Israel: The Object of God’s Special Attention

In case you haven’t noticed it, there is a growing anti-Semitism in the world today. Israel has become the target of hostility and hatred, terrorism and suicide bombers. Thousands of Jews have been killed in cold blood. More attacks loom. President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has stated that the solution to the Middle East crisis is to destroy Israel (Source: The Associated Press, 8/3/06). Even some of our own leaders have turned their backs on Israel.

In light of this situation, what should be the response of Bible-believing Christians? We need to stand behind Israel in our prayers and in our actions for at least seven reasons:

  1. Because of God’s Covenant with Abraham – Genesis 12:1-3
    God has promised to bless those who bless Israel and to curse those who curse Israel. That God has a unique relationship with Israel is evident from the following Scriptures – “For the LORD’s portion is his people; Jacob is the lot of his inheritance. He found him in a desert land, and in the waste howling wilderness; he led him about, he instructed him, he kept him as the apple of his eye” (Deuteronomy 32:9-10). The prophet Zechariah said concerning Israel, “For thus saith the LORD of hosts…he that toucheth you, toucheth the apple of his eye” (Zechariah 2:8). In other words, going against Israel is like poking God in the eye, something I would not want to be guilty of doing!
  2. Because of the Ratification of God’s Promise – Genesis 17:1-8
    If you will read this passage, you will notice that seven times God says “I will” — “I will make my covenant” (v.2a); “I will multiply thee exceedingly” (v.2b); “I will make thee exceeding fruitful” (v.6a); “I will make nations come of thee” (v.6b); “I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee” (v.7); “I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, the land” (v.8a); “I will be their God” (v.8b). God has kept, is keeping, or will keep each of these “I will’s” that He promised to Israel.
  3. Because God has loved Israel with a very special love – Deuteronomy 7:6-8
  4. Because Israel is God’s peculiar treasure – Psalm 135:4
  5. Because of God’s Promise concerning the Land – Genesis 15:18
    The land possessed by Israel in the Old Testament did not extend to the limit spelled out by God in His promise, “from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates” (Genesis15:18b). The land they actually possessed came to be spoken of as “from Dan to Beersheba” (I Samuel 3:20; I Chronicles 21:2). The land from Dan to Beersheba occupied only about 30,000 square miles. However, the land area God promised them actually covers approximately 300,000 square miles! There is much to be said about the land that is actually theirs as was promised to them through Abraham. Read and study the Scriptures and see if you can decide what land belongs to whom.
  6. Because God made a Pledge to David – II Samuel 7:10-17
  7. Because of God’s sure Word – Jeremiah 3:16-18; 16:14-15; 23:5-8; 30:1-11
    Over 100 years ago, the chaplain of the King of Prussia said, “The proof of the inspiration of the Bible can be found in a single word, and that word is Israel.” Remember, God said, “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee” (Psalm 122:6). If you want God to bless you, pray and stand up for Israel!