Israel Still Matters, Because God’s Promises Still Stand
“So I ask, did they stumble in order that they might fall? By no means! Rather, through their trespass salvation has come to the Gentiles, so as to make Israel jealous”. ~ Romans 11:11
For many, Israel is ancient history, a narrative from long ago that has no real bearing on our lives. And yes, while Israel might play a prominent role in the Old Testament, the implication is that the book of Revelation is where the real story begins. However, we know that’s not how the story goes. From Genesis to Revelation, the story of God’s redemptive work weaves through every inch of Scripture. Israel is no mere historical artifact of God’s work in the past. Israel is a living, breathing part of God’s current plan, as He still makes good on every promise He made to the nation of Israel.
In Romans 11: 1–2, Paul confronts this hard truth: “Has God cast away His people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite…” He is saying that God has not rejected the people of Israel. The Word of God is clear, that the promises God made to His people are still at work, still happening, and still in the process of being revealed today.
Jesus spoke about Israel as if the story of Israel is not over. In Matthew 19: 28, He speaks of a future day when the twelve tribes will sit on twelve thrones to judge the apostles. That’s not the picture of a rejected people group. Rather, it’s a future-looking prophecy of a restoration to come. Israel is not simply part of our past, it’s a picture of our future.
Far back in the beginning of Genesis 12: 3, God made a promise to Abraham: “In thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.” That covenant, He never intended only for one people group. He had bigger plans than that. He was making a way to bless the entire world, and He would do it through Israel. Through Israel came the law, through Israel came the prophets, and through Israel would come the Messiah (Romans 9:4–5).
You may hear this idea that the Church has replaced Israel. That the covenant God made with Israel was a mere sign to point to Christ, and now the Church is the true people of God. But if that were true, then Paul wouldn’t write what he did in Romans 11: 25–29, a partial hardening has happened to Israel, until the full number of Gentiles has come in. And then? “All Israel shall be saved.” He follows this up with a profound truth: “The gifts and calling of God are without repentance.” In other words, God doesn’t regret what He does. He doesn’t renege on His promises. His covenant remains in force to this day.
When the New Testament tells us Gentile believers are children of Abraham through faith (Galatians 3: 7–9), it’s not to suggest we are Israel. Ephesians 2: 11–22 tells us Gentiles were once “aliens from the commonwealth of Israel.” But in Christ, we’ve been brought near. So God didn’t replace Israel. In Christ, He’s uniting Jew and Gentile into one body.
Jeremiah 31: 35–37 puts this as plainly as can be: “As the new moon and the sun and the stars shall not want their light, so shall my covenant not want to be verified, to do all these things that I will do with you.” It’s a guarantee from God Himself. And last time we checked, the sun, moon, and stars are still in the sky.
Why does this matter? The simple answer is that the faithfulness of God to the nation of Israel is a type and shadow of His faithfulness to all who put their trust in Him. If God could leave Israel behind, then He could leave us behind. But He will not. His promises are steadfast. His Word is settled in heaven (Psalm 119:89). And every prophecy about Israel is a promise to all who are in Christ that God never fails.
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