In today's vernacular, we've come to understand a dilemma as "a situation in which a difficult choice has to be made between two or more alternatives, oftentimes between equally undesirable ones". And, yes, dilemmas do present themselves in the Bible, but more likely illustrating moral or ethical conflicts faced by individuals in the Bible. Think of the moral dilemma Abraham faced concerning the sacrifice of Isaac. Do I obey God, or do I protect my son, whom I prayed for, all those years ago? Or Rahab's dilemma whether to choose deception in order to protect the Hebrew spies, or choose truth and loyalty to her own people.
These two examples of dilemmas faced by Biblical personalities illustrate the difficult challenges faced when we find ourselves in moral conflicts, emphasizing the roles that Faith and Character play in Biblically navigating difficult situations. That is the predicament that true Christians find themselves in today when it comes to deciding how we are to react to modern-day Israel [in light of how God instructs us to perceive or recognize them, according to His Word].
In my own opinion, their actions today are often in alignment with the rebellion they displayed in the Old Testament. LET ME BE CLEAR, and please hear me, as I make several points that will explain my discernment about God's favored nation. In regards to Jesus's Second Coming, I do not believe they resemble the redeemed Israel that He returns to restore to their original calling, yet I believe that God still remains faithful to them. Why? Because He is a God whose promises are irrevocable. For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable [for He does not withdraw what He has given, nor does He change His mind about those to whom He gives His grace or to whom He sends His call (Romans 11:29). Among His many promises to the nation of Israel are the assurance of His Presence; the promises of restoration and the gift of a homeland; faithfulness through trials; the promise of the Messiah; and the promise of Peace.
Today's post reflects my thoughts after reading an article on Harbinger's Daily by Jan Markell, titled "Is Israel's Spiritual Blindness A Reason For Christians to Reject Them?" My unequivocal answer is, "No!" But there are Christians in our country who staunchly defend the current nation of Israel and believe that we should safeguard and protect them, despite their secular unbelief in Jesus, and no matter their worldly actions involving their Middle Eastern neighbors. And that presents a dilemma for me. You see, I discern that God has a covenant with both Israel and the United States. He is a Covenant Keeper and will not break a covenant with either of us. They are irrevocable! But that doesn't mean He approves of our immoral actions. How do you think He feels about the Israeli Foreign Ministry promoting a four-day event called "Pride Land", billed as the "biggest LGBTQ+ festival ever in the Middle East". It will turn the land near the Dead Sea into "a temporary city featuring hotels, entertainment venues, and round-the-clock programming".
To me, it brings impressions of Sodom and Gomorrah and God's judgment against His covenant people. But I'm pretty sure that Israel's secular and political Foreign Ministry did not give a lot of thought to God's judgment when it decided to host "Pride Land". When the land of Israel became a state in 1948, Theodor Herzl, a political activist known as the "spiritual father of the state of Israel" fully expected it to be a Jewish secular state. And if we have studied our Bible, we should not be surprised. Ezekiel 36:22-23 fully explains the state the Jews were in, when they returned to the land, and why I believe that their spiritual blindness is not a reason to reject them ... Therefore say to the house of Israel, Thus says the Lord God: It is not for your sake, O house of Israel, that I am about to act, but for the sake of My holy name, which you have profaned among the nations to which you came. And I will vindicate the holiness of My great name, which has been profaned among the nations, and which you have profaned among them. And the nations will know that I am the Lord, declares the Lord GOD, when through you I vindicate My holiness before their eyes. This is a prophecy for the future; as yet unfulfilled.
Careful analysis of this passage in Ezekiel 36 reveals that when the Jews return to the Land [which happened in 1948] they did so in unbelief. And Ezekiel, Chapter 37 prophesies that the northern kingdom and southern kingdom of Israel will one day be reunified into one nation and will be made "one nation in the land, on the mountains of Israel". And then God takes Ezekiel [in the Spirit of the Lord] and sets him down in the middle of a valley of dry bones, asking him, "Son of man, can these bones live?" The dry bones symbolize the hopelessness of the Israelites in exile; far from their homeland and without spiritual and religious guidance. God continues the conversation: "Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel. Behold, they say, 'Our bones are dried up, and our hope is lost; we are indeed cut off' ". But then God gives them the news of their re-birth through the prophet: "I will make a covenant of peace with them. It shall be an everlasting covenant with them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Then the nations will know that I am the Lord who sanctifies Israel, when my sanctuary is in their midst." Again, another prophecy for the future.
But the Israel we see today is not a land of peace, and they are not united in their culture, politics, or faith. In fact, I do not see them as having experienced a rebirth yet, because it is a spiritual rebirth that God intends. And that leaves many Christians in a dilemma. The article in Harbinger's Daily points to a quote from Prophecy News Watch: "There is a long and deeply rooted love for Israel in the Christian community. Many see the nation not just as a geopolitical ally, but as a central thread in God's redemptive story. They pray for its peace. They defend its existence. They celebrate its resilience. So, when something like this [Pride Land] emerges, the reaction is not rejection -- it is lament."
Let me be clear: I believe that most of the citizens of Israel, along with their political leaders are secular and spiritually blinded. But there is a remnant coming into view who exemplify the dry bones of Ezekiel 36. They are receiving the breath of the Holy Spirit and coming to life. God's sanctified nation of Israel will be reborn and regenerated, to once again become God's chosen people. We do not need to abandon them or give up on them! We owe them a huge debt for giving us the roots of our Christian faith. As Deuteronomy 7:6-8 tells us, they are a people holy to the Lord our God; they are His treasured possession. Romans 11 tells us that God's covenant with Israel is everlasting, and His eternal purpose is to bless the world through Israel. As a steadfast follower of Jehovah God, and faithful servant of the Jewish Messiah and Savior, I do not condone Israel's unholy actions anymore than I approve of my own nation's discretions. I will not reject Israel as I continuously pray for her redemption and fulfillment of God's prophecies. Lord, hear our voices raised in Hope and Faith!
Deuteronomy 7:6. For you are a people holy to the LORD your God. The LORD your God has chosen you to be a people for His treasured possession, out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth.
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