Tag Archives: Israel

Land of Israel

Church Bulletin, Government, News

P_Israel_FlagIsrael is the center of controversy. The United Nations established the nation of Israel in 1948. Original borders were not specified but today Israel encompasses just over 8,500 square miles. The population is just over 8.2 million people. From its establishment, Israel has been the focus of war and conflict. The day after it formed and the British relinquished rule, Arab armies attacked. Israel has been successful in fending off attacks for almost 70 years. The United States is Israel’s supporter and ally. Arguably, the U.S. has no stronger ally than Israel. Many Americans support Israel because they believe God protects it. They reason that God promised them the land unconditionally and that we must back Israel or else find ourselves in opposition to God.

Israel Is Not the Israel of the Bible

The Israel of the Bible ceased to exist when invading Roman armies lay waste to the city in 70 AD. Today, Israel is a secular country established by fiat of man and not by God. Voters elect their government every four years in a nationwide election.

God’s plan for Israel first consisted of Judges, deliverers who would arise and defend the nation militarily. The people demanded a king (1 Samuel 8) and a monarchy began but that was not God’s intent. History shows that kings caused frequent problems for the nation. The Herod Dynasty, ruling in the days of Jesus and until the destruction in 70, bore no resemblance to the life of King David or Solomon. That nation was taken away in an act of Divine judgment through God’s use of the Romans.

Israel was Never Given Land Unconditionally

God promised Abraham the land upon which he traveled (Genesis 12:7). God fulfilled that promise when Joshua led the Israelites into Canaan (Joshua 11:23). Some patches remained to take, but God himself promised to handle them (Joshua 13:6).

The nations of Canaan were removed because of their wickedness. All were pagan, idol worshipping people. Joshua reminded Israel that God would protect and defend them only as long as they were faithful (Joshua 23:12, 13; Joshua 24:20). That same warning is given Solomon by David (1 Chronicles 28:9). After the death of Joshua, the people turned to idols. Time and again God warned and punished the people. They continued to disobey. By the time of Jesus, there was growing wickedness that culminated in the crucifixion of the Son of God. A generation later, the nation ceased to exist.

Israel Is Gone

The Romans destroyed the Temple at Jerusalem and to this day, that Temple has not been rebuilt.  In 363 AD, A Roman emperor ordered a rebuilding of the Temple but building ceased after initial construction ended, either by sabotage, fire or an earthquake. Christian historians ascribed the earthquake to Divine intervention against the rebuilding.

Today, there is no need for Israel. God’s chosen people are Christians (Titus 2:14; 1 Peter 2:9). There is no sacrifice required for Jesus is our once-for-all sacrifice (Hebrews 10:10). Animal sacrifices were never enough to pay for sins (Hebrews 10:4).

If you wish, support Israel because it is an ally, because it is a wise diplomatic decision. However, do not support the present secular state of Israel out of some thought that God protects it today. All Jews may be saved in Christ but not because of their nationality.

 

Bryant Evans may be reached at bryant at bryantevans.com. You can follow Bryant on Twitter @jbevans.

 

Crisis!

News, ,

BombyThere is a human rights crisis in the middle east. Syria is expanding its influence, Hamas is ginning up violence, Israeli vigilantes are responding violently and slowly the United States is being dragged back into a deadly conflict. But this website is decidedly not about politics or foreign affairs. But I am concerned about the human factor, especially the children.

My worries are not about the adults so much as the defenseless little ones.

Children Are Dying

In any violent conflict, children suffer and die. The cause or allegedly justness of any conflict does not change the death toll nor lessen the trauma inflicted upon the children. Christians should be heart broken. Jesus loved children and was often found surrounded by them (Matthew 19:13-15). He said that children represented the nature of the kingdom of Heaven.

These children are absolutely innocent. Their only “sin” was being born into a region where hatred rules.

Children Are Learning to Kill

Today’s killers were yesterday’s children. The mid-eastern violence is a self replicating cycle that knows no end. Children who once played with sticks and dolls today fire guns and throw hand grenades. Somehow, the cycle must be broken. Children who have witnessed bombings and killings must decide that it is not worth it any longer.

The problem is that there is no moral leadership influencing the people of the region. Hatred rules and there is no one to say stop!

The love of Jesus Christ, almost unknown in the region, is the answer. These groups are anchored in tit for tat violence that will not otherwise end. Only the message of salvation has a chance.

Christians ought be in prayer constantly over this slow moving tragedy. We pray, not because of some supposed, coming rapture or earthly kingdom, but because prayer is the only way to lessen the violence. We pray for our U.S. leaders but also for the national leaders and militant leaders. We pray for the unnamed community leaders who can influence the conflict. We pray for the mothers that they teach peace to their children.

If we fail to pray and assert our influence for good the conflict will continue until there is no one left to die. The stakes are so high.

Bryant Evans may be reached at bryant at bryantevans.com. You can follow Bryant on Twitter @jbevans.