This article was published in the “Everlasting Nation” magazine in June 2023 by Dr. Ed Frampton Director/President of International Board of Jewish Missions (IBJM)
IBJM assists churches in bringing Jews and Gentiles across the globe in direct contact with the gospel of Jesus Christ through the biblical priority of evangelism, “to the Jew first, and also to the Greek,” for worship, growth and service together as one body in the local church.
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I felt that in the light of current events that this will give the proper perspective, for Christians, on God’s relationship with His Chosen Nation, and their “promised” land. And what our position as Christians must be in the face of growing anti-Semitism. We must teach our children these truths.
Now the article:
God’s preservation and protection of His chosen people are inseparable from His promise preserving their ultimate possession of the Holy Land of Israel (Jeremiah 31:35-36). Because the Abrahamic Covenant is unconditional, God has given His commitment that the Hebrew people will dwell in the land. He assures them in Scripture, that as certain as creation and His established laws of nature are, they will continue to be an everlasting nation before Him. Therefore, the ultimate regathering of Israel to dwell in the Land promised in this covenant is as certain as the very preservation of the Jewish people themselves.
A Conditional Occupation
The Bible is clear that God’s covenant with Abraham did not guarantee a continual, uninterrupted presence in the Land. In fact, the safe dwelling in this Land given to them by God was directly conditioned on obedience to His commandments. The Lord communicated this requirement to Israel in the Torah (Deuteronomy 28). However, according to this covenant, the Land forever belongs to Israel.
The Word of God reveals that even when Israel was forced out of the Land because of disobedience, God was never pleased with other nations laying claim to the Land He had given to Israel. God often meted out even harsher judgment on those who thought they could join the enemies of Israel and possess portions of the Land – even sometimes involving close relatives of the children of Israel.
The prophet Obadiah proclaimed God’s judgment on the Edomites for this very thing. When God allowed the Babylonian army to invade Israel and carry the Jews out of the Land, Jerusalem was ravished, and the Land lay desolate – a fulfillment of God’s Word through Jeremiah. However, when Israel’s near kinsmen, the Edomites, proudly joined in a confederacy against Israel, God repeatedly accused them of being as “one of them” (referring to the conquering enemies of Israel).
God not only judged them because of their anti-Semitic attitude but also pronounced complete desolation on them for blocking Israel’s way of escape from the Babylonians, rejoicing over Israel’s destruction, and finally going on to seize their possessions after they were carried away out of the Land.
An Unconditional Ownership
In another related prophecy against Edom, the prophet Ezekiel expands on the reason for God’s Judgement. It was because of their evil desire to possess the Land, the city of Jerusalem, and even the Temple Mount. The Lord did not tolerate this land grab – even in a period when Israel was not faithful to God. The Lord revealed a direct connection between their plans to take away the Land and His judgment (Ezekiel 35:9-10).
It is dangerous not to recognize God’s unconditional covenant with the Jewish people concerning their preservation, including the Promised Land. It is a serious mistake for anyone, even professing Christians, to proudly think that just because God’s chosen people remain largely in unbelief and rejection of the Messiah, that it has somehow annulled His covenant with them, thereby giving others a right to the everlasting heritage promised to Israel by God. For many in history, this was a fatal error.
An Eternal Plan
God’s eternal plan of salvation and restoration of His Kingdom on earth culminates with the redeemed remnant of Israel dwelling permanently in the Promised Land. The sanctification of God’s Holy Name requires that to happen: “Therefore, say unto the house of Israel, Thus saith the LORD GOD; I do not this for your sakes, O house of Israel, but for mine holy name’s sake, which ye have profaned among the heathen, wither ye went. And I will sanctify my great name…” (Ezekiel36:22-23)
God has promised a regathering of His people to the Land. He has covenanted with them to cleanse them and put a “new heart” in them. For Israel, all of these wonderful promises will ultimately happen in the Land and city where God has “placed His Name.”
In Messiah,
Ed Frampton
I know this is a long post but I did that to welcome your comments below. Thank you and “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem”.
Stu