In light of the conflict in Israel that broke over the weekend, today’s newsletter is unique in our effort to provide bold, biblical clarity on a topic that has a uniquely long and deep historical context. We found it significant enough to unpack in a longer form response.

Today’s Headlines

Israel Under Attack

Hamas's recent major attack on Israel, marked by the firing of up to an estimated 5,000 rockets from Gaza into Israeli residential areas, resulted in a significant escalation of violence, causing over 700 fatalities and leaving more than 2,000 people injured. The terrorists are breaking into homes to abduct, assault, murder, and parade bodies around communities. This attack, one of the deadliest incidents in years, coincided with the holiday of Simchat Torah. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that Israel was "at war," prompting the security cabinet to officially declare war, a rare occurrence not seen since the Yom Kippur War in 1973.

Secretary of State Tony Blinken claimed that the U.S. had not seen direct evidence linking Iran to the Hamas attack. In a recent deal, the Biden administration recently granted $6 billion access to Iran that was held by Qatar for humanitarian purposes, according to Blinken. However, a Hamas spokesman said that the militant group received support from its ally Iran for its surprise attacks on Israel, prompting skepticism of Blinken's previous claims.

Amidst the chaos, reports suggested that American citizens might have been casualties or hostages in Israel, leading to active efforts by the U.S. government to verify these claims. The international community is closely monitoring the situation, with implications stretching far beyond the immediate region.

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The Remnant's Response 

There are wars and rumors of wars, and then there is the altogether different attention-getting reality of war in and with the nation of Israel. What is it about this tiny nation of just over 9 million people that so captivates the rest of the world? Is this the beginning of the end for them? For us? Is this the start of World War 3? Of Armageddon?

Toward the end of his life, the spiritually uncertain Frederick the Great, King of Prussia (1740-1786), asked his physician, Johann Georg Zimmermann, "Zimmerman, can you give me a single proof of the existence of God?" Zimmerman replied, "Your Majesty, the continued existence of the Jews." Amazingly, this reply came almost two hundred years before the Jews, against all likelihood, once again formed a nation-state in the land we now know as Israel. Had Dr. Zimmermann known that reformation was coming in 1948, he would have been even more adamant in his response. Gone are the Midianites, the Edomites, the Hittites, the Perrizites, the Moabites, and scores of other people groups from ancient times, but today, despite seemingly endless persecutions and numerous attempted holocausts (Esther 3:13), the efforts to eliminate Israel from the face of the earth have continually failed.

So will this one. And the next. And every attempt that follows (See this shirt for sale in Israeli tourist markets). When God says He is going to do something, you better believe He is going to do it (Numbers 23:19).

Jesus Himself boldly tied God's plan for the world to the Jewish people when He said, "You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews (John 4:22). What does Jesus mean when He said this? First, even a cursory reading of the bible makes clear that God entrusted the Scriptures, including His laws, prophecies, and plans, to Israel (Romans 3:1-2) and that by living in obedience to them and trusting in Him, they were to be a light to the nations (Isaiah 42:6). God's plan has always been to bless every people group through His relationship with Abraham and His descendants (Genesis 12:1-3). While it is clear that He sent Jesus, the Messiah, to the Jew first (Matthew 15:24), it was always His intention to welcome all who believe in His son, both Jew and Gentile (John 1:12, Romans 1:16).

So, whose side is God on when it comes to the conflict between Palestinians and Israel? As is always the case, God's Word is our friend when we are seeking answers (James 1:5, Psalm 119:105, Deuteronomy 29:29). The first time Israel as a nation was moving into the land of Canaan (the same land that later was called Palestine and today we know as Israel), Joshua asked the Lord the same question (Joshua 5:13). and God's answer to Joshua is a great help to us (Joshua 5:14). He is holy and won’t put up with rebellion, lawlessness, or disobedience from any nation or its people (Psalm 11:6-7).

Meanwhile, some truths to be reminded of as we consider the events unfolding before us:

• It is True that the Lord promised this land to Abraham and his descendants (Genesis 13:14-15, Exodus 23:31).

• It is True that both Ishmael (Arabic patriarch / Genesis 16:15) and Isaac (Jewish Patriarch / Genesis 17:19) are Abraham's descendants.

• It is True that God promised to bless both sons (Genesis 17:20), but the covenant promises, including the specific land promises, were given to Isaac (Genesis 17:21).

• It is True that God promises to bless those who bless Abraham's descendants and curse those who curse Abraham's descendants (Genesis 12:3).

• It is True that God wants all the nations of the earth blessed through Abraham. Specifically, his seed, which is the Messiah, Who is Jesus (Galatians 3:16).

• It is True that there will never be peace on earth until the world acknowledges Jesus as the Prince of peace (Isaiah 2:2-5). (See our Remnant Response, where we talk about United Nations and eventual world peace.)

Less than .5% of people in Israel today recognize Jesus as Messiah. Less than .1% of people living in Gaza/Palestine (West Bank) today recognize Jesus as the Messiah. Jesus is on the side of the holy and righteous (Joshua 5:14), not on the side of Isaac or Ishmael. There is, however, an unconditional covenant promise that guarantees the continuation of the Jewish people. Any effort to exterminate them or remove them from the face of the earth is both futile and will put you at odds with the decree of God. This does not mean Israel is immune from judgment and discipline; it does mean anyone who purposes to destroy Israel will incur God's wrath and discipline.

God will accomplish His covenantal promises to Abraham, Moses, David, Israel, and us. This includes the land promise, and it includes even better promises (1 Samuel 15:29, Isaiah 40:8, 2 Peter 1:4).

The recent attack by Hamas and Palestinian militants can in no way be supported or tolerated by those who love God or human decency. Whatever one thinks about the injustices Palestinians may have endured these last decades, this attack deserves total condemnation and a severe response (Proverbs 11:21). Israel has a right to defend itself (Deuteronomy 20:4). It is not a blessing to anyone when you look the other way when evil is done (1 Corinthians 13:6). This is true of both Israel and their neighbor. The command to bless Israel does not include the command to condone everything they do (Hebrews 12:6-11). Unrighteousness is never tolerated by God, and it is not a blessing to support any nation when it acts unrighteously. That said, it is not unrighteous for Israel to protect itself against these acts of aggression, and it is not unwise to prevent those who want to destroy them from gaining an advantage.  

God will accomplish all His promises for Israel, and to be clear, the unfulfilled promises suggest that both Israel's worst and best days are ahead of them (Revelation 6-21). While it is amazing that Israel is currently physically in the "promised" land, until they recognize Jesus as their Messiah, they will not have sustained peace or be able to stay and live peaceably there. As long as Palestinians want to 'destroy Israel' and kill Jews, they should continue to be denied national status or recognized as a legitimate government.

The Lord has specific promises for Israel distinct from His promises to His church (Romans 11:29), and He will fulfill those purposes and covenant promises just as He said (Romans 11:26-32). Lovers of God should not blindly support all Israel does because of Genesis 12:3. In fact, not all who are descendants of Israel are Israel (Romans 9:6), but all who trust the Messiah will be grafted into the blessings the Lord promised His people (Romans 11:11-25).

There is no other name under heaven by which ALL men can be saved (Acts 4:12), so no matter what happens with the current conflict in the Middle East, make sure you resolve your conflict with the Holy One of Israel (Romans 5:1).

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