Topical Encyclopedia
The Jewish people, as the chosen nation of God, have often been the subject of envy by other nations throughout biblical history. This envy is rooted in the unique relationship that the Jews have with God, characterized by His promises, blessings, and the covenant established with their forefathers. The envy of other nations is a recurring theme in the Scriptures, highlighting both the favor and the challenges faced by the Jewish people.
Divine Favor and BlessingsThe Jews were recipients of God's special favor, which often led to envy from surrounding nations. In
Deuteronomy 7:6, the Lord declares, "For you are a people holy to the LORD your God. The LORD your God has chosen you to be a people for His prized possession, above all the peoples on the face of the earth." This divine selection set the Jews apart, making them a target of envy due to the blessings and protection they received from God.
Prosperity and SuccessThe prosperity and success of the Jewish nation under God's guidance also fueled envy. In
Genesis 26:12-14, we see Isaac's prosperity causing envy among the Philistines: "Now Isaac sowed seed in that land, and that year he reaped a hundredfold. The LORD blessed him, and he became richer and richer, until he was exceedingly wealthy. He owned so many flocks and herds and servants that the Philistines envied him." This passage illustrates how God's blessings upon the Jews often led to jealousy from their neighbors.
Wisdom and InfluenceThe wisdom and influence of the Jewish people, particularly during the reign of King Solomon, were sources of envy as well. Solomon's wisdom and the wealth of his kingdom attracted the attention and envy of other nations. In
1 Kings 10:23-24, it is recorded, "So King Solomon surpassed all the kings of the earth in riches and wisdom. The whole world sought an audience with Solomon to hear the wisdom that God had put in his heart." The fame and influence of Solomon's reign exemplified the divine favor upon Israel, which other nations coveted.
Covenant and LawThe unique covenant and the giving of the Law to the Jews were also points of envy. In
Romans 9:4-5, Paul speaks of the privileges of the Israelites: "Theirs is the adoption as sons; theirs the divine glory and the covenants; theirs the giving of the Law, the temple worship, and the promises. Theirs are the patriarchs, and from them proceeds the human descent of Christ, who is God over all, forever worthy of praise! Amen." The special relationship with God and the possession of His Law set the Jews apart, causing other nations to envy their spiritual heritage.
Protection and DeliveranceGod's protection and deliverance of the Jewish people from their enemies further incited envy. The miraculous events of the Exodus, where God delivered the Israelites from Egyptian bondage, are a prime example. In
Exodus 15:14-16, the surrounding nations are described as trembling with fear and envy: "The nations will hear and tremble; anguish will grip the dwellers of Philistia. Then the chiefs of Edom will be dismayed; trembling will seize the leaders of Moab; the dwellers of Canaan will melt away, terror and dread will fall upon them."
ConclusionThroughout biblical history, the Jews have been envied by other nations due to their unique relationship with God, characterized by divine favor, prosperity, wisdom, and protection. This envy underscores the distinct role of the Jewish people in God's redemptive plan and the blessings that accompany their covenant with Him.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Nehemiah 4:1But it came to pass, that when Sanballat heard that we built the wall, he was wroth, and took great indignation, and mocked the Jews.
Torrey's Topical TextbookIsaiah 26:11
LORD, when your hand is lifted up, they will not see: but they shall see, and be ashamed for their envy at the people; yes, the fire of your enemies shall devour them.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Ezekiel 35:11
Therefore, as I live, said the Lord GOD, I will even do according to your anger, and according to your envy which you have used out of your hatred against them; and I will make myself known among them, when I have judged you.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Library
The Antiquities of the Jews
... To Anger; And How Joseph Brought All Things Right ... Into Friendship With Him; And What
Other Things Were ... 6. How, Upon Antiochus's Prohibition To The Jews To Make ...
//christianbookshelf.org/josephus/the antiquities of the jews/
John iii. 35, 36
... away, or when they departed to have had other ministers ... she with much patience saith
and hears all, and does not so much as think of what the Jews most probably ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily xxxi john iii 35.htm
Eve and Mary.
... PILATE, on presenting to the Jews, Jesus crowned with ... the paths of righteousness,
while the other lures to ... the polar star which will quiet all their movements ...
/.../sainte-foi/serious hours of a young lady/chapter v eve and mary.htm
Book ii.
... among mankind; for no other people but the Jews have avoided ... Nor need we at all wonder
that they thus treated ... a law do not believe those of other nations to be ...
//christianbookshelf.org/josephus/against apion/book ii.htm
Whether, in Computing Years, we Ought to Follow the Hebrew or the ...
... be attributed neither to the malice of the Jews nor to ... where they are not reckoned
in the other, and then ... from this uniform practice, inclines us all the rather ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 13 whether in computing years.htm
Book 1.
... For in his enumeration of all those nations, he last of all inserts ours among the
rest ... [21] This accident taught all other men but the Jews to disregard ...
//christianbookshelf.org/josephus/against apion/book 1.htm
Concerning Isaac the Legitimate Son of Abraham.
The Antiquities of the Jews. ... such blessings upon him; and that he would not be wanting
in all sort of concern about him, and in bestowing other children upon ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 13 concerning isaac the.htm
1 Cor. xiv. 1
... he is willing to suffer this for the Jews' sake, he ... is like the lion and the bull,
the other like the ... So greatly do all men revere their common nature, and the ...
/.../homilies on the epistles of paul to the corinthians/homily xxxv 1 cor xiv.htm
Of the Navigation of King Agrippa to Rome, to Tiberius Caesar; and ...
... was he in one way of acting with respect to the Jews, and in ... So that this Tiberius
was more addicted to all such sorts of diviners than any other of the ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 6 of the navigation.htm
Psalm LXXXII.
... to eternal life; and to the other, "But ye ... that the perverse and blind rulers of
the Jews envied the glory ... For Thou shalt destroy among all nations." What, but ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm lxxxii.htm
Resources
Why do Jews and Arabs / Muslims hate each other? | GotQuestions.orgWhy didn't all the Jews want to return to Jerusalem (Ezra 1:5-6)? | GotQuestions.orgJewish Questions - questions from Jews and about Judaism | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
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