Why Should Christians Care About Israel?

It would be hard to miss the disturbing rise of antisemitism in the world. Some Christians may not be aware that there is a growing trend, even within today’s churches, to disregard and dismiss Israel, or consider God’s promises to her null and void.

We’re all aware of the rise in antisemitic acts and prejudice in colleges, corporations, and even the U.N. The nation of Israel is under attack from every side, both ideologically and literally. There seems to be an almost supernatural tide of opposition against this small nation and its special people.

So, you may wonder yourself… What’s so important about this nation, the land of Israel, and this tribe – the people of Israel? There are important reasons why every Christian should care about Israel:

God made an eternal covenant with Abraham

This irrevocable oath between God and the descendants of Abraham is directly related to us.

Israel was chosen by God for a purpose, to be a blessing to the nations (Genesis 12:3). This is an election, an honor, and a responsibility all in one. Although Israel’s history, recorded in the Hebrew scriptures, shows that they did not always keep up their part of the covenant, God did not abandon it.

The love story between God and Israel shows the character of God. As we learn of His enduring compassion and mercy towards His people, we better understand His compassion and mercy towards us. Despite repeated failings, Israel remains central to God’s plan and purpose for the world. Just as there remains a plan and a purpose for each of us despite the failings in our own lives. Man’s faithlessness does not nullify the faithfulness of God (see 2 Timothy 2:13).

Our Spiritual Inheritance is through the Jewish People

Consider that through the Jewish People, we have the message of the prophets, the Scriptures, and the Messiah. It was the Jewish People who risked and gave their lives throughout ancient history to preserve the Word of God.

The early church – made up almost entirely of Jewish believers – was responsible for the spread of Christianity in the first century.

The Apostle Paul lays out for us in Romans 11:17-21, how the Jewish people are the root and foundation of the Gentile believers. In Paul’s words:

“Did they stumble so as to fall beyond recovery? Not at all! Rather, because of their transgression, salvation has come to the Gentiles to make Israel envious.”

God has not replaced Israel with the Church. The promises that were uniquely given to Israel still belong to them as the specially chosen people.

Paul’s charge to the early Gentile Christians is sobering: “You will say then, “Branches were broken off so that I could be grafted in.” Granted. But they were broken off because of unbelief, and you stand by faith. Do not be arrogant, but tremble. For if God did not spare the natural branches, he will not spare you either.” Romans 11:19-20

Israel is Central to the Fulfillment of Prophecy.

“For if their rejection brought reconciliation to the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead?” Romans 11:15

It’s impossible to study Bible Prophecy without seeing it – Israel is at center stage in the Bible’s many descriptions of End Times events. The Bible predicted, thousands of years ago, that these events would revolve around Jerusalem. Not Rome, Babylon, Alexandria, Troy, or any of the great ancient cities.

There is a reason that the world is uniquely obsessed with this tiny land. In Zechariah 12:3–4, God says, “I will make Jerusalem like an intoxicating drink that makes the nearby nations stagger when they send their armies to besiege Jerusalem and Judah. On that day I will make Jerusalem an immovable rock. All the nations will gather against it to try to move it, but they will only hurt themselves” (NLT).

The regathering of the Israeli nation began a prophetic clock that marches unstoppably toward end-time events, with Ezekiel’s vision of the dry bones coming back to life.

Here’s where Christians must pay attention. The Bible told how Israel would be scattered among the nations and that, in the end times, it would be miraculously regathered. This has never happened to any other people in history.

On the heels of the Holocaust, who would have ever thought that the Jewish people who lost six million lives to the Nazis would somehow regather in their homeland after being exiled for over a thousand years? But it happened, against all odds. And on May 14, 1948, Israel became a nation reborn.

The Bible predicted that after Israel was regathered, she would come under attack. Specifically, in Ezekiel 37 and 38, the Bible speaks of the regathering of Israel, and then it speaks of a large force from her north attacking her. That force is identified as Magog.

Who is Magog? Many Bible scholars believe it’s modern-day Russia. Why would Russia ever want to invade Israel? The answer may be found in a clue that scripture reveals – Magog will be allied with Persia.

Persia is the ancient name for modern Iran. So the Bible predicted thousands of years ago that this large force from the north of Israel would attack her after she was regathered, and one of the allies that would attack Israel with Magog or Russia would be Iran or Persia.

Not once in the past 2,500 years has Russia ever formed a military alliance with Iran. These two countries have been enemies and rivals for most of history.  That is, until now. They have recently developed a special connection – Russia has signed billion-dollar deals to sell missiles to Iran, and the Iranians have helped the Russians, providing them with weaponized drones to use in the Ukraine war.

Interestingly, the Bible says that Magog will unwillingly take part in the invasion of Israel. In Ezekiel 38, the Bible says that Magog will come with hooks in her jaws, pulling her forward as though reluctantly pulled along by her ally, Persia (or Iran).

We can’t know for certain that Magog is, in fact, Russia. But if you see a headline that says, “Russia Attacks Israel,” fasten your seatbelt because you’re seeing Bible prophecy fulfilled in your lifetime before your very eyes!

What should Christians be doing in the light of all this? Here are Two things:

 Jesus said,

“Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near” (Luke 21:28 NKJV).

That’s the first thing we need to be doing, looking for the soon return of Jesus Christ.

We also need to pray. The Bible tells us to pray for the peace of Jerusalem (Psalm 122:6). We should pray God places His hand of protection on the nation of Israel during this unprecedented time.

God’s covenant promise to Abraham was:

“I will bless them that bless thee, and him that curseth thee will I curse: and in thee shall all the families of the earth be blessed.” Genesis 12:3 

Let's pray that our leaders remain steadfast in support of Israel – we don't want to be on the wrong side of history's greatest promise.

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