Standing with Israel is not a political issue, it is a Bible issue. As Christians, it is very important we understand what God says about the Land of His inheritance. This helps us take a Biblical view of Israel’s rightful possession and why attacks on Israel’s sovereignty are a spiritual matter.
The Church has a responsibility to affirm what the Bible says and not compromise because it might not be politically correct. Israel’s right can be supported historically, legally, and geo-politically. However, for Christians – and of course for Jews – the most important foundation that supports Israel’s right is the Bible.
Genesis 15:17-18-21 describes the covenant God made with Abraham:
“On the same day the Lord made a covenant with Abram, saying: ‘To your descendants I have given this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the River Euphrates— the Kenites, the Kenezzites, the Kadmonites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Rephaim, the Amorites, the Canaanites, the Girgashites, and the Jebusites.’”
The “great river” described isn’t even the Jordan River – like that inferred by anti-Israel protesters – it is the Euphrates, which is in current day Syria and Iraq! God promised the Jews far more land than they currently possess. Joshua 1:3-6 reaffirms that this possession will be from the River Euphrates to the Mediterranean Sea. Exodus 23:30-33 also mentions how the land God gave the Jewish people is from the River Euphrates to the Red Sea. Remarkably, God Himself determined that Israel should be ‘From the River to the Sea.’
God made it clear that this covenant is everlasting. It says in Genesis 17:7-8:
“And I will establish My covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you in their generations, for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and your descendants after you. Also I give to you and your descendants after you the land in which you are a stranger, all the land of Canaan, as an everlasting possession; and I will be their God.”
The Bible warns against dividing the land that was promised to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob stating that nations will be judged for doing so.
Joel 3:1-2 says,
“For behold, in those days and at that time, When I bring back the captives of Judah and Jerusalem, I will also gather all nations, And bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat; And I will enter into judgment with them there On account of My people, My heritage Israel, Whom they have scattered among the nations; They have also divided up My land.”
Notice the phrase, “My land.” The warning against dividing the land shifts the offence from being only against Israel to being against God Himself. The Bible says that the nations will be judged on the treatment of His people, His heritage, and His land. The Bible also warns in Zechariah 12:3 that the Lord will “make Jerusalem a very heavy stone for all peoples; all who would heave it away will surely be cut in pieces, though all nations of the earth are gathered against it.”
As Christians, it is not a contradiction to desire peace between Israel and the Palestinian people and yet believe that a Palestinian state carved out of the Land of Israel is not part of the will of God. Remember, standing with Israel is not a political issue, it is a Bible issue and as Christians we should pray for the peace of Jerusalem and place God’s sovereignty above any other man-made resolution. Regardless of what political leaders might conclude, God will have the final say.
“’I will plant them in their land, And no longer shall they be pulled up From the land I have given them,’ Says the Lord your God.” Amos 9:15
This article first appeared in the CUFI UK Torch Magazine (Issue #24, Spring 2024). To receive future issues and access to all past issues of the Torch Magazine, please subscribe for free at www.cufi.org.uk/subscribe
