Jewish Expectation and Christian Hope

by Ludwig Schneider

The nation of Israel lives just as the Church of Jesus also does, for Christian hope is the daughter of Jewish expectation!

| Topics: CHRISTIANS, WORD FROM JERUSALEM
The "end time" clock is ticking. Jewish expectation and Christian hope are leading to the same glorious outcome.
The "end time" clock is ticking. Jewish expectation and Christian hope are leading to the same glorious outcome. Photo: Simon Blüthenkranz/Pixabay

The theologian and researcher into antisemitism, Dr. Rudolf Pfisterer (1914-2005), alerted me to the difference between Jewish expectation and Christian hope. He was the publisher of the six volume edition The History of Anti-Semitism (published in German). We both fought against the superficial theology that is the source of many prejudices.

The Hebrew word for hope is tikva – תִקוָה. The importance of the word in Judaism is evident: Israel’s first new town in modern times was called Petach Tikva, the Gate of Hope. The concept is found in the Bible:

“We have been unfaithful to our God…yet now there is hope for Israel in spite of this.” (Ezra 10:2)

Another word for hope is the term for expectation in the sense of “looking forward to,” “waiting upon,” or “anticipating”: lehamtin – לְהַמתִין. Etymologically, this means expecting something good to happen soon. Thus tikva and lehamtin are related despite their dissimilarity: “With deep hope and joyful expectation.”

So let us discuss the biblical difference between Jewish expectation and Christian hope.

Because God has irrevocably chosen the Jewish people (Deuteronomy 7:6; Romans 11:29), the guaranteed “expectation” is valid for Judaism. For the Christians, on the other hand, it is “hope.” For the Jews their expectation is like an alarm clock that has been set by God and is guaranteed to go off at the time determined by Him, whether they believe in it or not.

The very fact that Israel exists is an unmistakable sign that God can be completely relied upon to keep His promises. The nation of Israel lives just as the Church of Jesus also does, for Christian hope is the daughter of Jewish expectation!

The world condemns the Jews as being a group of unreliable people that lost its way and was consequently scattered. Yet Israel is the only constant in the world, for God chose the Jewish people as a “holy nation” (Deuteronomy 7:6); with the Christians it is different because they are chosen by God individually (John 15:16).

Both Israel and the Church are still on their way. The Jews possess a communal ticket while the Christians hold individual tickets. This is also why there cannot be a “Christian nation,” but there can certainly be a “Jewish state.”

The Church has made a historic mistake by so firmly implanting itself in this world. Hebrews 13:14 tell us:

“Here we do not have a lasting city, but we are seeking the city which is to come.”

For Christians, earthly hopes do not fit in with God’s plan of salvation and therefore can never be fulfilled.

It is quite the opposite for the Jews, who as the Kingdom of Israel are an earthly nation. So in Judaism the human expectation of “waiting upon” the coming of the Messiah dominates. The Messiah will establish His throne in this world, which will be the Kingdom of God on earth. The awaiting, the expectation (lehamtin) of the Jews, which is an earthly expectation, is different than that of Christian hope, which is directed toward the hereafter.

By means of Jesus’ redemption, Jews and Christians are united. Yet throughout history they have gone their separate ways, distancing themselves from one another, resulting in the suspicion and hatred that defines their shared bond. Historically, so-called Christians in every generation have felt called in the name of the cross to slaughter the Jews.

Yet in spite of this God has neither written off Jewish expectation nor Christian hope, and will bring His plan of salvation to a conclusion fully and on time.

Just as there is a difference between tikva (hope) and lehamtin (expectation), their unity also remains constant, just like Adam and Eve, man and woman, Israel and the Church. Jews expect and await the coming Messiah while Christians hope for the returning Christ. One way or another, Jews and Christians belong together.

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4 responses to “Jewish Expectation and Christian Hope”

  1. Malcolm Baker says:
    January 13, 2023 at 12:48 pm

    Fabulous to read Ludwig again. Great article. Thankyou Israel Today.

  2. Rick Blake says:
    January 13, 2023 at 6:15 pm

    I’m sorry, but I thought the typical, western, Christian church believed just the opposite. That THEY have a glorious expectation of the return of the Christ and that the Jews (Israel) better hope that it is not Jesus! And yes, there have been plenty of ‘Christian nations.’ Whole nationalities through history have adopted the religion of Christianity as their own view and identity. As for Israel as a constant, it looks like they’ve been constantly on the run. Nothing here showed me where the two will ever be able to come together. It seems, that at best, we can expect to keep each other at arm’s length and hope for the best!

  3. AdinoBenaiah says:
    January 14, 2023 at 6:31 am

    Lamentations 3:26
    It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord.
    Psalm 147:11
    The Lord taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy.
    1 John 3:2-3
    Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.
    Acts 26:6-7
    And now I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made of God unto our fathers: Unto which promise our twelve tribes, instantly serving God day and night, hope to come. For which hope’s sake, king Agrippa, I am accused of the Jews.
    Psalm 131:3
    Let Israel hope in the Lord from henceforth and for ever.
    Proverbs 10:28
    The hope of the righteous shall be gladness: but the expectation of the wicked shall perish.

  4. Robert's World says:
    January 14, 2023 at 5:03 pm

    What an interesting, thought provoking article! I would like to join Aviel Schneider, Ludwig and others around the campfire for a “Tachles” discussion to further explore this subject.

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