Psalms 135:4 NLT
[4] For the Lord has chosen Jacob for himself, Israel for his own special treasure.
[6] The Lord does whatever pleases him throughout all heaven and earth, and on the seas and in their depths.
Proverbs 30:5 NLT
[5] Every word of God proves true. He is a shield to all who come to him for protection.
Micah 7:11-12,15-27 NLT
[11] “In that day, Israel, your cities will be rebuilt, and your borders will be extended. [12] People from many lands will come and honor you— from Assyria all the way to the towns of Egypt, from Egypt all the way to the Euphrates River, and from distant seas and mountains….
[15] “Yes,” says the Lord, “I will do mighty miracles for you, like those I did when I rescued you from slavery in Egypt.” [16] All the nations of the world will stand amazed at what the Lord will do for you. They will be embarrassed at their feeble power. They will cover their mouths in silent awe, deaf to everything around them. [17] Like snakes crawling from their holes, they will come out to meet the Lord our God. They will fear him greatly, trembling in terror at his presence.”
The world waits with bated breath to see what will come of this conflict between Hamas and Israel. It seems that Hamas has the support of millions around the world. Despite Hamas’ atrocities and their despicable policy of using civilians to shield their terrorist fighters and their arsenal of weapons, the world believes that their demands and their purpose are legitimate.
When we read the Bible, we see a very different side to Israel’s defence of its territory. A constant theme runs through the prophecies of the Old Testament. Despite Israel’s failure to abide by God’s covenant and their stubborn practice of worshipping idols, and God’s punishment by war, famine, and exile, God promised to preserve a remnant and to return and resettle them in their own land. The nation and the land are inseparably joined together as God promised Abraham.
Isaiah 61:4 NLT
[4] “They will rebuild the ancient ruins, repairing cities destroyed long ago. They will revive them, though they have been deserted for many generations.
[8] “For I, the Lord, love justice. I hate robbery and wrongdoing. I will faithfully reward my people for their suffering and make an everlasting covenant with them. [9] Their descendants will be recognized and honored among the nations. Everyone will realize that they are a people the Lord has blessed.”
The Apostle Paul negates the theory that God is finished with natural Israel. “Replacement theology” teaches that the church has replaced Israel as the new Israel but…
Paul makes clear that salvation comes to the Jew in the same way as to the Gentile, through faith in Jesus. However, there is a season of grace for Gentiles since Israel’s unbelief has opened the door of salvation to the whole world but…
That door will close when the number of the Gentiles is complete. Then Israel’s opportunity will to be saved will come.
Romans 11:1-2 NIV
[1] “I ask then: Did God reject his people? By no means! I am an Israelite myself, a descendant of Abraham, from the tribe of Benjamin. [2] God did not reject his people, whom he foreknew. Don’t you know what Scripture says in the passage about Elijah—how he appealed to God against Israel:
[11] Again I ask: Did they stumble so as to fall beyond recovery? Not at all! Rather, because of their transgression, salvation has come to the Gentiles to make Israel envious….
[25] I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers and sisters, so that you may not be conceited: Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in, [26] and in this way all Israel will be saved. As it is written: “The deliverer will come from Zion; he will turn godlessness away from Jacob. [27] And this is my covenant with them when I take away their sins.” [28] As far as the gospel is concerned, they are enemies for your sake; but as far as election is concerned, they are loved on account of the patriarchs, [29] for God’s gifts and his call are irrevocable. [30] Just as you who were at one time disobedient to God have now received mercy as a result of their disobedience, [31] so they too have now become disobedient in order that they too may now receive mercy as a result of God’s mercy to you. [32] For God has bound everyone over to disobedience so that he may have mercy on them all.”
Micah 7:18-20 NIV
[18] Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy. [19] You will again have compassion on us; you will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea. [20] You will be faithful to Jacob, and show love to Abraham, as you pledged on oath to our ancestors in days long ago.”
Yes, salvation will come to the Jews only through faith in Jesus but, in God’s mercy, He will lift the veil of unbelief and reveal to the Jews that Jesus is their Messiah, as Zechariah prophesied..
Zechariah 12:2-6 NIV
[2] “I am going to make Jerusalem a cup that sends all the surrounding peoples reeling. Judah will be besieged as well as Jerusalem. [3] On that day, when all the nations of the earth are gathered against her, I will make Jerusalem an immovable rock for all the nations. All who try to move it will injure themselves. [4] On that day I will strike every horse with panic and its rider with madness,” declares the Lord. “I will keep a watchful eye over Judah, but I will blind all the horses of the nations. [5] Then the clans of Judah will say in their hearts, ‘The people of Jerusalem are strong, because the Lord Almighty is their God.’ [6] “On that day I will make the clans of Judah like a firepot in a woodpile, like a flaming torch among sheaves. They will consume all the surrounding peoples right and left, but Jerusalem will remain intact in her place….
[9] On that day I will set out to destroy all the nations that attack Jerusalem. [10] “And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and supplication. They will look on me, the one they have pierced, and they will mourn for him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for him as one grieves for a firstborn son…..
Zechariah 13:1 NIV
[1] “On that day a fountain will be opened to the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, to cleanse them from sin and impurity.
[9]…. I will refine them like silver and test them like gold. They will call on my name and I will answer them; I will say, ‘They are my people,’ and they will say, ‘The Lord is our God.’ ”
Ezekiel 38:14-18 NIV
[14] “Therefore, son of man, prophesy and say to Gog: ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: In that day, when my people Israel are living in safety, will you not take notice of it? [15] You will come from your place in the far north, you and many nations with you, all of them riding on horses, a great horde, a mighty army. [16] You will advance against my people Israel like a cloud that covers the land. In days to come, Gog, I will bring you against my land, so that the nations may know me when I am proved holy through you before their eyes. [17] “ ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: You are the one I spoke of in former days by my servants the prophets of Israel. At that time they prophesied for years that I would bring you against them. [18] This is what will happen in that day: When Gog attacks the land of Israel, my hot anger will be aroused, declares the Sovereign Lord….
[21] I will summon a sword against Gog on all my mountains, declares the Sovereign Lord. Every man’s sword will be against his brother. [22] I will execute judgment on him with plague and bloodshed; I will pour down torrents of rain, hailstones and burning sulfur on him and on his troops and on the many nations with him. [23] And so I will show my greatness and my holiness, and I will make myself known in the sight of many nations. Then they will know that I am the Lord.’
And so, dear brothers and sisters, let’s not toss Israel aside as some do. Let’s pray fervently that God’s will for His covenant people will be fully accomplished through their salvation, that God’s true Israel may be complete. Then the world will know that the God of Israel is the only true God.