Recent days have revealed the maturation of fomenting sentiments concerning the nation of Israel. We awoke a few days ago to learn that enemy rockets by the thousands had landed on traditionally Jewish soil launched by the terror group Hamas. Almost immediately, we heard protests and justifications from either side. Naturally, Israelis decried the indiscriminate damage done by irresponsible and reckless enemies of the State. Hamas and their allies justified the attacks by relating encroachment and violence to their positions. The carnage was significant and retaliatory strikes by the Israeli Defense Force (IDF) would be forthcoming.
Most would agree that this conflict is nothing new. Violence in the region has been going on for thousands of years. Few believe that, despite political and diplomatic efforts that anything can be done. The lack of trust and hatred runs too deep. Others see the situation as a "Mexican standoff" with both parties entrenched with the idea that the land belongs to them. It seems an easy response to shrug our shoulders and walk away. But not so for the Christian since many see a spiritual commitment to the nation of Israel and Palestinian believers. Several tedious issues must be addressed to have any clarity on this topic.
The first question one might ask is an obvious one: Whose land is it? Is there some declaration in history that establishes a homeland for either of these factions? The answer is that there is such a pronouncement. It was found in Genesis with the Abrahamic Covenant. In Genesis 12, God promises to give Abraham a land and a spiritual progeny. This promise is reiterated and ratified in Genesis 15, where God declares, "To your descendants, I have given this land. From the river of Egypt to as far as the great river, the river Euphrates."
The promise seems rather cut and dried. By God's fiat, the land belongs to the Hebrew people. Nowhere else in Scripture does God gift a land to a people group. This perpetual declaration is reiterated throughout the Law, the Prophets, and the New Testament. In fact, the land is emphasized continually as Israel's possession. Peace and prosperity are assured if they remain within covenant with God.
A second question is how are non-Jews living in the land of Israel to be treated? Interestingly, provisions are made for those aliens wishing to live in the land of Promise. This is to be expected. Accordingly, Leviticus 19:34 states, " The stranger that resides with you shall be to you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself; for you were aliens in the lad of Egypt: I am the LORD your God." Here we see a clear stipulation that the Jewish State will welcome and love the foreigner. This is regulated so that the stranger sees it as his obligation to abide by the Law of God (Numbers 9: 14).
I have been preaching through two Minor Prophets in the Old Testament, Micah and Haggai. These two men are representative samples of all the prophets concerning the future of Israel. There is a consistent string of promises found in their writings. First, that the disobedient people of God will be held accountable for their breaking of their covenant with Yahweh. Judgment was inevitable and was eventually realized with the scattering and deportation of the nation. Despite this setback, God would not forsake His people. His multitudinous promises to them would be fulfilled, culminating with the glorious reign of Messiah from Jerusalem. The kingdom of God on earth shall be realized!
So, my final question asks, how is the believer to respond during this time of chaos and discontent? Paul outlines guidelines for our attitude toward Israel until Messiah returns.
Consider the following observations by Brian Crawford:
"It's a good time to remind all believers in our circles, including Reformed covenantalists, that there is a New Testament Christian obligation to stand for the defense of the Jewish people during this time of war:
As regards election, the Jewish people are beloved for the sake of their forefathers Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Romans 11:28)
As with Elijah's generation, so too at the present twenty-first century time, there is a Jewish remnant chosen by grace. Some have not yet come to believe in Jesus. (Romans 11:5)
If there will be an end-times return of the Jewish people to faith in Christ - as has been the majority eschatological position throughout Christian history (cf. Romans 11:26) - then that means Christians ought to ensure the survival of the Jewish people until Jesus returns.
Gentile Christians ought to serve Jewish believers in Jesus by providing them material blessings in times of need, as is only proper since Jewish believers in Jesus have provided Gentiles with spiritual blessings (Romans 15:27). What is your Gentile church doing to assist Israeli Messianic Jews?
There are no equivalent biblical admonitions regarding any other people group. Christians are to seek the wellbeing and peace of all tribes, tongues, and nations, but there is a particular Christian responsibility and relationship with the Jewish people.
Differences in eschatology and hermeneutics aside, evangelicals of all stripes ought to get behind these principles from Romans and stand for the survival of the Jewish people.”
This is an ostensibly confusing time. We as believers, must continue to address our world Biblically and confidently.
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