The occasion of the appearance of this little booklet is the demand that a series of lectures relative to the Proposed New Jewish National Sanhedrin be put in permanent form. For months I have been delivering addresses on Prophetic themes which bear on the reorganization of this Supreme Court of the Jews. During this time many urgent requests have come that these lectures be printed.<\/p>\n
I have kept both Jew and Gentile in mind as I spoke and wrote these lectures. It is my earnest desire that they may be intelligible to both classes, and that they may be used of God in bringing a blessing to every reader.<\/p>\n
In order that it may be used of God in the greatest way possible, I would suggest that each one, after reading his copy, pass it on to friends and thereby increase its usefulness.<\/p>\n
DAVID L. COOPER. July 26, 1930.<\/p>\n
The Biblical Research Society, as its name implies, is a group of men who believe that the Bible is the very word of God, that is, the divinely disclosed revelation of the will of God to man. They have dedicated their lives to the eternal God and are endeavoring by His grace and power to live according to the teaching of the Word of God and to do all within their power to influence as many others as possible to yield to God and to do His will.<\/p>\n
The chief concern of this society is to search out the great fundamental truths of the Bible and to disseminate this knowledge among all men in general and among Israel in particular.<\/p>\n
All things and movements have a beginning. Since the founder and director of this society is I, David L. Cooper, the author of this booklet, it is well for me to give, in a few brief statements, how God lead me into this special phase of Christian service. In 1920, my wife and I attended a victorious life conference in Cedar Lake, Indiana. There we attended special lectures and services which were conducted in the interest of Israel. We became very deeply concerned about the welfare of the ancient chosen people of God. At one meeting both of us dedicated our lives to do all in our power for suffering Israel.<\/p>\n
In the spring of 1923 when I was teaching in a college in Texas, one afternoon I was busily engaged in some work at my cow shed. There came to my mind in a most impressive and powerful way, the thought of the lost condition of the bulk of humanity. In my meditations I passed rapidly throughout the world, and finally the thought of the suffering of Israel and her need of salvation came heavily upon my soul and caused me to weep as if my heart would break. I again rededicated my life to the Lord in the interest of the suffering nation and earnestly besought Him to lead me out into that field of service in behalf of Israel where He wanted me to go.<\/p>\n
Although I had graduated from the university and seminary and had done postgraduate work in the later, I felt a great need of further preparation for this work to which I intended to devote my life. Hence during the summer of that year, I went to Chicago and did special work in the Moody Bible Institute under Professor Solomon Birnbaum. In the beginning of the summer of 1924, I returned to Chicago from my home in Texas and continued my studies. Later that summer I moved my family there and did postgraduate work in the university the year of 1924-1925, with this purpose in view. During this time my wife and I were earnestly praying to the Lord to lead us to that place where He wanted us to serve Him. In January, 1926, the call came from the Bible Institute of Los Angeles for me to assume the responsibility of the superintendency of the Jewish department of that institution. To this call I felt led of God to respond. On February 5, I assumed the duties of that office.<\/p>\n
For four years and four months I endeavored by the grace of God to perform the work which He had given me to do. During this time I felt led of God to write the book, The Eternal God Revealing Himself to Suffering Israel and to Lost Humanity<\/em>,<\/a> which came from the press Christmas, 1928. When I started it, I did not have a penny for its publication. God marvelously sent in the money and led in the development of this project.<\/p>\n In a little over a year’s time, approximately 2,900 copies of the book had been placed in the hands of intelligent thinking Jewish people free of charge. Five chapters of this work \u2014 those dealing with the triune nature of the God Head I put out in the form of a booklet entitled \u201cThe Deity of the God of Israel.\u201d<\/p>\n Notwithstanding the fact that I was happy in my work with the Institute, God seemed to be leading me out into a greater field of service in which I could devote all of my time to the literary activity into which He had led me. The Lord seemed to lay this same thought upon the hearts of several of my intimate friends who for months past had felt that the Lord would lead me into this special phase of work for Israel.<\/p>\n It is my firm conviction that I came to Los Angeles by the will of God, that I remained in this special phase of work at the Institute during these months by His same will, and that now he has led me definitely into a larger field of service for Him. Having prayed much for divine guidance, and having weighed, to the best of my ability, all circumstances and providential leadings, I am thoroughly convinced that he is guiding me definitely to take up this special literary activity. I have interpreted my present situation in the light of Paul’s experience related in Acts 16.<\/p>\n According to the record of Luke, he had worked the field of Central Asia Minor. He was under marching orders of the Lord to spread the glad tidings everywhere. The Holy Spirit prohibited his turning to the left to preach the word in Asia. He forged forward to Mysia from which point he wished to go into Bithynia but was not permitted to do so by the Spirit of the Lord Jesus. Being under marching orders, he went in the only direction possible \u2014 in the north-westerly course to Troas \u2014 where he saw the vision of the man of Macedonia beseeching him to come over into that needy field. Luke states that they concluded from all of these facts that God had called them to preach the Word in those regions. When God closes a field to a faithful servant of His, He always opens another. It is now day during which men must work for the Lord. The night will come when no man can work.<\/p>\n As stated above, being thoroughly convinced that God was calling me out into a larger sphere of activity, I interviewed certain friends who are especially consecrated to the Lord and who have special spiritual discernment. After much prayer and consultation with these spiritually minded men of God, I approached certain men who, as I believed had four qualifications. These qualifications are, in my judgment, essential to full cooperation with me in the proposed work. First, a regenerated heart. The natural man is not subject to the law of God neither can be; hence the all important matter is that a man must be a genuinely saved regenerated soul. Second, spiritual discernment and business ability. Not all men who are regenerated have special spiritual insight and business ability. These qualifications are essential to full cooperation in the society. Third, a genuine love for Israel. To be tolerant toward the people of Israel is not sufficient. One must have a love, divinely implanted in his heart by the Holy Spirit, for Israel in order to work in this society in the most efficient manner. Fourth, agreement with the ideals of the society. As will be outlined in the following section, each member must be thoroughly convinced that the work proposed by the society is the special work of God that He wants done at this time.<\/p>\n I earnestly prayed for guidance that I might be led to the men of God’s choice to work with me in this movement. The first whom I interviewed was the venerable and beloved William E. Blackstone whose name stands for the highest ideals in Christian circles and whose passionate love for Israel’s welfare is known throughout the world. He has demonstrated by his works that he has a genuine passion for Israel. On account of his advanced years and physical infirmities he could not become an active member of the society, but most cheerfully agreed to become its honorary member. We consider ourselves most fortunate and blessed in having the fellowship and cooperation of this sainted man of God. Dr. B. F. Fellman, pastor of the Tremont Baptist Church, Pasadena, California, and professor in the Los Angeles Baptist Theological Seminary, became a charter member of the society and was unanimously elected chairman of the executive committee. His name is widely known for his stand for the right. He likewise has shown in the past, his love for Israel by his action. Rev. Wm. Duncan Ogg, Pastor of the Bethany Union Church at Sierra Madre, California, was unanimously elected secretary of the committee. In wide circles his loyalty to the Lord and his intense love for Israel are thoroughly known. The society considers itself fortunate in having him as its secretary. Mr. W. H. Steele, for years the honored treasurer of the Church of the Open Door, was likewise unanimously elected to become the treasurer of the society. In business circles and in church relationships, his name is a synonym for business integrity and honor.<\/p>\n Dr. P. W. Philpott, Pastor of the Church of The Open Door, Los Angeles, California, likewise gladly cast in his lot with the society. His name is a household word throughout America. He is known for his loyalty to the Lord and his unswerving faith in God and in his Saviour. The society considers itself especially blessed of the Lord in having in its fellowship, this servant of the Lord. David L. Cooper, founder and director, likewise is a member of the executive committee. Mrs. A. G. Wells kindly gave her consent to be on the advisory board. As time passes, it is the present plan to add to its membership such other servants of God whose ideals coincide with those of the society.<\/p>\n It is an evident fact to all informed people that there has arisen in Israel a spirit of inquiry concerning the Gospel Records and the personality of Jesus. This new attitude in Israel is clearly seen by the facts that in a number of Reformed Synagogues, according to reports, the New Testament is being studied as one of the textbooks of the curriculum; that a number of outstanding Jewish leaders have spoken and written concerning Jesus in the very highest terms as one of their greatest sons; and that there has sprung up a movement in Jewry calling for a revision of the life, teachings, Messianic claims, and condemnation of Jesus of Nazareth.<\/p>\n This spirit of inquiry has come to the Church of God as a compelling challenge. This new attitude lays upon it a responsibility to give forth the truth of God concerning the Gospel Records and the personality of Jesus at the present time as never before. According to the Great Commission (Matthew 26:19,20) Jesus laid upon his disciples the responsibility of giving the Gospel message to all nations; according to Paul (Romans 1:16) God’s order is to give it to the Jew first. No church nor individual can be in the center of the directive will of God who does not accord to the Jew his rightful ordained place in the eternal plans of God and who neglects this obligation to the Jew.<\/p>\n A realization of the divine obligation and a recognition of the opportunity of rendering a great service to Israel in her quest for the Truth have led the Biblical Research Society to undertake the task of producing and distributing a literature of the very highest type. This literature is written from a viewpoint which is intelligible to the Hebrews. It takes into consideration, as will be seen in lecture two, the special psychology of the Jew, his spiritual environment both of the past and of the present, and his theology. Since the leaders of the nation are of a highly intellectual type and since the great masses look to them for guidance, it appears to us that the demand of the hour is to produce a literature of the highest scholarship which breathes the spirit of love and sympathy.<\/p>\n The Society will continue the distribution of the book, The Eternal God Revealing Himself to Suffering Israel and to Lost Humanity<\/em>, and the booklet, The Diety of the God of Israel<\/em>, in the three languages \u2014 English, Yiddish and Hebrew. At present I am preparing a volume on the historical foundations of the Christian faith, the title of which work probably will be \u201cThe Historical Foundation of the Gospel.\u201d In this work I am endeavoring to present the vast amount of material which I have in such a way that it will readily be understandable to the Jewish mind and appeal to his heart and soul. It is my intention to make this treatise extensive and thorough. As the demand arises and the Lord supplies the funds, other publications will go forth.<\/p>\n In addition to the production and distribution of the literature described above, it shall be the avowed purpose of the Society to put forth a special effort to foster a spirit of friendship and good will between the Hebrew people and the Gentile nations. In every way possible it shall strive to counteract the baneful influence of Anti-Semitism.<\/p>\n The society is organized on a non-profit basis. It began in faith and is to continue upon that basis. God has graciously touched the hearts of His people in the past, who have given liberally to the publication and distribution of the two works mentioned above. It is our faith that He will continue to put it into the hearts of His faithful people to give of the means with which He has blessed them in order that the work may continue unhampered. All gifts, whether large or small, will be received and acknowledged by the treasurer.<\/p>\n It was to Israel that God intrusted His Oracles originally. It was they who gave us prophets, apostles and the Messiah. It was they who gave us the books of the New Testament. Their debtors we Gentiles are. This fact lays the Gentiles who have accepted the sacred books of the Hebrews under a lasting obligation which can only be met by deeds of kindness, by a sympathetic and scholarly presentation of the Gospel in a way intelligible to the Hebrew, and by a genuine and divinely implanted love in the soul which finds expression in the life.<\/p>\n As has been noted above, this spirit of inquiry is present on every hand. The days of the Ghetto are past. Israel is on the march. She is rubbing elbows with her Gentile and Christian neighbors. Reports come from Europe that at various places many are beginning to ask the question, who was Jesus of Nazareth? These honest conscientious Hebrews want to know who he is and what he means to the Jewish people. In America this same spirit of inquiry is manifesting itself in various ways and degrees.<\/p>\n It appears from all the facts that the Spirit of God is quickening this inquiring movement. In the good providence of our God Israel has been placed in such close contact with Christian believers in order that each one may have a share in bringing a blessing to some of the children of Abraham to the end that he may have an opportunity of discharging his obligation to these Ancient People of God. Thus the present situation is the call of God to each of His servants to meet his obligation and to pay his debt to Israel. Each one who neglects or refuses to meet this spiritual obligation to the Jew looses untold blessings in this life and rich rewards in the world to come.<\/p>\n The Biblical Research Society, under God, is attempting to discharge this obligation to the extent of its ability. It invites the lovers of Israel who wish to assist in this Herculean task and to cooperate with us to do so.<\/p>\n As was suggested under section III, the society hopes, by the grace of God and the cooperation and association of the saints of God everywhere, to reach every nook and corner of Jewry with the highest type of literature. The task before us is great, the possibilities are inestimable, and the rewards are beyond the price of rubies. Again may I appeal to you with all the fervor of my soul, will you not make this work a matter of earnest, sincere, heart searching, and prayer to God that He may lead you to have a share in it according to His will and purpose?<\/p>\n Life consists of more than food and raiment. The richness and sweetness of Life is experienced only when one lives for others, especially when he seeks to be a spiritual help to his fellowman. Should one be in distress and another wish to assist him, the latter must know where the distressed one is and how to reach the place. The same principle obtains in the spiritual and intellectual realms. Should a Gentile wish to assist his Jewish neighbor, he must understand the historical background which lay behind the present generation of Israel, the present environment of the race, Jewish hopes and aspirations, his attitude towards the Gentiles, and the spiritual and intellectual spheres in which he lives and moves. Therefore I shall try, in a brief way, to locate my Jewish neighbor in order that the lover of Israel may intelligently and sympathetically lend a helping hand in this hour of his great inquiry and quest for facts relative to Jesus of Nazareth.<\/p>\n Israel is the nation of destiny. God chose her from among all peoples to be the channel of blessing unto the uttermost parts of the earth. This fact accounts for Satan’s special hatred against her, which manifests itself in all ages in the form of persecutions.<\/p>\n In Egypt, according to the account of Exodus, Satan stirred up Pharaoh to persecute Israel. He knows that it is God’s plan to use the Hebrew race in the carrying out of His purposes of Grace; hence he stirred up the king to give orders to have all of the male children killed at birth. But the overruling hand of God hindered the carrying out of this diabolical plan. Israel survived that first organized effort at extermination; and has continued to the present time. Today she is one of the most potential of the nations. On the other hand, Egypt gradually declined until she, according to the prophet Ezekiel, has become the \u201cbasest of the kingdoms.\u201d What is the underlying cause of this unprecedented decline of the most powerful, intellectual, highly organized, and resourceful nation of antiquity? The answer is to be found in the warning given in connection with the call of Abraham \u2014 \u201cand him that curseth thee will I curse\u201d Genesis 12:3. \u201cNo weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper\u201d Isaiah 54:17.<\/p>\n In the eighth century before the common era some of the great and powerful Assyrian Monarchs attempted to subjugate Israel and to do her harm. For instance Sennacharib, to whom God spoke \u201cHo, Assyrian, the rod of mine anger,\u201d and whom the Lord used in a mighty way to correct disobedient Israel, desired to extend his boundaries throughout all western Asia, and planned to subject Judah and to incorporate it into his vast empire. He overran the entire country and hurled defiance at Jerusalem, little realizing that the God of Israel is the Lord of all creation. One night the angel of death passed through his vast army and destroyed 185,000 men. After this judgment the boastful monarch retreated to his own country in chagrin. God was constantly mindful of his own chosen people.<\/p>\n In the latter part of the seventh and the early part of the sixth centuries the Chaldeans began to make incursions into the West Land. God permitted Nebuchadnezzar to overrun Judah, because of the latter’s unfaithfulness. Finally, the leading citizens of the country were taken into Babylon as captives. Jerusalem went through perilous times in three different sieges. The nation was reduced to very dire extremities and suffered such reverses that it never fully recovered therefRomans After the 70 years of captivity, those of the exile who wished to return were permitted to do so. The Jews have survived this calamity and continue a great and most influential factor in modern life. On the other hand, Babylon sank into oblivion. The monuments of her once renowned but long-since buried glory are seen in the form of desolate bleak sand-mounds in the barren wastes of the lower Tigris-Euphrates valley.<\/p>\n During the first half of the second century before our era, the Greco-Syrian King, Antiochus Epiphanes, stirred by satanic influence, began his political intrigues to obtain domination over Judah. When he failed in his attempt, he resorted to violence, sending one expedition after another against the little struggling nation. His successors continued his policy and did the Jews no little harm. The Maccabees by their heroic faith and by their fearless exploits barely saved the day. Great and indescribable were their sufferings and humiliations. Where is the Greco-Syrian Empire today? In the grave of the forgotten past. Where is Israel whom she persecuted? Continuing to the present day as monuments of the plans and purposes of her God.<\/p>\n The Romans, in turn, by their merciless barbarian methods persecuted Israel at various times. Let it be said, however, to the credit of the Romans that, as a rule, they were considerate of their subjugated dependants. When, however, these weaker peoples resisted, in the least, the policy of Rome, she treated them without mercy. Thus on various occasions the Romans committed great outrages against the Jews. But where are the ancient glory and prowess of Rome? Faint gleams of them are to be seen in the spared ruins of the past. But the imperishable Jew outlives all persecution and awaits the coming of the time when, in the providence of God, he shall become the channel of world-blessing.<\/p>\n During medieval days Satan and his ally, the demon of jealousy, stirred up the \u201cpowers that be\u201d and launched ruthless and merciless persecutions against the Jew. One constant stream of blood flowed from the Ghetto \u2014 those unsanitary miserable sections of European cities in which the Jew was segregated and in which he lived in fear of his life constantly. He knew not at what time some irresponsible person might excite the ignorant populace with unfounded and untrue reports which would enrage the multitude to institute another pogRomans Neither did he know at what time some shrewd and conniving politician might with his intrigues and his misrepresentations excite the ruler to enact laws which would discriminate against him and virtually rob him of his hard earned savings or make his lot more miserable and his life more intolerable. In fact on every page of mediaeval history the record of Jewish life is written in blood. The atmosphere was charged with anti-Semitism which, when it did not reach the pitch of pogroms and bloodshed, deprived him largely of his civil rights, circumscribed his social life, curtailed his business activities, deprived him of educational advantages, ostracized him from the best society, censured his literary activities, frequently robbed him of his property by the enactments of unjust and unrighteous legislation \u2014 in a word, it exercised its authority over him in body, soul, and spirit by reason of its superiority in brute force.<\/p>\n During the Crusades the Jews suffered the most inhumane and intolerable persecutions. In the Spanish Inquisition thousands of Jews were slaughtered in the most cruel and heartless manner, while multitudes had to flee from the country for their lives. From Portugal they were expelled in a most disgraceful manner. Those who remained had to accept the religion of the state. During those dark days the church and state were inseparably connected. The theory was that the state had to carry out the wishes of the church. The civil rulers sat in conclave with the religious leaders and were largely the willing and obedient vassals of a corrupted priesthood. Frequently, whole villages of Jews were rounded up, dipped in petroleum, and burned at the stake. These massacres not infrequently were led by churchmen who carried banners on which were written the name of Jesus. Thus these brutal diabolical scenes were enacted in the name of the church.<\/p>\n In some countries the condition of the Jews was worse than in others. One historian states that in Russia for eighteen hundred years they were not granted the right of citizenship, had no rights nor privileges in church or state, no rank in the army, and were allowed to trade only in second hand goods and junk. When a Jewish village under these hard and miserable conditions did begin to prosper, their goods were confiscated and the population was driven out.<\/p>\n These injustices have continued to the present day in certain sections of the world. Note the massacres of recent years of Jews in the central European countries. Also remember the Arab massacres of Jews in Palestine last year.<\/p>\n Here in America, the land of the free and the home of the brave, under the stars and stripes, the emblem of liberty and justice, Anti-Semitism is found everywhere. Though it has never reached the state of pogroms, it shows its hideous monster head throughout the country. Many respectable, cultured and educated people dislike the Jew. In business life frequently when all things are equal, the Jew is discriminated against by his fellow Gentile neighbor. Even among true Christians who are thoroughly consecrated to the Lord, now and then, traces of Anti-Semitism crop out. They have unconsciously accepted the current estimate of the Jew without question, and have allowed this false idea to determine their attitude toward Israel. Furthermore, many of them have dealt in business with a certain type of Jew who took advantage of them and have come to the conclusion that all Jews are of the same character, thus judging the entire nation by a few unscrupulous individuals. Some writers and poets have poisoned the mind of the Gentiles against the Jew by presenting him as a nation of grafters who are always on the lookout to take advantage of one in every deal. Shakespeare unfortunately did Israel untold damage by characterizing the entire nation by Shylock in the Merchant of Venice as the typical Jew. Occasionally present-day writers throw out insinuations, if not clear statements, that are untrue and that do untold injury to the Jew. Again, some speakers and orators help to continue the false notions regarding Israel. Certain common expressions that are only true of a certain low class of Jews have become the current coin among Gentiles and have moulded the general estimate of the entire race. All of these factors, aided and strengthened by jealousy, constitute the mould in which the average man’s conception of the Jew is formed.<\/p>\n For eighteen centuries the Jew has had to struggle against superior odds for his mere existence. He has been surrounded on every side by conniving unprincipled people who have sought to take advantage of him. He has developed the national characteristic of suspicion of all men and feels that each one with whom he deals is endeavoring to take advantage of him. It is not until each individual has proved by his dealings and upright character that these inbred fears and suspicions are allayed. How could it be otherwise since there has flowed from Israel’s wounded side a constant stream of blood for nineteen hundred years? The honorable God-fearing Gentiles will have to live down the cumulative results of these nineteen centuries of injustice and cruelty by fair dealings, honorable consistent lives, and a genuine love and consideration for their Jewish neighbors, who are the chosen people of God yet to be used of him in blessing the entire world (see Genesis 12:1-9). On the other hand, the honorable God-fearing Jew will have to live down the prejudice created in the Gentile heart by the unscrupulous dealings of a certain type of Jew whose only object in life seems to be to make money.<\/p>\n In this connection it is well to call the Jew’s attention to the fact that there is a vast distinction between the terms Gentiles and Christians. The former word denotes all peoples who are not of Jewish extraction. The latter one signifies those Gentiles who in some way acknowledge that Jesus of Nazareth was and is the Jewish Messiah, and Saviour of the world. A further distinction must be made to clear matters. Christianity, according to the predictions of the New Testament, was early corrupted by the introduction into it of many heathen customs and teachings. Thus during the middle ages that type of Christianity which was prevalent in Europe, western Asia, and northern Africa is not a fair representation of Jesus and the teaching of the New Testament. All who claim to be Christians are not genuine followers of Jesus. No true follower of Jesus would persecute the Jew or any one else. The truly regenerated Christian who knows the teaching of the New Testament and is living according to its instructions has the kindliest feelings and consideration for the Jew and will do all in his power to assist him in every way.<\/p>\n Wrongs have been committed by both Jews and Christians in the past. Let us now forget the past and forge forward to better things and cleaner lives. Let the Jew remember that there have been many misunderstandings on the part of all. Let him understand that many of the Christians have misunderstood him and his motives. Also let the Christian realize that the Jew has been misunderstood and that some of the very noblest characters who have ever lived have been of Jewish extraction. Let us now try to understand each other. It is with this idea in view that I, a Gentile Christian, have written this little book. I feel that I am right in the conclusions to which I have come after twenty-five years of hard diligent study and a number of years of close contact with my Jewish neighbors. I appeal to my fellow Gentile to consider the facts which I have presented and to ask the Lord to aid him to a proper understanding of the Jew and to give him a real love for him. On the other hand, I appeal to every Jew who reads this book to lay aside his prejudices and to ask the Lord God to help him to see the truthfulness of the things discussed herein. Also ask Him to give him understanding concerning the teaching and life of Jesus of Nazareth in order that he may know whether Jesus was and is his longed-for Messiah.<\/p>\n It is a well-known fact that the Greeks‘ contribution to the world lay in the realm of philosophy and abstract thought; that of the Romans was law, order, and jurisprudence, while that of the Hebrew was religion. According to the Scriptures, God called Abraham out of the heathen environment of Chaldea and led him into Palestine where he would be in the kingdom of Melchizedek, king of Salem and priest of God most high (Genesis 4:10). In this new environment Abraham grew spiritually and became the friend of God. When the call first came to Abraham for him to leave his old pagan environment, God promised that He would bless the world through him and \u201chis seed.\u201d Furthermore, he promised to make Abraham’s descendants become a mighty and powerful nation in the earth, promising that he would bless those who blessed him and curse those who had cursed him.<\/p>\n When Moses brought Israel to Sinai, the Lord promised that \u201cIf ye will obey my voice indeed and keep my covenant, then ye shall be my own possession from among all peoples; for all the earth is mine; and ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and a holy nation\u201d (Exodus 19:5,6). The Lord always endeavored to maintain separation between Israel and the nations. In their wilderness wanderings, Moses was very strict in maintaining this separation. Just before his death, he delivered his final orations found in the book of Deuteronomy in which he emphasized the thought that Israel was about to enter into the promised land; that she was to drive out the corrupt, wicked Canaanitish nations; that she was not to form any alliances with any peoples whatsoever; and that she should be a nation separated unto God to set forth the excellencies of Him and His worship.<\/p>\n The prophets following Moses constantly dwelt upon Israel’s special call of God and of her separation from the nations. Isaiah especially emphasized this unique calling of the Hebrew race. In 46:13, the prophet in beautiful language expresses this thought, \u201cAnd I will place salvation in Zion for Israel my glory.\u201d In 43:1-7, he encourages Israel by promising divine protection and help under all circumstances because they are \u201cCalled by my name, and whom I have created for my glory, whom I have formed, yea whom I have made.\u201d In Psalm 100:3, the writer says that the Jews are God’s people and the sheep of his pasture.<\/p>\n From these and innumerable other statements from the prophets and the Psalmists, Israel’s unique position in the world is seen. Palestine has been called the Bridge of the nations, because the ancient kingdoms in their commercial relations were compelled to pass through it. Also in their war activities they of necessity passed to and fro through Canaan. On account of Palestine’s strategic position, God placed his chosen race therein in order that it might hold forth the torch of the true knowledge of His revelation.<\/p>\n All of her ritualism emphasized the fact that she was a nation separated unto God. The distinctions required by the Mosaic legislation likewise accentuated the thought that there was a distinction between Israel and her neighbors. Balaam, by prophetic vision saw her entire future history and proclaimed that \u201cLo, it is a people that dwelleth alone, And shall not be reckoned among the nations\u201d (Numbers 23:9).<\/p>\n Attempts at amalgamation of the Jew with the Gentile have at various times been made by certain Gentiles and by Jews who have lost sight of Israel’s divine calling and mission in the world. All of these efforts have been futile because a divine providence has been watching over this marvelous people and has preserved them in order that God might carry out His plan of blessing the world through the seed of Abraham.<\/p>\n The facts and teachings set forth in the preceding paragraphs account to a great extent for Jewish exclusiveness and self-isolation through the centuries. The average Gentile, not realizing the plan of God and not knowing the Scriptural teaching has misinterpreted this Jewish exclusiveness and has understood it to be a form of egotism and a feeling of superiority. I admit that in many instances egotism is very manifest and is deplorable, but one should be very careful in branding this misunderstood exclusiveness and separateness as egotism and bigoted ignorance. This characteristic must be taken into consideration by one who wishes to approach, in the most appealing way, his Jewish friend.<\/p>\n It is not sufficient to know the historical background of the modern Jew, which largely determines his thinking, and his God-ordained place in the unfolding of the eternal plans and purpose of the Almighty, in order to present the truth concerning Jesus of Nazareth to him. One must also understand him theologically. In the Tenach (Old Testament) the religious and civil codes were inextricably joined. Israel’s calling in life being purely religious, her outlook upon the great world around her was and is largely from that point of view. Therefore one must understand the cardinal principles of her theology in order to present in an appealing and an intelligible manner the gospel of Jesus the Messiah. There are four of these fundamental dogmas of Judaism that must be understood by the one who wishes to approach the Jewish mind. He must also understand the teaching of the Old Testament on these vital doctrines.<\/p>\n Deuteronomy 6:4 may be said to be the heart and soul of modern Judaism \u2014 in reality, it is the quintessence of the Jewish conception of religion. According to the orthodox Jew, Israel’s divine mission in the world was and is to proclaim this one truth to all nations.<\/p>\n This verse is usually translated \u201cHear, Oh Israel, Jehovah our God is one Jehovah.\u201d Yes, Israel’s divine mission is to proclaim the truth of this verse to all nations.<\/p>\n But what is the meaning of this verse? Modern Judaism honestly and conscientiously answers that it is a declaration that there is but one divine supreme Being. Countless thousands of Jews have in the past layed down their lives for this great scriptural statement, \u2014 rather for their understanding of it. It is my firm conviction that they have misunderstood it. Instead of its teaching the oneness of God in the absolute abstract sense, it is an unmistakable affirmation of the Unity of the divine personalities of the eternal Being.<\/p>\n The word occurring most frequently in the Hebrew text which is translated \u201cGod\u201d is in the plural number. This fact is well known to all students of Hebrew. It appears in Genesis 1:1, refer to the Creator of the universe and is translated in all versions as if it were a singular noun. In Exodus 20:3, however, the same identical word is correctly translated as a plural noun because it there refers to idols. If it is in the plural number in this latter passage, and no scholar questions this position, since the same form appears in Genesis 1:1, it evidently is the plural there. Again the plural significance of this word is seen by its occurring with the plural verb in such a passage as Genesis 20:13. The plural significance of this word likewise is seen in Genesis 1:26 where God has said, \u201cLet us make man in our image and according to our likeness.\u201d It is clear that the speaker and the one addressed are of the same image and likeness, that is, they are of the same nature and essence. Such language as this could never be spoken by the Almighty to a subordinate created being; therefore it is very evident that there are at least two personalities constituting the divine supreme Being. Other considerations found in the Hebrew text of the Old Testament lead to this same conclusion (for full discussion of this subject, see chapter 3<\/a> of „The Eternal God Revealing Himself“).<\/p>\n The fourth word of Israel’s great confession is usually translated, \u201cOur God.\u201d Grammatically and correctly it should be rendered \u201cOur Gods.\u201d This word is in the plural construct form with the personal pronoun, first person plural number added. This same suffix is added to the plural construct form of the word translated \u201cFathers\u201d and is correctly translated with it, \u201cOur fathers.\u201d In Isaiah 53:4,5 the same plural suffix is added to the words meaning, \u201cdiseases,\u201d \u201cpains,\u201d \u201ctransgressions,\u201d and \u201ciniquities.\u201d In all versions these words are translated, \u201cOur diseases, our pains, our transgressions, and our iniquities.\u201d Thus when this suffix is added to the construct form of nouns about which there is no controversy, it with its noun, is always correctly translated in the plural number. Since in Deuteronomy 6:4 it is joined with the plural construct form of the word translated God, this construction should be translated \u201cOur Gods.\u201d<\/p>\n The second word in this confession which demands consideration is the last word, which is translated, \u201cOne.\u201d Does this word mean one in the absolute sense or in the sense of a compound unity? Very frequently it has the former significance. On the other hand, the context makes it very clear that it signifies a compound unity. Of the many instances which could be given, I will give only one which is found in Genesis 2:24, \u201cTherefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife and they shall be one flesh.\u201d Here are two individuals, two distinct personalities; yet God says they are or become one flesh. From this example it is clear that the word translated one can and does signify a compound unity (on this point see chapter four<\/a> of \u201cThe Eternal God Revealing Himself\u201d).<\/p>\n With the understanding of these two words, just discussed, it is clear that Israel’s confession proclaims the truth to the world that Jehovah, Israel’s Gods, constitutes a compound unity similarly to the unity existing between man and wife. There are more than one divine personality in the eternal Being; but, being of the same divine nature and essence, they constitute the one divine eternal Being.<\/p>\n Throughout the Old Testament one reads of such expressions as, \u201cThe Spirit of God,\u201d \u201cThe Son of God,\u201d \u201cThe Angel of the Lord,\u201d and \u201cThe Lord God.\u201d<\/p>\n Are all of these expressions names of the same personality, or are there more than the one thus designated? This question may be answered by a careful study of Isaiah 48:12-16. Here it is evident from the context that the speaker is the one who created the entire material universe. He concludes his statement by saying that \u201cThe Lord God has sent me, and His Spirit.\u201d From this quotation it is clear that there are three divine personalities: The Lord God, the creator of the universe, and the Spirit of God. These three personalities again appear in Isaiah 63:8-10. Other passages could be given but these suffice to show that Israel’s God is the Divine Trinity.<\/p>\n (For full discussion of the Triune Nature of God, see chapter 5<\/a> of \u201cThe Eternal God Revealing Himself.\u201d) Every Hebrew honestly and conscientiously in the depths of his heart feels that there is but one divine personality. When one approaches him and presents the teaching of the New Testament concerning God, the father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, he immediately says that his law teaches that there is one God, whereas the New Testament teaches three. Therefore it becomes of the greatest importance that one show from the Old Testament that the three divine personalities are clearly set forth in Israel’s law.<\/p>\n Israel throughout the centuries has been earnestly expecting the coming of Messiah. The conceptions of Messiah, as held by the Jews during the centuries, have diverged at various times. The present-day Jews differ to a certain extent from many of their predecessors. It is of utmost importance to understand this present conception of the Messiah.<\/p>\n According to Orthodox Jewish theology vast hordes from the land of Gog will invade the land of Israel. She at that time will be in the land and will be in a prosperous condition. The Jewish forces will be mobilized and will be led by the \u201cMessiah Ben Joseph.\u201d This commander will be slain in the conflict. His place will be immediately filled by Messiah Ben David, who will lead the army on to victory and will expel the foes from the land. After this triumph he will establish a strong centralized and prosperous regime in the land. It is he of whom, according to Jewish theologians, the prophet spoke. He is a descendant of David. He is a military genius and a great executive, but only a man.<\/p>\nII. The Personnel<\/h3>\n
III. The Purpose<\/h3>\n
IV. The Resources<\/h3>\n
V. A Great Challenge<\/h3>\n
VI. An Appeal<\/h3>\n
\nChapter Two: A Proper Understanding of Jewish Psychology and Theology<\/h1>\n
I. Historical Background<\/h3>\n
II. Scriptural Teaching Concerning Israel’s World Mission<\/h3>\n
III. Jewish Theology<\/h3>\n
1. The Triune Nature of the Divine Being<\/h2>\n
A. The Plurality of the Divine Personalities<\/h4>\n
B. The Unity of the Divine Personalities<\/h4>\n
C. The Trinity of the Divine Personalities<\/h4>\n
2. The Divine Nature of the Messiah<\/h2>\n