I’m struck in catching up with my dear friend’s email along with an op-ed in my daily newspaper, as follows:

‘Hi Richard,

I am being challenged by some “liberal” Christians who appear to be suggesting that parts of the Bible are morally unacceptable. I thought you might be interested in my response.

I can fully understand why many Christians are finding it difficult to know how to react, as we watch the horrors on the news each day. The behaviour of secular Israel is obviously very challenging, and that is not new!

“I dispersed them among the nations, and they were scattered through the countries; I judged them according to their conduct and their actions. And wherever they went among the nations they profaned my holy name, for it was said of them, ‘These are the Lord’s people, and yet they had to leave his land.’ I had concern for my holy name, which the house of Israel profaned among the nations where they had gone. “Therefore say to the house of Israel, ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: It is not for your sake, O house of Israel, that I am going to do these things, but for the sake of my holy name, which you have profaned among the nations where you have gone. I will show the holiness of my great name, which has been profaned among the nations, the name you have profaned among them. Then the nations will know that I am the LORD, declares the Sovereign LORD, when I show myself holy through you before their eyes. ‘For I will take you out of the nations; I will gather you from all the countries and bring you back into your own land”. Ezekiel 36:19-24 

This scripture is very significant, particularly for those who wonder why God would re-establish and watch over the mainly secular state of Israel. It is because He said He would. It is for His name’s sake (for the honour of His name). The Abrahamic Covenant is an everlasting covenant, which God will fulfil, not for the sake of His unruly people Israel but to show the world He is God, His name is holy, and He always honours all He has promised.

Notwithstanding what we see happening, if we believe Scripture, and truly want to align with God’s word, we must “Bless and do not curse Israel” (Numbers 23: 19-20; 24: 9). “Comfort My people” (Isaiah 40:1-2); Christ will judge nations on the basis of their treatment of Israel (Joel 3: 1-2).

We also know that all Israel will be saved; that is, the remnant whom God has chosen (Romans 9.27) – I attach some further comments on Romans. [RB next post]

Some further notes:

Re-gathering to the land of Israel does not mean there will be peace (Jeremiah 30:3-7); Israel is unique (1 Chronicles 17:21); A special treasure to God, a kingdom of priests, a holy nation (Exodus 19:5-6); Entrusted with the oracles of God (Romans 3:1-2).

That is probably enough! The fact is, it is an oxymoron to suggest that Bible-believing followers of Jesus can pick and choose which bits of Scripture they will accept and which they will reject.

Blessings to you and to Nina, may the Lord strengthen and encourage you both at this critical time.

Neil, 15th November

Sir Mick Davis is a former chief executive of the Conservative Party and former Chairman of the Jewish Leadership Council. He writes in The Telegraph yesterday: 

‘…Losing friendships is distressing, but nothing compared to watching raw footage of the October 7 massacres at a London screening I facilitated. The crimes, many filmed by Hamas terrorists, show humanity at its lowest. Purveyors of sickening terror joyfully invoke God’s name while bringing death and defilement to His creatures.

Any opinion that ignores or downplays Hamas’s evil is disconnected from reality and has nothing to offer the search for peace. Yet some deny or cast doubt on these barbaric acts. They justify or “explain” them. Others, like my friend, condemn the atrocity of October 7 when pushed before then condemning Israel’s response. They emphasise “context”, with the apparent implication that Israel had it coming. As if killing parents in front of children, using a severed head as a football, rape, and parading and defiling corpses is an inevitable, reflex reaction to Israeli actions! [Emphasis RB]

Context is indeed important. Here is some: Israel hasn’t occupied Gaza since 2005. Hamas brutally controls Gaza and has attacked Israeli civilians time and again. Israeli measures to contain this terror are painful for Gazan people and open to strong debate. But the terror precedes the response, not the other way round… (continue reading)

He closes, ‘But I am struck by an unpleasant realisation: my friend can choose not to talk to me when our world views and moral compass diverge. But Israel does not have that luxury.’