And in Other News...
Are you among those weary of the continuing flood of negativity swamping the airwaves? Have you been tempted to stop watching the newscasts? Take a break from social media?
I’m committed to trying to stay abreast of what’s going on in our world, but some days it’s a slog to get through the news stories. We’re aware of the “if it bleeds it leads” policy of editors needing to sell advertising. The more controversial, heinous, or bizarre, the better for ratings.
Here’s a headline grabber: “‘Jewish ideas poison people,’ State Department official writes on Christian nationalist blog.”[1] Uh oh. This can’t be good.
The article cites a certain Fritz Berggren: “Jesus Christ came to save the whole world from the Jews – the founders of the original Anti-Christ religion, they who are the seed of the Serpent, that brood of vipers.”
As if the Jewish people need more reasons to believe Christianity is anti-Semitic. How many acts of love toward our Jewish friends by people identified as followers of Yeshua will it take to counteract this hateful screed? one wonders.
Here in the USA most would be glad for a respite from the frenzy leading up to our national elections last November – and then all the drama which has followed. The new administration is barely sworn in and already the politicos are ramping up for the next election cycle.
Conservatives met last week in Orlando for the “America Uncanceled” CPAC conference. Ironically, in the week when God’s protection of the Jewish people was being celebrated during Purim, a scheduled CPAC panelist was canceled when his track record of anti-Semitic posts was brought to the organizers’ attention. His vitriol against “thieving fake Jews” included the canard that “all the censorship & pedophilia on social media is being done by Israeli Jews.”[2]
The divides deepen, the animosity strengthens, the rhetoric becomes more shrill. Is that even possible?
Stay tuned. Or don’t – but you can’t help but be affected, regardless.
So, why don’t we turn elsewhere for a breath of good news?
Let’s see. Oh, in the Netherlands they marked the 80th anniversary of the solidarity strike against the Nazis in protest of the deportation of Dutch Jewry – “the first and only direct action against the Nazi extermination of European Jews during World War II.”[3] A flash of bright light in an epoch of deep darkness.
Thank God those days are behind us. But what’s this? The article continues:
Geert Mak, a Dutch historian and writer, warned those in attendance that antisemitic and racist ideas were becoming mainstream once again.
“The jargon, the language, the world of ideas at that time, they have once again become part of the normal, public and political debate,” Mak said, as he blamed social media platforms for the shift.
“Suddenly they are no longer historical theories or fearful memories,” he added. “No, it’s back in a very concrete way.”
Well, then, let’s jump over to the Middle East for some uplifting news. Not that we’d expect Iran to be sending love notes to “the little Satan”[4] Israel or anything.
Nope, in response to Iran’s attack on their shipping vessel[5] the Israeli Air Force just pounded Syrian weapons caches[6] supplied by Israel’s archfoe.
Hmm…Iran was Ancient Persia, the setting for the Purim story. The more things change, the more they remain the same.
And what’s this headline? “Israel's high court says non-Orthodox converts are Jews.”[7] Here’s the scoop from the same source:
Israel’s Supreme Court on Monday dealt a major blow to the country’s powerful Orthodox establishment, ruling that people who convert to Judaism through the Reform and Conservative movements in Israel are also Jewish and entitled to become citizens.
The landmark ruling, 15 years in the making, centered around the combustible question of who is Jewish and marked an important victory for the Reform and Conservative movements. These liberal streams of Judaism, which represent the vast majority of affiliated American Jews, have long been marginalized in Israel.
Since the foundation of the modern State of Israel in 1948, the Orthodox parties (Shas, United Torah Judaism) have controlled not only explicitly religious matters (e.g., conversions to Judaism) but also practical matters affecting daily life of all citizens, including issuance of marriage licenses and burial rights. For all but a brief period they have also been in charge of the Ministry of Interior, overseeing citizenship matters as well as passports and visas.
The ruling of Israel’s secular Supreme Court is a deliberate “chipping away” at the Orthodox monolith. This significant move will be a hot political issue for Israel’s March 23 elections.
“Wait,” you say. “Didn’t Israel just hold national elections last year?”
Yes. After no clear winner in the April (oy!) and September 2019 contests (oy!!), the 23rd Knesset finally was formed following the March 2020 election (yay!). Then in December the government coalition collapsed, triggering a fourth election in two years. OY!!!
Israel’s electorate is divided far more than America’s two-party system. At least 14 parties are vying for seats in the Knesset, Israel’s Parliament. A simple majority (61 of the 120 seats) is required to form a functioning government.
The largest party, current Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud, is projected to draw fewer than 30 seats in this month’s polling.[8] The combined Orthodox parties are likely to win 16 seats at most, making them attractive coalition partners – which is why they have typically been able to demand key government portfolios such as the Interior Ministry.
But the widening gulf between the secular and religious communities in Israel makes coalition building increasingly difficult. Their demands pull in opposite directions (e.g., requiring or refusing mandatory Army service for the religious). Add to that the polarized opinions regarding Prime Minister Netanyahu (think “pro-Bibi” and “never Bibi”) and you see why pundits are not optimistic the fourth time will be a charm.
Throw in global concerns for democracy movements, armed conflicts, narcoterrorism, and the variants of COVID – well, it’s understandable if you want to shout, “Stop the world! I want to get off!”
It’s easy for us to think that the world has never been in such bad shape. In some ways, that’s true, given the advances in capabilities of modern warfare and the speed with which both physical viruses and toxic ideas can spread.
Where do we find solace amidst the chaos, confusion, and uncertainty of our world? Not in the newsroom or on social media, for sure.
For me, I love stories of God’s sovereignty in history such as Purim and Passover.[9] I love God’s sovereignty in the raising up and taking down of empires, portrayed in passages like Daniel 7 and 9. And I love the prophetic proclamations of our Messiah (Matthew 24, Luke 21) which delineate the “birth pangs” which portend His certain (and soon?) return.
Take comfort, dear friend. Though “the nations are in an uproar and the peoples imagine vain things… He who sits in the heavens laughs, the Lord scoffs at them.”[10]
Tomorrow’s news is already known to the One who holds the future. May we find refuge and comfort in Him – regardless of what news breaks next.
Written by Wes Taber, LIFE Global Ambassador
What steadies you when the deck of your vessel rolls amidst the crashing waves of life?
The LORD promises to be “an ever-present help in time of trouble” (Psalm 46:1).
“Fear not!” and “Be strong and courageous!” are God’s oft-repeated commands to His children.
We pray He will be the “lifter of your head” today. Let us know how we may pray for you.
Footnotes:
[4] Iran’s “pet name” for the Jewish homeland; the US remains “the great Satan.”
[5] https://www.timesofisrael.com/explosion-hits-israeli-owned-cargo-ship-in-gulf-of-oman-no-injuries/.
[6] https://www.timesofisrael.com/syria-reports-israeli-airstrikes-in-damascus-area/.
[9] Pesach (Passover) begins the evening of Saturday, March 27 this year. Join LIFE’s virtual Passover March 26, 2021 at 7pm EDT! (You can sign up and find out more details HERE.)
[10] Psalm 2:1-4.