This is a copy of a letter sent to a Christian friend who loves Israel. I think it could be written to all Christians who love Israel, so I am sending you a copy. I hope you find it interesting and encouraging.
"Shalom, your love for Israel is a beautiful thing. Naturally, one should be in love with Israel and the Jewish people, so it doesn't surprise me."
I know many who, like you, love Israel. But many others aren't in love with Israel or the Jewish people.
On the one hand, we can't say that those people don't count and forget them. On the other hand, we don't have the tools to persuade them to love Israel, just as one cannot persuade love in any situation. Love is something you either have or don't have. You can develop it yourself, but the desire must come from within.
I will continue to relate to people like yourself who have this love in them and pray that others will also see the light.
Being born a Jew, it was easy to fulfil my love for Israel, but I realize that it's difficult for you being a Christian.
The State of Israel doesn't have a system to distinguish between a Christian who loves Israel and wants to help the Jewish people and a Christian who wants to harm Israel.
The International Christian Embassy has helped a lot in developing such a system. CFI and Bridges for Peace have also helped.
To the best of my knowledge, there is no law in Judaism which prohibits a Jew from accepting help from a non-Jew.
The Bible speaks of man's duty to help his suffering fellow man. This also applies to the nation that He has chosen.
James Finn, the British ambassador to Palestine in 1850, a devout Christian, took these verses to heart.
In the water cistern of the first home that he and his wife, Anne, established, he inscribed the following verses from the Bible as a reminder that God commanded non-Jews to help Jews.
"Num 21:16 "...... Gather the people together, and I will give them water."
Isaiah 41:17: " The poor and needy seek water, and there is none, and their tongue fails for thirst, I the Lord will answer them, I the God of Israel will not forsake them."
James Finn and his family
established a trade school in Abraham’s Vineyard, the name they gave to their home. Stone cutting and building were among the essential subjects taught.
Joshua Stamper, a Jewish pioneer who arrived in Jaffa, walked 60 KM to Jerusalem to learn stone cutting at the Finn's school. He earned enough money to buy a small 3.2KM2 piece of malaria-infested land, on which he, with other pioneers, established the town of Petah Tikvah."
I know that this isn't much comfort to you, but at least you know that I sympathize with your feelings, and I wish I could be more active in making it possible for you to spend more time in Israel.
Here are a few more Biblical verses that prophesy the help that will come from non-Jews in the building of Israel:
The prophet Zachariah prophesies (8:23)
"In those days, ten people from all languages and nations will take firm hold of one Jew by the hem of his robe and say, 'Let us go with you, because we have heard that God is with you.'"
In the following words from the Bible (I kings 8:41-44), King Solomon expressed Judaism's fervent hope:
"As for the foreigner who does not belong to your people, Israel, but has come from a distant land because of your name. For they will hear of your great name, mighty hand, and outstretched arm when they come and pray toward this temple, then hear from heaven, your dwelling place. Do whatever the foreigner asks of you so that all the peoples of the earth may know your name and fear you, as do your people, Israel, and may know that this house I have built bears your Name."
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