Are Christians Fair Weather Friends? Now Is the Time to Be a Friend that Sticks Closer than a Brother

Are Christians fair weather friends to Israel? Now is the time to be a friend that sticks closer than a brother. (Proverbs 18:24)

For most of my generation the horrific anti-semitism of the Nazi era can only be understood second-hand from books, films and documentaries.

It seemed incomprehensible that such an evil spirit was once loosed upon the world, but the “never-again” has once again become an ugly reality. Hatred of the Jewish people has erupted into our nations with an alarming ferocity.

In his column today, Mark Steyn expressed what I’m sensing that “today’s Jew-hate is worse than 1930s Jew-hate precisely because, unlike 80 years ago. . . .We can’t plead ignorance. Hitler felt obliged to be somewhat coy about just how final the final solution was. As Eichmann testified at his trial, when typing up the minutes of the Wannsee conference, ‘How shall I put it? Certain over-plain talk and jargon expressions had to be rendered into office language by me.’ Even the Nazis were reluctant to spell it out.”

But Hamas in its Charter and Hezbollah in their TV broadcasts, etc., and all their infamous ilk, have no problems articulating as plainly as possible–even, as Steyn said, “in giant-size neon lettering.”

Such is the depths of their depravity, and also of their Iranian sponsors, that they have been announcing in no uncertain terms to the world for years their plans of another Jewish Holocaust.

Meanwhile, the mainstream media are playing into the hands of these jihadists with distorted thinking that lacks true judgment.

Complaints over the disproportionate nature of the Israel-Hamas conflict have reached a preposterous pitch in recent weeks. In their distorted thinking, concerning a conflict between a democratic state and a terrorist-run territory, simply not enough Israelis are dying! CNN commentator Marc Lamont Hill made that point in a discussion on the August 4 edition of CNN Newsroom. Hill critiqued Israel’s Iron Dome defense system, almost lamenting the fact that the interceptor technology limits Israeli deaths.

Meanwhile, an aspect of anti-semitism that is hurting Israel presently is a lack of tourists.

Today we had coffee with a lovely family of tourists who have decided to visit Israel annually if at all humanly possible. They are Christians from the Republic of Ireland who go to a considerable expense each year to bring tourist dollars to the Jewish state as well as their supportive physical presence. While so many tourists have cancelled their hotel reservations recently, this family was received with open arms by their distraught Jewish hotelier, who is concerned about the welfare and payroll of his staff.

The husband expressed regret that so few Christians are travelling here at this time of Israel’s need. He said he contacted a prominent (supposedly) Israel-supporting ministry, but was shocked that the minister said he personally would not bring his family to visit Israel at this time.

“I felt this was a lack of faith on his part,” the Irishman said. “Surely when it comes to visiting Israel, faith will be required. This is the land of faith.”

Such a visit to Israel at this time qualifies as a mitzvah (commandment) to visit the sick. Such a visit blesses not only the Jewish residents but also the Arabs who live here and must make a living. Both Jews and Arabs are hurting at this time and are suffering in many ways, including economically.

The purpose of visiting the sick, the rabbinic sages teach, is to encourage them to reinforce their faith in the Almighty’s miracles.

Today I read very appropriate words in a book,”Womanly Wisdom” by Rabbi Shalom Arush, that’s being sold on the streets here in Jerusalem:

“When we visit the sick, we must fortify their trust that nothing is beyond Hashem’s [God’s] power and remind them that even at the most dire moment, they must not lose hope in Hashem’s mercy. We should tell them that we are also praying for their recovery, healing and salvation.  If a woman visits a sick relative or friend and does not offer words of encouragement and does not pray for their healing, then her visit in in vain and the sick person may even be hurt by her silence.”

Amen and Amen!

For Zion’s sake I will not keep silent, for Jerusalem’s sake I will not remain quiet, till her vindication shines out like the dawn, her salvation like a blazing torch. (Isaiah 62: 1)