Israel

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Let me preface this by saying I in no way, shape or form mean to blaspheme or upset anyone by what I'm going to ask. That said~

Why is Israel and its people so important to God? Israel is all throughout the Bible. He gave that land to the Jews (Abraham) and one of the signs of Christ's return, supposedly, is the restoration of the state of Israel, which happened shortly after WWII. If God cherishes the Jews so much and they followed His laws and words...then why don't they believe His Son is/was the Messiah? How can God's own chosen people NOT believe Jesus was the Messiah? I just don't get that.

-- Jackiea (sorry@dontlikespam.com), June 02, 2002

Answers

to the top, please

-- ... (...@.......), June 02, 2002.

I oftened wondered that, too, Jackiea. Interested to see what the 'experts' have to say.

MaryLu

-- MaryLu (mlc327@juno.com), June 02, 2002.


Hi Jackiea:

I'M NOT AN EXPERT, but read Romans, Chapter 11. (He always keeps His promises)

Rom.11

I ask, then, has God rejected his people? By no means! I myself am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, a member of the tribe of Benjamin. God has not rejected his people whom he foreknew. Do you not know what the scripture says of Eli'jah, how he pleads with God against Israel? "Lord, they have killed thy prophets, they have demolished thy altars, and I alone am left, and they seek my life." But what is God's reply to him? "I have kept for myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Ba'al."

So too at the present time there is a remnant, chosen by grace. But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace. What then? Israel failed to obtain what it sought. The elect obtained it, but the rest were hardened, as it is written, "God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes that should not see and ears that should not hear, down to this very day."

And David says,

"Let their table become a snare and a trap, a pitfall and a retribution for them; let their eyes be darkened so that they cannot see, and bend their backs for ever." So I ask, have they stumbled so as to fall? By no means! But through their trespass salvation has come to the Gentiles, so as to make Israel jealous.

Now if their trespass means riches for the world, and if their failure means riches for the Gentiles, how much more will their full inclusion mean! Now I am speaking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch then as I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry in order to make my fellow Jews jealous, and thus save some of them. For if their rejection means the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance mean but life from the dead? If the dough offered as first fruits is holy, so is the whole lump; and if the root is holy, so are the branches. But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, a wild olive shoot, were grafted in their place to share the richness of the olive tree, do not boast over the branches. If you do boast, remember it is not you that support the root, but the root that supports you. You will say, "Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in." That is true. They were broken off because of their unbelief, but you stand fast only through faith. So do not become proud, but stand in awe. For if God did not spare the natural branches, neither will he spare you. Note then the kindness and the severity of God: severity toward those who have fallen, but God's kindness to you, provided you continue in his kindness; otherwise you too will be cut off.

And even the others, if they do not persist in their unbelief, will be grafted in, for God has the power to graft them in again. For if you have been cut from what is by nature a wild olive tree, and grafted, contrary to nature, into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these natural branches be grafted back into their own olive tree. Lest you be wise in your own conceits, I want you to understand this mystery, brethren: a hardening has come upon part of Israel, until the full number of the Gentiles come in, and so all Israel will be saved; as it is written, "The Deliverer will come from Zion, he will banish ungodliness from Jacob"; "and this will be my covenant with them when I take away their sins." As regards the gospel they are enemies of God, for your sake; but as regards election they are beloved for the sake of their forefathers.

For the gifts and the call of God are irrevocable.

Just as you were once disobedient to God but now have received mercy because of their disobedience, so they have now been disobedient in order that by the mercy shown to you they also may receive mercy. For God has consigned all men to disobedience, that he may have mercy upon all.

Oh the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!

"For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?" "Or who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid?" For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory for ever. Amen

Hope that helps! (I know it's long and kind of tedious, but it really answers your question well, I think)

Gail

-- Gail (Rothfarms@socket.net), June 02, 2002.


This would suppose that God would look at one group of people different than another? Favoritism? Eeeek!

-- Chris Coose (ccoose@maine.rr.com), June 02, 2002.

No, Chris, just the opposite I think. God's promise to Abraham was on account of Abraham's "faith" -- the kind of faith that saves -- living, active, breathing, faith -- relationship! A faith that, even in old times, was extended to gentiles. They were called proslytites (sp?) -- converts.

God made a promise that He would bless Abraham's descendants on account of Abraham's faith. (Just like we hope He will bless our children!) His all encompassing plan, however, because of His great mercy, included a promise that would extend to all mankind, gentiles included! Because God wishes "that all men be saved."

Keep in mind, like I said before, there were gentile converts in the Old Testament. God NEVER rejects anyone that comes to Him! The New Testament makes clear that the the wall between all races is abolished in Christ -- "there is no Greek, no Jew, no female, no male, no slave." All are one in Him!

And you see the Muslim/Israel war dates all the way back to Abraham's sons, Isaac (son of Sarah) and Ishmael (son of Hager, the bondwoman). Even then, God blessed BOTH sons, however Isaac received the greater blessing because he was son of the "love marriage" BUT God still blessed Ishmael, just to a lesser degree. So, the Muslims have been jealous of Israel even to this day. If they only knew Christ is the RECONCILER!

What we see today in the Muslim/Israel conflict is sibling rivalry drawn out over many thousands of years! Jealousy! Scripture being fullfilled right before our eyes!

Love,

Gail

-- Gail (Rothfarms@socket.net), June 02, 2002.



Gail - very fine thought out posting for sure.

-- Jean Bouchard (jeanb@cwk.imag.net), June 03, 2002.

Only an observation on my part. The Jews were unmoved by Christ only because their Priestly leaders rejected Christ and were infear of his power.

The Jews were in the impression that the Messiah would bring an army and destroy the world of it's UnGodly people and establish a royal kingdom which will never be challenged. Christ was a man of words and not the man of actions and warlike behavior the Jews wanted or expected.

A clear sign of that is when Christ chastised Peter for cutting the ear off a gued in the garden of Gethsemane. He clearly stated the fact his army will not be a legion with swords, but of words.

It is all there in the NT for all to read and to understand.

Blessings.

-- Fred Bishop (FCB@heartland.com), June 03, 2002.


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