[N.T.] Wright dismissed the idea that the modern state of Israel represents the fulfillment of biblical prophecy. “A totally unbiblical idea,” Wright declared regarding the belief that Israel fulfills Scripture. https://www.faithfreedomreport.com/n-t-wright-urges-christians-to-separate-faith-from-support-for-israel/
“Totally Unbiblical?” Let’s take a look:
Genesis 17:8 And “I will give to you and to your offspring after you the land of your sojournings, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession, and I will be their God.”
Genesis 13:15 “for all the land that you see I will give to you and to your offspring forever.”
Opposition to Israel will prove costly: Isaiah 41:8–11 “But you, Israel, my servant, Jacob, whom I have chosen, the offspring of Abraham, my friend; you whom I took from the ends of the earth, and called from its farthest corners, saying to you, “You are my servant, I have chosen you and not cast you off; fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Behold, all who are incensed against you shall be put to shame and confounded; those who strive against you shall be as nothing and shall perish.
God’s enduring love for Israel
Deuteronomy 30:6–9 And the LORD your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your offspring, so that you will love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, that you may live. And the LORD your God will put all these curses on your foes and enemies who persecuted you. And you shall again obey the voice of the LORD and keep all his commandments that I command you today. The LORD your God will make you abundantly prosperous in all the work of your hand, in the fruit of your womb and in the fruit of your cattle and in the fruit of your ground. For the LORD will again take delight in prospering you, as he took delight in your fathers,
Those who repent of their opposition will be blessed: Zechariah 8:21–23 …”‘Let us go at once to entreat the favor of the LORD and to seek the LORD of hosts; I myself am going.’ Many peoples and strong nations shall come to seek the LORD of hosts in Jerusalem and to entreat the favor of the LORD. Thus says the LORD of hosts: In those days ten men from the nations of every tongue shall take hold of the robe of a Jew, saying, ‘Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.’ ”
God will restore Israel: Zechariah 10:8–9 “I will whistle for them and gather them in, for I have redeemed them, and they shall be as many as they were before. Though I scattered them among the nations, yet in far countries they shall remember me, and with their children they shall live and return.
Isaiah 43:1–5 But now thus says the LORD, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior…Because you are precious in my eyes, and honored, and I love you, I give men in return for you, peoples in exchange for your life. Fear not, for I am with you; I will bring your offspring from the east, and from the west I will gather you.
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
This is only a very small collection of verses demonstrating God’s faithfulness to Israel, but Wright also charges, without any evidence, that the Jews who now occupy Israel aren’t the Jews of the Bible. Well who are they? Hitler had no doubt about their Jewish identity nor do the Muslims. More importantly, we can be assured that the Messiah didn’t bring the wrong people back to their Promised home. Attempts to claim that the DNA evidence invalidates Israel’s claim to the land have been entirely debunked.
Besides, God’s miraculous workings on behalf of Israel also testify in favor of His Chosen people now occupying the Promised Land. No other people have ever returned to their land after leaving or be being expelled. However, this miracle has been visited upon Israel three times.
Israel has not only been the recipient of God’s blessings (rebuilding their nation out of sand dunes into a great and prosperous Israel) but they have also received His curses as well, more than any other nation. Nevertheless, Israel’s God remains faithful even by raising the remnant from the dead:
Ezekiel 37:12 Therefore prophesy and say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD: “Behold, O My people, I will open your graves and cause you to come up from your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel.”
