Emotions often run high when people speak of the present day nation of Israel. Some still consider them to be God’s chosen people. Others speak as though God has totally ‘written them off’ so to speak, and that we should as well. I believe the truth is somewhere in between.

As far as I can tell, there is no definitive word from Jesus or His apostles that teaches us exactly how we should specifically view Israel in our day. I do believe, however, that there are Biblical principles that can and should be used to guide us to a sensible conclusion about how we should respond to the Israel of today.

First, I consider the promise God made initially to Abraham and which was repeated to Jacob through Isaac, concerning those who would bless and curse their progeny (Israel).

And I will make you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great; and so you shall be a blessing; and I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse. And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed. Genesis 12:2-3


Isaac was the son promised to Abraham and it was through Isaac that God brought the nation of Israel into existence. Later, when Isaac blessed his son Jacob, who later became the namesake for the nation of Israel (Genesis 32:28), Isaac repeated God’s original pronouncement, given to Abraham, ‘Cursed be those who curse you, and blessed be those who bless you’, Genesis 27:29.

As if to confirm this blessing as applying to Abraham’s and Isaac’s offspring as well and not just to them as individuals, God repeated it once more through Balaam, specifically using both the names ‘Jacob’ and ‘Israel’ to refer to the entire nation:

“How fair are your tents, O Jacob, your dwellings , O Israel!… Blessed is
everyone who blesses you, and cursed is everyone who curses you.”
Numbers 24:5 & 9


Consider that this blessing, repeated at least these three times, was first given before the nation existed and therefore prior to God having made any covenant with them. The blessing itself, was not based on any covenant as such, but rather on God’s intention to raise up from them His own Son, their Messiah, Jesus, savior for the entire world.

Yes, these are the people who later largely rejected their Messiah, and yes, God fulfilled and ended His covenant with them (Matthew 5:17, Colossians 2:13-14), but are these the only factors weighing in on how we should respond to them as a nation and people today?

I believe that there are other principles we would do well to consider as well as these.

(to be continued)
Marty Kessler