What does the Bible say about Israel ?
Written by A. Thomas
Brethren Of Christ Articles - Israel
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The Bible is The Inspired revelation from God and the sole source of Knowledge concerning His plan and purpose in the past present and future.
“If they speak not according to this word, there is no light in them.” Isaiah 8 v 20.
Israel is the name given to Jacob - its meaning is ‘prince with God.’ Genesis 32 v 28
The Name is applied to the natural descendants of Jacob. They are known as the children of Israel, and the nation of Israel.
But as its meaning 'prince with God' implies, it also has to do with those who will be equal to the angels in power and therefore nature, and who will bear the name Isra-el. These will comprise the faithful Jews and Gentiles in Christ, Ephesians 2 v 12-13, who will constitute the Israel of God, that holy nation which shall know no end. Jer. 30 v11
The nation of Israel, having experienced a turbulent history and a miraculous deliverance out of Egypt, were subsequently taken captive by the Babylonians around BC 593. After being ruled by the Medo Persians and the Greeks they suffered the destruction of their nation and their expulsion from their land, by the Romans in AD 70. This separation from their land has lasted for nigh on 1900 years.
The last 100 years has seen them return to their land, following the British Balfour Declaration in 1917 and the liberation of the land from the Turks in the same year.
In May 1948 we saw the establishment of the State of Israel, which has been successfully defended in a number of wars with their Arab neighbours.
But what of the future ?
Well the same Scriptures that foretold their dispersion from their land and their scattering among all nations, also foretell a time when they would be re-gathered to their land and their ancient kingdom restored. The prophet Amos wrote of the time that God would “raise up the tabernacle of David that is fallen….and build it as in the days of old.” 9 v 11. This prophecy, and others like it, remains to be fulfilled, for their kingdom has not yet been restored “as in the days of old.”
But is not Israel’s present occupation of their land the fulfilling of the Biblical prophecies of the final restoration of the children of Israel to their land ?
No ! For a number of reasons.
Firstly; even though there has been a partial return, there are still many, who are either unable or unwilling to return to the land of their father Abraham.
And the prophecy of Ezekiel, writes of the time of their final restoration, in chapter 37. He relates his vision of a valley full of dry bones, representative of the children of Israel in the Diaspora, i.e. outside of their land; and says that they “are the whole house of Israel” which God will bring into the land of Israel.”
Secondly, many of the people of Israel, the Jewish people, at present in the land of Israel, must suffer another expulsion from their land. The prophet Jeremiah describes that time as the “time of Jacob’s trouble.” Ch 30 v 7
The prophet Ezekiel has foretold of an invasion of the land of Israel by a Russian army, confederate with her European allies. In ch 38 he informs us of the time when this invasion will take place. He writes that it will be after Israel has returned to their land following a long period when it lay waste. This return to their land is what we witness in Israel now.