Do Jews Have a Divine Right in the Promised Land?

[freeandfun1]

Do Jews Have a Divine Right in the Promised Land?

How should Bible-believing Christians align themselves in the Jewish-Palestinian conflict? There are Biblical reasons for treating both sides with compassionate public justice in the same way that disputes should be settled between nations generally. In other words, the Bible does not teach us to be partial to Israel or to the Palestinians because either has a special divine status.

I do not deny that Israel was chosen by God from all the peoples of the world to be the focus of special blessing in the history of redemption which climaxed in Jesus Christ, the Messiah. "The LORD your God has chosen you to be a people for his treasured possession, out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth" (Deuteronomy 7:6).

Nor do I deny that God promised to Israel the presently disputed land from the time of Abraham onward. God said to Moses, "This is the land of which I swore to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, 'I will give it to your offspring'" (Deuteronomy 34:4).

But neither of these Biblical facts leads necessarily to the endorsement of present-day Israel as the rightful possessor of all the disputed land. Israel may have such a right. And she may not. But that decision is not based on divine privilege. Why?

First, a non-covenant-keeping people does not have a divine right to hold the land of promise. Both the blessed status of the people and the privileged right to the land are conditional on Israel's keeping the covenant God made with her. Thus God said to Israel, "If you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples" (Exodus 19:5). Israel has no warrant to a present experience of divine privilege when she is not keeping covenant with God.

More than once Israel was denied the experience of her divine right to the land when she broke covenant with God. For example, when Israel languished in captivity in Babylon, Daniel prayed, "O Lord . . .we have sinned and done wrong . . . To you, O Lord, belongs righteousness, but to us open shame . . . to all Israel . . . in all the lands to which you have driven them, because of the treachery that they have committed against you" (Daniel 9:4-7; see Psalm 78:54-61). Israel has no divine right to be in the land of promise when she is breaking the covenant of promise.

This does not mean that other nations have the right to molest her. She still has human rights among nations when she has no divine right. Nations that gloated over her divine discipline were punished by God (Isaiah 10:5-13).

Secondly, Israel as a whole today rejects her Messiah, Jesus Christ, God's Son. This is the ultimate act of covenant-breaking with God. God promised that to Israel "a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace" (Isaiah 9:6-7). But with tears this Prince of Peace looked out over Jerusalem and said, "Would that you . . . had known on this day the things that make for peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes. . . . You did not know the time of your visitation" (Luke 19:42-44).

When the builders rejected the beautiful Cornerstone, Jesus said, "The kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people producing its fruits" (Matthew 21:43). He explained, "Many will come from east and west and recline at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven, while the sons of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness" (Matthew 8:11-12)

God has saving purposes for ethnic Israel (Romans 11:25-26). But for now the people are at enmity with God in rejecting the gospel of Jesus Christ, their Messiah (Romans 11:28). God has expanded his saving work to embrace all peoples (including Palestinians) who will trust his Son and depend on his death and resurrection for salvation. "Is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles also, since God is one. He will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith" (Romans 3:29-30).

The Christian plea in the Middle East to Palestinians and Jews is: "Believe on the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved" (Acts 16:31). And until that great day when both Jewish and Gentile followers of King Jesus inherit the earth (not just the land), without lifting sword or gun, the rights of nations should be decided by the principles of compassionate and public justice, not claims to national divine right or status.

 

[dilloduck]

Do Jews Have a Divine Right in the Promised Land?

Interesting----so you think that Jewish claims on Israel are contingent on their behavior?

 

[freeandfun1]

Interesting----so you think that Jewish claims on Israel are contingent on their behavior?

No, the claim is valid, but yes, possession is contingent on them maintaining the covenant with G-d. Since they have not, G-d has not allowed them maintain full possession of their lands.

 

[5stringJeff]

No, the claim is valid, but yes, possession is contingent on them maintaining the covenant with G-d. Since they have not, G-d has not allowed them maintain full possession of their lands.

So should Christians move into Israel? Or, more precisely, Christian Jews?

 

[freeandfun1]

So should Christians move into Israel? Or, more precisely, Christian Jews?

Frankly, I have never really thought about that but I guess that if they are Christian Jews then they should as that land was given to them by G-d. I would think that if they didn't, they would be rejecting G-d's gift and I am not sure HOW He would look at that....

 

[dilloduck]

So should Christians move into Israel? Or, more precisely, Christian Jews?

You mean Jews that have converted ?? I'm lost.

 

[freeandfun1]

You mean Jews that have converted ?? I'm lost.

Yes. There actually is a growing movement of Jews converting and they call themselves "Jews for Jesus".

 

[Joz]

Yes. There actually is a growing movement of Jews converting and they call themselves "Jews for Jesus".

Some are also called 'Reformed Jews'.

 

[dilloduck]

Some are also called 'Reformed Jews'.

Don't think reformed Jews believe in Jesus tho

 

[freeandfun1]

http://www.jewsforjesus.org/

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=jews+for+jesus

 

[dilloduck]

http://www.jewsforjesus.org/

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=jews+for+jesus

Well lets send em over there and see if they have any better luck!

 

[freeandfun1]

Well lets send em over there and see if they have any better luck!

Many are going there and many are being considered as part of the problem. They (Christians) are the primary residents of the settlements as they believe it is their duty to hold onto the land that G-d gave them.

 

[dilloduck]

Many are going there and many are being considered as part of the problem. They (Christians) are the primary residents of the settlements as they believe it is their duty to hold onto the land that G-d gave them.

well that blows the hell outta that theory

 

[Joz]

Don't think reformed Jews believe in Jesus tho

Well, maybe it's changed. MANY years ago, when my Bible class in school were studying different religions I chose the Jewish faith. Went to a synagogue & interviewed an Orthodox Rabbi. He told me this.

 

[dilloduck]

Well, maybe it's changed. MANY years ago, when my Bible class in school were studying different religions I chose the Jewish faith. Went to a synagogue & interviewed an Orthodox Rabbi. He told me this.

well i certainly didn't mean to offend you by correcting you sorry

 

[Joz]

well i certainly didn't mean to offend you by correcting you sorry

Why on earth would I have been offended? I didn't know if things had changed. I just stated what I knew. I've been known to be wrong before.

 

[HorhayAtAMD]

I haven't heard of a group called "reformed Jews" although there is a denomination of Jews called Reform Judaism.
http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Judaism/The_Origins_of_Reform_Judaism.html

They are on the opposite end of the spectrum from Orthodox Judaism and allow for women rabbis, most of the service is in english, etc. They do not believe Jesus is the Messiah though.

 

[Avatar4321]

Well, maybe it's changed. MANY years ago, when my Bible class in school were studying different religions I chose the Jewish faith. Went to a synagogue & interviewed an Orthodox Rabbi. He told me this.

Reformed Jews arent the same as Messianic jews. I dont know why they dont just call themselves Christian though cause thats what they are.

 

[WhatTheHell2]

To know the answer to this, you have to know who the off springs of Abraham really is.
New Jerselum is spiritual. Zion is heavenly. Don't take all you read literally.