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Understanding the Roots of Antisemitism and God’s Enduring Covenant
Antisemitism is active in 21st century. However, throughout history, people have repeatedly asked a haunting question: Why always the Jews? Why have countless generations and regions seen relentless hatred, persecution, and violence aimed at the Jewish people? This troubling reality transcends religion and politics. Whether one is Christian, secular, or a student of history, understanding the persistent pattern of antisemitism challenges everyone.
A History of Unbroken Persecution
From the earliest biblical accounts to the present day, antisemitism has manifested in continuous cycles of oppression unparalleled in either length or severity. For example, in ancient times, Egyptians enslaved the Jews, Babylonians exiled them, and Assyrians and Persians scattered them. Additionally, Babylon and Rome destroyed the Temples, killing thousands and displacing the Jewish people from their homeland.
Furthermore, during the early Church era (399–613 CE), Roman laws increasingly restricted Jewish life. Authorities banned Jews from government offices, property ownership, and legal testimony. Meanwhile, church art maliciously depicted Jews as demonic figures, reinforcing negative stereotypes. Specifically, in 613 CE, Spanish Jews faced forced conversion or expulsion, and authorities removed Jewish children from their families.
Moreover, during the Crusades (1095 CE), crusaders mercilessly massacred Jewish communities across Europe and Jerusalem under the guise of reclaiming the Holy Land. Medieval Europe compounded antisemitism with expulsions like England’s 1290 decree and France’s accusations of Jewish involvement in the Black Plague, which led to mass executions. Simultaneously, the Spanish Inquisition forced Jews to convert or face death, driving hundreds of thousands into exile or murder.
In Eastern Europe between 1648 and the 1880s, uprisings and pogroms devastated Jewish towns, resulting in sexual violence and scattering families. Driven by these horrors, many Jews immigrated to America seeking safety. Even modern democratic countries like the United States did not escape antisemitism; universities enforced quotas limiting Jewish enrollment, and eventually, the Holocaust resulted in the systematic murder of six million Jews.
Notably, recent history underscores that antisemitism remains a present danger. For instance, in October 2023, Hamas terrorists attacked Israel, killing and kidnapping innocent people solely because they were Jewish. Clearly, antisemitism is not confined to history—it lurks in today’s world as well.
Is Antisemitism a Matter of Logic or Hatred?
Each era offers new excuses to justify antisemitism. During medieval times, people baselessly accused Jews of witchcraft or poisoning wells. The Nazis blamed Jews for controlling banks and economies. Today, some falsely accuse Jews of colonizing Palestinian land. Although the reasons frequently change, the hatred remains constant. Consequently, attempts to rationalize antisemitism fail because it is not a logical issue; it is a spiritual ailment rooted in the human heart.
The Biblical Answer: God’s Covenant
The Bible provides a straightforward but profound answer: God chose the Jewish people. In Deuteronomy 7:6, God calls Israel His “treasured people.” Additionally, scripture describes Israel as the “apple of His eye” (Zechariah 2:8), His “firstborn” (Exodus 4:22), and His “wife” (Isaiah 54). Because God loves Israel deeply, they stand at the center of both divine affection and global hostility.
Therefore, antisemitism does not merely reflect human prejudice—it constitutes rebellion against God’s choice. Paradoxically, the persistent persecution of the Jewish people becomes one of the strongest evidences supporting the Bible’s message. No other people group survives thousands of years of exile, suffering, and diaspora while retaining their faith, culture, and identity.
From Hatred to Love: The Christian Response
For Christians, this history provokes a vital question: How should we respond to God’s love for the Jewish people? Many believers pursue intimacy with God through prayer and worship, but true intimacy requires also loving what God loves. Just as spouses grow closer by caring about each other’s passions, Christians grow closer to God by loving His chosen people.
Unfortunately, the early Church often failed in this regard. Many churches remained silent during the Holocaust due to fear or political expediency, later confessing their cowardice. Today, antisemitism rises again with new disguises, and the call remains clear: Christians must repent of past indifference and renew their love for God’s people.
The Root of the “Jewish Problem”
History reveals a tragic irony. When Jews lived in Europe, opponents chanted, “Go back to Palestine!” Yet, when Jews return to their ancestral homeland, the chant changes to, “Leave Palestine!” In every case, the underlying message is the same: “You do not belong here.”
A Messianic Jewish teacher described this as three escalating stages of antisemitism: First, “You can’t live here and be Jewish.” Next, “You can’t live here at all.” Finally, “You can’t live.” This dangerous progression repeats throughout history, from Pharaoh to Hitler to modern extremists.
Why It Still Matters Today
This topic extends beyond a historical lesson—it issues a warning for the present and future, because history repeats when forgotten. Believers must ask themselves: What would I have done during Nazi Germany? Would I have spoken out for the Jews or remained silent to avoid trouble? Many German Christians once justified silence by saying, “It’s too complicated.” Unfortunately, people still use this excuse today when confronting antisemitism. Yet, moral clarity resides not in political convenience but in Scripture.
The Bible declares clearly: God’s covenant with Israel is eternal, His love for the Jewish people unwavering, and those who love God must love what He loves.
A Call to Reflection
God calls the church and individual believers to examine their hearts, repent of prejudice or indifference towards the Jewish people, and align with God’s heart. The church has ignored this call too long. Now, it must love what God loves.
Final Thoughts
The mystery of enduring antisemitism cannot be fully explained by economics, politics, or nationalism. From Pharaoh to Hitler to today’s extremists, the hatred persists because it roots itself in rebellious spiritual forces.
Why does antisemitism always target the Jews? Because they remain living proof of God’s promises—a people chosen, preserved, and deeply loved. For Christians, the antidote to antisemitism is not argument but love. True intimacy with God begins by honoring what He treasures most: His covenant people, Israel.
Do you agree?
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I am a blogger, writer, pastor, Director of Zion Romania Bible School, husband to Olguta, a father and, most importantly, a child of God. I also completed my studies at the King’s University where I earned a B.A. in Theology with a concentration in Messianic Jewish Studies. I love Israel and I love the ‘Jewishness’ of the Bible.
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