Topical Bible: The Jews: Enemies of, Obliged to Acknowledge Them As Divinely Protected

◄ The Jews: Enemies of, Obliged to Acknowledge Them As Divinely Protected ►

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Throughout biblical history, the Jewish people have often found themselves surrounded by adversaries. Despite this, the Scriptures consistently affirm that the Jews are under divine protection, a theme that resonates throughout the Old and New Testaments. This entry explores the biblical narrative of the Jews as a people often opposed by enemies, yet continually safeguarded by God's providence.

Divine Election and Protection

The Jews, as descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, are depicted in the Bible as God's chosen people. This divine election is first articulated in Genesis, where God promises Abraham, "I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing" (Genesis 12:2). This covenantal relationship establishes the foundation for God's ongoing protection of the Jewish people.

Enemies of the Jews

Throughout their history, the Jews have faced numerous adversaries. In Egypt, they were enslaved by Pharaoh, yet God delivered them through Moses, demonstrating His power and protection (Exodus 3:7-10). Later, during their journey to the Promised Land, they encountered opposition from various nations, including the Amalekites and Canaanites. Despite these challenges, God assured them of His presence and victory over their enemies (Exodus 17:8-16).

The period of the Judges and the monarchy also saw the Jews beset by enemies such as the Philistines, Moabites, and Assyrians. In each instance, God raised leaders and prophets to guide and deliver His people, reaffirming His commitment to their preservation (Judges 2:16-18; 1 Samuel 17:45-47).

Acknowledgment by Enemies

Remarkably, even the enemies of the Jews were sometimes compelled to acknowledge the divine protection over them. In the book of Joshua, Rahab, a Canaanite woman, recognized the power of the God of Israel, saying, "For we have heard how the LORD dried up the waters of the Red Sea before you when you came out of Egypt" (Joshua 2:10). Her acknowledgment led to her and her family's salvation.

Similarly, during the reign of King Solomon, the Queen of Sheba visited Jerusalem and marveled at Solomon's wisdom and the prosperity of Israel, attributing it to the LORD's favor (1 Kings 10:6-9).

Prophetic Assurance

The prophets of Israel frequently spoke of God's enduring protection over the Jewish people, even amidst their disobedience and exile. Isaiah prophesied, "No weapon formed against you shall prosper, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their vindication is from Me" (Isaiah 54:17). This assurance of divine protection extends beyond immediate deliverance to a future hope of restoration and peace.

New Testament Perspective

In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul reaffirms the special status of the Jews, stating, "They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption as sons, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the Law, the temple service, and the promises" (Romans 9:4). Despite their rejection of Jesus as the Messiah, Paul emphasizes that God's gifts and calling are irrevocable (Romans 11:29).

Conclusion

The biblical narrative consistently portrays the Jews as a people divinely protected, even in the face of persistent enmity. This protection serves as a testament to God's faithfulness to His covenant and His ultimate plan for redemption through the Jewish people.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Joshua 2:9-11
And she said to the men, I know that the LORD has given you the land, and that your terror is fallen on us, and that all the inhabitants of the land faint because of you.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Esther 6:13
And Haman told Zeresh his wife and all his friends every thing that had befallen him. Then said his wise men and Zeresh his wife to him, If Mordecai be of the seed of the Jews, before whom you have begun to fall, you shall not prevail against him, but shall surely fall before him.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Extracts No. vi.
... in the reply; and as he has been obliged to rescind ... let us consider the unbelief
of the Jews, the violent ... he was watched by his religious enemies, the careful ...
/.../ballou/a series of letters in defence of divine revelation/extracts no vi.htm

St. Gregory the Great.
... guilt sharpens the swords of our enemies, and weighs ... patriarch Eulogius"who failed
to acknowledge the Pope's ... against the misbelief of the Jews, which they ...
/.../allies/the formation of christendom volume vi/chapter v st gregory the.htm

And ii.
... exclusive reference to Christ,"provided they acknowledge, that the ... 9), of their
adversaries and enemies; and in ... ignorance is shown by the Jews, mentioned by ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/chap i and ii.htm

Period iii. The Dissolution of the Imperial State Church and the ...
... This manner of keeping Easter continued among them for a ... by necessity was he compelled
to acknowledge what before ... give me victory over these my enemies, and I ...
/.../ayer/a source book for ancient church history/period iii the dissolution of.htm

Tendencies of Religious Thought in England, 1688-1750.
... Act for the admission of the Jews to Parliament.2 ... the proof of revelation universal,
is obliged to resolve ... satires there is no medium; our enemies combine all ...
/.../tendencies of religious thought in.htm

Faustus States his Objections to the Morality of the Law and the ...
... at other times He spoke openly to the Jews, who in ... 844] "not the hour when He would
be obliged to die ... openly, without allowing the rage of his enemies to hurt ...
/.../faustus states his objections to.htm

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... the dismissal of David, and Achish is obliged to submit to ... long patience by the fact
that their enemies had taken ... or to the period when the Jews, without any ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm

Period I: the Imperial State Church of the Undivided Empire, or ...
... privileges, was crushed down by being obliged to continue in ... and that the people
should elect them, and the ... kept this festival with the Jews, will henceforth ...
/.../ayer/a source book for ancient church history/period i the imperial state.htm