The State of the Jewish Nation

Introduction

Who are God’s chosen people? It depends on who you ask.

• Many politicians say the modern nation of Israel is still God’s chosen people.

• Many religious leaders teach that God still has a special covenant with the Jewish Nation today. If true, it has enormous ramifications on salvation, the church, etc.

To bring this into clarity, we begin with Abraham’s story, Genesis 12:1-3. “God promised never again to cleanse by flood, God chose another way – separating from the world a faithful family in order to bring into the world an eternal answer to wickedness, a dying savior.”

The Nation Promise (Genesis 12:2)

God promised Abraham that a great nation would come from him, Genesis 12:2. Specifically Israel.

• “This nation would be great in number and also in significance. How? It would be the nation to carry the Messianic line.” As we will see, Paul is going to argue that the ultimate great nation of Abraham is the community of the faithful, whether circumcised or not, Romans 4:9-12; Galatians 3:7-9.

• It would not be through Lot or Ishamel. Isaac was the child of promise, Genesis 17:16-21.

• Isaac would have Jacob who would have 12 sons that became the 12 tribes of Israel.

• They would become a great nation in Egypt, Genesis 46:2-4.

God chose Israel, established a covenant and gave Laws to them, Exodus 19:4-6; Exodus 20; Deuteronomy 7:6.

The Land Promise (Genesis 12:1)

A land would be given to the offspring of Abraham. It’s not initially specified but is in Genesis 13:15.

• That would be the land of Canaan or the Promised Land.

• Instructions were given of how to live in this land, Deuteronomy 27:1-4; 28:1-3,15.

This promise was fulfilled, Joshua 21:43-45.

The Blessing Promise (Genesis 12:3; 22:18)

Let’s break this verse down into two sections.

Verse 3a, "Bless and curse," was personal to Abraham.

• This was made personally to Abraham, not a future nation; Genesis 20:1-8.

Verse 3b, "All families of the earth shall be blessed..." ultimately points to Jesus as Savior.

• The Nation Promise and Land Promise were never the end of the story.

• Moses spoke of another prophet all needed to heed: Jesus, Deuteronomy 18:15-18.

• Jesus was a descendant of Abraham, Matthew 1:1. He would save His people from their sins, Matthew 1:21. He didn’t come merely to save Israel, but the world, John 3:16.

• Peter preached this and taught Deuteronomy 18:15-18 was fulfilled in Christ, Acts 3:18-19.

  • He quotes from Genesis 12:3 demonstrating this was fulfilled in Jesus.

  • Jews first entered the kingdom of God. Then Gentiles, Acts 2:41; Acts 10.

• In Acts 13, Paul emphasized "The Promise" pointing to Jesus fulfilling Genesis 12:3.

  • Acts 13:17: God had CHOSEN ISRAEL. The NATION PROMISE was fulfilled.

  • Acts 13:19: The LAND PROMISE was fulfilled.

  • Acts 13:20-23: "According to promise" God brought a Savior Jesus.

  • Acts 13:24-26: Paul recognized his audience as being physical descendants of Abraham who feared God! Yet they ignored the prophets and Jesus and killed him, Acts 13:27-30. He was resurrected, Acts 17:31-32. Paul preached the good news of the "Promise." The good news is Jesus, Galatians 3:8-9.

  • Acts 13:33: This promise (Blessing Promise) has been fulfilled.

  • Acts 13:38-39: Through Jesus is where forgiveness of sins is found.

The chosen of God in the New Covenant today are those who belong to Christ, 1 Peter 2:9; Galatians 3:6-9; Galatians 3:29; Colossians 3:12.

Is the Jewish Nation God's Chosen People Today?

No. Consider Romans 9:1-8.

• The current state of Israel does not have a divine status in the New Covenant.

• We are NOT commanded by God from scripture to support the current state of Israel.

• Supporting the current state of Israel may or may not politically wise. That’s politics.

• More important than politics is that God’s chosen people today are not identified by physical descent from Abraham but rather identified by faith in Jesus Christ, Galatians 3:24-27.

• What does this mean for Israel in the first century and beyond, Romans 9:1-6; 10:1-4? In the first century, Paul’s desire was that they would be saved. Those outside of Christ are not saved. But there is hope for Israel if they believe in Jesus, Romans 11:23.

• What this doesn’t mean: Hatred toward any Jewish person, James 2:11.

Conclusion

God’s chosen people today are NOT those who are physical descendants of Abraham (Israel), but those who have faith in Jesus to be the Son of God.

This means anyone in this room—Jew or Gentile, rich or poor, young or old—can become part of God’s chosen people through Jesus.

A Christian's allegiance is NOT to ANY nation (Israel/America) but must be to King Jesus, Israel 6:16.