49:22TRUST is a Christian organisation which exists as an obedient response to God’s eternal covenant with the house of Israel. We have been called to serve and bless the Jewish people because they are God’s people and because we confess that we have been ‘grafted in’ to Israel and therefore share in being God’s people with them.

‘Aliyah’ is at the heart of 49:22TRUST’s mission. Aliyah is the Hebrew word which means ‘to ascend’ and refers to the return of Jewish people to the land of Israel and to the God of Israel.

We have helped over 84,000 Jews immigrate to Israel through our Aliyah programmes. Our children’s programmes rehabilitate, educate and train underprivileged youth. Our adult programmes provide comprehensive psychological services, which build up confidence and self-esteem. Our educational programs teach about antisemitism, while at the same time bridging the gap between Jews and Christians.

Why Christians Should Support Israel and the Jewish People

1) The risen Lord we worship, Jesus Christ, not only was Jewish, but He is Jewish. Mary Magdelene’s first exclamation meeting Him after His resurrection  was “Rabbi”, the title of a Jewish Teacher (John 20:16).

2) God established an eternal covenant relationship with the Jewish people through Abraham to bless them (Genesis 12:2-3) and to bless the world through them inasmuch as they obeyed Him as His Holy Nation of Priests (Exodus 19:5-6). This continuing mission to reveal God to the world is intrinsic to the good news of Jesus Christ – “Salvation is from the Jews.” (John 4:22)

3) Romans 9-11 teaches that all Jewish people are and remain God’s covenant-partners. Paul writes, “I ask then: Did God reject his people? By no means!” (Romans 11:1) Israel is the root which supports the church not vice versa (Romans 11:18). In this way, “all Israel will be saved” (Romans 11:26). He further confirms in Romans 11:28-29 that Jews who do not accept Jesus (“as far as the gospel is concerned, they are enemies for your sake”) continue to serve the Lord and continue to be the recipients of God’s promises: “God’s gifts and his call are irrevocable”.

4) The eternal covenant relationship between God and the Jewish people includes within it an eternally promised land (e.g. Genesis 15:12-21; 17:8; 26:2-4; 28:13-15; Exodus 6:2-5).  As long as this covenant remains in place, so too do both His promises pertaining to the land and God’s instruction which governs life within the land. 

In Jesus’ words: “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfil them. For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.” (Matthew 5:17-18)

5) The words which God has freely spoken about His Messiah through the prophets tell us that Jesus’ identity as the Messiah of Israel depends upon His role in the return of the exiles of Israel: “the Root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the peoples; the nations will rally to him, and his resting place will be glorious...[the LORD] will raise a banner for the nations and gather the exiles of Israel; he will assemble the scattered people of Judah from the four quarters of the earth.” (Isaiah 11:10…12) See also the words Jesus applied to Himself from Isaiah 61:1-2a in Luke 4:18-20. God’s Word cannot return to Him empty (Isaiah 55:11).

6) The book of Isaiah prophesies that the nations who recognise the LORD’s banner – Jesus Christ – have a role in assisting Jews who wish to return to the land of Israel from other places around the world: 

“This is what the Sovereign LORD says, “See, I will beckon to the nations, I will lift up my banner to the peoples; they will bring your sons in their arms and carry your daughters on their shoulders.” (Isaiah 49:22)

7) God promised Abraham and his descendents (the Jewish people) that He would bless those who bless them and curse those who curse them (Genesis 12:3). Israel are the people through whom God shows His grace and peace, or shalom, to the nations (perfectly in Jesus Christ). If we curse Israel then we are cursing the source of God’s blessing and cursing God. When we bless Israel we are blessing God and participating in the blessing which Israel has received from God.