Hatred Toward the Jewish People and God’s Eternal Promises for Israel
“The Lord has made a promise to Israel, which he will keep forever” (Ps. 105:8–10, paraphrased).
Introduction
Hatred toward the Jewish people, often manifesting as anti-Semitism, has persisted throughout history, from ancient times to the present day. This hostility, whether expressed through discrimination, violence, or genocide, stands in direct opposition to God’s revealed will and His covenant relationship with Israel. The Bible unequivocally declares God’s special calling of Israel as His chosen people, the recipients of His eternal promises, and the nation through which He will fulfill His redemptive purposes. This exposition examines the biblical perspective on hatred toward the Jewish people, God’s judgment on such actions, and the unassailable certainty of His promises for Israel.
1. Israel as God’s Covenant Nation
God’s relationship with Israel is rooted in His sovereign choice and covenant promises. In Genesis 12:1–3, God calls Abraham and establishes an everlasting covenant:
“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. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you” (Gen. 12:2–3, NIV).
This covenant is reaffirmed with Isaac (Gen. 26:2–5) and Jacob (Gen. 28:13–15), establishing Israel as God’s chosen people. Deuteronomy 7:6–8 emphasizes that God chose Israel not because of their merit but because of His love and faithfulness to His oath:
“For you are a people holy to the Lord your God. The Lord your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on the face of the earth to be his people, his treasured possession” (Deut. 7:6, NIV).
Israel’s election is eternal, as God declares in Jeremiah 31:35–37 that only if the ordinances of the sun, moon, and stars cease will Israel cease to be a nation before Him. This covenant relationship underscores God’s commitment to Israel, making hatred toward them a direct affront to His divine purpose.
2. Hatred Toward the Jewish People as Rebellion Against God
The Bible consistently portrays hatred and violence toward Israel as rebellion against God Himself. In Psalm 83, the psalmist describes a coalition of nations conspiring to destroy Israel, saying, “Come, let us destroy them as a nation, so that Israel’s name is remembered no more” (Ps. 83:4, NIV). The psalm identifies this hostility as opposition to God: “With cunning they conspire against your people; they plot against those you cherish” (Ps. 83:3, NIV). The psalmist prays for God’s judgment on these enemies, revealing that such hatred invites divine retribution.
In Zechariah 2:8, God declares, “Whoever touches you [Israel] touches the apple of his eye.” The imagery of the “apple of His eye” signifies Israel’s preciousness to God, and harm against them provokes His protective zeal. Similarly, in Joel 3:1–2, God pronounces judgment on the nations for scattering His people and dividing their land:
“I will gather all nations and bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat. There I will put them on trial for what they did to my inheritance, my people Israel, because they scattered my people among the nations and divided up my land” (Joel 3:2, NIV).
These passages demonstrate that hatred and violence toward the Jewish people are not merely human conflicts but spiritual offenses against God’s covenant. The murderous actions of individuals, groups, or nations—such as the Holocaust, pogroms, or modern terrorist attacks—fall under God’s judgment, as they seek to thwart His redemptive plan.
3. God’s Judgment on Hatred and Murderous Actions
The Bible is clear that God abhors hatred and violence, particularly when directed at His covenant people. In Genesis 12:3, God promises to curse those who curse Israel, a principle that reverberates through Scripture. The book of Esther illustrates this truth, as Haman’s plot to annihilate the Jews leads to his own destruction (Esther 7:9–10). Similarly, in Obadiah 1:10–15, God pronounces judgment on Edom for their violence against their brother Jacob (Israel):
“Because of the violence against your brother Jacob, you will be covered with shame; you will be destroyed forever” (Obad. 1:10, NIV).
In the New Testament, Jesus affirms the sanctity of love and condemns hatred and murder. In Matthew 5:21–22, He equates hatred with murder, declaring that those who harbor anger against others are subject to judgment. While the New Testament does not directly address anti-Semitism, the principle applies: hatred toward the Jewish people, as God’s chosen, violates Christ’s command to love one’s neighbor (Matt. 22:39) and invites divine accountability.
Moreover, Romans 11:28–29 reveals that Israel remains beloved by God despite their temporary rejection of the Messiah: “As far as the gospel is concerned, they are enemies for your sake; but as far as election is concerned, they are loved on account of the patriarchs, for God’s gifts and his call are irrevocable” (Rom. 11:28–29, NIV). Hatred toward the Jewish people disregards their enduring election and God’s unchanging love for them.
4. God’s Eternal Promises for Israel
God’s promises to Israel are irrevocable and will not be thwarted by human hatred or opposition. In Isaiah 49:15–16, God compares His commitment to Israel to a mother’s love for her child, saying, “I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands” (Isa. 49:15–16, NIV). This imagery assures Israel’s permanence in God’s plan.
The prophet Jeremiah foretells a future restoration for Israel, both physically and spiritually, in the new covenant:
“The days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and with the people of Judah…. I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people” (Jer. 31:31–33, NIV).
This promise is fulfilled partially through the church (Heb. 8:8–12) but retains a future fulfillment for national Israel, as Paul explains in Romans 11:25–27:
“Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in, and in this way all Israel will be saved…. ‘The deliverer will come from Zion; he will turn godlessness away from Jacob. And this is my covenant with them when I take away their sins’” (Rom. 11:25–27, NIV).
Zechariah 12–14 and Revelation 7 and 14 further depict Israel’s ultimate restoration and role in the eschatological kingdom. No amount of hatred or violence can nullify these promises, for God’s word is steadfast (Isa. 55:11).
5. The Christian Response to Hatred Toward the Jewish People
Christians are called to stand against hatred toward the Jewish people, reflecting God’s heart for Israel. In Romans 11:17–24, Paul warns Gentile believers against arrogance toward Israel, reminding them that they are grafted into Israel’s covenant blessings. Christians should pray for the peace of Jerusalem (Ps. 122:6), oppose anti-Semitism, and proclaim the gospel to both Jew and Gentile (Rom. 1:16). The church’s role is not to replace Israel but to provoke them to jealousy through faith in their Messiah (Rom. 11:11).
Conclusion
Hatred toward the Jewish people is a grievous sin that opposes God’s covenant with Israel and invites His judgment. The Bible affirms Israel’s unique status as God’s chosen nation, the object of His eternal love, and the recipient of promises that cannot be thwarted. From Genesis to Revelation, God declares His commitment to preserve, restore, and redeem Israel, culminating in their spiritual renewal and the establishment of His kingdom. Those who curse Israel will face divine consequences, while those who bless them align with God’s purposes. As believers, we are called to love what God loves, oppose hatred in all its forms, and trust in the fulfillment of His unchangeable word.
“The Lord has made a promise to Israel, which he will keep forever” (Ps. 105:8–10, paraphrased).