The Providence of God was so obvious in the life of Joseph who was sold into Egyptian slavery, betrayed by Potiphar’s wife, and imprisoned for 13 years, yet, God raised him from prison to second in command behind Pharoah. So too, that same Providence is glaringly apparent in the story of the Pilgrims, Samoset, Squanto, and Thanksgiving. To help illustrate God’s Providence in this Great holiday celebration, I will place the letters GP beside every place I believe it appears.
  In 1605*, the English pondered colonizing the new world(GP). They decided to capture several Indians (GP) during a fishing exhibition, bring them back to England, and teach them the English language (GP) to obtain the necessary information on the locations of both violent and friendly Indian tribes, to plant their colonies successfully.
  Initially, the fishing exhibition sailed from England under the command of John Smith, who survived the Jamestown(GP), Virginia colony debacle. After a successful fishing endeavor, Smith ordered one of his commanders Thomas Hunt, to remain behind and trade their fish for Indian beaver pelts, which would garner more money upon their return to England. Instead, Hunt tricked 20 Indians into coming on board his fishing boats-one of which was…Squanto(GP). Hunt then set sail for the notorious slave trading post in Spain called Malaga(GP). Along the route, Hunt stopped in Cape Cod and added 7 more Indians for a total of 27.
  As the 27 Indians began to be auctioned off (GP) in Malaga, several Catholic friars heard of their plight and proceeded to purchase several of the slaves including Squanto (GP). The friars led Squanto to Christ and eventually released him(GP). He later made his way to England where he spent several years learning the English language and their customs (GP). In 1619, he returned to America with Captain Thomas Dermer. When he returned and began to search for his tribe, he encountered the shock of his life finding that his entire Petauxet tribe had been wiped out by a plague(GP). Squanto was now the only Petuaxet Indian left on earth(GP)!
  Squanto decided his only option for survival was to walk 50 miles to join the Wampanoag tribe(GP), where Massasoit was Chief. Indian tribes were not usually friendly with each other and were therefore very hesitant to accept other tribesmen. In God’s providence, Squanto was accepted(GP)!
  On the other side of the earth(GP), in 1620, the Mayflower and Speedwell departed from Holland(GP), made a stop in England, and then headed toward Virginia(GP)--not Plymouth Rock in Massachusetts(GP)!!!! Along the way, they were forced to abandon the Speedwell due to leaks which delayed their progress, until they were caught in terrible Atlantic storms(GP). Due to the inclement weather (GP), 102 men, women, and children were forced into the cargo space of the Mayflower; a ship that was only 25 feet wide, and 90 feet long, with only 5’6 inches of head space—for 44 days and nights—eating, drinking, going to the bathroom, and more than likely enduring sea sickness—which in more crude language—means they were vomiting!
  The waves from the storm rocked the ship, forcing the crew to tie themselves to the mast to remain on board. The Pilgrims staved off their fears by singing songs of worship! Incredibly, when the average loss of life crossing the Atlantic was 50%, only 2 people perished—neither of which were Pilgrims(GP)!
  As the Mayflower approached the eastern shore of America, the storms blew them off course pushing them to the north(GP). Having no clue where to land, or whether the Indians were friendly---they stopped and began to pray(GP)! They eventually landed on Cape Cod(GP) and ultimately found Plymouth Rock(GP), the former location of the violent Petauxet Indian tribe (GP) that had previously all perished by plague(GP). However, not only was the Petauxet tribe absent but no other Indian tribes(GP) would chance living there for fear of enduring that same fate(GP); even though the spot had fresh water making it perfectly suited to human existence.
  Over that winter, they lived off the ship’s reserves(GP), and still, 50% of the Pilgrims died. Yet, when the Mayflower returned to England, not one of the surviving Pilgrims chose to return(GP)! Why? They were missionaries called by God to take the gospel to the Indians.
  First, before the Pilgrims stepped off the ship, after prayer and thanksgiving, they covenanted together and created the Mayflower Compact. In short, it declared: “In, the Name of God, Amen…” “Having undertaken for the Glory of God, and Advancement of the Christian Faith,” “In the northern parts of Virginia; Do by these Presents, solemnly And mutually in the Presence of God and one another, covenant, And combine ourselves together into a civil Body Politick,”(GP)
  Ten years later, William Bradford further elucidated their original motivation: “A great hope and inward zeal they had for the propagating and advancing the gospel of the kingdom of Christ in those remote parts of the world; yea, though they should be but even as stepping-stones unto others for the performing of so great a work.” (GP)
  This quote reveals not only the call of God upon the Pilgrims, and by default America, but the “stepping-stones” remark reveals they understood they needed to stand fast on their calling because they were to be facilitators for those who would come behind them!!
 
This is America’s vision!!! (GP) This is America’s Thanksgiving!

 Stay-tuned for part 2!!!!


Quotebit
 “There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.”                          -Albert Einstein
​

28.And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.
                                                                       -Gen1:28
 
 5.I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
6.If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather  them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.
7.If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it  shall be done unto you.
8.Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.
                                               -Jn15:5-8
 
Definition Of Productivity:
To either create or work* towards the manifestation of and/or use of a product or service that self and others value.
 
  To begin, I need to explain the first five words of my definition: “To either create or work…”. By “create”, I mean the action of creating or inventing something. On the other hand, by “work” I mean the action of ‘doing something’ that is not creating something, which is more often than not an action of repetition to achieve a product or service that has already been created.
  Second, allow me to expound on the latter part of the sentence: “use of a product or service that self and others value.” Because productivity involves both creative work and repetitive work, both types of work impact self and others. In other words, the following order exists for both types of work: 1.self, 2.others.
   Without work benefiting ‘self’ ‘FIRST’---that work can quickly descend into slavery, which hinders and then destroys both the motivation and the excellence of work…tragically rebounding in a consequence that short-circuits productivity. In other words, slavery can produce, but it can ‘NEVER’ produce like ‘purposed’ work---a work which requires value to both self and others!!! On the other hand, while it is possible for work to only benefit self, or have value only to self, as long as that self remains a first step---it is not designed to end there. In other words, while work is designed to begin with benefiting self, its highest end will benefit others, i.e.to serve others. Therefore, because productivity requires work, and because work’s highest objective (not the only objective) is to benefit others, productivity possesses inherent selflessness as one of its greatest ends.
  Because of the selflessness inherent to the nature of productivity, as productivity proceeds--even the productivity of natural things (possessions) is designed to cause maturity (growth): both spiritually and mentally, in humans who produce!! For emphasis, allow me to repeat myself, the more an individual personally produces a product or service ‘valued by others’ matures the spirit and soul of the worker…and can even positively impact one’s physical growth!!  This incredible effect of productivity on an individual is not hyperbole and is the reason God made productivity His first commandment to mankind.
  Moving forward. Moreover, the dynamic of personal productivity gives birth to corporate or business productivity. If one first learns productivity at home ---especially without compensation—as one leaves home and begins producing, he will learn faster and produce more efficiently---especially when it comes to his God-given unique calling! Therefore, not only is individual productivity essential to personal maturity, both:
i.the selflessness of personal productivity,
ii.the consequences of personal productivity, i.e.products and services created, etc.
…inspire productivity in others, and so on…forever!!! Why? Because humans are interdependent! Therefore, each time any individual produces, it erects and establishes a foundation upon which those around them, as well as those in later generations, can also build on…forever!! Once again, why? Not because of selfishness or envy, but because of the God-given ‘desire for more’ innate to…the image and likeness of God! This God-given gift manifests in humans three ways:
            1.more (in number)
            2.better (more effective)
            3.service
 
  These 3 desires…continually work in every normal, healthy human motivating him/her to “take dominion” over the earth** (Gen1:28). In other words, as these three desires develop, one is encouraged to inquire or act on how a particular product or service can be more or better…with the assumed intent to serve humanity!
 
Therefore, the first principles of productivity are:
           1.creativity
           2.work or work ethic
           3.personal growth
           4.serving the creation
           5.corporate (business) growth
           6.human multiplication
           7.unity or human oneness***
 
  These seven principles are among those that inspired God’s first commandment to man: to be fruitful! However, what is too often neglected is God’s second command—"to multiply”, was not only designed to facilitate more humans on earth, but innately multiplies productivity---because of God’s first commandment “to be fruitful”; i.e.to produce!
  Incredibly, the more humans who produce, exponentially multiplies (not adds) human creativity; which exponentially multiplies the amount of human work and the work ethic; which exponentially multiplies the need for more products and services; which exponentially multiplies human growth; which exponentially multiplies human service; ultimately climaxing in human unity!
  Incredibly, as productivity progresses, it both creates and establishes an atmosphere of human peace, which innately facilitates human creativity; which comes full circle back to human productivity!  
  Remember, peace**** is the one atmosphere allowing for God’s gift of the ‘desire for more’ to thrive!
   
 
*Before the fall, work was originally defined as ‘wisdom applied to action’; or ‘wisdom applied to the energy of action’. However, after sin entered the world, work is now defined as any action: doing something or doing nothing. In other words, after the fall, work is now defined as any behavior or action(s).
**possessions, or that which comes from the earth!!
***As humans obey the first commandment to produce, their productivity possesses the inherent potential to facilitate oneness, i.e.a unity among humans.
****both inner and outer peace

  Over the last 3 tidbits, I have used Derek Prince’s book ‘The Key to the Middle East’ to show ‘HOW’  Christians are called to treat Jews from Jeremiah 31. On page 121, Derek Prince offered four action items to help Christians to understand how “to provoke them (Jews) to jealousy”
(Romans 11:11 - 1) to praise; 2)to proclaim; 3)to pray, and 4)to comfort. I now turn to point 4) to comfort.
  To make his point, Derek Prince moves from Jeremiah 31 to Isaiah 40:1-2:
1.Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God.
2.Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned: for she hath received of the LORD’S hand double for all her sins.
 
To be honest, I believe this is MY favorite of the four points! My reason is: if this 4th point had been obeyed—all antisemitism would not only IMMEDIATELY cease; but the practical application of Isaiah 40:1-2 would have prevented antisemitism’s conception!!!  Now, let’s examine the text.
   Isaiah 40:1-2 requires three parties:
            1.God, Who is giving the instruction
            2.“my people” i.e.the Jews
            3.The group instructed to: “Comfort my people”
  Now…while we know who God is; and who “my people” are (Israel); who then is the identity of the third party? Because God’s command to the third party is “Comfort my people” requires us to assume the third party is a people group, rather than merely an individual. Why? Apart from Jesus, no one person can comfort the Jews! So, who then is this ‘people group’ that God commands to comfort His people? I think there can only be one answer: Christians!  
 Remember, Isaiah’s ministry began in 739 BC and continued up to his death in 690 BC, which means that much, if not all of Isaiah’s record pertains to the future. In other words, Isaiah was not writing from history, but from prophecy! The greatest example of this truth in the book of Isaiah is chapter 53, which pertains to the Messiah!
  So…when Isaiah wrote of the ‘group’ that is supposed to “Comfort my people”, it certainly could not apply to the Babylonians, or the Assyrians, or to any other pagan group, because how can sinners “comfort” Israel, while simultaneously warring against them? Therefore, and I repeat, the ‘group’ of Isaiah 40:1-2 commanded to “Comfort my people” must be prophetic!
  In addition, although the Genesis 12:1-3 promise, “I will bless them that bless you” was given to all mankind, it must particularly be true of the Christian, i.e.the church! Why? Because the Jew and the church are destined to be joined together as one in Christ (Eph2:11-16). Therefore, what better group than Christians, i.e.the church, is there for God to command to comfort His people, the Jews! Literally…there is no other group in history to whom the command “Comfort my people” can apply…other than Christians!
  A third passage of scripture confirming that Christians are called to “comfort His people” is Romans 11:11-12, where the Bible teaches that through the fall of the Jew, salvation has come to the Gentile--which turns the Gentile into the church--for “provoking the Jew to jealousy”. Along with Ephesians 2:11-16, Romans 11:11-12 are THE two passages that inseparably link the Jew and the Gentile, i.e. the church together! Therefore, and I repeat, Isaiah 40:1,2 is prophesying a mandate to the Christian to comfort the Jew!
   Of course, the most obvious ‘natural’ reason the Christian is called to ‘comfort’ the Jew is antisemitism! Derek Prince writes: “Through the course of history, many other racial and religious groups have been victims of prejudices and persecution. But the sufferings of the Jewish people far exceed all others in their scope, intensity, and duration”(pg133). Ironically, although the church has tragically involved herself in antisemitism--it was never commanded by God to do so! On the contrary, and again ironically, Romans 11:11,12 teaches the church is commanded by God to “provoke” the Jew to jealousy, which contains the meaning of blessing the Jew, i.e. “comforting the Jew”—not cursing the Jew!! For emphasis, and I repeat, no Bible scripture exists that commands the church to curse, or God-forbid...attack the Jew!
  Finally, Isaiah 40:1-2 teaches the way to “Comfort my people” is through words: “Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem”! However, if we turn to history, we don’t find many comforting words spoken about and to the Jews. The following are just four tragic examples:
 
Adolf Hitler
-“The Jews formed a sub-human counter race, predestined by their biological heritage to evil, just as the Nordic race was destined for nobility.” 
 
-“…the result will be not the Bolshevization of the earth and thereby the victory of Jewry, but the annihilation of the Jewish race in Europe”
 
Martin Luther
“First, their synagogues should be set on fire, and whatever does not burn up should be covered or spread over with dirt so that no one may ever be able to see a cinder or stone of it. And this ought to be done for the honor of God and of Christianity in order that God may see that we are Christians, and that we have not wittingly tolerated or approved of such public lying, cursing, and blaspheming of His Son and His Christians.”
 
John Calvin: A Response To Questions and Objections of a Certain Jew
“Their [the Jews] rotten and unbending stiffneckedness deserves that they be oppressed unendingly and without measure or end and that they die in their misery without the pity of anyone.”
 
Islam
"The Day of Judgement will not come about until Moslems fight the Jews (killing the Jews), when the Jew will hide behind stones and trees. The stones and trees will say O Moslems, O Abdulla, there is a Jew behind me, come and kill him. Only the Gharkad tree, (evidently a certain kind of tree) would not do that because it is one of the trees of the Jews." (related by al-Bukhari and Moslem).”
 
  Contrary to the previous curses, God certainly believes in speaking words of comfort…even to Jerusalem:
5.If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget her cunning.
6.If I do not remember thee, let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth; if I prefer not Jerusalem above my chief joy”  -Ps137:5,6
​
   Oh…what God would do if Christians would i.obey Him, ii.in the way---that He commands! Deuteronomy 6:25 encourages these two areas: “And it shall be our righteousness, if we observe to (i.)‘do’ all these commandments before the LORD our God, (ii.)‘as’ he hath commanded us.”
            i. ‘DO’ all these commandments
            ii. ‘AS’ He has commanded us
 
 
           
Quotebit
In response to being presented a Bible on September 7, 1864, Abraham Lincoln said:
“In regard to this Great Book, I have but to say, it is the best gift God has given to man. All the good Saviour gave to the world was communicated through this book. But for it we could not know right from wrong. All things most desirable for man’s welfare, here and hereafter, are to be found portrayed in it.”

   In this tidbit I am continuing my use of Derek Prince’s book ‘The Key to the Middle East’ to show how Christians are called to treat Jews as demonstrated in Jeremiah 31. As previously mentioned, on page 121 Derek Prince offers four action items to help Christians to understand how “to provoke them (Jews) to jealousy” in order to fulfill Romans 11:11: 1)to praise; 2)to proclaim; 3)to pray, and 4)to comfort. Having already written on ‘praise’ and ‘proclaim’ in previous tidbits, I want to move forward to examine his third action item: pray.
   First, Jesus offers Himself as ‘THE’ model for prayer. Both Mark 1:35 and Luke 5:16 declare that Jesus rose early in the morning, removed Himself to a solitary place—and prayed. Therefore, even as the Son of God and God made flesh, He yet spent time in prayer to the Father.
   Second, Luke 11:2 gives us the commandment to follow Jesus’ example of prayer stating, “When you pray”, making prayer a ‘fundamental’ to our relationship with God!
  Third, 1Thessalonians 5:17 encourages us to “pray without ceasing.” In other words, we must be constant in prayer; and spend time in prayer.
   And finally, returning to my foundational text in Jeremiah 31:7, we are instructed to pray for Israel: “O LORD, save thy people, the remnant of Israel.”
   Jeremiah 31:7 is confirmed and powerfully established by Daniel 9:1-20, where the prophet and political leader intercedes for Israel:
            i.uses the Word of God in Jeremiah 25:11 to guide his prayer
                (Dan9:2)
            ii.uses fasting (Dan9:3)
            iii.appeals to God’s nature in his prayer (Dan9:4,7,14,15,19)
            iv.confesses his sin and the sin of Israel (Dan9:5-11,15,20)
            v.prays for Judah, Jerusalem, and Israel in foreign lands (Dan9:7)
            vi.confirms God’s wrath upon Israel for sin (Dan9:12-14)
            vii.prays for Jerusalem (Dan9:16,18)
            viii.prays for forgiveness (Dan9:19)
 
   Regarding Jerusalem, and unique to the cities on earth, the Bible specifically declares in Isaiah 62:6,7:
6.I have set watchmen upon thy walls, O Jerusalem, which shall never hold their peace day nor night: ye that make mention of the LORD, keep not silence,
7.And give him no rest, till he establish, and till he make Jerusalem a praise in the earth.
                                                           
And in Psalms 22:6,7:
6.Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee.
7.Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy palaces.
 
   Derek Prince writes, “Why should God’s believing people around the world be exhorted by Scripture to pray for this one city Jerusalem? One reason is clear: Scripture reveals that it is God’s ultimate purpose to establish His kingdom on earth with Jerusalem as its center. It is this that we are praying for each time we utter the familiar words, “Thy kingdom come.”
 
Why does God believe Jerusalem is so important that He would encourage us all to pray for this particular city?
 
   Isaiah 2:1-4 has the answer:
1.The word that Isaiah the son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem.
2.And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the LORD’S house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it.
3.And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.
4.And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.
 
   In case you missed it, the answer to the importance of Jerusalem to God, and by default to Israel…is underlined in the scripture from Isaiah 2 shown above!!
 
 
Quotebit
The term ‘enough’ can only exist in the realm of ‘abundance’. Without abundance,‘enough’ descends into selfishness, the survival of the fittest, kaos, and anarchy!  -Derrick Jackson

  For this tidbit, I will continue to use Derek Prince’s book ‘The Key to the Middle East’ to show how Christians ought to treat Jews using the model of Jeremiah 31. On page 121, Derek Prince offers four action items for Christians “to provoke them (Jews) to jealousy” in order to fulfill Romans 11:11: 1.to praise; 2.to proclaim; 3.to pray, and 4.to comfort. In this tidbit series, I endeavor to answer the question: how should Christians treat Jews?
  Last time I examined Prince’s first point: 1.to praise. Today, let’s look at point 2:
 
2.To Proclaim:
Jeremiah 31:10: “Hear the word of the LORD, O ye nations, and declare it in the isles afar off, and say, He that scattered Israel will gather him, and keep him, as a shepherd doth his flock.”
 
First, notice ‘to’ whom this passage is addressed: “O ye nations”! In Jeremiah 31:10, God is giving a commandment, not to 'a' nation, but to the world's nations! In other words, this passage teaches how God expects the NATIONS of the world---not just Christians--to treat Israel!!! So, God will hold the nations and the Christians in those nations accountable to this passage!
   The first phrase of Jeremiah 31:10 is evidence of God’s expectations: “Hear the word of the Lord…” God commands the nations of the world---as well as Christians--to hear His word!!!
  The next phrase in 31:10: “declare it in the isles afar off” reveals the location where the “nations”, and their Christians are to make their declarations/proclamations: “the isles afar off”!
  The Hebrew word for “declare” is nagad.* I love its first definition: “stand boldly out opposite”. In other words, at the command of the Sovereign God, the ‘nations of the world’ are instructed to make a bold, unashamed declaration….’FOR’ Israel!
  Considering the political climate of the world today with its obvious hatred towards Israel, it is a sign from God that Strong’s Concordance used the phrase “stand boldly out opposite” as one of its entries. In other words, in the providence of God, the writer of Strong’s Concordance, which is merely a simple Hebrew/Greek dictionary---and obviously without any foreknowledge of how the word nagad would apply to this present day—offered “stand boldly out opposite” as its first definition! When the Holy Spirit inspired ‘nagad’ in Jeremiah 31:10 over 2500 years ago, the only Sovereign God perfectly understood the conditions for ‘nagad’s’ application to Israel…in this day!!
  Therefore, for a nation or a Christian to obey Jeremiah 31:10’s injunction: “to declare”, or ‘To Proclaim’--- on behalf of Israel---according to Strong’s Concordance, it will require that nation or individual to “stand boldly”! Why? Because Israel has been identified as THE enemy in this day! Therefore, to stand in favor of what nearly the whole world detests requires great courage, as those who hate Israel begin to hate you!
  Yet, another confirmation of this fact is the last two words “out opposite”. These last two words of Strong’s phrase “stand boldly out opposite” indicate that what the nations--including Christians--will have to “stand boldly” on behalf of, will be the opposite of everyone else! I repeat, this reveals that only the very courageous will be able to obey Jeremiah 31:10!
  Finally, ‘what’ God instructs the nations to declare “in the isles afar off” is the climax, and THEEEE reason the nations (and Christians) that choose to obey Jeremiah 31:10 will be so strongly opposed, i.e.hated. The text clearly says God commands the nations to proclaim: “He that scattered Israel will gather him, and keep him, as a shepherd doth his flock”!!!
   WOW!!! This is prophecy! It is a special Word from God, not only instructing what the Gentile nations should proclaim but it is also a prediction of what God will do in the latter day ‘for’ Israel!!! This phrase teaches:
1.God judged Israel and scattered them. This refers to the diaspora in
135 AD when Bar Kochba declared himself to be the Jewish Messiah,
and raised up an army to fight the Romans. The Romans slaughtered
over 1 million Jews, and scattered many other Jews into the nations
of the world---which is now known as ‘The Diaspora’.
2.Because God made a “forever” covenant (2Sam7:22-24; Ps105:6-11)
with Israel, the same God that scattered the Jews in judgment will
re-gather them to fulfill His covenant. Of course, this began
with the re-gathering of the Jews into their own nation in 1948.
 
  In other words, this magnificent prophecy of Jeremiah31:10 not only instructs the nations** what to “To Proclaim”, i.e.“to declare”, but the ‘scattering and regathering’ aspect of this prophecy is a sign (Gen1:14; Heb2:4) that directly connects historical Israel to the modern state of Israel, which began in 1948…to the Providence of God! I repeat, God sovereignly scattered Israel, and God sovereignly regathered Israel!!! Christians must include this truth as part of our proclamation of the gospel to the world!! AND…this is the reason God instructed the Great Commission…“to the Jew first”!!!
  Incredibly, God has given the nations---which must include the Christians in those nations—this great mandate to tell the world of this great prophecy! But this is not yet the end of Jeremiah 31:10. The final phrase declares: “and keep him, as a shepherd doth his flock.” Prince writes, “In the closing section of the proclamation, Jeremiah says that the Lord will also “watch over his flock like a shepherd.” The word translated “watch” over also means “keep” or “guard.” Here is further confirmation that this second regathering of Israel will not be something temporary or transient. Once God has gathered them, He will continue to watch over and protect them. As their Shepherd, He will accept responsibility for their permanent security and well-being.” (pg 126)
  WOW!!! Tragically, over the centuries, so far has the church missed this aspect of our great calling…to the Jew first!!! May God yet have mercy!!!
 
*nâgad, naw-gad´; a prim. root; prop. to front, i.e. stand boldly out opposite; by impl. (causat.), to manifest; fig. to announce (always by word of mouth to one present); spec. to expose, predict, explain, praise:—bewray, × certainly, certify, declare (-ing), denounce, expound, × fully, messenger, plainly, profess, rehearse, report, shew (forth), speak, × surely, tell, utter. -Strong’s
**and of course Christians
 
 
Quotebit
Creativity is birthed and flourishes only in an atmosphere of the reality of an infinite God, Who exists as more than enough.   -Derrick Jackson

How are Christians to “provoke them (Jews) to Jealousy”?
  In Derek Prince’s insightful book “The Key to the Middle East” " he offers a great answer on how we can accomplish the bewildering statement in Romans 11:11- “provoke them (Jews) to jealousy”.
  On page 118, Prince declares Christians must accept responsibility for their past anti-semitism. It is ungodly for us today to simply dismiss the horror of supposed Christian behavior done in the past by stating, “if we were present at the times of any historic Christian antisemitism, we would not have participated in their abominations!” Dr. Prince offers Jesus’ rebuke of the religious leaders of His day in Matthew 23:29-31 who argued the same:
29.Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because ye build the tombs of the prophets, and garnish the sepulchers of the righteous,
30.And say, If we had been in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets.
31.Wherefore ye be witnesses unto yourselves, that ye are the children of them which killed the prophets.
 
  Prince writes, “The very fact that these religious people disclaimed responsibility for the crimes committed by their forefathers against the prophets constituted an acknowledgement that they were indeed the descendants of those who had killed the prophets.” In other words, Prince believes that Jesus’ words in verse 31 directed to the religious leaders: “children of them killed the prophets” is evidence that Jesus believed they at least bore some responsibility for the murder of the prophets by their ancestors.  
  Because the religious leaders of Matthew 23 were called hypocrites by Jesus, they were hell-bound (Mat23:15). For this reason, it is very possible that no repentance for the murder of the prophets by their ancestors had ever taken place—which if true, would have been the reason Jesus accused them. Therefore, if Jesus’ accusations against these hypocrites occurred within the 3rd or 4th generation of the murder of the prophets (Deut5:9), this may been another reason Jesus held them responsible.
  Prince continues: “I believe the same principle applies to the crimes committed by the Church against the Jews. We cannot claim to be part of the Church and, at the same time, disclaim responsibility for the way the Church has treated the Jews. After all, in God’s sight, there is only one Church.” “We cannot claim inheritance in the good that has come down to us through the Church and yet, at the same time, disassociate ourselves from the evil. In particular, we must accept our share of the responsibility for Christian antisemitism, and then do everything in our power to rectify this terrible situation.”
  On page 121, he writes, “all Christians today of non-Jewish background are confronted with two questions that cannot be evaded: First, what can we do to repay our spiritual debt to the Jewish people? And second, how can we—to some extent, at least---make amends for all the evil done to the Jewish people for centuries in the name of Christianity?”
  Although different from repentance, the Scripture does instruct us to make restitution* (shalam) for past wrongs. Today’s authentic Church--that has repented--for historic antisemitism cannot be held responsible for any past sin because of Christ’s work on the Cross. However, for sake of “provoking the Jews to jealousy” (Rom11:11), it is necessary that the contemporary Church offer restitution for what happened in the past to restore relationship with the Jew.
  On page 121, Derek Prince offers four action items that are apropos for today:  1.to praise; 2.to proclaim; 3.to pray, and 4.to comfort. In the following tidbits, we will address each one; but in this tidbit, we have time for only the first.  
1.To praise.
-Jeremiah 31:7-8 (NAS)
7.For thus says the Lord, “Sing aloud with gladness for Jacob, And shout among the chief of the nations; Proclaim, give praise and say, ‘O Lord, save Your people, The remnant of Israel.’
8.“Behold, I am bringing them from the north country, And I will gather them from the remote parts of the earth, Among them the blind and the lame, The woman with child and she who is in labor with child, together; A great company, they will return here.                                 
  This passage refers to the latter day. The following three points inform us to whom we are to direct our attention when obeying Jeremiah 31:7-8:
           i.the remnant of Israel
           ii.I will gather them from the north, and remote parts of the earth
           iii.A great company, they will return here
Because these three statements refer to God bringing Israel back into the land in the latter day---obviously, the passage must refer to Israel, i.e.the Jew.
  Next, this passage teaches five things that Christians today ought to do, i.e.how we are to act toward Israel:
           i.To sing with joy
           ii.to shout
           iii.to proclaim
           iv.to praise
           v.to pray/say
i.The word “sing aloud” (ranan) means to cry out, to creak, to shout (Strong’s). The word “gladness”** is the Hebrew word used in the Jewish celebration “Simchah Torah” where they practice rejoicing over the law, i.e.the Word of God. Jews dance around the synagogue carrying the scrolls of the Bible singing and shouting. I have had the privilege to participate in a ‘Simchah Torah’ celebration, and the rabbi allowed me to carry the scrolls—all I could think was: “Don’t trip!” But more importantly, I still weep to this day when recalling that my Lord Jesus celebrated ‘Simchah Torah’ 2000 years ago!! Nevertheless, the context of Jeremiah 31:7-8 instructs Christians to celebrate Israel by singing and shouting FOR Jacob, i.e. Israel, i.e.the Jew!! I wonder how many contemporary Christians obey this command?
ii.The Hebrew word for “shout” is tsahal ***. It is another word meaning to shout FOR Israel. Incredibly, notice where we are to “shout”? Among the nations! How many contemporary Christians shout FOR Israel in front of the nations?
iii.The word “proclaim” also means ‘publish’. I wonder how many Christians are speaking out or writing/publishing in favor of Israel?
iv.The word for “praise” in verse 7 is the Hebrew word ‘halal’****. One definition is to be clamorously foolish in the dance. It means to flail arms, to kick legs, to shout, to run. It is the most emotional of all the Hebrew words used to describe praise and worship to God!  Incredibly, according to Jeremiah 31:7--- we are to use this same word, i.e.behavior…on Israel!!
I wonder how many Christians are praising Israel using this word?
 
v.Say/pray. Jeremiah 31:7,8 declare we are to “say, O Lord, save thy people!” Lastly, I wonder how many contemporary Christians are crying out: “O Lord, save Israel”?
 
  In spite of these clear instructions in Jeremiah 31:7,8 on how Christians are to behave toward Israel, i.e.the Jew, tragically, in these days, too many Christians have “departed from the faith” (1Tim4:1), i.e.rejected THIS (Jer31:7,8) word of God! How’s that? Far too many churches either ignore Israel/the Jew altogether or what’s worse, follow the world to the streets to protest God’s people!
 
Is there any wonder why Jews have NOT been “provoked to jealousy”(Rom11:11)?
 
In conclusion, although Jeremiah 31:7-8 addresses three out of the four words (1.to praise; 2.to proclaim; 3.to pray,) I plan to offer even more scripture to teach Christians how to treat Jews/Israel!
 
 
* restitution- is shâlam, shaw-lam´; a prim. root; to be safe (in mind, body or estate); fig. to be (caus. make) completed; by impl. to be friendly; by extens. to reciprocate (in various applications):—make amends, (make an) end, finish, full, give again, make good, (re-) pay (again), (make) (to) (be at) peace (-able), that is perfect, perform, (make) prosper (-ous), recompense, render, requite, make restitution, restore, reward, × surely
                                                           -Strong’s
(Ex22:3,5-6,12)
** simchâh, sim-khaw´; from 8056; blithesomeness or glee, (religious or festival):—× exceeding (-ly), gladness, joy (-fulness), mirth, pleasure, rejoice (-ing).
 
*** tsâhal, tsaw-hal´; a prim. root; to gleam, i.e. (fig.) be cheerful; by transf. to sound clear (of various animal or human expressions):—bellow, cry aloud (out), lift up, neigh, rejoice, make to shine, shout.
 
**** haw-lal´; a prim. root; to be clear (orig. of sound, but usually of color); to shine; hence to make a show, to boast; and thus to be (clamorously) foolish; to rave; causat. to celebrate; also to stultify:—(make) boast (self), celebrate, commend, (deal, make), fool (-ish, -ly), glory, give [light], be (make, feign self) mad (against), give in marriage, [sing, be worthy of] praise, rage, renowned, shine.
  
QuoteBit
God connects His glory to meeting Your need. (Phil4:19)  -Derrick Jackson

11.I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy.
12.Now if the fall of them be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness?
 
What an incredible passage of scripture!!! However, to get the most out of it, we have to look at the original Greek words. 
  First, the context refers to Israel/Jew. In verse 11, the word “stumbled” (ptaio) means sin. And the first time the word “fall” (pipto) is used it means to ‘fall down’. For example, the wise men fell down (pipto) to worship Jesus (Mat2:11). So, the first sentence is asking whether the Jews sinned that they should ‘fall down’—where the ‘fall’ has a connotation of permanency.
  However, because the words “God forbid” follow in the very next sentence, we know their fall cannot be permanent! Why? Because the entire OT is filled with Israel falling into sin, and God judging them…yet He never permanently rejects them!! In other words, God promises to scatter Israel for their sin, but also promises to regather them back into their land*! Therefore, and I repeat, God cannot forever judge Israel!
  Moving forward. The second and third use of the word “fall” in verses 11 and 12 (paraptoma) mean ‘sin’, and/or ‘transgression’. Therefore, the use of the word paraptoma directly refers to Israel’s sin, transgression, trespass, or error! So, Romans 11:11 clearly teaches “through their fall” (paraptoma), which means through Israel’s sin--salvation comes to the Gentile. For emphasis, allow me to repeat myself. Through Israel’s fall into sin, God extended salvation to the Gentiles! Now that is certainly a jaw-dropping truth…but there is still more to come.
  Let’s examine the phrase “for to provoke them to jealousy”! The word “for to” in the previous phrase is a single Greek word “eis”, and simply means “to”. It has within its definition the meaning of ‘purpose’. Therefore, in Romans 11:11, the word means to give a purpose or reason God sovereignly determined to give salvation to the Gentile. Allow me to repeat myself for emphasis. The word “eis” (“for to”) informs us a reason or purpose salvation has come to the Gentiles: “to provoke them (Jews) to jealousy”!!!
   Here are two absolutely, amazing revelations!
1.The English word “provoke” normally has a negative connotation. For example, Johnny provokes his little sister to anger by continuing to poke her with his finger! However, this is NOT the intent of “provoke” in Romans 11:11. The English word “provoke” is the Greek word “parazeloo”, a compound word made up of the Greek words ‘para’ and ‘zeloo’ and means “to stimulate alongside” (Strong’s).
  Let’s look at the definitions of the two Greek words ‘para’ and ‘zeloo’ separately to get a better understanding of what God is trying to teach us. The first word ‘para’ means ‘near’ or ‘beside’ as in the vicinity of something. The second word ‘zeloo’ means ‘to have warmth of feeling for or against” (Strong’s). On the other hand, depending on the context, the word ‘zeloo’ can also have a meaning of either ‘envy’ or ‘jealous over’, which are obviously negative words.
  However, because ‘zeloo” is preceded by the word “para”--which if you remember means “to be near” or “to come along side”; therefore the context of the word “zeloo” in Romans 11:11 demands that the word take on the meaning of “have warmth of feeling for” as opposed to “have warmth of feeling against”. I repeat, the meaning of the Greek word parazeloo in the Romans 11:11-12 context means: “to come alongside with warmth to stimulate” or to motivate or to inspire!!!! Therefore, the meaning of the phrase: “for to provoke them to jealousy” means the Gentile is to come alongside the Jew—with warmth, sensitivity, and love to stimulate the Jew; to motivate the Jew; to inspire the Jew! But…to inspire the Jew to what? Obviously, because salvation came to the Gentile through the fall of the Jew, and because salvation comes only through the Jewish Messiah Jesus (Jn14:6; 1Jn5:11-13; Jn4:22), the Gentile who now possesses his salvation from the fall of the Jew, must return to the Jew to show him that salvation, which I repeat, can only mean to show the Jew their Messiah!!
  Romans 2:4 declares-“the goodness (kindness) of God leads men to repentance”!! Therefore, in practice, the intent of “the warmth of feeling” as conveyed in the word parazeloo, means the Gentile is saved in order to return and demonstrate to the Jew acts of goodness/kindness specifically designed (Rom2:4) to inspire the Jew to lay hold of his Messiah, Yeshua. For this reason alone, the Holy Spirit inspired Romans 1:16- to take the gospel to the Jew first…which if done correctly will organically lead to the second revelation**.  
 
2.This second revelation arises from the first, which means the two revelations are inseparably linked!!! Because the purpose of the fall of the Jew brought salvation to the Gentile, a salvation which demands that the Gentile return to the Jew to come alongside with warmth, sensitivity, and love to provoke the Jew; to motivate the Jew; to inspire the Jew; to recognize Yeshua as their Messiah: can only mean the Jew and Gentile are inseparably linked(Eph2:13-15)!!! The Gentile needs the Jew, and the Jew needs the Gentile!  Remember, and I repeat, in the sovereign determination of Almighty God, the fall of the Jew granted salvation to the Gentile! Yet, the purpose of that Gentile salvation is not just for him/her to make heaven, but to return to the Jew to provoke (to stimulate along side) him to a jealousy for his Messiah!
  In review, the Gentile needed the fall of the Jew for his own salvation—but the Jew needs the Gentile to return and come alongside him with warmth, sensitivity, and love---which over time, will ultimately inspire the acceptance of their Jewish Messiah, Yeshua. Therefore, the two groups are inseparably linked!!
 
  Because of these two revelations, the devil has moved heaven, earth, and hell to inspire antisemitism, and especially “Christian” antisemitism!!
 
  Notice, I didn’t even get to what is probably the greatest promise found in verse 12: “…how much more their fulness”!!! When the Gentile does his proper work with the Jew in verse 11—verse 12 says the Jew will not only recognize their Messiah Jesus---but God will pour out His blessing on the world to such a degree that has NEVER---EXISTED---BEFORE!!!
 
*Eze37:1-14; Is11:11-12. The phrase “second time” in Isaiah 11:11 ensures that Israel will return to the land twice! First, under the Medes and Persians under Cyrus(Ezra 1:1,2), and second, this prophecy refers to Israel’s return in 1948.
 
**And ultimately landing us on the promise of Romans 11:12!
 
Quotebit
Only be moderately impressed by what someone has done, but be more impressed by what that someone must do. – Derrick Jackson

Over the past several months I have written about the horrendous tragedy of ‘Christian’ anti-semitism. There are other types of Jew-hatred that I could have included in these tidbits, but I decided to primarily focus on the persecution of the Jews done in the name of Christ!* Considering the current war in Israel, as well as the riots in our country, I believe this is a God-inspired moment for this tidbit.
  Because I believe the Bible is the inspired Word of God, I attempt to derive my thoughts, words, and actions from its revelation on both good and evil. Therefore, my previous tidbits have tried to explain the question “How could Christians have persecuted, and even murdered Jews?” My answer is completely spiritual: anti-semitism is inspired by Satan--period!!! We can use our capacity to reason about anti-semitism all we want, but the bottom-line foundational cause of Jew hatred is Satan—who comes only to steal, kill, and destroy(Jn10:10)!
  In this tidbit, I offer the Apostle Paul’s behavior as an example of what to do when encountering Stiff-necked Jews, or Jews who will not convert. I’m sure you must know by now that, unlike historical “supposed” Christians, Paul does not encourage either Jew-hatred or murdering Jews!! So, let’s begin!
  Acts13:44-47(KJV):
44.And the next sabbath day came almost the whole city together to hear the word of God.
45.But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy, and spake against those things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming.
46.Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.
47.For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth.
  The context of this passage is that Paul and Barnabus were sent out by the Church at Antioch to preach the gospel. At a particular synagogue in Acts 13:16, they began preaching the history of Israel—which is part of the gospel! Paul calls the Jews in this synagogue “children of the stock of Abraham” in verse 26, which informs us that these people to whom he was speaking were Jews. Then he weaves Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection into his history in verses 30-35. When he concludes, the Jews leave but the Gentiles encourage them to return and preach again on the next Sabbath. When the next Sabbath finally arrived, the crowds were so large that the Jews were filled with envy, and began “contradicting and blaspheming”(13:45) the two men’s preaching. Now…pay really close attention to the climax found in Acts 13:46-47(see above).
  First, being filled with a spirit of boldness, the two apostles rebuke the blasphemous Jews declaring: “It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you.” This incredible statement agrees with Romans 1:16 and Romans 2:9-10, which teach that the gospel is to go to the Jew first. The word “first” in verse 46 teaches a calling to a specific order---on the contrary, it does not refer to some mythical, fabricated, enhanced Jewish nature**! All humans have equal natures because we are created in God’s image and likeness(Gen1:26-28). Therefore, the word “first” refers to a ‘different calling’, or a unique purpose sovereignly determined by God, i.e.chosenness.
   Second, because the Jews rejected Paul’s gospel presentation, he presents them with an intensely profound judgment: “But seeing you put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.” On the contrary, unlike many historic supposed Christian fathers, Paul did not curse these Jews, and then round up as many friends as possible and begin slaughtering “the stiff-necked rebels”! NO! He simply says, “We turn to the Gentiles”, which means Paul politely walked away and took the gospel to the Gentiles!
  And last, Acts 13:47 is the foundation, i.e.the inspiration for Paul’s conclusion to go to the Gentiles. First, he declares, the “Lord commanded”. In other words, he begins with the Word of God! Second, But, what Word of God? The Old Testament prophecy found in Isaiah 49:6 and 42:6; was also used in the context of Luke 2:32(25-27) regarding Simeone, where he is called a “just and devote” man, whom God promised--using the two Isaiah promises--that he would not see death until he had “seen the Lord’s Christ”, i.e.Jesus.
  So…what exactly is this profound promise first mentioned in the Isaiah passages?
 
That God would make the Messiah Jesus…a light to the Gentiles!!!***
 
  Isaiah 49:6 and Isaiah 42:6 both teach that God will make the Messiah, i.e.Jesus, the light to the Gentile nations. Incredibly however, Paul raises this truth in the context of the Jews's refusal of the gospel in Acts 13:46,47; which immediately refers to the extraordinary principle in Romans 11:11, which teaches that through the fall of the Jew, salvation is given to the Gentile.
  In other words, in Acts 13:46,47 Paul uses his experience of Jews resisting the gospel as an example that: 1.the gospel is to go to the Jew first; and 2.God sovereignly used the rebellion of the Jew to call the Gentile into relationship with Him!! 3.The Jewish Messiah is a light to the Gentiles through the Jew, i.e.the promises given to the Jew!
  Remember, God declared of Israel i.e.the Jew, in Romans 9:4, “to whom belongs the adoption as sons, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the Law, and the temple service, and the promises!” And in Romans 9:5, the very next verse, the Holy Spirit adds to the list of gifts in 9:4, “the fathers”, i.e.the Jewish Patriarchs--Abraham, Issac, and Jacob; as well as the Messiah, i.e. Jesus Christ!!! In other words, Romans 9:4,5 covers everything that God ‘FIRST’ gave to Israel, i.e.the Jew…but not only to the Jew! Remember this little truth about Romans 9:4,5: To the Jew; For the Jew; Through the Jew; For the world!
  Therefore, the Gentile can receive God’s gifts through the Jew---by way of Christ Jesus(2Cor1:20)!
 
Three concluding points:
1.Paul’s behavior in Acts 13:46,47 is a ‘sign’ to every person, everywhere, at all times! This is how you react to those who resist the gospel!
2.Just imagine…what if the ‘Christian anti-semites’ had understood these great truths before persecuting the Jews? A secondary question is, How did they not know this?
3.As crazy as it may sound to even have to write this, BUT---"You don’t kill people who reject Jesus!!!”  “And you especially don’t kill people who reject Jesus…in the Name of Jesus!!!” And one more, “And you especially, especially don’t kill Jews who reject Jesus…in the Name of the Jewish Jesus!”
  Only Satan can inspire this kind of irrational thinking and demonic behavior!
 
On the contrary, Jeremiah 14:20 offers God’s mercy (answer) for ‘Christian anti-semitism’: “We acknowledge, O LORD, our wickedness, and the iniquity of our fathers: for we have sinned against thee.”
 
 
*A total and complete oxymoron!
**Anti-semites believe the word “chosen” regarding Israel means Jews are better than others.
***“And he said, It is a light thing that thou shouldest be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel: I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth.”  -Is49:6
 
 
 
Quotebit
The Bible is a book worth more than all the other books that were ever printed. -Patrick Henry

  Over the past two tidbits, I have attempted to point out where orthodox Jews Dennis Prager and Joseph Telushkin in their book “Why The Jews?” are incorrect in some of their deductions regarding Christian anti-semitism. Why do I say that? Because they base and restrict their conclusions only to “reason” rather than the revelation of scripture.
   Simply, it is impossible to explain the oxymoron of ‘Christian anti-semitism’ using only natural reasoning! I repeat, ‘Christian anti-semitism’ can only be explained through the revelation of scripture which categorizes it as demonic. There is absolutely no rational ground upon which a Christian can stand allowing him to hate any person(1Jn3:15) enough to commit murder (Ex 20:13)— especially upon the Jew! Why do I emphasize the Jew? I will say it again, there is only ONE reason no believer in Christ should persecute Jews: Jesus! Very simply….to hate Jews is to hate Jesus—Who is Jewish! The gospels of Matthew and Luke go to great lengths to list the genealogy of Jesus---for the very purpose of establishing His Jewishness. My point is “Christian anti-semitism" is not just irrational---it can only be identified as demonic!
  Let’s move forward. On page 127, Prager and Telushkin write: “Pierre Leroux, creator of the term “socialism”, identified the Jews with the despised capitalism, and regarded them as the incarnation of mammon, who lived by exploiting others. Leroux, a religious Christian, saw but one solution to the “Jewish Problem”---the conversion of all Jews to Christianity.”
   On page 139, using different words, they repeat this same sentiment, “Antisemitic Christians believed that Jews could really become Christians…”
   In my opinion, these statements unveil the greatest deception of “Why the Jews”! Why? Because in these two statements, Prager and Telushkin reveal THE heart of the matter! They believe that the conversion of the Jew to Christianity is itself…antisemitism!
 
ABSOLUTELY…Nothing could be further from the truth!
 
  Romans 10:12 declares: “For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him”
And, Galatians 3:28 declares: “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.”
   In these two passages, Paul declares the equality of the Jew and Gentile--in nature. From the beginning, God declared the Image and Likeness of God as His gift to mankind, i.e. descendants of Adam--which we all are--as THE agent making all humans equal!! And I repeat, this is true regardless of whether a person is a Jew or Gentile.
   However, as every human possesses a different calling from God(2Tim1:9), the calling of God upon the Jew is unique!
   First, Romans 10:9-10 declares the order God has ordained for His great calling on the Jew:
“9.Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of  the Gentile;
10.But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile”
   This teaches that God sovereignly declares that the Jew is first---first in judgment for their sin; and first in blessing for their obedience (Is1:19). I repeat, God sovereignly made the Jew first---not because they are better in nature. Deuteronomy 7:6-8 reveals God’s sovereign reason:
“6.For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God: the LORD thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth.
7.The LORD did not set his love upon you, nor choose you, because ye were more in number than any people; for ye were the fewest of all people:
8.But because the LORD loved you, and because he would keep the oath which he had sworn unto your fathers, hath the LORD brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you out of the house of bondmen, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt.”
  The reasons are: 1.God set His love upon them; 2.To keep His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob---the fathers of the Jews.
 
  Moses wrote the Deuteronomy 7 passage 500 years after Abraham. And yet another 500 years after Moses, King David not only confirmed the covenant but also established it forever in 2Samuel 7:22-24:
22.Wherefore thou art great, O LORD God: for there is none like thee, neither is there any God beside thee, according to all that we have heard with our ears.
23.And what one nation in the earth is like thy people, even like Israel, whom God went to redeem for a people to himself, and to make him a name, and to do for you great things and terrible, for thy land, before thy people, which thou redeemed to thee from Egypt, from the nations and their gods?
24.For thou hast confirmed to thyself thy people Israel to be a people unto thee forever: and thou, LORD, art become their God.
 
  Deuteronomy 26:18-19 further establishes God’s UNIQUE calling upon Israel: “that He will set you high above ‘all nations’ which He has made…” The word “all” means “all”! No exceptions!
  Therefore, David confirms God’s covenant with Israel is forever; and Moses confirms that covenant means God’s call on Israel is “high above all nations”!
  Here is my point! Romans 1:16 declares: “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek”. The gospel is ĕuaggĕliŏn, i.e.Good News, and is described in its most basic form in 1Corinthians 15:3-4: 1.Christ died for our sins…according to the scripture; 2.He was buried and raised again on the third day…according to the scripture.
   Romans 1:16 teaches the gospel is to be offered to the Jew…first!!! 1Corinthians 15:1-4 clearly defines “WHAT” that gospel is to be offered to the Jew first! And what is that? Christ our Passover also has been sacrificed (1Cor5:7); was buried, and raised again, for the sin of the world…beginning with the Jew!
 
  Moreover, the Tanach, i.e.the Old Testament CLEARLY teaches that Jesus is the JEWISH Messiah (Is53:1-12; Dan9:24-27; Dan7:13,14)! And the New Testament CLEARLY teaches that Jesus is the JEWISH Messiah (Mat1:16-17)! And Jesus CLEARLY taught He was the JEWISH
Messiah (Jn4:25,26)!!
   Therefore, not one Bible verse--especially the New Testament--in any way, shape, or form suggests that a Jew who acknowledges Jesus as the JEWISH Messiah…is anti-semitic!!!
   On the contrary, Jesus loves the Jews! In deep lamentation, Jesus expresses His great passion for His people Israel, “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!” -Matt23:37
  In addition, Jesus reveals His calling, i.e. the reason for His birth into the earth: “I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel!” –Matt15:24
  Furthermore, Jesus appeared to the Jewish Paul, who wrote 2/3 of the New Testament, to inform him that he would suffer much to bear His name (Jesus)…to the children of Israel (Acts 9:15). As a matter of fact, Paul’s encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus, leading to his recognition of Jesus as the Jewish Messiah created in him such a love for the Jews that he was willing to be accursed, i.e.sent to hell…for their salvation!!!! (Rom9:3).
  Therefore, no anti-semitism existed in Jesus nor His apostles---who were all Jewish. Remember, for the first 10 years of the church--EVERY—believer in the Jewish Messiah…was Jewish!
  In conclusion, for a Jew to recognize Jesus as the Jewish Messiah, or as Prager and Telushkin write, “Antisemitic Christians believed that Jews could really become Christians…” --is NOT anti-semitism!!! On the contrary, 1Corinthians 1:18 and 23 reflect their faulty sentiments:
“18.For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness…”
“23.But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock…”
 
  Finally, Acts 4:12 declares “…for there is no other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved”; which teaches no one--neither Jew nor Gentile--can be saved apart from the Name of Jesus, the Jewish Messiah! Therefore, the ‘natural reasoning’ employed by Prager and Telushkin to conclude that Jews cannot accept Jesus as the Jewish Messiah without committing anti-semitism--must itself be condemned as anti-semitic, and therefore a scheme of Satan! Why?  Their view denies Jews the very salvation that Jesus, the Jewish Messiah purchased as the Lamb of God (Jn1:29), Who came to take away the sin of the world! 
 
 
Quotebit
 “No civilization has survived that did not have a strong code informed by religious truth.”                              -Will Durant, Historian