Israel, that tiny country of six million people, is frequently in the news across the world. Israel is exceptional in that regard!
“And who is like Your people Israel, the one nation on earth, whom God went to redeem,” declares David in 1 Chronicles 17:21. In Exodus 19:6, God declares, “You shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.” Israel’s special status is further validated by the New Testament. “They belong to the adoption, the glory, and the covenants because they are Israelites.” (Romans 9:4).
God’s people
The Jewish people are God’s adopted people. And when God made a covenant with [Abraham], He gave them “all the land of Canaan as an eternal property” (Gen. 17:8). This covenant is also referred to as “an everlasting covenant” in Psalm 105:7–11, “that He commanded, for a thousand generations.” God’s love for his people is also expressed in this Psalm by phrases like “covenant, sworn promise, statute, eternal covenant.”
Thus, God gives Israel His complete and unwavering commitment. God directly opposes everyone who disobeys his commitment to this plan. According to Zechariah 2:8, “he who touches you touches the apple of His eye,” and that has dire repercussions. Furthermore, God will hold other countries accountable for their treatment of His people (Joel 3:1–2).
Fulfillment of prophecies
Furthermore, what sets Israel apart from all other people is the historical foretelling revealed in prophecies. The majority of the prophesies—including the one concerning Israel’s sin leading to their destruction and scattering—have already come to pass.
Right before our very eyes, the prophecies regarding their impending return to Israel are coming to pass. “On that day, the Lord will reach out a second time to save the remnant of His people that yet exist. He will issue a warning to the nations, assemble Israel’s exiles, and assemble Judah’s scattered people from the four corners of the globe (Isaiah 11:11–12).
When Isaiah mentions “that day,” he frequently alludes to the end of time. The initial exile in Babylon resulted in a brief reunion. The second return serves as a global symbol and banner for other pagan countries. Now all may see their return from across the countries! In addition, the restoration of the country foretold in Isaiah 41:18–20 is already evident.
Spiritual restoration
God also promises healing on a spiritual level. The identity of Jesus will be revealed to the Jews via the power of the Holy Spirit. “And I will pour out a spirit of grace and supplications for mercy upon the house of David and the people of Jerusalem, so that when they look on Me, they will look on Him whom they have pierced.” (Zechariah 12:10).
When they see that their Messiah has been crucified, they will turn to Him. According to Zechariah 13:1, “a fountain shall be opened on that day for the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, to cleanse them from sin and uncleanness.” The Middle East is still experiencing upheaval and turmoil, and anti-Semitism is spreading around the globe. The reason for this is that the god of this age, Satan, is against the Kingdom of Jesus.
According to Romans 11:17, believers are grafted in as branches on the olive tree. As a result, we can demonstrate our connection to the Israelites through our prayers.
