Navigating the Debate

Much is being said in the press as of late regarding Israel, the Jews and the current war in the Middle-East. Let me begin by saying if you put no value in the Bible you will find nothing written here that validates my opinion on the matter. This is written strictly for those Christians who are struggling with many people's adamant support of Israel and the Jewish People. Last week I was challenged by a fellow believer on my standing for Israel. As "fate" would have it I had just finished reading a great book that a sweet friend of mine gifted me on the subject . That book coupled with this challenge has brought me to ponder those arguments against Israel's justification for the current war and, even more concerning, for her very existence. As a Christian I take the Bible to be the infallible and literal word of God so that's the authority I base not only my daily decisions on but my eternity as well. Having said that, I'm blogging here just as much for my memory as for the sake of the debate. As you read keep in mind I'm using the words "Jews" and "Israel" somewhat interchangeably.

There's no doubt the enemy has been active in Israel (as well as the rest of the world) and seems to be working overtime as of late! There's also no argument from me that the majority of Jews (and, once again, the rest of the world) have turned from God and His ways, rejecting Jesus in the process; however, I do not believe that has prompted God to reject them or the land in which they live. My challenger saw things quite differently. As we talked I could have referenced many scholars and their interpretation of scripture on this topic. I could have also referenced historians who say, with good reason, there has always been a Jewish presence in the land of Israel; however, for me it really all boils down to what I read in the scriptures. Keeping that in mind I'm just summing up here the foundation of my belief based on what I read and understand from scripture alone (which is all that really matters).

I will begin with Genesis 17, although I could end here as well. Verse 7 states God will establish His covenant with Isaac and his descendants as an everlasting covenant. If that were not enough He also said the entire land of Canaan would be given to them (and those who came after them) as an everlasting promise "and I will be their God." Everlasting means lasting forever. It's not a temporary promise. I don't label this "Zionism" I'm just taking God at His word...so I guess I would label this "faith". If God has now rejected Israel, in spite of His everlasting promise, then we are all in trouble. If God doesn't keep His everlasting promise to them then there can be no guarantee He will keep His promise to me or you. How can we trust Romans 8 or 9 or 10 or for that matter John 3:16 if God's "everlasting" promise is conditional? Even Balaam the diviner said God is not a man that He should lie. God would certainly be going against His word "everlasting" if He were to, at any time, reject Israel or their land.  

 Then there is Jeremiah 33:24-26 which says "Have you not noticed that these people are saying 'The Lord has rejected the two kingdoms he chose'? So they despise my people and no longer regard them as a nation. This is what the Lord says: 'If I have not made my covenant with day and night and established the laws of heaven and earth, then I will reject the descendants of Jacob and David my servant and will not choose one of his sons to rule over the descendants of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. For I will restore their fortunes and have compassion on them.' "  The animosity against Israel and the Jews is by no means something new. I find it interesting that for thousands of years the enemy has been trying to convince anyone who will listen that God does not keep His word. The best way the accuser can do this is by discrediting the very people God made His original covenant with. As surely as the heavens and earth are still standing according to God's word, so is His covenant word with Israel still in effect; and thankfully so, because that gives me faith that His word stands true for me as well.

Of course, if one wants to focus on the "new covenant" Jesus brought just go to the book of Romans. Even after the rejection of Jesus, Paul explicitly states in Romans 11 verses 1 and 2 that God has not rejected Israel. In verse 8 he says "the elect among them" retained the promise. There were those who "stumbled" but those were to allow the Gentiles to be "grafted in". He states in verse 12 "how much greater riches their full inclusion bring". He goes on to say "If some" (not all) "of the branches have been broken off, and you, though a wild olive shoot, have been grafted in among the others ...do not consider yourself to be superior to those other branches." We (the church) are supported by the root we have been grafted into. That root is the "elect" of Israel that Paul writes about. It also states just as we have been grafted into the root if we don't continue in God's kindness we "also will be cut off".  Israel and the Jewish people can easily be grafted back into the covenant. Read verse 25: "After all, if you were cut out of an olive tree that is wild by nature, and contrary to nature were grafted into a cultivated olive tree, how much more readily will these, the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree." 

A tree is certainly known by its fruit and there are many who call themselves "Jewish" and "Christian" that are living a lie. God is perfectly capable of distinguishing the "real" Jews (and Christians) from those who are not His but that is for Him to decide, not me. I do not have that ability, that desire nor that authority. May we never consider ourselves superior but always remember how God's sternness with His chosen people has allowed us to be grafted in to become one by His kindness.

As one who has been grafted in I will only thrive if I support that thing God has seen fit to graft me in-to...the "elect' of Israel...my root. If the root no longer exists then neither do the branches and all of this is for nothing; thankfully, the everlasting God has seen fit to keep His everlasting word with all of us, both Jew and Gentile.

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