God has an Ongoing and Special Interest in Israel:

 

Even though Israel has largely been in rebellion against God, their God has not given up on His sign people:

 

Isaiah 49:14–16 But Zion said, “The LORD has forsaken me; my Lord has forgotten me.” “Can a woman forget her nursing child, that she should have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you. Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are continually before me.”

 

Isaiah 54:5–8 For your Maker is your husband, the LORD of hosts is his name; and the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer, the God of the whole earth he is called. For the LORD has called you [Israel] like a wife deserted and grieved in spirit, like a wife of youth when she is cast off, says your God. For a brief moment I deserted you, but with great compassion I will gather you. In overflowing anger for a moment I hid my face from you, but with everlasting love I will have compassion on you,” says the LORD, your Redeemer.

 

Hosea 2:18–20 …And I will abolish the bow, the sword, and war from the land, and I will make you lie down in safety. And I will betroth you [Israel] to me forever. I will betroth you to me in righteousness and in justice, in steadfast love and in mercy. I will betroth you to me in faithfulness. And you shall know the LORD.

Shouldn’t we Christians also model our lives in conformance with our Lod’s love for Israel! If Christ loves Israel, shouldn’t we also?

Our Responsibility to Participate in God’s Love for Israel?

The Church has a responsibility to remember God’s Chosen People:

 

Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.

 

God will remain faithful to Israel despite their ongoing rebellion: Romans 3:1–4 Then what advantage has the Jew? Or what is the value of circumcision? Much in every way. To begin with, the Jews were entrusted with the oracles of God. What if some were unfaithful? Does their faithlessness nullify the faithfulness of God? By no means! Let God be true though every one were a liar, as it is written, “That you may be justified in your words, and prevail when you are judged.”

 

Romans 11:1 I ask, then, has God rejected his people? By no means… 11:15–16 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 firstfruits is holy, so is the whole lump, and if the root is holy, so are the branches… 25–29 Lest you be wise in your own sight, I do not want you to be unaware of this mystery, brothers: a partial hardening has come upon Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. And in this way 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 for your sake. But as regards election, they are beloved for the sake of their forefathers. For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.

 

Even in their rebellion, Israel remains central to God’s purposes. Shouldn’t they also figure prominently in His purposes! In the end, Israel will become one with the Gentile believers:

 

Romans 15:8–12 For I tell you that Christ became a servant to the circumcised to show God’s truthfulness, in order to confirm the promises given to the patriarchs, and in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written, “Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles, and sing to your name.” And again it is said, “Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people [Israel].” And again, “Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles, and let all the peoples extol him.” And again Isaiah says, “The root of Jesse will come, even he who arises to rule the Gentiles; in him will the Gentiles hope.”

 

To be on God’s side is to be on Israel’s: Deuteronomy 32:43 “Rejoice with him, O heavens; bow down to him, all gods, for he avenges the blood of his children [Israel] and takes vengeance on his adversaries. He repays those who hate him and cleanses his people’s land.”

 

As God’s People, both Church and Israel are Targets of the Devil

 

Revelation 12:4–6 …And the dragon stood before the woman (Israel] who was about to give birth, so that when she bore her child he might devour it. She gave birth to a male child, one who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron, but her child was caught up to God and to his throne, and the woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by God, in which she is to be nourished for 1,260 days… 12:17 Then the dragon became furious with the woman and went off to make war on the rest of her offspring, on those who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus. And he stood on the sand of the sea.

 

Why is the devil persecuting both of God’s people—Israel and the Church? Both are hated as the people of God! How else are we to understand the world’s irrational hatred of both!

 

The Church has been remiss in speaking up for the welfare of its persecuted saints worldwide. We have also been remiss in speaking up for the now rebellious and hated people of God—Israel!