Why Christians Should Stand with Israel
Jimmy Morales is the senior pastor of Fervent, a Calvary Chapel in Las Vegas, NV
Why Should the Church Support Israel?
I am only scratching the surface, but let's look to the Scriptures for a biblical justification for supporting Israel. First, let me be clear that standing with Israel does not mean we hate Palestinians. There are many Palestinians that are not haters of the Jews. There are many that are even Christians. They love Jesus and simply want to live a quiet life coexisting with Israel. Second, we stand with Israel knowing that she is not perfect but recognizing that God has a very special plan for her. Why should the church support Israel? Here are five reasons.
Israel is the Apple of God’s Eye
He who touches you touches the apple of His eye. Zechariah 2:8
When somebody messes with Israel, they are messing with God’s kids. He has set His favor on Israel. Though she has been far from perfect, God reserves the right to discipline her and does not allow any other to attack her without consequence.
‘For I am with you,’ says the LORD, ‘to save you; though I make a full end of all nations where I have scattered you, yet I will not make a complete end of you. Jeremiah 30:11
Even the nations He uses to judge Israel are judged by Him.
Israel is Truly God’s Nation
When God called Abraham, He made him a promise: “Get out of your country, from your family and from your father’s house, to a land that I will show you. I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing. 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.” Genesis 1:1-3
Israel is the only nation in history that God has sovereignly created. She belongs to God Himself. As the Creator of the universe, He owns all the land in the world, and He has the right to give the land to whomever He pleases. He gave that land to Israel. He also promised a blessing upon those who bless that nation and a curse upon those who curse her. This alone should motivate us to support Israel.
Our Lord is Jewish
In Genesis 12 we also read how God promised Abraham that Israel would be a blessing to the world. Through that imperfect nation, God brought forth our Lord Jesus Christ, the Savior of the World. Jesus was Jewish and He never renounced His nation, despite being rejected by them. In fact, the day is coming when He will restore her, and they will embrace Him.
“And I will pour on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace and supplication; then they will look on Me whom they pierced. Yes, they will mourn for Him as one mourns for his only son, and grieve for Him as one grieves for a firstborn.” Zechariah 12:10
God’s Gift is Irrevocable
“I give to you and your descendants after you the land in which you are a stranger, all the land of Canaan, as an everlasting possession; and I will be their God.” Genesis 17:8
Though some have claimed a right to the land of Canaan (note that it has never been the land of the Philistines—or Palestine), it has always belonged to Israel. Though Israel has sought to coexist on the land with the Palestinians, they have a lawful claim to the land. Their efforts to share it with a people that desire their extermination has been a terrible nightmare for them.
God has removed Israel from the land twice in the history of her existence. She was led away captive by the Babylonians in 597 B.C. God decreed she must give the land its Sabbath rest for seventy years as His way of dealing with her rebellion. In A.D. 70, Israel was once again removed from the land by the Romans as God’s discipline for her rejection of His Son. In both cases, there was the promise of restoration to the land (Deuteronomy 30:1-6). The day is coming that Israel will be restored and the church should be supportive of that.
Israel’s Restoration is a Source of the Church’s Blessing
For if their being cast away is the reconciling of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead? Romans 11:15
Paul viewed the fall of Israel in rejecting Jesus as a blessing for the Gentiles in that it opened the door for them to be saved. But he viewed the future restoration of Israel as a greater blessing to the world and to the Church. He shared this as an encouragement for the Church to support Israel (Romans 11:16-18), making it clear we are expected to love them and support them.
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.” Romans 11:25-27
There are several other very clear arguments why the church should support Israel, but these five should suffice as a great start. As a pastor, the last place I ever want to be found is opposing something God supports. God has a great plan for Israel, and every church should feel honored to be a part of what God is doing.
Learn more about Fervent at ferventlv.org
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