Why Israel?
Is Israel just another place in the world? Both in ancient and in modern times, Israel has always been the heartbeat of G-d. The special significance of Israel is emphasized throughout the Bible.
How G-d loves Israel:
1. Israel will always be in the pupil of G-d’s eye (Deuteronomy 32:9-10), Jerusalem will never be forgotten (Psalm 137:5-6).
2. Israel is G-d’s son (Exodus 4:22-23, Hosea 11:1) and G-d’s bride (Isaiah 54:5).
3. G-d will bless those who bless Israel (Genesis 12:3), the nation that will not serve Israel will perish (Isaiah 60:12).
4. G-d has chosen Israel to be set apart unto him (Deuteronomy 7:7-8; 14:2, Isaiah 43:1).
5. The G-d of Israel placed His name in Jerusalem (2 Kings 21:4) and His name would be there forever (2 Chronicles 6:6, 7:16, 33:4).
6. G-d still has compassion on Israel and has engraved Israel on the palms of His hands (Isaiah 49:13-16).
7. Ultimately Yeshua died for the nation of Israel to bring them together and make them one (John 11:51-52).
G-d’s covenants with Israel:
1. G-d ultimately owns the land of Israel (Leviticus 25:23, Deuteronomy 32:43).
2. G-d gave land grants and the title to Israel through Jacob that has never been revoked (Genesis 15:18-21; 17:7-8; 18; 28:13-15, 1 Chronicles 16:15-18, Psalm 105:9-11, Jeremiah 31:35-37).
3. G-d has promised to bring Israelis back to their land and restore them (Amos 9:13-15, Isaiah 43:5-7; 49:19-22, Ezekiel 36:24-28; 37:21-22, Jeremiah 32:40-41).
4. G-d's gift and call on Israel has not been revoked (Leviticus 26:44-45, Deuteronomy 7:8, Romans 11:1-2; 28-29). The covenant with Abraham has not been replaced by the New Covenant. The eternal covenant G-d made with Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and their descendants has NOT been set aside (Romans 9:4, Galatians 3:15-17).
5. Destruction will come to those who divide up G-d’s land (Joel 3:2, Jeremiah 12:14).
G-d chose Israel for His own purposes and motives:
1. G-d set Israel in the middle of the world which is geographically centered to serve the other nations (Ezekiel 5:5).
2. G-d wanted Israelis to be a kingdom of priests (teachers) to the rest of the nations (Exodus 19:6) and it would be called a Holy house of prayer for all nations (Genesis 18:18, Isaiah 56:7).
3. Since Israel is G-d’s land, His enemies seek to destroy her (Psalm 83:1-5, Ezekiel 36:1-5).
4. Israel is called an outcast for whom no one cares nor wants (Jeremiah 30:17-18).
Israel and the Church:
1. Christian’s owe a debt for the blessings they have received through the Jews. Through Israel the promises and covenants were given. Through Israel came the law, the prophets, and the Messiah who has opened up access to G-d for all, and through the Jewish apostles the gospel first went to the nations (Luke 24:47, Romans 1:16; 3:1–2; 9:4-5; 15:27).
2. The times of the gentiles are still not fulfilled completely (Luke 21:24, 28, Romans 11:25).
3. There has always been a remnant of Jews saved by grace throughout all times (Romans 11:5).
4. Yeshua came for the lost sheep of Israel (Matthew 15:24).
5. Christian’s graft into the commonwealth of Israel and are co-citizens of the estate with the Jews (Zechariah 8:23, Ephesians 2:11-13, 19, Ephesians 3:6, Romans 11:11-24, Galatians 4:26, 28, Ezekiel 37:15-28).
6. Israel is only blind in part, one day the blindness will be lifted (Romans 11:25).
7. G-d made the covenants ONLY between the house of Israel and the house of Judah (Jeremiah 31:31-32, Hebrews 8:6-13).
Israel and the second coming of the Lord:
1. Yeshua will be coming to restore His kingdom back to Israel (Acts 1:6).
2. Yeshua said to watch for the fig tree to appear, this appearance would be the formation of Israel (Mark 13:28-31, Hosea 9:10, Jeremiah 24:3-8).
3. Jerusalem will become the center of controversy and a cup of trembling to the nations of the world. All nations will be gathered against her in the end of days (Isaiah 34:8, Zechariah 12:2; 14:2).
4. Yeshua will set His feet upon the mount of Olives in Jerusalem as the Kingly Messiah (Mashiach) (Zechariah 14:4, Acts 1:11-12).
5. Yeshua will fight against those nations who fight against Jerusalem as Israel’s warrior King and protector of the Jews (Zechariah 14:2-3; 12).
6. All of Israel will be saved as it is written according to the prophets. Yeshua will come to Zion and take away their sins and they shall morn for Him (Romans 11:26-27, Zechariah 12:10-11; 13:9).
7. The Shekhinah glory of Yeshua will return to the temple and He will dwell amongst His people once again for a thousand years (Ezekiel 43:1-2; 4-7; Revelation 20:4-5).
8. The Torah will be taught from Jerusalem by Yeshua during the Messianic age (Isaiah 2:2-3; 42:6, Micah 4:2) and all nations will come to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles there including the other Biblical festivals (Zechariah 14:16, Isaiah 56:7, Ezekiel 44:24; 45:17; 46:9-11).
Conclusion – What are we as believers to do for Israel?
1. We must pray for the peace of Jerusalem (Psalm 122:6).
2. We are called to petition G-d on Israel’s behalf (Isaiah 62:6-7).
3. We are called to comfort the house of Israel (Isaiah 40:1-2).
