What does Paul say about believers' responsibility to help Jewish people?
Paul teaches that believers are responsible to show concern for the carnal, or fleshly, needs of Jewish people, even today. This duty contrasts with the anti-Semitism rising around the world. The teaching rests on God’s sovereign preservation of Israel as a nation in unbelief so end-time prophecy can be fulfilled.
Les explains that this is exactly what Paul is talking about: even believers today must have a concern for the carnal or fleshly needs of the Jew. That responsibility flies in the face of the anti-Semitism rising again around the world. Les connects it to God’s sovereign care for Israel, who must remain a nation in unbelief in the land so the seven years of tribulation can be consummated and the 144,000—12,000 from each tribe—can fulfill prophecy. He notes Jeremiah 31 says the sun would fall from its place if Israel ceased to be a nation, so God keeps them intact. A young Orthodox Jew told Les that you cannot evangelize all Jews, because then none would be left to fulfill prophecy.