MAY 19

Romans 11:23-27
Memorise Genesis 12:3
“And I shall bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee…”

ARE WE PRO-ISRAEL?

The people of Israel are God’s chosen people. Because God has expressed His love for the nation of Israel (Deuteronomy 7:6-8), we too should lend our support to that which God loves. This is not to say that we must agree with everything the nation of Israel does, or think that the Jews are favoured by God such that they have their places secured in heaven by virtue of their racial heritage or that they are somehow superior to other races or nations. Admittedly, methods that Israel uses in their conflicts with the other Middle Eastern nations are sometimes questionable. No Jew can be saved outside of Christ just like any Gentile believer. Indeed, the nation of Israel as it exists today, is a secular nation of unbelievers with a believing remnant. However, we must recognize that they have a right to exist as a people and nation because God has made it clear that this must be so. Indeed, Jesus (who is a Jew) shall return through the nation of Israel.

Israel rejected Jesus as Messiah and had their privileged position as the visible witness for God removed. This responsibility has now been given to the church, the body of believer. Notwithstanding, God still has a plan for Israel and one day their God-given role shall be restored. God has not rejected Israel just as God does not reject Gentile believers even if they inadvertently bear a poor witness for Him. Indeed, anyone who assumes an anti-Semitist position does so at the risk of being cursed by God (Genesis 12:3). The pro-Israel position is thus one that recognizes the role that Israel has in God’s eternal plan, in accordance to His revealed will.

If Gentiles could be adopted as God’s people even though they were not God’s chosen people to begin with, then how much more will God want His chosen people to come back to Him, as wayward as they may be at present (Romans 11:23-27)? The Abrahamic covenant that God will make Israel into a great nation shall be fulfilled just as God has made good on His promise to bless those who support Israel (Genesis 12:2-3). This should give us good reason to support Israel. Let us also be weary of Anti-Semitism as this goes against the will of God.

Thought: Nothing can destroy Israel even though many Arab nations have set their minds against her because God loves her.
Prayer: O Lord, thank You for your tremendous gift of salvation to both Jewish and Gentile believers who now belong to Your family.