Brief Answer

Many Christians believe that supporting Israel aligns with biblical principles, particularly regarding God’s promises to the Jewish people and His covenant with Israel. However, this support should be grounded in prayer, love, and a desire for God’s will, not necessarily unconditional endorsement of all political actions. Ultimately, supporting Israel means valuing God’s plan for the Jewish people and praying for peace, protection, and salvation for all people in the region.

Understanding Support for Israel from a Biblical Perspective

In Scripture, God set Israel apart as His chosen people through a covenant with Abraham, promising to make them a great nation and bless all nations through them (Genesis 12:1-3). This covenant is not only about land but about God’s promise to reveal Himself through Israel. The Bible emphasizes that Israel holds a special place in God’s heart, and Christians are encouraged to “pray for the peace of Jerusalem” (Psalm 122:6).

The Apostle Paul, in Romans 11, explains that God has not rejected Israel despite their rejection of Christ. He states that Israel’s role remains significant in God’s redemptive plan, saying, “all Israel will be saved” (Romans 11:26). Thus, support for Israel often reflects a respect for God’s ongoing covenant and purposes for the Jewish people.

Key Biblical Principles for Supporting Israel

• God’s Covenant: God’s promises to Israel, particularly through Abraham, remain significant in His redemptive plan.
• A Heart for Peace and Salvation: Christian support for Israel should go hand in hand with a desire for peace and for the Jewish people to come to know Jesus as Messiah.
• Recognition of God’s Sovereign Plan: God is sovereign over all nations and His plan for Israel will unfold according to His will.

Historical Context

Israel’s modern establishment as a nation in 1948 was seen by many as the fulfillment of prophecies about the Jewish people returning to their land (Ezekiel 36:24). After centuries of dispersion, Israel’s reestablishment is remarkable and significant to many Christians who believe it signals the end-times fulfillment of biblical prophecy.

Historically, Christians have had varied responses to Israel. Some have supported the Jewish people as God’s chosen nation, while others have distanced themselves, particularly during periods of anti-Semitism in church history. In recent years, many evangelical Christians have renewed their support for Israel, seeing it as part of God’s redemptive work in the world.

Practical Implications

Supporting Israel can take many forms, and it’s helpful for Christians to approach this support with both prayer and discernment:

• Praying for Peace: Praying for the peace of Jerusalem and the well-being of all its inhabitants, both Jews and Arabs, reflects God’s heart for reconciliation and peace (Psalm 122:6).
• Loving All People in the Region: Christian support for Israel includes compassion for all people in the region, seeking peace, justice, and well-being for both Israelis and Palestinians.
• Being Discerning in Political Support: Christians are called to discern how to support Israel without necessarily endorsing all government actions. We are ultimately to advocate for what aligns with God’s justice and peace.

Theological Depth and Insight

Theologically, support for Israel involves recognizing God’s faithfulness to His promises and His ongoing plan for the Jewish people:

• God’s Unbreakable Covenant: God’s promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob include blessings for their descendants and for all nations through them. The New Testament affirms that God has not revoked His covenant with Israel (Romans 11:29).
• Gentiles as Part of God’s Family: Paul explains that Gentile believers are “grafted in” to the “olive tree” of Israel (Romans 11:17), meaning that Christians share in the blessings of God’s promises to Israel without replacing Israel.
• The Hope of Salvation for Israel: Romans 11 expresses Paul’s deep desire for Israel’s salvation and promises that a future time will come when many in Israel will recognize Jesus as the Messiah.

Broader Biblical Themes

The Bible’s teachings on Israel reflect broader themes relevant to all believers:

• God’s Faithfulness: God’s steadfast commitment to Israel is a testament to His unchanging character and faithfulness to His promises.
• Redemption and Restoration: The Bible speaks of God’s ultimate plan to restore all things, beginning with Israel and extending to the whole world through Jesus Christ (Acts 3:21).
• Unity of Believers: Paul’s teachings in Ephesians 2 emphasize that Jew and Gentile believers are one in Christ, showing God’s desire for unity and reconciliation among all people.

The Role of the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit empowers believers to pray for Israel with wisdom, compassion, and a heart aligned with God’s purposes:

• Guidance in Prayer: The Holy Spirit helps us pray for Israel’s peace, protection, and salvation with a sincere heart (Romans 8:26).
• A Heart for Salvation: The Spirit gives us a desire for all people to come to faith in Christ, especially Israel, whose heritage includes God’s promises (Romans 10:1).
• Wisdom and Discernment: The Holy Spirit helps Christians discern how to support Israel in ways that align with God’s love, justice, and truth.

Relevance for Today’s Christian

For Christians today, supporting Israel can deepen our understanding of God’s redemptive story and our role in it:

• Encourages Faithfulness to God’s Promises: Observing God’s faithfulness to Israel encourages Christians to trust that He will fulfill His promises to us as well.
• Prompts Us to Pray for Peace and Justice: Supporting Israel encourages believers to seek peace, justice, and the spread of the gospel, not just in Israel but worldwide.
• Calls Us to Reflect God’s Love: Our approach to Israel should reflect God’s love, advocating for peace and reconciliation and recognizing God’s heart for all people.

Connection to Jesus Christ and God’s Love

Jesus’ ministry was deeply rooted in the promises made to Israel. He was born as the promised Messiah, fulfilling prophecies spoken by Israel’s prophets. Jesus expressed compassion for Jerusalem, saying, “How often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings” (Matthew 23:37). His love for Israel reflects God’s unwavering love for His people, and through Jesus, this love extends to all nations.

Jesus’ death and resurrection fulfill God’s promises to Israel, offering salvation not only to Jews but to all who believe in Him. Supporting Israel can remind believers of Jesus’ love and sacrifice, fulfilling the promise that “salvation is from the Jews” (John 4:22).

Bible Characters Who Show God’s Heart for Israel

• Abraham: God’s covenant with Abraham established Israel as a chosen nation, promising that “all peoples on earth will be blessed through you” (Genesis 12:3).
• Moses: As Israel’s leader, Moses interceded for Israel and led them toward God’s promises, reflecting a heart of compassion for God’s people (Exodus 32).
• Paul: The Apostle Paul, a Jew himself, longed for the salvation of Israel, expressing sorrow over their unbelief but hope for their future redemption (Romans 9:1-4; 11:26).

Questions for Reflection and Discussion

• How can I pray for Israel in a way that reflects God’s heart for peace, justice, and salvation?
• How does God’s faithfulness to Israel deepen my understanding of His faithfulness in my life?
• In what ways can I support Israel that honor God’s character and align with His purposes?
• How does recognizing Israel’s role in God’s plan help me understand the Bible’s bigger picture?

Supporting Israel as a Christian goes beyond politics; it’s about honoring God’s covenant, desiring peace, and praying for all people in the region to come to know Christ. As we seek God’s will, we can support Israel with love, wisdom, and a heart aligned with His eternal purposes, remembering that our ultimate hope is in God’s kingdom, where all nations will be blessed through Him.