torah. Synagogues often read the Book of Ruth during Shavuot. Dairy foods such as cheesecake and cheese blintzes are traditionally eaten, partly because the Torah is compared to milk and honey.

Pentecost in Acts 2

Now the connection becomes even more powerful.

Acts 2 takes place on Shavuot.

“And when the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place.”
— Acts 2:1

Jerusalem was crowded with Jewish pilgrims from across the world because Shavuot required them to come to the Temple.

Then suddenly:

“And suddenly there came from heaven a noise like a violent, rushing wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting.
And there appeared to them tongues as of fire distributing themselves, and they rested on each one of them.
And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit…”
— Acts 2:2–4

The parallels with Sinai are impossible to miss.

At Sinai:

• thunder

• fire

• the voice of God

• the giving of the Law

At Pentecost:

• rushing wind

• tongues of fire

• the Spirit speaking through believers

• the giving of the Holy Spirit

God was again doing something new.

The Holy Spirit had certainly been active in the Old Testament, coming upon individuals for special service. But now He came in a new and permanent way — indwelling believers.

David once prayed:

“Do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.”
— Psalm 51:11

But Jesus promised something greater:

“And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever.”
— John 14:16

The Reversal at Pentecost

The crowd in Jerusalem was astonished because each person heard the disciples speaking in his own language.

The miracle pointed to something profound.

At Babel, languages divided humanity.

At Pentecost, God began reversing that division through the gospel.

The message of Messiah would now go to all nations.

Jews and Gentiles alike were invited into the people of God through faith in Jesus Christ.

Three Thousand Dead — Three Thousand Alive

One of the most striking contrasts between Sinai and Pentecost involves the number 3,000.

When the Law was given at Sinai, Israel worshiped the golden calf. Judgment fell, and about 3,000 died.

But on Pentecost:

“So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and there were added that day about three thousand souls.”
— Acts 2:41

At Sinai, 3,000 died.

At Pentecost, 3,000 received life.

The contrast beautifully illustrates the difference between the Law written on stone and the Spirit writing God’s truth upon human hearts.

Why Ruth Is Read at Shavuot

The Book of Ruth is traditionally read during Shavuot for several reasons.

First, it takes place during the harvest season.

Second, Ruth was a Gentile who embraced the God of Israel:

“Your people shall be my people, and your God, my God.”
— Ruth 1:16

Her story beautifully reflects one of the great themes of Pentecost — Gentiles being brought near to the God of Israel.

The Long Summer

Shavuot concludes the cycle of the spring feasts.

• Passover

• Unleavened Bread

• First Fruits

• Shavuot

Then comes a long stretch of summer before the fall feasts arrive.

The pattern is deeply significant.

The spring feasts have already been fulfilled in Messiah:

• Jesus died as our Passover Lamb.

• He was buried.

• He rose again.

• The Holy Spirit was given.

Now we live in the long summer harvest season.

The crops are still growing.

The gospel is still going out.

The harvest is still being gathered.

And we await the fulfillment of the fall feasts, which point toward the Lord’s return.

A Feast of Anticipation

Shavuot reminds believers that God keeps His promises in perfect order.

You cannot reach Pentecost without first passing through Passover.

Likewise, no one receives the Spirit apart from the finished work of Christ. The death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus come first. Then comes the indwelling presence of God.

Shavuot is ultimately a celebration of divine provision:

• the provision of harvest,

• the provision of the Torah,

• the provision of the Messiah,

• and the provision of the Holy Spirit.

The God who gave His Word also gave His Spirit.

And the same God who fulfilled the spring feasts will also fulfill the fall feasts.

Jesus is coming again.

—Stuart

Are the Jewish people living today—especially those in Israel—really descended from the ancient Jewish people of the Bible?

The implications of this question are enormous.

Here is the real issue behind the question:

If modern Jews are not truly descended from biblical Israel, why should Christians care about or support Israel today?

Many Christians support Israel because they believe the Jewish people remain connected to God’s covenant promises.

But critics increasingly challenge that assumption.

Some argue that many modern Jews—especially those known as Ashkenazi Jews—are not descended from ancient Israel at all. Instead, they claim these Jews primarily descend from a medieval people group called the Khazars.

If that were true, then:

• The Jewish people today would not be descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob
• The modern State of Israel would not have biblical significance
• Christian support for Israel would need to be reconsidered

That’s a serious claim—and serious claims deserve serious answers.

So let’s take a careful look at the evidence.

The Khazar Theory

Where Did It Come From?

Much of the modern interest in the Khazar theory traces back to a 1976 book titled The Thirteenth Tribe.

That book proposed that most Ashkenazi Jews descended mainly from the Khazars—a medieval people group whose ruling class reportedly adopted Judaism centuries after the biblical era.

Historians do acknowledge that some Khazars may have adopted aspects of Judaism.

But that is not the central claim.

The real claim—the controversial one—is this:

That most modern Jews descend primarily from Khazars rather than ancient Israel.

Today, modern DNA science allows those claims to be tested.

And that changes everything.

What Modern Genetics Has Revealed

Over the past few decades, scientists have studied DNA from Jewish populations across the world.

What did they find?

Despite centuries of living in different parts of the world, Jewish populations share clear genetic connections to one another.

Even more importantly:

Those shared markers consistently point back to origins in the Middle East.

Jewish populations today show evidence of a common ancestry rooted in the same region where the Bible places ancient Israel.

That does not mean Jewish communities remained isolated.

They didn’t.

Intermarriage occurred—just as expected among people scattered among the nations.

But the core ancestry remained.

And that is the key finding.

A Father-to-Son Trail Back to the Ancient Near East

One especially strong line of evidence comes from studying the Y chromosome—the part of DNA passed from father to son.

Researchers have identified patterns among Jewish men—particularly those from priestly lineages—that point to shared paternal ancestry rooted in the ancient Near East.

These patterns appear across Jewish populations worldwide.

And notably:

They are largely absent among European populations.

The issue is not whether mixing occurred.

The issue is whether Jewish ancestry endured—

and it did.

That makes it very difficult to support the idea that European or Khazar ancestry forms the primary origin of Jewish identity.

Instead, the evidence consistently points back to the Middle East—

exactly where Scripture places the origin of Israel.

A People Scattered—Yet Still a People

Another remarkable finding is how closely Jewish communities resemble one another genetically—even after centuries of separation.

Jewish groups from distant regions often resemble one another more closely than they resemble surrounding populations among whom they lived.

That fits remarkably well with the biblical description of Israel’s history.

God warned Israel:

“Moreover, the LORD will scatter you among all peoples…
but you will be left few in number among the nations.”
— Deuteronomy 4:27 (NASB 1995)

And yet—even in dispersion—

they remained identifiable as a people.

What About European Ancestry?

Some critics point to European ancestry among Ashkenazi Jews and assume this disproves Middle Eastern origins.

But that misunderstands how genetics works.

When people live among other populations for centuries, intermarriage happens.

That is normal.

What matters is not whether mixing occurred.

What matters is whether the original ancestry remained.

And it did.

Jewish populations today show both:

• Middle Eastern ancestry
• Evidence of interaction with surrounding populations

That combination fits perfectly with what history—and Scripture—describe.

Culture Tells the Same Story

Genetics is not the only line of evidence.

History and culture tell the same story.

Despite being scattered across continents, Jewish communities preserved remarkable continuity.

They maintained:

• The Hebrew Scriptures
• Shared traditions
• A common prayer life
• A continual focus on Jerusalem

That kind of continuity over centuries strongly supports a shared ancestral identity.

The Jewish people did not disappear into history—by God’s grace, they endured through it.

Why This Matters for Christian Faith

This question is not merely historical.

It touches the reliability of God’s promises.

In Genesis, God declared:

“I will establish My covenant between Me and you
and your descendants after you throughout their generations
for an everlasting covenant…”
— Genesis 17:7 (NASB 1995)

Later, through Jeremiah:

“If this fixed order departs
From before Me,” declares the LORD,
“Then the offspring of Israel also will cease
From being a nation before Me forever.”
— Jeremiah 31:35–36 (NASB 1995)

Think about that.

God tied Israel’s survival to the stability of creation itself.

If Israel remains, God is faithful.

And Israel remains.

Despite exile…
Persecution…
Repeated attempts at destruction…

The Jewish people still exist.

Why Support the Jewish People in the Land of Israel?

If modern Jews truly descend from ancient Israel—as the evidence strongly shows—then God’s covenant promises still matter.

Scripture declares:

“For the LORD will not abandon His people,
Nor will He forsake His inheritance.”
— Psalm 94:14 (NASB 1995)

And again:

“I will take the sons of Israel from among the nations…
and bring them into their own land.”
— Ezekiel 37:21 (NASB 1995)

If the Jewish people today were not truly descended from ancient Israel,
those promises would lose their connection to real history.

But the evidence shows they are.

And that means the promises still stand.

Conclusion

Trusting God’s Word—and His Promises to Israel

The claim that modern Jews are primarily descended from Khazars does not hold up under careful examination.

Modern genetic research consistently shows deep ancestral ties to the Middle East—the very region where Scripture places the origins of Israel.

The survival of the Jewish people is not an accident—it is evidence that God can be trusted to keep His promises.

From His perspective, the identity of His people has never been uncertain.

He knows precisely who are the inheritors of the promises He made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

Throughout Scripture, God repeatedly connects His covenant to the land of Israel.

It would make sense, then, that God would one day call His people back to the very land He promised to them.

That is exactly what we are witnessing in our time.

The story of the last days revolves, in large part, around the people of Israel being present in the land of Israel.

The book of Revelation reminds us of something extraordinary yet still future:

“I heard the number of those who were sealed,
one hundred and forty-four thousand sealed
from every tribe of the sons of Israel.”
— Revelation 7:4 (NASB 1995)

Notice what that means.

God does not need surviving genealogical records.
He does not rely on human archives.
He is never confused about the identity of His people.

God knows who His people are.

And the identity of His chosen nation is not a mystery to Him.

God keeps track of His people—even when history gets complicated.

If modern Jews truly descend from ancient Israel—as history, genetics, and Scripture together indicate—then the return of Jewish people to the land is not meaningless, it is history moving in the very direction God promised.

— Stuart

P.S. Please feel free to read the previous articles in my archive by clicking here:

www.fromstuart.com/archive

The Claim:
Replacement Theology argues that “Israel” now means the Church and that ethnic Israel has lost its covenant status.

The Problem:
That conclusion does not hold up in context.

1. Paul Narrows Israel—He Doesn’t Redefine It

“They are not all Israel who are descended from Israel.”
Paul is distinguishing within Israel, not replacing Israel. Being Jewish outwardly is not enough—faith in the Messiah is essential.

2. Paul Is Answering a Specific Question

If Israel has the covenants and promises (Rom 9:4), why does much of Israel reject the Messiah?
Answer: God’s word hasn’t failed—because salvation has always depended on promise, not physical descent.

3. “Children of the Promise” Refers to Jews, Not Gentiles

Paul uses Isaac vs. Ishmael—both sons of Abraham, but only one carries the promise.
This is a distinction within Israel, not between Israel and Gentiles.

4. Romans 10:1 Undercuts Replacement Theology

“My heart’s desire… for Israel is that they may be saved.”
Paul clearly distinguishes Israel from the saved community. Israel remains distinct and largely unbelieving.

5. Paul Maintains Jew–Gentile Distinction

“To the Jew first and also to the Greek” (Rom 1:16).
If the Church replaced Israel, this distinction would collapse—but Paul consistently preserves it.

6. Romans 2:28–29 Defines True Jewishness

Paul is not redefining Jews as Gentiles—he’s saying true Jewish identity requires inward faith, not mere outward markers.

7. Romans 11 Is Explicit

“Has God rejected His people? May it never be!” (11:1)
“The gifts and calling of God are irrevocable” (11:29)
Israel is temporarily hardened—not rejected or replaced.

What Romans 9:6 Actually Teaches

• Salvation is not by physical descent
• Faith is required to share in the promise
• A believing remnant exists within Israel
• God’s promises have not failed

It does NOT teach:
• That Gentiles are now Israel
• That the Church replaces Israel
• That Israel has lost its identity

Conclusion

Romans 9:6 does not redefine Israel—it refines it.
Paul explains Israel’s unbelief without denying God’s faithfulness.

Israel remains Israel.
The Church remains the Church.
Salvation is by promise, not pedigree.

Grateful to God for your willingness to consider this.

-Stuart

Please visit my Archive to read previous posts:

www.fromstuart.com/archive

Just a reminder, before we proceed with this topic, that you can access and read all of my previous articles by clicking on this link: www.fromstuart.com/archive

Introduction

Galatians 6:16 is often cited as proof that the Church has replaced Israel. But when the verse is read carefully—especially in its grammatical and historical context—it points to a different conclusion: Paul is blessing two groups, not redefining one.

Does Galatians 6:16 Teach That the Church Replaced Israel?

Short answer:
No. When read carefully, Galatians 6:16 does not redefine Israel as the Church. Instead, Paul appears to bless two groups—Gentile believers and believing Jews.

The Whole Debate Comes Down to One Word

At the center of Galatians 6:16 is a small Greek word:

kai
Usually translated:

• and

• also

The verse reads:

“Peace and mercy be upon those who follow this rule, and also upon the Israel of God.”

The Key Question

Does kai mean:

• “and also” → two groups
  OR

• “that is” / “even” → one group renamed

Most Natural Meaning: Two Groups

Paul keeps the second kai, which strongly suggests addition, not redefinition.

That means:

• First group → Gentile believers who follow the rule of faith

• Second group → Jewish believers who follow the rule of faith = “the Israel of God”

Paul’s Normal Use of “Israel”

Across the New Testament:

• Israel appears 70+ times

• It always refers to ethnic Israel

• It never refers to the Church

Why This Matters

If Galatians 6:16 suddenly changed the meaning of “Israel,” it would be:

• A major shift

• With no clear explanation

The simpler explanation:

“Israel” still means Jewish people—specifically Jewish believers.

The Context of Galatians: Two Groups, One Gospel

Galatians was written to Gentile believers who were being pressured to follow the Law of Moses by a group called “Judaizers.”

They were…

• Jews who had some sort of identification with Christ

• Who insisted that Gentile Christians must keep the Mosaic Law

• Especially:

  • Circumcision

  • Dietary laws

  • Observance of Jewish festivals

• Who taught that faith in Christ alone was not enough

Their teaching can be summarized as:

Faith in Jesus + keeping the Law of Moses = Salvation

This is what the Apostle Paul strongly opposed.

Paul summarizes the gospel rule in Galatians 6:15:

“Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything, but a new creation.”

That rule—salvation by grace alone through faith alone in Jesus alone—is the basis for verse 16.

The Two Groups Paul Blesses

Group 1

“Those who follow this rule”

Refers to:

• Gentile believers

• Gentiles rejecting legalism

• Gentiles trusting in Christ alone

Group 2

“The Israel of God”

Refers to:

• Jewish believers

• Jews rejecting legalism

• Jews trusting in Christ alone

Paul is not redefining Israel.
He is distinguishing believing Jews from unbelieving Judaizers.

Why Replacement Theology Struggles Here

To read Galatians 6:16 as teaching that the Church replaces Israel requires:

• Ignoring Paul’s normal use of “Israel”

• Giving kai an unusual meaning

• Removing distinctions Paul regularly maintains

The Big Picture: What Paul Is Really Saying

Galatians 6:16 teaches:

Peace and mercy belong to all who follow the gospel rule of justification by faith alone—

• Gentile believers

• And also Jewish believers (“the Israel of God”)

Paul is:

• Not redefining Israel

• Not replacing Israel

• But blessing both groups

Conclusion

Rather than redefining Israel, Paul affirms God’s peace upon all believers—both Gentile followers of Christ and the believing remnant within Israel.

Peace to you, who have embraced the Gospel of peace, through faith in Jesus, the Prince of Peace.

-Stuart