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WMM
E-Mail Bag
Arab & Israeli
Believers: Who should we support?
Q
Sam, I just started meeting with a small group of believers and friends on Friday mornings. One of them said something somewhat negative of the “church” supporting Israel and being against Palestine. He went on to say that there were only 6,000 Jewish Believers and more than 100,000 Palestinian Believers. Numbers by no means influence my belief, as I believe it is biblical to support Israel and show them Messiah. Also, [at Hope of Israel Cong.] you often pray for Palestinians to know the One true Redeemer. It just surprised me to have someone I know…to say [anti-Israel] “media” type things. Thanks, take care, Steve*
A Hi Steve, The numbers are about right for the Israeli side, though I’m not as certain for the ‘Palestinian’ side. In 1948 about 1/3 of the Arabs in the area were “Christian” (mostly nominal, Marionite Catholic, etc). Since then there has been increasing pressure and
persecution from the Islamic fundamentalists. Most of the “Christians” have either left the area, have been forcibly converted to Islam, or killed, to the point where now they are only about 5% of the population. So 100,000 may unfortunately be correct. I’m supportive of and assisting all believers in the area. We are not against Palestinian believers, but quite the opposite, we very much desire revival among them. For Messiah’s sake, and through Him we love all people.
Now, though there are many more Arabs than Jews/Israelis, Paul tells us, and even your Friday morning friend, that God's call for him and all believers is to make Israel jealous for their Messiah
(see Romans 11:11). Though there are 700 million Arabs and only 15 million Jews in the world (5 million in Israel) some may think that since the numbers are in favor of the Arabs, we should support them instead of Israel. That’s ‘marketing’, not Bible. If ministry to 5 million Jews in Israel is “life from the dead” for the 700 million Arabs, which is then more important? (see Rom. 11:15).
By the way, Scott, in that same period of time since 1948, while, sadly, the “Christian” Palestinian population decreased by over 90%, the believing Israeli population has increased by over 500%. So it does seem that God is mightily at work among Israelis, so we need to pray for revival among Israelis, and Palestinians as well. Blessings, Sam
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