The Eternal Struggle Against God's Chosen

From the dusty plains of ancient Mesopotamia to the modern-day streets of Jerusalem, a battle has been raging – not merely of armies and nations, but a deeper, spiritual warfare. This conflict, ignited in the heart of Satan against God's chosen people, and God Himself, has shaped the course of history and defined the Jewish experience.

When God spoke to Abraham in Genesis 12, making an everlasting covenant with him, He didn't just establish a people and nation; He set in motion a cosmic struggle. The real struggle needs to be seen with spiritual eyes beyond the battles. In God's call to Abraham, his declaration, "I choose you," was met with an equally resolute but malevolent echo from Satan, "Then I choose you too." Since that pivotal moment, history has witnessed an unending assault against the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

This battle is not confined to the realms of physical armies and earthly tactics. It transcends the limitations of time and space. That is to say an unseen war behind every war that you do see, manifesting in various forms and intensities throughout history. Each era has seen its expression of this struggle, be it through the chains of slavery, the edicts of genocide, the fires of inquisitions, or the gas chambers of the Holocaust. Yet, the underlying theme remains unchanged – a relentless attempt by the Evil One to thwart God’s plan for His people.

As we traverse through this narrative, we explore how this spiritual battle has played out across the ages. From the Israelites in Egypt to the modern-day attacks by Hamas, we see a pattern of either assimilation or annihilation attempts. This historical journey is not just a recounting of past events but a reflection on the present and future implications of this ongoing struggle.

As we delve into this story, we realize that understanding this age-old conflict is crucial, not only for comprehending the Jewish plight but also for grasping the broader narrative of God's redemptive plan for humanity. It's a tale of survival against all odds, a testament to God's unwavering faithfulness, and a prophetic glimpse into the spiritual realities that govern our world.

In this exploration, we aim to uncover the layers of this spiritual warfare, offering insights into the historical and contemporary challenges faced by the Jewish people, and celebrating the indomitable spirit that has characterized their journey through the ages.

In Egypt: The Burden of Slavery as a Spiritual Battleground

The Israelites' sojourn in Egypt marks the beginning of a tangible manifestation of the spiritual struggle foretold in Genesis. Initially a place of refuge, Egypt soon transformed into a land of enslavement for the descendants of Abraham. This period of bondage was not merely a political or social occurrence; it was a direct attack by the Evil One, aiming to annihilate the identity and destiny of God’s chosen people.

The harshness of their servitude under Pharaoh was a physical representation of Satan's sinister intent. Pharaoh's decree to kill Hebrew male infants was more than political paranoia; it was a spiritual onslaught to cut off the lineage through which the Messiah was prophesied to come. This strategy of the enemy was aimed at disrupting God’s plan for salvation, which was intricately tied to the existence and flourishing of the Jewish people.

However, in this dark chapter of their history, the Israelites experienced God's intervention in remarkable ways. The plagues that struck Egypt were not just punitive measures against the Egyptians but were also symbolic of God’s supremacy over the gods they worshiped – gods that were representative of the spiritual forces of evil. The parting of the Red Sea, which allowed the Israelites to escape their captors, was a miraculous act of deliverance. It served as a powerful testament to God's promise and His supremacy over the forces of evil.

The period in Egypt laid the foundation for the Israelites’ understanding of God as a deliverer and protector, a theme that would recur throughout their history. It was here that the spiritual battle became evident – a battle not against flesh and blood, but against rulers, authorities, and cosmic powers of this dark world, as described in Ephesians 6:12.

In this struggle, the Israelites' deliverance from Egypt stands as a beacon of hope and a reminder of God’s unwavering faithfulness to His covenant. It illustrates how, despite the Evil One's attempts to destroy, God’s plans remain unthwarted, His promises sure, and His power unmatched.

Haman's Plot in Persia: A Spiritual Shadow Over God’s People

The story of Esther in the Persian Empire unveils another crucial chapter in this spiritual warfare. Haman, fueled by personal vendetta and deep-seated hatred, conspired to annihilate the Jewish people. This plot was more than a political maneuver; it was a manifestation of the ancient enmity Satan harbors against God's chosen.

Haman's scheme to destroy the Jews was not an isolated act of evil but rather part of the ongoing spiritual battle. His genocidal intent from the beginning has been to obliterate the lineage that God had chosen to bring forth the Messiah. The annihilation of the Jews in Persia would have destroyed God’s plan for the redemption of Israel and the nations, that is, all humanity.

In the midst of this looming threat, we witness God’s providential hand at work. Esther and Mordecai were placed within the royal courts by the wisdom and power of God, and became instruments of God’s deliverance as He governs and is operative in all that comes to pass in the world and directs all things to their appointed end. And so we see in Mordecai and Esther the power of faith in the face of overwhelming evil.

Esther’s boldness to approach the king, risking her life to save her people, and the subsequent turn of events that led to the Jews' salvation, exemplify God’s sovereignty over human affairs and spiritual forces. The festival of Purim, celebrated to this day, commemorates this victory – a reminder of how God can use even the most dire of circumstances for His purpose and glory.

The narrative of Esther teaches us that the schemes of the devil, no matter how well-planned or menacing, are ultimately subject to God’s authority and power. It demonstrates that the war against the Jewish people in the visible world, actually is a war that is taking place between God and Satan in the unseen realm. We must always remember that when we see the battle being fought in the corridors of power and the everyday lives on earth that there is always a spiritual war against the Jewish people taking place in the heavenly realm.

Babylonian Exile: The Temple in Ruins and the Fight for Identity

The Babylonian Exile represents another pivotal episode in the spiritual warfare against the Jewish people. The conquest of Jerusalem, the destruction of Solomon's Temple, and the subsequent exile of the Jewish people to Babylon were not merely political events; they were orchestrated attacks in the spiritual realm. This was an attempt by Satan to sever the Jews' connection to their God, their land, and their identity.

The Temple in Jerusalem was more than a building; it was the symbol of God's presence among His people. Its destruction was an attempt to demoralize the Jewish people and make them feel forsaken by their God. The exile to Babylon was an effort to assimilate the Jews into a foreign culture, to dilute their faith and dissolve their unique identity (e.g., Daniel 1:3-5). By uprooting them from the Promised Land and subjecting them to a foreign empire, the Evil One sought to erase their memory of God's promises and their hope for restoration.

However, in this time of despair, God's faithfulness shone through. The prophets Jeremiah and Ezekiel played crucial roles during this period, reminding the exiled Jews of God's unbreakable covenant and His promises of redemption. Jeremiah’s letter to the captives in Babylon (Jeremiah 29:4-14) encouraged them to seek the welfare of the city where they were exiled, but also reassured them of a future return to their homeland.

The Babylonian captivity became a period of deep reflection and transformation for the Jewish people. It was during this time that significant portions of the Hebrew Scriptures were compiled and preserved. This act of preservation was a spiritual countermeasure against the attempts to dilute or destroy Jewish knowledge and faith.

Moreover, the eventual return to Jerusalem and the rebuilding of the Temple under Ezra and Nehemiah signified more than a physical restoration; it was a spiritual triumph. It demonstrated that no power, earthly or spiritual, could nullify God’s plans for His people. The return from Babylon reinforced the Jews' faith in God’s sovereignty and His ability to restore and redeem, regardless of the circumstances.

The Babylonian Exile, thus, stands as a testament to the resilience of the Jewish faith and identity against the forces that sought to assimilate or annihilate them. It reminds us that the spiritual battle waged against God’s people is continually met with God's unfailing promises and His providential care, once again, to bring all things to His appointed end.

Antiochus IV and the Maccabean Revolt: A Fight for Spiritual Survival

The era of Antiochus IV or as he liked to refer to himself as Antiochus Epiphanes (meaning Antiochus, the manifest god) and the Maccabean Revolt represents a critical juncture in the spiritual warfare against the Jewish people. Antiochus IV, a ruler of the Seleucid Empire, sought not only political dominance but also the cultural and religious assimilation of the Jews. His reign marked a severe persecution against Jewish religious practices and an attempt to forcibly Hellenize the Jewish population. Thus the Jews had their own name for him. Antiochus Epimines (meaning Antiochus the madman).

The desecration of the Second Temple by Antiochus, symbolized by the infamous act of sacrificing a pig on the altar, was a direct attack on the heart of Jewish worship and identity. This desecration was more than a display of political power; it was a spiritual assault aimed at undermining the covenant relationship between the Jewish people and God.

The Maccabean Revolt, led by Judah Maccabee and his brothers, was a response not just to political oppression but also to this spiritual onslaught. Once again, behind the physical battle is the unseen war between God and Satan as Satan once again uses a Gentile world power (did I mention we are in the Times of the Gentiles) to either assimilate or annihilate God’s covenant people. The Maccabean revolt against Antiochus was a fight for the right to worship the God of Israel according to the Torah. The victory of the Maccabees and the subsequent rededication of the Temple (celebrated as Hanukkah) were significant not just in terms of military success but as a spiritual triumph against forces that sought to erase the Jewish faith and way of life.

The Maccabean Revolt teaches, once again, a vital lesson about God’s sovereignty and the resilience of faith in the face of spiritual adversity. The success of the Maccabees against overwhelming odds was a clear demonstration of God’s hand at work, affirming that no decree or power could extinguish His promises or the light of His truth to His covenant people, Israel.

This period in Jewish history is a powerful reminder of the unseen war behind the war today. The Maccabean Revolt stands as a symbol of hope and resistance, reinforcing the message that God’s purposes will prevail, even in the darkest of times. We are living in such times today. If I may quote Adrian Rogers, “The world is growing gloriously dark.” Yet, our confidence is in the Lord who neither slumbers nor sleeps (Psalm 121:4).

Rome: A Name Erased, But Not Forgotten

The Roman conquest and domination of the Jewish homeland represent another significant chapter in the spiritual war against God's chosen people. The destruction of the Second Temple in 70 AD by the Roman Empire, followed by the brutal suppression of the Bar Kokhba revolt in 135 AD, were not just attempts to maintain political control but were spiritually charged efforts to annihilate Jewish national and religious identity.

The renaming of Judea to "Palestina" by the Roman Emperor Hadrian was for the purpose of erasing any Jewish connection to the land. This act was more than a political statement; it was a spiritual attempt to obliterate the memory of God’s promises to His people (now who could be behind that?). By trying to remove the name of Israel from the maps and history books, the Evil One sought to erase the evidence of God’s covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

Despite the dispersion (Diaspora) that followed, the Jewish people maintained their identity and faith. The destruction of the Temple led to the development of Rabbinic Judaism, which adapted Jewish practice to a Temple-less reality, ensuring the continuity of Jewish religious life. Unfortunately, I believe this adaptation of Rabbinic Judaism, while it may be a testimony to the resilience of the Jewish people, actually diverted the people further away from their Messiah for the past two thousand years. Even this has been a part of Satan's plan of spiritual annihilation, with the exception of a remnant of Jewish believers throughout this age.

Throughout the centuries in Diaspora, the Jewish people faced relentless persecution and discrimination, yet they clung to the hope of returning to their ancestral homeland. The Roman attempts to annihilate Jewish identity indirectly fostered, on a human religious level, a strong sense of community, tradition, and an unbreakable bond to the land of Israel among Jews worldwide.

As a result, the preservation of Jewish identity burned in the hearts of the people throughout this age of diaspora, and would eventually lead to the rebirth of what is the modern State of Israel in preparation for the return and embracing by Israel of their Messiah at the end of the age as the prophets have said (Deuteronomy 30:3-5; Ezekiel 11:17, 36:24; Jeremiah 31:8-9; Zephaniah 3:20; Zechariah 12:10).

This period in history serves as a powerful reminder that attempts to destroy God’s people only serve to fulfill His greater plans of redemption and restoration.

Middle Ages: Crusades, Inquisitions, and Pogroms

The Middle Ages were marked by a series of events that further exemplified the spiritual warfare against the Jewish people. The Crusades, initially aimed at reclaiming the Holy Land from Muslim control, turned into a catastrophic ordeal for the Jewish communities along the way. The Crusaders, driven by a distorted zeal, massacred countless Jewish communities in Europe, viewing them as enemies of Christianity.

This era also witnessed the horrors of the Spanish Inquisition, where Jews were forced to convert to Christianity or face expulsion or execution. This was not just an attempt at religious assimilation. Whenever this type of thing happens in the seen world you can rest assured that the real battle is taking place in the unseen world. That being a spiritual assault on Jewish identity and faith. The goal of the Inquisition was to assimilate the Jewish people into the Christian majority, eradicating their distinct religious and cultural identity.

Similarly, the pogroms in Eastern Europe during the late Middle Ages and beyond were brutal, organized massacres against Jewish communities. These pogroms were often instigated by religious leaders and fueled by irrational antisemitism. It was these pogroms that caused all of my grandparents to flee eastern Europe at the beginning of the 20th century and build a new home in America. I’m sure they were not aware that the violence and terror of the pogroms were part of Satan's ongoing attempt to destroy the Jewish people.

These events of the Middle Ages and forward illustrate the pattern of Satan's strategy: assimilation through forced conversions or annihilation through brutal violence. Yet, despite these relentless attacks, the Jewish people persevered. Their survival and continued adherence to their religion and traditions in the face of such adversity are testaments to God’s protection of His chosen people. We have a saying: The Jews didn’t keep the Sabbath, the Sabbath kept the Jews.

Nevertheless, the Middle Ages stand as a stark reminder of the lengths to which evil forces will go to oppose God’s plans. However, they also demonstrate the unwavering faithfulness of God to His promises to His covenant people (Malachi 3:6, “For I am the Lord, I do not change; Therefore you are not consumed, O sons of Jacob.”)

The Holocaust: The Nadir of Evil

The Holocaust represents the most profound and darkest chapter in the long history of antisemitism. Orchestrated by Nazi Germany, this genocidal campaign intended to systematically exterminate the entire Jewish population of Europe. The Holocaust was not just a horrific event of human history; it was to be the culmination of the spiritual warfare against God's chosen people, an attempt by Satan to annihilate them completely.

This unprecedented genocide, which led to the murder of six million Jews, was driven by an evil ideology that dehumanized an entire people. The Nazis’ meticulous execution of this plan through ghettos, concentration camps, and gas chambers was a manifestation of Satan's hatred in its most extreme form. The Holocaust sought to erase not just the lives but the very memory of the Jewish people.

Interestingly, during WWII the Nazis developed what would appear on the surface to be a strange ally. Right from the beginning of WWII, the seeds of Jewish hatred and antisemitism were being planted, not just in Germany, but in the holy land.

From 1917, Palestine came under British mandate and Arabs watched the rise of Jews in their new homeland. Hostility among the Arabs grew and the Nazis took advantage of it, sending officials to Palestine to promote Arab nationalism and stir up trouble for the Jews. This propaganda fed into the Arab minds that the Jews were a threat to their own dream of nationalism.

During this time of the second world war the Nazis found Amin al-Husseini, the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem. He became a good friend of Hitler and a willing partner in the extermination of the Jews. First in Germany, then the Middle East. Thus, during the horrors of the Holocaust in Eastern Europe, a similar focus on the genocide of the Jews was taking place in the Middle East.

However, even in the depths of this darkness, the light of God’s presence was not extinguished. The stories of survival, resistance, and the resilience of the human spirit amidst such terror are powerful testimonies to God’s sustaining and mighty hand. The Holocaust survivors’ efforts to rebuild their lives and preserve the memory of those lost speak of a spirit that God has placed within His people that is impossible to defeat, that refused to be crushed.

The Holocaust also served as a turning point in the Jewish narrative. The world's witnessing of such extreme hatred and the near-success of Satan's plan to destroy God's people awakened a global realization of the need for a Jewish homeland. This led to increased support for the Zionist movement and eventually the establishment of the State of Israel.

In the aftermath of the Holocaust, the Jewish proverb "Am Yisrael Chai" (The People of Israel Live) became a rallying cry, symbolizing the triumph of life over death, hope over despair. The Holocaust, in its sheer horror, stands as a stark reminder of the depths of evil that can be reached when hatred goes unchecked, but also of God’s promise to preserve His people against all odds.

Israel’s Formation in 1948 and Subsequent Conflicts

In 1947, WWII and the Holocaust were over and yet the British mandated government was unsuccessful. The UN adopted a resolution to permanently partition the land into separate Jewish and Arab states, with Jerusalem belonging to no one. The Arabs were to receive about 80% of what is today Israel, and the Arabs said, “No.”

On May 14, 1948 the State of Israel was established by a vote of the United Nations. For the first time since 70 AD, the Jews were back in their land — a small portion of the land promised to Abraham and in unbelief. But, in these last days we are witnessing God fulfilling His word.

Needless to say (or maybe not), the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948 was a monumental event in Jewish history, representing not just the realization of a two thousand year-old dream, but also a significant moment in the spiritual warfare against God's chosen people. This historic event, however, was immediately met with hostility, as neighboring Arab countries (Egypt, Trans Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Syria, and Lebanon) rejected the founding of the State of Israel and launched attacks to obliterate the nascent state. These attacks were more than political disputes over land; they were the continuation of the age-old spiritual struggle against the existence of the Jewish people.

The declaration of Israel's statehood was a prophetic fulfillment, a tangible sign of God’s faithfulness to His ancient covenant. Yet, Satan's opposition to God's plans was evident in the immediate and intense military aggression against Israel. The intent was clear: to deny the Jewish people their right to self-determination in their ancestral homeland.

Despite being outnumbered and outgunned, Israel’s survival and victory in the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, and in the subsequent conflicts such as the Six-Day War in 1967 and the Yom Kippur War in 1973, were nothing short of miraculous. These victories were not just military successes but spiritual triumphs, reinforcing the biblical truth of God’s unwavering commitment to His people.

The continuous conflicts and challenges faced by Israel since its inception are reminders that the spiritual battle is far from over. The repeated attempts to delegitimize and destroy Israel are modern-day manifestations of the ancient enmity against the Jewish people. However, each challenge has only strengthened the resolve of Israel and its people and served as a testimony to the world of God's enduring promise to Abraham.

The formation of Israel and its subsequent history underscore a pivotal truth: the battle for Israel's existence is not just a struggle for land or political sovereignty; it's a spiritual battle at its core. It highlights the reality that God’s purposes for His people will prevail against all odds, and that Israel’s existence is a testament to His faithfulness and the unbreakable nature of His covenant.

The Modern Era: Continuing Antisemitism and the Spiritual Battle

In the modern era, the spiritual battle against the Jewish people has taken new forms, but the underlying animosity remains unchanged. Antisemitism, which seemed to have peaked during the Holocaust, has unfortunately found new life in various parts of the world. The recent attack on Israel by Hamas on October 7, 2023, is a stark reminder that the age-old hatred towards God's chosen people persists. The attack by Hamas on Israel is yet the latest attempt by Satan to annihilate the Jewish people and thwart God’s plan.

Even though Israel has been back in the land for only 75 years, this is a war that has been raging for over 3,000 years. And I can’t say it enough that the origins of this war has its roots in the unseen realm and is a spiritual war between God and Satan.

What was really surprising was that this resurgence of antisemitism is not just confined to the Middle East conflict. It has spread across the globe, manifesting in hate crimes, discrimination, and anti-Israel rhetoric in both public and private spheres. In academic institutions, political arenas, and even in some religious circles, we witness a concerning trend of growing hostility towards Jewish identity and Israel's right to exist.

This modern wave of antisemitism often disguises itself in various ideologies and movements, but at its core, it's a continuation of the spiritual warfare that has raged from earliest biblical times to the biblical times of our present day. Whether it's through attempts to isolate Israel politically and economically, or through direct attacks on Jewish communities, the goal remains the same: to challenge the existence and identity of the Jewish people.

Yet, in the face of these challenges, the resilience of the Jewish people and the state of Israel stands as a testament to God's faithfulness. The fulfillment of biblical prophecies in the regathering of the Jewish people to their ancestral homeland and the flourishing of Israel despite relentless opposition is a clear indication of God’s hand at work.

As believers, understanding this ongoing spiritual battle is crucial. It's a call to stand in solidarity with the Jewish people, recognizing that their struggle is not just a matter of political or social justice but a pivotal aspect of God's redemptive plan for the world.

The modern era, with its unique challenges, serves as a reminder that the fight against antisemitism and the support for Israel's right to exist is a fight against spiritual forces of evil. More than that, it is an affirmation of our commitment to God’s unchanging promises to His people and a recognition that as long as these promises stand, the Jewish people will endure and prevail.

Hope and Faithfulness: God's Unchanging Promises

Amidst the centuries of persecution and the ongoing spiritual battle, the enduring hope and faithfulness of God toward His chosen people shines as a beacon of unyielding light. This unwavering commitment is exemplified in the return of the Jewish people to their ancestral homeland and the establishment of the State of Israel, fulfilling ancient prophecies and demonstrating God’s steadfast love.

The history of the Jewish people, marked by miraculous survival and resilience, is a powerful testimony to God's faithfulness. Each attempt to assimilate or annihilate them has only served to fulfill God's greater plans for redemption and restoration. The story of Israel is a clear manifestation of God's promises in action, a testament to His words in Jeremiah 31:35-37, where He affirms the perpetual nature of His covenant with Israel:

“Thus says the Lord, who gives the sun for a light by day, the ordinances of the moon and the stars for a light by night, who disturbs the sea, and its waves roar (The Lord of hosts is His name): ‘If those ordinances depart from before Me, says the Lord, then the seed of Israel shall also cease from being a nation before Me forever.’ Thus says the Lord: ‘If heaven above can be measured, and the foundations of the earth searched out beneath, I will also cast off all the seed of Israel. For all that they have done, says the Lord.’” - Jeremiah 31:35-37

In other words, all you have to do is go to God and tell Him the size of the universe and how He hung the heavens and the earth and then He will forsake Israel. It is the same as saying Israel is forever because my covenant is forever. The one is based on the other.

The spiritual battle, though intense and ongoing, is ultimately a backdrop to the display of God’s unbreakable promises. Despite the rise of antisemitism in various forms, the increasing delegitimization campaigns against Israel, and the physical and spiritual assaults on the Jewish people, God’s promises remain unshaken. Psalm 125 eloquently captures this assurance: “As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds his people, from this time forth and forevermore.”

This enduring promise is not just a source of comfort for the Jewish people but also a call to action for believers worldwide. It invites Christians to align themselves with God’s heart for Israel, to stand against antisemitism, and to support the Jewish people in their time of need. The church's role in this spiritual battle is pivotal; it is called to be a source of support, love, and advocacy for God's chosen people. Dietrich Bonhoeffer said it best, “Silence in the face of evil is itself evil: God will not hold us guiltless. Not to speak is to speak. Not to act is to act.”

As we look towards the future, the certainty of God’s promises gives us hope. The unfolding story of Israel and the Jewish people is a powerful reminder that God’s plans cannot be thwarted. His faithfulness endures through all generations, and His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob stands as an eternal testament to His unwavering love and commitment.

In conclusion, the spiritual battle against the Jewish people is a stark reality, but it is set against the backdrop of God’s unfailing faithfulness. As believers, we are invited to partake in this story, standing with Israel and the Jewish people, and upholding the truth of God’s unchanging promises.

About The Jewish Road

At the heart of The Jewish Road lies a passion ignited by a father-son duo, Ron and Matt Davis. Our journey began with a simple yet profound desire: to bridge the gap in understanding that has kept two faith communities apart for too long. We're here to help Christians connect with the roots of their faith and for Jews to explore the life and teachings of Jesus with an open heart.

Imagine a world where every believer, be it Jewish or Christian, not only knows their faith but truly understands its origins and interconnectedness. We strive to restore the Jewish essence of the Gospel, offering insights that deepen knowledge, bolster faith, and propel the growth of the Kingdom. The narrative of faith, we believe, is a two-act play where both acts are essential for a comprehensive grasp of the story. By uniting these acts, we're presenting a more holistic and enriching perspective.

Life is too short to wander without knowing the full essence of your beliefs. Whether you're attending a synagogue or a church, there's so much more to discover. The Jewish Road is here to guide, enlighten, and, most importantly, bring both halves of the story together. Join us on this journey; together