Episode 156 - Can I Critique Israel’s Government and Not Be Antisemitic?
Helping Christians make sense of their roots. Helping the Jewish community make sense of Jesus. Together, we are restoring the Jewishness of the gospel.
Can you question what Israel’s government is doing and still stand with Israel in a biblical way?
Many Christians feel trapped between blind support on one side and hostility on the other. In a noisy moment filled with slogans and hot takes, the conversation needs more covenant, not less.
In this episode we step back into the big story of Scripture to separate three things most people blur together: Israel’s government, the Jewish people, and God’s eternal covenant.
We look at the prophets, at Jesus, at Paul, and at the Gospel of John to see how the Bible itself models sharp internal critique without ever erasing God’s promises to Israel.
You will come away with a simple “compass” you can use before you tweet, preach, repost, or debate.
The goal is not to tell you what to think about every policy, but to help you think inside the covenant story of God, so that your words carry truth, humility, and hope for both Israel and the nations.
Key Takeaways
The Bible gives a long history of covenant insiders critiquing Israel’s leaders while still honoring God’s choice of Israel.
Nathan with David, Elijah with Ahab, the prophets, and Jesus in Jerusalem all confront sin to call Israel back, not to cancel the covenant.
Romans 11 holds two truths together: regarding the gospel, Israel is an enemy; regarding election, they are beloved, and God’s calling is irrevocable.
“The Jews” in John is better understood as “the Judeans” or specific authorities in conflict, not a timeless verdict on all Jewish people.
Israel’s government is not the same as the Jewish people, and the people are not the same as the covenant; those distinctions really matter.
Many Jewish people have real zeal for the God of Abraham, yet lack saving knowledge of Yeshua; our posture must be truth with tears, not contempt.
A simple four-question “compass” can help you speak about Israel in ways that invite repentance, resist double standards, and refuse erasing language.
Chapter Markers
00:00 Plywood palace, welcome, and why this conversation matters
04:00 Can I critique Israel and not be anti-Semitic?
08:30 Nathan, Elijah, the prophets, and Jesus as covenant critics
18:00 Romans 11: enemies, beloved, and irrevocable calling
26:30 John’s “the Jews,” Dale Partridge, and dangerous generalizations
37:00 Government vs people vs covenant: three crucial distinctions
47:00 A four-question compass for faithful critique
54:00 Hanukkah teaser, ministry update, and invitation to partner
In a moment when many are either shouting at Israel or defending her without discernment, this episode offers a biblical path that refuses both contempt and confusion.
Listen in, explore more resources at thejewishroad.com, consider coming with us to Israel, and prayerfully ask if God is inviting you to be one of The Few who regularly support this work.
Thank you to Joshua Royal, for writing our closer song now running seven seasons straight. Listen to him at Joshua Royal Music.
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