Everyone falls short of the glory of God.
In other words there is no perfection on earth. Everyone has partial vision of all there is to see. We view life from multiple angles, often distorted, flecked with truth, blind spots abound, gaps in knowledge and perception touch all of jus. We’re in this turmoil and imperfection together.
To be clear, when I write about Israel I am not antisemitic. I believe Palestine has a right to exist, as does Israel as a nation. I do not support Hamas, Israel’s atrocities in Gaza, nor any group on earth using violence of any kind to enforce it’s will on another. No person or nation is beyond being questioned, and none have such an anointed relationship with God that they can claim that he is unequivocally ‘on their side’. What follows are broad brush strokes as there is limited space, so please forgive.
The origins of Israel lie in ancient biblical history. The slaves of Egypt were miraculously set free from bondage, following Moses across the Red Sea into their Promised Land. A bedraggled group of Hebrews consisted of twelve tribes claiming land and settling. During this period the tribes agreed that they wanted to be like their neighbors and have a king, rather than follow God and his Judges/prophets. God warned them of the pitfalls ahead but as always, respected their desire to exercise their free will to go their own way.
Their common enemy was the Philistines who controlled the Coastal regions while the tribes settled in the hill country. When Israel and Judah united under King David and then Solomon the nation of Israel enjoyed it’s greatest unity and power in the region (10BC and 11BC). After that the people of Israel were defeated, captured, and exiled by the Assyrians, the Babylonians, and the Romans; never regaining the same unity and strength again. Temples were built and destroyed, Jerusalem was sacked and laid to rubble repeatedly, and the people gradually scattered, eventually throughout the earth.
The most remarkable truth about the Jewish people has been how they have maintained their faith and identity for thousands of years no matter where they lived, what nation they adopted as home, or what language they spoke. And as with the cry that rose from ancient Egypt, there was a common yearning to one day be reunited in Jerusalem.
That yearning found expression in political action under the rise of Zionism in the late 19th century and crescendoed after the holocaust. The solution granted was settlement in the Middle East in 1948. Many Palestinians were displaced and the tensions and struggles began in earnest for who has the right to claim the land. Ben Gurion, the first prime minister was a political Zionist with no allegiance to the God of ancient Israel. Today Netanyahu has clearly stated that he wants a secular state of Israel (with no allegiance to the God of his forefathers – my words). Bottom line: if you don’t like God’s plan, agenda, timeline, and fulfilment of past promises, then take matters into your own hands and make them happen in your image.
Israel as a nation/state existing at the expense of Palestinians is a secular political movement entirely divorced from anything spiritual or anointed by the God of their history. The ancient God of Israel spoke through prophets of the coming Messiah who would bring healing and deliverance. When Jesus emerged claiming to be ‘that One’ he was neither recognized, accepted, nor embraced as the fulfilment of those promises.
Like all others, fallen human beings, and religious leaders, love their prestige and power more than the prospect of a living God who speaks and acts independent of them. We prefer to reshape the God of history and avoid considering a living God in our present.
The life, death, and resurrection of Jesus is a real problem for Israel. Christians are misguided in their solidarity with a Zionist secular Israel as the fulfilment of God’s promises. That thinking is so limited, predictably human in origin, and pathetically small in the outworking of the supernatural ways of God. The rationale is always based in Old Testament history. It is only possible to believe if Jesus is ignored and the subsequent history following his crucifixion and resurrection are regarded as of no consequence.
Nevertheless, Israel, we are led to believe is exempt, and continues to have special treatment as God’s favorite. People quote Old Testament promises and have magnificent exposes on the ‘end times’. We disregard Jesus’ exhortation to his disciples to not focus on such issues, which only His Father will reveal at the appropriate time. Like naughty kids we can’t keep our hands off the topic. Speculation is way more attractive than loving your neighbor.
Let it be noted that Jesus was a Jew, most of his disciples were Jewish, Saul/Paul was Jewish. Many among the early Christians were Jews and Gentiles martyred for daring to proclaim Jesus as Lord and thus refusing to give obeyance to Caesar.
The bedrock of Jesus’ revelation was that God loves all people of all nations, his death on a Cross was for all people of all nations, his promises fulfilled are for all people of all nations. Promises issued as a revelation of his purposes and entirely dependent upon individuals to accept and respond voluntarily. Those who hear, listen, and respond are welcomed into the New Israel. Jesus quite clearly announced his task to be the inauguration of the Kingdom of God as the only ‘nation’ that is truly of God. Citizens of this nation, entered through the gate of the Cross (repentance, forgiveness, restoration) are united as one tribe baptized in the blood of the lamb (Jesus). It is a nation of God’s creation not rooted on earth with physical boundaries.
The citizens of the Kingdom of God, imperfect while living on earth, are nevertheless called to bear witness to their Lord and King, Jesus, as the only One worthy of worship anywhere and at any time on this mortal earth. We have a small taste of heaven in forgiveness, mercy, and hope, but not the fulness thereof. Zionist Israel is not the Kingdom of God, neither is any Christian denomination or church.
“The time is fulfilled and the kingdom of God is at hand” (Mk 1:15) Jesus’ words spoken as a Jew, and God’s gift, revelation, and the long awaited Messiah.
Paul, a Jew found fulfilment in recognizing the promised Messiah in Jesus. He eventually lost his life for his faith around AD63. He wrote: “So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” (Galatians 3:23)
Whomever God chooses, whether individual or nation, is granted an enormous privilege and responsibility. It is never a case of chosen because of being worthy or unique from others. God’s choice is always filled with grace and mercy, it is a reflection on him, not the one chosen. Which simply implies that if chosen, don’t run around behaving as if you have a special relationship that entitles you to bully, misuse, or flaunt your ‘special’ status in this world.
You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. (John 15:16)
God’s purpose has always been one of love for Israel, as with all of creation. Only He knows where it all leads, how, why, and when.
I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers and sisters, so that you may not be conceited: Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in, and in this way all Israel will be saved. (Romans 11:21)
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