My name is Benjamin Philip. I grew up in the Netherlands as a child of Holocaust survivors. During my career as an entrepreneur, I also developed a desire for a deeper purpose in life. As a result, I moved to Israel, where I became involved in Biblical studies and in Hineni Jerusalem, a non-profit organisation focused on social concerns and on Biblical principles and values for greater morality, justice, and peace.
Over the years, Hineni also became a place where Jews and Bible-believing Christians meet and work together in acts of kindness. Because of this, I would like to share some of my thoughts about today’s world—a world where Jews and Bible-believing Christians who support Israel are being accused of supporting genocide, ethnic cleansing, child murder, and more. It has even gone so far that discussions about Israel dominate politics, tear apart communities and relationships, cause strife at universities, and create separation between close friends and family members. Society fails to differentiate between lies and truth, morality and immorality, justice and injustice—even when undeniable facts prove that many of these hateful accusations are completely false.
How is it that those who support Israel have become such an ‘oppressed’ minority in our own societies? As a practising Jew, I look for answers in God’s word and in the prophecies of our prophets. They tell us that the time before the final redemption may mirror Biblical days—like birth pains—when God hardens the hearts of the nations, as He did with Pharaoh. In this way, God will again show His signs, so all will know He is the Lord, and the nations will face judgement for what they have done to the Jewish people.
The number of prophecies describing the nations conspiring against Israel is overwhelming. It is clear that the nations today conspire against Israel through the United Nations and by supporting organisations such as Hezbollah and Hamas.
But this conspiracy against Israel will affect the whole world—just as Habakkuk foretold, describing a world marked by plunder and violence, repeatedly using the word hamas. We should recall that God Himself used this word to describe the corrupt world of Noah, which He destroyed. Habakkuk warned of violence, strife, and conflict; a world where the law is paralysed, justice does not prevail, and the wicked surround the righteous so that justice is twisted and wrongdoing allowed.
He spoke of nations that would not believe even when warned; of a ruthless, impetuous people who sweep across the earth to seize homes not their own—a feared and dreaded people who make strength their god.
Habakkuk describes those who come with violence (hamas), mocking kings and scoffing at rulers. His words echo today’s world, including parts of Europe now facing large waves of Muslim immigrants who often live by their own laws, some seeking to Islamise their surroundings through violence (hamas) and pro-Hamas protests. Many governments, out of fear, may yield to this pressure and align themselves in hostility toward Israel.
However, while our world is being filled with hamas, God will also set apart people for a greater calling, preventing their hearts from being hardened against Israel like the nations. These people, who witness and refuse to join the hostility toward Israel, will often be rejected by their own societies. They will not follow the majority of their nation nor the teachings of their mainstream churches. As a result, they become a target because they choose to support Israel, and society treats them as one with Israel.
These difficult times give each of us the chance to show our loyalty to the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
“These difficult times give each of us the chance to show our loyalty to the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.”
God chose Abraham for his faith, values, and moral responsibility—and even he was tested. When God called, Abraham replied, “Hineni—here I am.” We should remember this when facing challenges with colleagues, church members, friends, or family. This is why it is vital to gather with other Bible-believing Christians who make similar choices and face similar pressures. Organisations such as Christians for Israel will continue to provide opportunities for believers to meet and receive guidance and Biblical insight into the events unfolding around us.
At Hineni, we have for years brought together hundreds of survivors of terror who meet, support, and strengthen one another through shared experiences and Biblical guidance. Many Bible-believing Christians who volunteer at Hineni feel a sense of relief when they are here because they can speak freely about Israel and God without fear of hateful reactions. Instead, they meet people who think and feel the same way about their relationship with God and Israel, allowing them to strengthen and comfort one another.
Engaging with Jews also allows Christians to see that far more unites them than divides them. Their differences are not about right or wrong, but part of God’s plan: Jews are to live by the Torah as a priestly nation for the Messianic age, while Christians are called to be the righteous among the nations whom God will bring to His holy mountain (Isaiah 56:7). We cannot become one another, but we must stand together, knowing that God will test us all.
Even Abraham faced great challenges, including Sodom and Gomorrah—cities full of robbery, immorality, and injustice. Yet he asked God to spare them, and God agreed if ten righteous people could be found. Today, I believe Jews and Bible-believing Christians together can form a symbolic ‘ten’ to find favour in God’s eyes, hoping He may hasten redemption and ease humanity’s suffering. This is rooted in our shared commitment to morality, justice, and acts of kindness—light in times of darkness.
I have seen many Jews and Christians whose lives were transformed after visiting Israel—their faith and confidence strengthened forever. I therefore encourage everyone, especially the young, to visit Israel: to witness the truth, experience the Biblical land, walk in the footsteps of our ancestors, connect with the Jewish people, and join a growing global movement preparing for the Messianic era—to be on the right side of history.
“For many peoples will come and say:‘Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob, that He may teach us His ways and that we may walk in His paths.’ For out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.” (Isaiah 2:3)
Why wait? Say now: Hineni—here I am, ready to go and serve. We at Hineni would welcome you with great pleasure.
Shalom from Jerusalem.
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