Corrie’s father often told her, “Love for the Jews was spoon-fed to me from my very youngest years.” “As a result,” said Corrie, “deep respect and love for the Jews became a part of our home life.” It was Corrie’s grandfather, Willem ten Boom, who, in 1837, bought the house that would later be used as an underground hiding place. Seven years later, his minister, Dominee Witteveen, came to Willem with a request to help him begin a prayer fellowship for the Jews. “Willem,” he said, “you know the Scriptures tell us to pray for the peace of Jerusalem and the blessing of the Jews.” Willem was in total agreement and this group began meeting in the Beje (The ten Boom home) to read Scriptures and pray for the Jewish people. If there was one person who served as an inspiration for this movement, it was Isaac Da Costa, a lawyer and poet, Jewish and of Portuguese descent, who had been converted to the Christian faith. Da Costa’s primary goal was the revival of Christianity in Dutch society, but a significant portion of his work was devoted to missionary endeavors among his Jewish brethren. The World Conference of the Evangelical Alliance was held in London in 1851; Da Costa was one of the speakers. A portion of his address focused on the relationship between Jews and Christians: . . . There is one nation which has not been represented at this great international gathering. It is God’s own beloved people of Israel. Let us remember that our Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ, who is now interceding for us at the Throne of God, was born a Jew in a Jewish family in the nation of Israel. It is true that Israel missed God’s target and was, for a time, set aside and dispersed among the nations. But the day will come when they will fall at the feet of their Messiah in true repentance and live! The time will come when the King of the Jews will call a holy gathering in Jerusalem. This is not human imagination, but God’s own Word through the witness of another Jew, the Apostle Paul. . . We all agree that a strong bond ties us to Israel. As to the past, Christianity is a fruit, an offshoot from the old people of God. As to the present, is not Israel’s existence among the nations, despite centuries of hostility and persecution, one of the strongest proofs against the world’s unbelief? And as to the future, how clearly the fulfillment of God’s promises for Israel is related to the future of the world and the coming Kingdom of Christ! Nothing in that address would seem to indicate contempt for the Jews. Just the opposite is evident. And this is the man, Da Costa, that Willem ten Boom considered a hero of the faith. As a letter from Casper, Willem’s son and Corrie’s father, reveals, “As long as I can remember, the portrait of Isaac Da Costa has been hanging in our living room. This man of God, with his burning heart for Israel, his own people, has had a strong influence on our family. Because of Da Costa, Willem helped found the Society for Israel. The Prayer Meeting for Gods Chosen People lasted for 100 years. Story sources: Corrie ten Boom, In My Father’s House The prayer meeting still lives through the prayers of people like you - and pages like this one. tenboom.org/ Thanks for sharing!
Posted on: Mon, 07 Jul 2014 13:55:43 +0000
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