Remember, Emile, that our dear brother in Christ, Paul the Apostle, was just like those that so bother you now in Israel. There will always be people like that in Israel, until the time comes for God to soften their hearts.
Before Paul was converted, when he was known as Saul, the Scripture says, "And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jersusalem." Acts 9:1-2
Try to avoid bitterness against those who still, like pre-converted Saul, speak lies and breathe fury against Christians among the Jews. God only knows if there are more among them, and how many, yet to be converted. God is certainly able to convert each and every one of them!
There will come the day, maybe during our own lifetimes, when Zechariah 12:10 (and verses following it), will be fulfilled: "And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn."
They are going to have plenty to mourn, without us adding to their misery. For our part, we need to pray for the peace of Jerusalem.
John |
