How should the church and nations support Israel?
There has been a great level of passion and dedication by many in the church to support the nation of Israel. Many believers feel that there is a Biblical mandate - equal in importance to the great commission to demonstrate this support by giving weapons, technology and U.S. taxpayer funds to the government of Israel. Long before this began taking place, the idea of a Jewish state began to take root in Joshua chapter one, over 3,400 years ago. Yet, as Israel violated their covenant with the Lord, the nation collapsed time and time again. Even in Acts 1:6, the Jewish disciples of Jesus asked Him about Israel being restored once again as a kingdom. However, the movement of ‘Christian Zionism’ did not take root until 1909. This was 1,876 years after the birth of the Church in Acts chapter 2.
This belief is largely due to the publication of the Scofield Study Bible. Historically, the height of peace and unity in Israel was during the latter years of King David and the reign of Solomon his son. Before and after these kings, there was conflict with other nations and even civil war. Yet, God had blessed these two kings because of their obedience and respect for the Lord. David and Solomon did not ask for (or require) the protection of foreign nations; they depended upon God.
Since Israel was founded on May 14 1948, its governments have continually relied upon foreign nations such as the United States for their protection. But why do they not have the same peace and unity of David and Solomon? It is because they have distances themselves from the truth of Jesus Christ. Did Moses, Joshua, Gideon, Deborah and Samson need a foreign nation to step in and fight their battles for them?
The point is this: there is no Biblical mandate for any nation to support Israel financially or militarily. However, there is a Biblical mandate for the people of Israel (and every nation) to confess that Jesus Christ is Lord and follow Him. This lesson examines scriptural references that describe whether or not the church is required to support Israel unconditionally. The Bible is holy and we must always interpret it correctly to avoid contradicting our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
There has been a great level of passion and dedication by many in the church to support the nation of Israel. Many believers feel that there is a Biblical mandate - equal in importance to the great commission to demonstrate this support by giving weapons, technology and U.S. taxpayer funds to the government of Israel. Long before this began taking place, the idea of a Jewish state began to take root in Joshua chapter one, over 3,400 years ago. Yet, as Israel violated their covenant with the Lord, the nation collapsed time and time again. Even in Acts 1:6, the Jewish disciples of Jesus asked Him about Israel being restored once again as a kingdom. However, the movement of ‘Christian Zionism’ did not take root until 1909. This was 1,876 years after the birth of the Church in Acts chapter 2.
This belief is largely due to the publication of the Scofield Study Bible. Historically, the height of peace and unity in Israel was during the latter years of King David and the reign of Solomon his son. Before and after these kings, there was conflict with other nations and even civil war. Yet, God had blessed these two kings because of their obedience and respect for the Lord. David and Solomon did not ask for (or require) the protection of foreign nations; they depended upon God.
Since Israel was founded on May 14 1948, its governments have continually relied upon foreign nations such as the United States for their protection. But why do they not have the same peace and unity of David and Solomon? It is because they have distances themselves from the truth of Jesus Christ. Did Moses, Joshua, Gideon, Deborah and Samson need a foreign nation to step in and fight their battles for them?
The point is this: there is no Biblical mandate for any nation to support Israel financially or militarily. However, there is a Biblical mandate for the people of Israel (and every nation) to confess that Jesus Christ is Lord and follow Him. This lesson examines scriptural references that describe whether or not the church is required to support Israel unconditionally. The Bible is holy and we must always interpret it correctly to avoid contradicting our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.