In order to clearly approach this matter, we must first understand the meaning of the word Jew. Who can be defined as a member of a cultural society who belongs to the Judaism religion and whose lineage can be traced to the Hebrew of the Israel and to their father Abraham. It comes from one of Abraham’s ancestors who was named Eber. Teachings from another tradition say that the word came from ‘eyver’, which translates to mean the ‘other side’. It is in reference that Abraham travelled from Euphrates separating himself spiritually and morally from other nations.
It is the oldest monotheistic religions (i.e. religions that believe in the existing of one God only). It is also believed to have influenced the forming of Islam and Christianity. They call God by the name of Yahweh. He is responsible for reveling the Torah to the Jewish people who at that time were known as Hebrews. The book is said to contain 613 commands which were summarized into the ten commandments.
When discussing delicate matters such as this, one has to go back in time to the roots and derive the cause of the allegations, the historical happenings of such a time when jews and gentiles existed and lived together and how they came to have different opinions on matters of faith and worship. In order to come up with a definite answer about this issue, it is important to employ the views of the holy books: Holy Bible and the Torah to shed light on this subject at hand.
This topic has been at the center of disagreement between Jews and Christians as both sides consider themselves to be right while being the chosen ‘people’ of God. This paper will seek to find the truth about this disparity and whether or not God hears the prayers of Jews as opposed to the Prayers of born again Christians. Furthermore, this paper will identify the differences between Judaism and Christianity based on their beliefs of both scriptures.
The very important concept that differs with Christians from jews is that of the coming of the Messiah. On the onset, Jews believed that God would send a powerful messenger who would come to save Israel from its oppressors and with it would come prosperity and peace. However, Jesus came and only called for inner holiness. It was not what the Jews were looking for in a Messaiah as they were expecting him to come and restore the throne of King David literally. It is found in Acts 1:6 which this text explains and which also included his own followers (disciples). They wanted a person who would come to restore or start a new an earthly kingdom, John 18:36. They rejected him as a messenger, but not as a teacher or a prophet. While the Gentiles who were later to be called Christians believed in him and his message and claim to be the Son of God.
The other difference is based on the Torah, that consists of three groups of documents: the prophets, the writings (e.g. Proverbs and Psalms) and the law. The writings come from the old testament found in the Christian Bible. They do not however believe in the existence of the new testament or its belief that it confers the fulfillment of the prophecies found in the old testament. Although there are a number of areas that both faiths agree on. For example, the creation story and the fact that there is an infinite God, the entrance of sin into the world through the temptation of the forbidden fruit that was executed by a transcendent being who goes by the name Satan, the judgement that will be brought by God on sin, the importance of forgiveness of sin. But in this atonement, jews complete it through offering sacrifices, acts of kindness, deep prayer and the mercy of God.
During the trial of Jesus, the Jews were at the forefront calling for his crucifixion. They even accepted the consequences of his death to be on them and their offspring. With all this happening, Jesus instructed his disciples to preach to the Jews, despite the part they played in his sentencing (King James Version, Matt 27:25). They did so until their settlement was destroyed by the Romans in 70AD. Paul, one of the apostles had a genuine desire for them to be saved prayed for them, “Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth”( King James Bible, Rom. 10:1-4). This prayer from Paul who was also a Gentile confirms that he genuinely wanted them to join in the church and become one. Jesus also instructed us to preach the word of God to everybody, no matter the tongue or people.
According to Romans 11:2, Paul writes that Israel has not been forgotten and uses himself as an example. In his ministry, he worked towards the atonement and salvation of the Jews once he became a follower of Jesus. In verse 7, he continued to note that the Israelites had not obtained what they were seeking. Moving to verse 19-22, he talks about Christians being grafted into the Olive tree. He comments, “Branches were broken off, that I might be grafted in. Because of unbelief they were broken off, and you stand by faith. Do not be haughty, but fear. For if God did not spare the natural branches, He may not spare you either. Therefore, consider the goodness and severity of God: on those who fell, severity; but toward you, goodness, if you continue in His goodness. Otherwise, you will also be cut off.” By the words did not spare meant that the Jewish community was considered to no longer be among God’s chosen people. But as an individual they can still be able to get salvation as they are not different from the rest. Galatians 3:29 affirms this by stating that if you belong to Chris,t then you are a descendant of Abraham and his heirs who were among the promise made to him by God. Every promise made by God in the bible belongs to God’s people . This does not segregate the Jews or the Gentiles, but refers to whoever will continue in his acts of righteousness and goodness (King James Version, Rom. 11:22.
Jews have an equal chance for salvation just like everyone else but only if they chose this individually. Most of Paul’s church was largely made up of Jews. This shows that many believed and came to Christ. Peter also pointed out to the Jewish leaders that there is no salvation through any means but only through Christ whom they must accept as their Lord ad savior (New King James Version, Acts 4:12). Christian or Jew this applies to all. There are others who think hat they must return to Israel and continue with traditional ancient sacrifices. This has no base as it was Peter and John, who were themselves Jews who made it clear that only by Christ’s name can any man be saved. It was made clear that the ‘we’ included Jews in the ‘we must be saved’ ( NKJV , Acts 4:8-13). Sacrifices came to a stop when Jesus was crucified as the Lamb of God. This was signified by the tearing of the temple curtain when Jesus died on the cross. The book of Mathew affirms this in chapter 27 verse 51 that the veil of the temple tore from top to bottom; and there was an earthquake which also tore the rocks into pieces. This marked the end of animal offerings. They replaced the temple curtain, but it was again destroyed by the Roman army when they invaded the city. The temple was also burnt to the ground, fulfilling the prophecy made by Jesus that not one stone of the temple would be left standing.
The book of 1 Kings 9:6-8 emphasizes this by stating, if you cease from following my orders, you or your off spring, and will disobey my commands and laws that I provided, in its stead you go and pray to other deities and pray to them: I will forcefully evict you from the earth which I provided for you: and my temple which you built in my name I will destroy it and the name given to them shall be a myth or an utterance among people: and people will pass by the ruins of the temple and be shocked and ask themselves why I did this to this settlement , to my temple.
Paul writes about a similar thing in the book of Romans chapter 11. In this it also includes Christians who turn away from God. The relationship between Christians and God must be maintained or dire consequences will follow. This was the same condition given to Solomon, that if you seek Him, in time He will reveal Himself to you, but when you choose to turn away against the Lord, He will forsake you and consider you an outcast. God’s promise to Abraham materialized when He gave the promised land to the Israelites. It took a long time because Abraham’s lineage had to multiply first. The whole book written by Joshua describes how God came to get their promised land. They had to wage war against the occupants of that land before they could claim it and that is when it was equally distributed to all the tribes in their group. This was done under the Lords guidance by Joshua ( NKJV Josh, 13-22). It describes how the land was divided between the 12 clans of Israel. It is written that if you believe Jesus as your Lord and savior, then you are of Abraham’s lineage and his descendant according to God’s promise. This also applies to heaven, which is the next Canaan to whom it was promised to Abraham and his descendants. Abraham himself was also patient in God admitting him to his kingdom by which it would be built and constructed by God. The only existence of such a place is heaven as it has no influence of man in its foundations.
This is the fulfillment of the promise made to Abraham. It can only be possible through Jesus who will provide us with a title to access this heavenly aboard. The Jews communion in rejecting the son of God made them miss out on this important blessing. In Daniel chapter 7 verse 27 we find that the scripture is clear in this matter and promises that the dominion of God’s nation on shall belong to the most righteous of followers who will live an everlasting life while they serve and Obey the lord. They passed out on this because they did not believe in Jesus as the Messiah and personal savior who came to wash their sins away. Had they welcomed Jesus as the messenger they would have been the church through which the Lord would have spread the gospel to the diaspora. The duty belonged to them, but they denied any association with it, and thus it was placed on the Christians who have not done what was required of them. John, who was a Jew himself mourned when he of how Jesus came to this world and his own people did not welcome him nor did they recognize him. He then gave them the anointing to become the children of God, even though they were not keen on executing his will and that of God. Nor did they believe in his name and his title (NKJV John, 1:10-12). Even with all this grief he had to write it because he was under the inspiration of the Holy spirit.
The Messiah according to Isaiah was to come from David’s lineage. It was prophesied that a male child will be born and the meaning of his name will be the Prince of Peace, counselor and The Almighty Father. His reign shall be that of peace and tranquility. He will sit on the throne of King David and will establish its foundation with fairness and justice henceforth and for the coming days. The Lord shall see this done through Him (NKJV Isaiah, 9:6-7). This was in lew to the fact that Jews did not have a king, but were under the rule of Governors and other kings. Even Herod did not belong to the lineage of David, but was appointed by Ceasar who was Roman.
The promise was to fulfill the promise that David shall sit forever on the throne as he was promised by God. But this promise was conditional as it was explained to Solomon and that is why they lost the kingdom after Zedekiah who was the last king before the Israelites were taken into captivity into Babylon. Yet, as God promised the kingdom, so did he deliver it to them, but in a different and more permanent way. Jesus was this king promised to them and heaven was to be the kingdom in which they would forever dwell and praise the Almighty father. He came the Jews, but the Gentiles accepted him and his message. His death signified his passage to heaven to create this dwelling that would cater for the sons and daughters of God. Jesus also promised that he would come back and reclaim his throne on Earth and the righteous shall follow him to this promised place where they will meet the maker and forever live under his grace. The only condition was that you have to believe in him for you to access this kingdom promised by his Father (God).
This can be found in the scriptures affirming that the nation which Jehova has set up is forever. Daniel makes it clear in his book, chapter 22 verse 44 which states how the offspring of men (Jesus) will rise into the heavens and before the Throne of the Almighty Father, will he be given dominion over the kingdom which will be everlasting and will not wither. The Jews say that Christ does not exist in the Old books, but Paul denies this. He (Paul) while talking about the Israelites in the days of Moses said that: all who drank in the cup of belief of did so out of the heavenly fountain: and by this fountain it is Christ himself. The book of Corinthians also speaks of Jesus mentioning that the faithful should explore the scripture and it is in the gospel that they will find everlasting life including the true testimonial from Him. At the time when Jesus said this the only scripture that was present was in the Old Testament. It clearly points out that Jesus believed in the Old Testament, which the Jews claim to be the only true gospel. It is evident that by this we see that Jesus was also present there in those scriptures.
Paul in a statement remarked,Whether you be Greek or Jew,circumcised or not, barbarian or Scythian, in captivity or free: Christ is the answer to all and everything In conclusion, with the above evidence it is clear that there is a difference in the way Jews prayers are heard by God as compared to the way Christians who are true believers pray. They denied Christ, who came to them offering salvation and the last inheritance which would have made them the chosen lineage of God. They can redeem this only if they individually accept Christ as their Lord and savior. They were once God’s people, but they turned away from Him, which brought his wrath on them. Jesus came and preached through the Old Testament showing that he had come to fulfill the promise made by His father to Abraham. The Jews thought it was an Earthly kingdom, but God was making his promise eternal by offering them the Kingdom of Heaven( NKJV Col, 3:11). Their misbelief and misconception led to this.
Their lack of faith in the word of God makes all their prayers redundant as they do not believe. Jesus says that there is no communication with His father unless it is through Him. He means that without believing that He is the Son of God, no prayer will be able to reach God.
Works Cited
"Are the Jews God's Chosen People?" Bibleinfo.com. Web. 11 Nov. 2014. <http://www.bibleinfo.com/en/questions/are-jews-gods-chosen-people>.
Morgan, Michael L. The Cambridge Companion to Modern Jewish Philosophy. Cambridge: Cambrige UP, 2007. Print.
Whitlock, Luder G. The Reformation Study Bible: New King James Version. Nashville, Tenn.: T. Nelson, 2001. Print.
