Israel is chosen by
God
Why is it that a country no larger than Wales and with a population
little greater than Scotland's is in the news virtually every day?
And not only is it in the news, but it seems to occupy constantly
the attention of the world's politicians and media. Conflicts
between Jews and Arabs (whether Palestinian, Syrian or Iranian)
seem to permeate so much of the news today.
Jerusalem has been a center of conflict for centuries
None of this is by chance. Israel and its issues are so prominent
today because it has such an important history and a very
significant future. Much of Israel's history is recorded in great
detail in the Bible, a book Christadelphians are confident is the
word of God. The Bible makes it absolutely clear that Israel are
God's chosen people, and that although they are not, in the main, a
God-fearing people today, they are still the centre of God's
plan.
What's so special about Israel?
Consider some simple information about Israel recorded in the
Bible:
1. As early as 2000BC God promised to Abraham, a particularly
faithful man, that He would make from him a powerful nation: I will
make you into a great nation - Genesis 12 v 2. That nation was to
be Israel.
2. God promised that Israel would occupy its own land. When Abraham
stood on a mountain in the middle of Israel, God said Look north
and south, east and west. All the land that you see I will give to
you and your offspring for ever. - Genesis 13 v 14, 15. It is this
land that Jews and Palestinians dispute today.
3. Israel was given very detailed laws to follow, part of which was
the 10 commandments. These commandments still form the basis of
many legal systems today. By these laws neighbouring countries
would realise Israel was special. See, I have taught you decrees
and laws... Observe them carefully, for this will show your wisdom
and understanding to the nations - Deuteronomy 4 v 5, 6.
4.
If Israel did not follow God's laws they were to be punished, often
by being driven out of the land promised to them. But God would not
forget them, and promised to bring them home.
Do not be dismayed, O Israel... I will surely save you out of a
distant place, your descendants from the land of their exile -
Jeremiah 30 v 10 (NIV)
This is a remarkable Bible prophecy and has been fulfilled in
recent history. The Jews, scattered worldwide after the death and
resurrection of Jesus, returned to the land of Palestine and in
1948 formed the State of Israel.
There is more to come. Israel with few friends and many enemies
will need God's help in the very near future, in their last battle
against their enemies. When they realise this and repent, God will
help them by sending Jesus back to the earth to fight for them.
Jesus will then become their king and the Kingdom of God will begin
on earth. As the angel Gabriel said to Mary:
He will be great... and he will reign over the house of Israel for
ever; his kingdom will never end. - Luke 1 v 32, 33
(NIV)
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