Punishment for the Jews?

Question

Were the Temple's destruction, Rome's crushing of Israel's resistance, and the exile of Jews punishments for rejecting the Messiah? Was that event the fulfilment of certain Old Testament prophecies which spoke of coming judgment against the unfaithful of Israel?

Answer 1

They have been in defiance of God from the time they left Egypt until now. They have their times in the sun but eventually fall. Look at how many warnings Moses gave them in Deuteronomy. They have a special place only because of their ancestry and God will honor that. Keep your eye on Jerusalem because that's the place it all happens.

Answer 2

Perhaps against the nation as such, not so much against the individuals. God dealt throughout history with the nation of Israel, blessing them and chastising them accordingly.
The Babylonian exile, for instance, was punishment for the idolatry practiced over the centuries. Daniel was one of the exiles, and he was a man of God. So he was certainly not being punished. But he was a victim of what happened to the nation.
In the Old Testament law, God makes it clear that Israel was neither better nor worse than the other nations, but that God had chosen Israel to be His testimony. That is why they were blessed and punished according to their actions, seemingly much more than other nations.

Answer 3

In Daniel 9, it says that the Messiah would come before the destruction of the Temple, and after his death, the Temple would be destroyed. Also, in Hosea 3, God says that the Jews would live without a homeland and a Temple for two days, or two thousand years in God's time. And Jesus warned that after his death, the Romans would come and destroy the Jewish nation, until "the times of the Gentiles is over", and that time ended with the re-capturing of Jerusalem by the Jews.

Answer 4

It was a lack of observance as well as a lack of unity.

if you study the Jewish-Roman wars you will see that the Judean's were successful in driving the Romans from Judea and the Galilee.

The reason why the Romans in the end reconquered them was that many Jewish factions started to bicker amongst each other. Many historians say that if they had held a united front that they would have been successful in completely removing the roman presence.

Answer 5

Hmm interesting question if I should say so myself. However, why do the Christians always assume that God is punishing us, as if you understand His will over the Jewish people?
Why were the Jews driven from Israel? It had nothing to do with God, but with the Jews bickering amongst themselves. There was no unity and jealousy ran supreme. The two kingdoms were divided between Judea and Israel. The kingdom of Israel was destroyed. Judea was able to last a little bit longer and fight on. Again, God had nothing to do with it. God gives us Jews a free will and what we do it with it is ultimately our own choice. Those who choose to follow less would ultimately see their kingdom destroyed for if they cannot relate to the Torah, and then Torah becomes just a scroll. Thus, defense against the Romans is no longer God inspired, but rather national inspired. But if you fight without believe network in God, then your morale decreases when the loses mount. If you fight with God on your mind you will be more successful, because you will know your limitations, you would have rules in your hands, morality, and the ease of mind. Studies conducted by 700 Club (a Christian Show) showed that a soldier who believes in God has a greater chances of surviving a battle then he who is an atheist.
Now, it is only Christians who believe that all people are born with a sin. In Judaism babies are not born with a sin, but are greeted into this world with a Simha (joy). Being a Jew is always about Simha. Thus, God is not punishing us. I love my faith. I was born a Jew, raised a Jew, and die a Jew. God is always with us and He is always blessing us and protecting us. Think of it in this way…we survived all the atrocities committed against us, we survived most of the empires that once rose and now no more (USSR being the last one), we survived one genocide after the next, and we still have our precious Torah and its words are inspiration for millions of people worldwide. Now we have more people studying in yeshivas worldwide then in the days before WWII. I came from Moldova, a former Republic of USSR and yet my parents taught me my faith in secrecy. I knew the words of Shema (Deut: Hear oh Israel, Lord is One and He would always be One) despite the restrictions placed on us by the government. Yet, I am a Jew today and I am a proud Jew.
My friend, God has never punished the Jews. He punished those who rose against us. What happened to the Babylonians that took our tribes into slavery? What happened to the Greeks who forced Hera’s idolatry upon the Temple? What has happened to the Romans after they destroyed the Temple? What has happened to the Spanish Empire who forced Inquisition on the Jews? What has happened to the Germans after expulsions and genocide of the Jews? What has happened to the Muslims, once they turned their backs on the Jews after living with them in brotherhood in some places? What has happened to the USSR after she tried to end Judaism? My friend, all have failed and are gone to history. The Spaniards and the Germans are now weak, pathetic, and Godless. Most of the European Christians do not believe in their own faith. But as the Jews we survive, we still study the word of God. My friend, God is with us as He has been since the time of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and He will be with us until the coming of the Messianic Age. As long as there are Jews who study the Torah we shall survive. In Mongolia there is one Jewish family alive. His father is a Mongolian and his mom is Jewish. Yet, he studies the Torah, the Talmud, the Midrash with his 2 children and his wife. Judaism is surviving in Mongolia for the next generation. Hence I leave you with this, “Am Israel Chai - The Jewish nation lives.”

Answer 6

If God wants Jews punished why is the USA sending 33% of all of its foreign aid to Israel? Why can someone have dual citizen ship (American and Israeli)?

Inquiring minds want to know!

Answer 7

No, it's a punishment for not following G-d's laws completely. People didn't observe Shabbat and didn't follow the commandments.

Answer 8

This sounds like a fancily worded defense of the Holocaust.

Answer 9

They were driven out of their land many times by GOD because they forsook him and followed other gods.

Answer 10

"At this they covered their ears, and yelling at the top of their voices, they rushed at him (Stephen), dragged him out of the city and began stoning him." (Acts 7:57)
You are apt to draw a similar response.