This week our hearts grieve for the Jewish community in Manchester after suffering a horrific terror attack at a Jewish synagogue. We must pray for the victims, their families, and for the entire Jewish community in Manchester. We must also pray for the Jewish people around the UK, and for all synagogues, Jewish schools and all other Jewish establishments. We thank the Lord for the bravery of the rabbi and worshippers, and for the security guard who prevented the casualties from being much higher. However, we reflect with deep sadness that this was an attack that should never have happened and its impact on the Jewish community across the UK cannot be overstated.
The Jewish people were already feeling vulnerable, and this antisemitic attack is the product of an alarming rise in antisemitism that has been fuelled by the anti-Israel rhetoric and Hamas-sympathising narrative that has plagued Britain’s streets, media and political discourse over the past two years since the October 7th terror attacks. As we approach the second anniversary since those attacks, we must continue to remember the hostages and their families in our prayers, and commit to pray for the nation of Israel as it remembers the tragic events of that day.
The attack in Manchester should be a wake-up call for Christians in the UK to speak out against Jew-hatred. The calls for ‘globalise the intifada’ and other genocidal chants against Jews have resulted in this barbaric attack on the holiest day of the Jewish year – Yom Kippur.
We must understand that Jew-hatred is evil to the core. ‘Experts’ will try to unpack the motivation behind the attack – but the watchmen on the walls already know. Christians, it is time to put on our spiritual armour as instructed in Ephesians 6. Many will be familiar with the ‘weapons of warfare’ as they pertain to the spiritual battle. Without dismissing their wider application, today we would like to give some examples to how these spiritual weapons can apply to our defence of Israel and the Jewish people. In fact, it is crucial that we understand that this is as much a spiritual battle as it is a physical one. Afterall, the Bible says, “we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:12).
Let us therefore gird our waist with truth, for truth is the only way to counter the lies of the enemy. ‘For out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem’ (Isaiah 2:3). Friends, let truth be the buckle that secures every piece of your armour.
Let us put on the breastplate of righteousness, for righteousness is the character of God Himself; righteousness has been rejected by the world and is repelled by Israel’s enemies. It must be our breastplate because our hearts must seek His righteousness. But a day is coming when Jerusalem’s righteousness will shine brightly: “The Gentiles shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising” (Isaiah 60:3). And, “For Zion’s sake I will not hold My peace, and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not rest, until her righteousness goes forth as brightness, and her salvation as a lamp that burns” (Isaiah 62:1).
Let us put on shoes of peace and walk. With the absence of peace so topical in our time, the gospel (good news) of peace is a wonderful hope that the world needs to hear. Just as truth and righteousness go forth from Jerusalem, we look to Jerusalem for the fulfilment of God’s promise of peace. And thus we are called to pray for the peace of Jerusalem (Psalm 122:6).
Let us take up the shield of faith. We read that the shield, likely treated to resist fire-tipped arrows, was able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. Every attempt by the enemy meant to penetrate your faith will not succeed if we strengthen our faith. The Psalms repeatedly describe the LORD as our strength and our shield. Trust, therefore, in the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and do not be afraid: “After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision, saying, ‘Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward’” (Genesis 15:1).
Put on the helmet of salvation, a symbol of honour and God’s deliverance. Let us not forget gratitude to Israel and the Jewish people. So many have forgotten that God chose Israel to reveal salvation to the world. The Bible says, “Salvation is of the Jews” (John 4:22). Romans 11:26 says, “And so all Israel will be saved.” Gentiles are so blessed to be grafted into the blessings of Abraham: “For if the Gentiles have been partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister to them in material things” (Romans 15:27).
And finally, let us take hold of the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. Hebrews 4:12 says, “For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword.” Whilst the other pieces of armour are defensive, the sword of the Spirit is necessary for our offensive attack. The enemy of God cannot withstand the power of the Word. Some Christians are too hesitant to confront the enemy with the sword of the Spirit, but we must exert this spiritual authority.
This spiritual armour is key for the days in which we are living in, both in the defence of Israel and in every area of our lives. In the spiritual battle that is raging in our world, we must put on this ‘spiritual armour’ through which we will be able to stand firm and overcome the enemy.
Take comfort, Christians, that everything we need to stand firm is available for us to deploy. As we pray for Israel and the Jewish people, let us do exactly that.
