This post is a short summary on the above topic from the Prophetic Conference that my husband and I recently taught. I am very aware that this is a controversial, and oftentimes contentious subject. And, in no way, am I intending to offend anyone, Jew or Gentile, but rather to take a serious look at what our Bible tells us about God's relationship with the people who are the "apple of His eye", and who were called to take the knowledge of YHWH's sovereignty to all the nations of the world. By no means, will this post be conclusive or definitive, but hopefully, will make readers do their own research in the Word to come to a truthful understanding of what the Bible reveals on this sensitive subject.
Deuteronomy 32:8 tells us, "When the Most High gave to the nations their inheritance, when He divided mankind, He fixed the borders of the peoples according to the number of the sons of God. But the LORD's portion is His people, Jacob His allotted heritage". God's intention was that Jacob [who would be renamed Israel] would represent a people holy to the Lord their God (Deuteronomy 7:6). The world would know that God had chosen them to be a people of His treasured possession, out of all the peoples on the face of the earth. They were to show mankind that God is a faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love Him and keep His commandments, to a thousand generations (Deuteronomy 7:9).
So, that's what it says at the beginning of the Bible. And that's what God intended for the nation of Israel. But as we know, Biblical history has shown us a different story; one of rebellion and God's justice; one of returning to God's grace through repentance and forgiveness; following pagan worship and seeking to return to faithful obedience to their God -- and repeating these cycles over and over across the expanse of thousands of years. And now we find the land of Biblical Israel in conflict, and the Jewish people identifying more with Zionism than with YHWH. That is not meant to be an insult, but the reality of a nation that is focused on the threats to its continued existence and security. Today Zionism looks more like a nationalistic and political movement than a religious and cultural identity.
Let me be clear.... the State of Israel, as it exists today in the Middle East is largely secular, along with a sizable number of religious Orthodox Jews who view themselves as Zionists from a historical, Old Testament perspective. There is also a growing population of Messianic Jews, who believe in Yeshua as the Biblical Messiah. As a Christian, I honor the land of Israel that God promised to Abraham and his descendants as an everlasting possession, emphasizing that the land ultimately belongs to God, who bequeaths it to the Jews [conditionally] based on their faithfulness to Him. Ultimately, the inhabitants of that land are strangers and sojourners with Him and He declares "the land is mine". And because of that, the land of Israel is significant in the covenant relationship between God and the Israelites.
Whether you agree or disagree with the actions of the State of Israel and its government, you must never question that God's gifts and His calling for the Jewish people of Israel (Abraham's descendants) is irrevocable; they cannot be reversed, changed, or recalled. The Apostle Paul, a Jew Himself, understood this mystery of their blindness until the fullness of the Gentiles come to faith. I sincerely believe that Israel has a calling to lead the nations to faith in YHWH. Their temporary blindness to the true identity of Yeshua, does not disqualify them or remove them from their covenant with our God. And hear this ... the Christian Church has not replaced the Jews in God's eyes! Replacement Theology is a lie! The belief that the Christian Church has permanently replaced or superseded ethnic Israel as God's chosen people, inheriting the covenant promises originally given to Israel, is completely untrue.
Make no mistake: God has a plan to save the whole world, both Jew and Gentile. The fullness of the Gentiles involves their assignment to witness to all the nations what YHWH, the God of Israel, has done to save them from their sins. The fullness of Israel will involve the full number who come to faith in their Messiah, after which they will operate in the full power and full character to which God called them. It's important that we understand this mystery. Just as the Bible tells us, they may not have reached that fullness yet, "but as regards election, they are beloved for the sake of their forefathers" ... For God has consigned all to disobedience, that He may have mercy on all". You and I are a part of that "all"; in regards to both disobedience and mercy.
To summarize, God loves the Jewish people, and His ways are immutable. And yes, God loves all that He has created, and He is faithful to the promises that He gives us. The Bible tells us that "He keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love Him and keep His commandments, to a thousand generations". But the Bible also warns that there are consequences when we are unfaithful, and the Old Testament is full of examples of the price paid when God's people wandered from the love of God.
But I am not here to judge Israel or play God. That is His territory. Instead, I praise God for His faithfulness to His promises to Abraham that all peoples would be blessed through him. Yes, I believe Israel is still God's chosen people, even in times of rebellion, and I will pray for them. And this I know, without a doubt... God has a plan to bless the world. God is faithful. And Israel's calling is irrevocable, so God will keep His promises to them, and lead them to their fullness, no matter what. So simply put, join me in praying that God's will be done in the earth. Pray that Israel is restored to its fullness in God's plan. And love them as YHWH loves them. For from Him and through Him are all things. To God be the glory forever! Amen!
Hebrews 6:17-18. So when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of His purpose, He guaranteed it with an oath, so that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us.
