The Rejection of Israel: What Does It Mean?
Posted: Sunday, May 10, 2009
by Joel Kontinen
http://joelkontinen.blogspot.com/
"For they are not all Israel who are of Israel", the apostle Paul wrote in Romans 9:6 as he discussed the rejection of Israel after God's chosen people had refused to welcome the Messiah. Who, then, is the real Israel? Paul also speaks about "The Israel of God" in Galatians 6. It suggests that a new Israel incorporates both believing Jews and non-Jews:
The Bible discloses that Israel had a major role in God's plan for mankind, beginning in the book of Genesis. The call of Abraham in Genesis chapter twelve begins a new chapter in human history. God instructed Abraham, a man living in the city of Ur, to leave his country, his people and his father's household to a land that God would show him.
Later, when Abraham was already in the Promised Land, God told him:
Lift your eyes now and look from the place where you are-northward, southward, eastward, and westward; for all the land which you see I give to you and your descendants forever (Gen. 13:14).
When the Bible says something is forever, it is forever.
Some sincere Christians believe that God's promises to bless Israel were conditional and that passages like Matthew 21:43, "Therefore I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a nation bearing the fruits of it" mean that God has rejected Israel and that the Church is the new Israel.
However, when God speaks of a new Israel, He does not mean that there is no room for the old Israel in His plan. The Book of Revelation (7:1-8) shows that even in end times, the twelve tribes of Israel were precious to God.
Some of God's promises are conditional but Abraham's blessing is not one of them. Time and again, the Jews were often taken into captivity. But each time, they – or at least some of them – returned to the land promised to Abraham.
Paul did not think that the Israelites would be rejected for ever. He writes in Romans 11:25-29:
For I do not desire, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you should be wise in your own opinion, that blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written:
" The Deliverer will come out of Zion, And He will turn away ungodliness from Jacob; For this is My covenant with them, When I take away their sins."
Concerning the gospel they are enemies for your sake, but concerning the election they are beloved for the sake of the fathers. For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.
The rejection of Israel was only temporary. Friends, let us not forget what God promised Abraham: "I will bless those who bless you, And I will curse him who curses you; And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed." (Gen. 12:3). Concerning the gospel they are enemies for your sake, but concerning the election they are beloved for the sake of the fathers. For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.
Four millennia after God's promise to Abraham his descendants are once again living in the land of Israel. It is evidence for the Lord's faithfulness.
It is our duty to bless the people of Israel. If we do so, we will be blessed.
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Top-level comments on this article: (3 total)I am curious as to your opinion on our presidents embracing the muslim world in light of its abject rejection of Israel.Hi Ken,Unfortunately Islam is basically very anti-Israel (although some Muslims might disagree with the more outspoken critics of Israel.) So, trying to curry favour with Islam usually means rejecting Israel. And this, I think, is a disaster.Regards,Joel
Joel, how does Revelation 1:7 NIV fit. Who is that addressing if not modern Israel?Believers, be they Jew or gentile already know.Thanks, Robert. There are indeed several references to the people of Israel (an ethnic group) in Revelation.Joel
Joel - looks like I am entering this way later than most but I applaud you for not adhering to "replacement theology" and saying that the church replace Israel in the promises of the scripture... I totally agree that those who bless Israel will be blessed... I think GW had many advisors who were replacement theologians and that is why we saw what we did... Bravo on this piece even if I am reading it months after it was posted! MarijoThanks, Marijo. This is a hot and often misunderstood topic but I see it as you see and I believe that is what the Bible teaches.Blessings, Joel
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