Jewish History and Persecution

The history of the Jewish people spans over 3,000 years and is marked by resilience, endurance, and significant contributions to civilization despite facing repeated persecution from various nations and empires. Below is an overview of their history and the major entities that have sought to harass or eradicate them.

Origins and Early History

• Biblical Period (c. 2000 BCE – 1000 BCE)
  The Jewish people trace their origins to Abraham, who, according to the Hebrew Bible, entered a covenant with God. His descendants, through Isaac and Jacob (Israel), became the Twelve Tribes of Israel.
• Egyptian Cruelty (c. 1600 BCE – 1200 BCE)
  The Israelites settled in Egypt, where they were eventually enslaved. Pharaoh ordered the killing of male Hebrew babies, but Moses led the Israelites to freedom in what is known as the Exodus.

Ancient Kingdoms and Enemies

• Kingdom of Israel & Judah (c. 1000 BCE – 586 BCE)
• Philistines fought the Israelites frequently, with famous battles such as David vs. Goliath.
• Assyrian Empire (722 BCE) conquered the northern Kingdom of Israel, exiling the Ten Lost Tribes.
• The Babylonian Empire (586 BCE) under Nebuchadnezzar destroyed the First Temple and exiled the Jews to Babylon.
• Persian Period (539 BCE – 332 BCE)
  The Persians, under Cyrus the Great, allowed Jews to return and rebuild the Second Temple in Jerusalem.
• Greek Oppression (332 BCE – 167 BCE)
  Under Antiochus IV (Seleucid Empire), Jewish worship was banned, the Temple was dishonoured, and Jews were persecuted, leading to the Maccabean Revolt (Hanukkah story).

Roman Oppression and the Exile

• Roman Empire (63 BCE – 476 CE)
• In 70 CE, the Romans under Titus destroyed the Second Temple.
• In 135 CE, the Bar Kokhba Revolt was crushed, and Jews were exiled.
• Jerusalem was renamed Aelia Capitolina, and Jews were banned from the city.

Medieval and Early Modern Persecutions

• Christian Persecutions (4th–19th centuries)
• The Byzantine Empire restricted Jewish rights.
• Middle Ages (500–1500 CE): Jews were blamed for plagues, expelled, and massacred.
• Spanish Inquisition (1492): Spain expelled Jews or forced conversions (Conversos).
• Russian Pogroms (1800s–1900s): Massacres and oppression of Jews in the Russian Empire.

Modern Attempts to Eradicate Jews

• The Holocaust (1933–1945)
• Nazi Germany, under Adolf Hitler, attempted to exterminate Jews through the Final Solution.
• Six million Jews were murdered in concentration camps, ghettos, and mass shootings.
• Arab-Israeli Conflicts (20th–21st Century)
• After Israel's establishment in 1948, Arab nations launched wars to destroy the Jewish state.
• 1948, 1967, 1973 Wars: Israel survived multiple invasions.
• Terrorist groups like Hamas and Hezbollah continue attacks on Jews and Israel.

Conclusion

Despite repeated attempts by powerful nations and empires to eradicate them, the Jewish people have survived, rebuilt, and thrived. Their resilience is evident in the re-establishment of the State of Israel in 1948 and the continued contributions of Jews worldwide to science, culture, and politics.

So, I am drawing a line in the sand, we need to pick a side. I am most certainly pro-Israel and the truth be told all those opposing God’s Elect will suffer His wrath. He made a covenant with Abraham and will honour His Word. Did you know it is impossible for God to lie? Having said that not every Jew will see the light. But the nation of Israel will eventually confess Jesus as Lord.

 

Signing off

 

Tyrone