I saw this on a FascistBook post by a fellow I don’t know named Richard Braithwait. But because it was about someone I’ve come to admire as of late for her courage and honesty I just had to read it.
He writes:
A Jewish woman, Dr. Naomi Wolf understands the concept of a chosen people. I share her words below. The chosen people that Jews and the church has been sold is an easily disproven lie.
Dr. Naomi Wolf: "Okay, so I was challenged below: "Read the Bible! God gave the land of Israel to the Jewish people."
She went on:
“So....I may get crucified for this but I have started to say it -- most recently (terrified, trembling) to warm welcome in a synagogue in LA: Actually if you read Genesis Exodus and Deuteronomy in Hebrew -- as I do -- you see that God did not "give" Israel to the Jews/Israelites. We as Jews are raised with the creed that "God gave us the land of Israel" in Genesis -- and that ethnically 'we are the chosen people." But actually -- and I could not believe my eyes when I saw this, I checked my reading with major scholars and they confirmed it -- actually God's "covenant" in Genesis, Exodus and Deuteronomy with the Jewish people is NOT ABOUT AN ETHNICITY AND NOT ABOUT A CONTRACT. IT IS ABOUT A WAY OF BEHAVING.
Again and again in the "covenant" language He never says: "I will give you, ethnic Israelites, the land of Israel." Rather He says something far more radical - far more subversive -- far more Godlike in my view. He says:
“IF you visit those imprisoned...act mercifully to the widow and the orphan...welcome the stranger in your midst...tend the sick...do justice and love mercy ....and perform various other tasks...THEN YOU WILL BE MY PEOPLE AND THIS LAND WILL BE YOUR LAND.” So "My people" is not ethnic -- it is transactional. We are God's people not by birth but by a way of behaving, that is ethical, kind and just. And we STOP being "God's people" when we are not ethical, kind and just. And ANYONE who is ethical, kind and just is, according to God in Genesis, "God's people." And the "contract" to "give" us Israel is conditional -- we can live in God's land IF we are "God's people" in this way -- just, merciful, compassionate. AND -- it never ever says, it is ONLY your land. Even when passages spell out geographical "boundaries" as if God does such a thing, it never says this is exclusively your land.
It never says I will give this land JUST to you. Remember these were homeless nomads who had left slavery in Egypt and were wandering around in the desert; at most these passages say, settle here, but they do not say, settle here exclusively. Indeed again and again it talks about welcoming "zarim" -- translated as "strangers" but can also be translated as "people/tribes who are not you" -- in your midst. Blew my mind, hope it blows yours."
- Dr. Naomi Wolf
Mr. Braithwait continued:
It’s all about ‘Covenanted people’ always has been. Always will be. If you agree to walk in all of God’s Covenants, then you will be one of His people. Be blessed.
So:
Adding my Two-¥en worth to the conversation, I have to wonder aloud how many within modern Churchianity are there out there who believe that their relationship with the almighty is along similar lines to how modern day Jewish folk, and arguably the Jewish folks Yeshua encountered at his first coming view/viewed their relationship. For the Jews, it’s because they believe that it’s by virtue of who’s crotch they were pulled from that they are/were “God’s Chosen People.” Similarly, I’m going to include the “Replacement Theology - Supersessionist” folks out there. But, I’m also talking about those who believe because at least one time in their life, they took a tearful trip down the sawdust trail at a Tent Revival and who were led to recite a “Sinner’s Prayer,” or had a similar Salvation or “Born Again” experience, who as a result think that gives them a “Get Out of Hell Free” card. Or more insipid yet, think that because they belong to the right Sunday clubhouse, i.e., Church Building and/or Denomination that only teaches the “RIGHT” doctrines and because of that, their “ticket to paradise” has been “punched” or (eternally sealed)!
What if they’re both wrong?
Maybe this is why the Apostle Paul told believers to “Work out their salvation with fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12)” or why Yeshua wondered aloud if he would find faith on the earth when he comes again (Luke 18:8)?
I think a lot more people need to take the Naomi Wolf Challenge! Read your Bibles!!
Just saying. . .
Wow! Just my experience of "Christians" and why so many of them are terrified of dying (because God knows what's in your heart, not stuff you say with your mouth). I had an elderly "Christian" neighbor who didn't even seem to know about Jesus' teachings regarding children ("What you do to these little children you do to me") and who gave me the look that could kill when I finally got Social Security disability (after three years with no income),