שלום חברים
Shalom Dear Friends,
Zion and Zionism
I would like to devote this issue of our newsletter to the questions, “What is Zion?” and “What is Zionism?” We see these terms thrown around in the media and we hear them voiced over and over again on TV. We encounter the term “Zion” in the Bible. However, do the detractors of Zion and Zionism really know what they are talking about? Do Christians know what the words mean? First of all, let’s answer the question, “What is Zion?”
Zion (Zahy-uhn): The meaning of the word is actually unknown. Perhaps it means “fortress”? Originally, Zion was the fortified mound between the Kidron and Tyropean valleys to the east and west respectively of early Jerusalem. It was the name for the Jebusite stronghold, and the southeastern hill of Jerusalem upon which it stood.
The use of the name was progressively expanded to include the Temple and, eventually, all of Jerusalem. It came to be applied figuratively to the nation of Judah and the whole of the Israelite people. Through this process of change, the name also developed a religious connotation, emphasizing Jerusalem as the City of God, and the Israelites as God’s people.
At least 163 verses in the Scriptures refer to Zion. A few include: 2 Samuel 5:7; 1 Chronicles 11:5; Psalm 2:6; Isaiah 10:24; and Hebrews 12:22.
Biblical Mount Zion should not be confused with modern Mount Zion. Modern Mount Zion is the hill that lies west of the Old City. Apparently, it was so named by the first century Jewish historian Josephus. This has been the case ever since.
Now let’s tackle the second question, “What is Zionism?” If you research the word, you will find it used many different ways. For example, if you visit the internet site of “Jews Not Zionists,” this is what you will find.:
“[Zionists] want a state in order to make Jews into heretics”
Rabbi C. Soloveichik
For these Jewish people, Zionism is heresy. If you go to the United Nations you will encounter this definition of Zionism:
United Nations General Assembly Resolution 3379
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, … DETERMINES that Zionism is a form of racism and racial discrimination.
The United Nations considered Zionism a form of racism for 16 years, from 1975 until 1991. The members of the U.N. finally came to their senses and repealed the statement.
Next, let’s see how the Palestinians define “Zionism” in Section 22 of the Palestinian Charter:
Section 22: Zionism is a political movement organically associated with international imperialism and antagonistic to all action for liberation and to progressive movements in the world. It is racist and fanatic in its nature, aggressive, expansionist, and colonial in its aims, and fascist in its methods.
Wow, that’s pretty heavy, isn’t it? Finally, let’s go to the Word of God and see what it has to say about Zionism.
Psalm 137:1-6
By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down and wept, when we remembered Zion. Upon the willows in the midst of it we hung our harps. For there our captors demanded of us songs, and our tormentors mirth, saying, “Sing us one of the songs of Zion.” How can we sing the LORD’S song in a foreign land? If I forget you, O Jerusalem, may my right hand forget her skill. May my tongue cling to the roof of my mouth if I do not remember you, if I do not exalt Jerusalem above my chief joy. Remember, O LORD, against the sons of Edom the day of Jerusalem, who said, “Raze it, raze it to its very foundation.” O daughter of Babylon, you devastated one, how blessed will be the one who repays you with the recompense with which you have repaid us. How blessed will be the one who seizes and dashes your little ones against the rock.
From this Psalm I think we can authoritatively define Zionism. Dr. Arnold Fruchtenbaum of Ariel Ministries offers this definition based on Psalm 137:
Zionism describes a feeling. It is an expression of the longing and yearning that the Jewish people have had in the past and still have for their homeland.…As soon as any Jew expressed a desire to go back to his Land,…he was expressing Zionism. [Ariel Ministries, MBS 026, “Zionism, What It Is and What It Is Not,” pg. 4]
Since our authority, as Believers in Jesus the Messiah, is the Holy Scriptures, this is the definition we ought to embrace and promote. As you can see, the definitions of men vary and change, but the Word of our God endures forever (1 Peter 1:25). At HaDavar we embrace the authority of the living and eternal Word of God.
“UCI Jealousy” sounds bad, doesn’t it? Actually, it is very encouraging. The HaDavar Bible Book Table on the University of California Irvine campus has spawned one “child.” In addition, there might be two more on the way.
First, let me inform you of our “child.” Some students from a local church close to the campus observed our booth two weeks in a row and it inspired them to imitate what we are doing. They have begun setting up a booth in order to reach the students. We have encouraged them, shared their literature, and have given them supplies. Pray for the ministry of this local church.
Second, J.R. wants to set up a Bible Book Table on another Southern California University campus, because he was inspired by our efforts. He said he wants “to make the HaDavar book table jealous.” Go for it! The more students reached the better!
Third, Olivier, who has been part of our book table for many years, was transferred to the Northwest as the Northwest Director for Chosen People Ministries. He wants to set up a Bible Book Table like ours on the campus of the University of Washington.
It is a great joy to us to see our efforts on the UCI campus being blessed by the Lord in this manner.
Recently, an article from the Messianic Times newspaper summarized why we are translating our website into the four major Jewish languages of the day. In addition to English, they are Hebrew, Russian, and Spanish. In an article entitled “Reaching Out—Online,” about new efforts using the internet in Israel, the newspaper reports:
“The Internet is the safest place for a non-believer to search for Yeshua if you consider the shame, fear and guilt that Israelis might feel when encountering the Gospel,” advises Eitan Bar, 28, co-founder of One for Israel, a groundbreaking ministry. “Online, you can do your own thing without anyone bothering you.”
Stefan Silver, fellow co-founder, agrees that the key to the Internet’s success is discretion and privacy. “It offers a place to seek the truth without worrying about scrutiny or rejection.”
When we have our website translated into these languages, we will be able to reach 90% of the worldwide Jewish population. Please pray for a successful completion of this goal.
Thanks for your partnership in reaching the Jewish community with the Good News of Jesus the Messiah.