Understanding Israel's role in God's redemptive plan for humanity, especially amid the current Israel-Hamas tensions, is of paramount importance for Gentile believers. Here's a concise exploration of Israel’s relevance from historical, theological, and prophetic perspectives.

Israel is roughly the size of Gauteng in terms of land mass, and its population is slightly less than KwaZulu-Natal, constituting only 16% of the size of the population of South Africa.

Despite Israel's seeming insignificance, it holds an outsized significance in both history and in Biblical fulfilment of prophecy. God initiated covenants with the patriarchs of Israel, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, later called Israel. These covenants were unconditional and unilateral, meaning, that despite Israel’s obedience or disobedience, God would fulfil the promises He made to them based on His character.

These promises made to the patriarchs included the blessings of land, and descendants.

God chose Abraham and his descendants, Israel, as His special people because of His love for them and His promise to their ancestors, not because of their merit (Deut 7:6-8).
God promised that the nations would be blessed through Abraham’s seed - Christ (Gen 22:18; Gal 3:8). He selected a family, Abram, and Sarai, that would grow into a nation, Israel, which ultimately led to Jesus, a blessing to the world.
God promised land to Abraham and his descendants, spanning areas from Egypt to Iraq (Gen 12:7, Gen 15:18-21, Num 33:50-34:34). Joshua entered this promised land around 1,400 BCE after the Exodus and Israel’s wanderings in the wilderness. Islam didn’t conquer Israel until some 2 000 years later around 636-637 AD at the Siege of Jerusalem. The region of ancient Israel was and has historically been Jewish. This promised land for Israel is a permanent blessing and gift from God.

Later, God initiated another unconditional covenant with Israel. Through the prophet Nathan, God made a promise to King David, and Israel, that the Messiah (Jesus Christ) would be a descendant of David and the tribe of Judah, and would someday establish a kingdom that would endure forever (2 Sam 7, Matt 21:9, Luke 1:32).

Jesus identified Himself as the prophesied Davidic King who would restore Israel (Acts 3:19-22). Although most Jews rejected Him as Messiah, as foretold by Isaiah (Isa 52-53), Jesus instructed His disciples, a remnant of mostly Jewish believers, to spread the good news to all nations, fulfilling the promise made to Abraham that the nations would be blessed through his lineage (Gen 12:2-3).

Replacement Theology, which argues that the Church has taken over Israel’s role in God's plans, is flawed. This theory wrongly implies God reneged on promises to Israel, which contrasts with God's unchangeable character and nature. The "hardening" (their disbelief in the Messiah) of Israel mentioned in Paul’s letter to the Romans is neither complete nor permanent (Rom 9-11). Some Israelites still have faith (Messianic Jews), and for others this state, of “hardening”, will continue until the "fullness of the Gentiles" comes to pass (Rom 11:25). Eventually, “all Israel will be saved” (Rom 11:26). God will pour out over the house of David the Spirit of grace and prayer, leading them to mourn the one they pierced (Zech 12:10).

Finally, Jesus' mission can be understood through three distinct phases: His earthly ministry as a prophet, His sacrificial death as a priest, and His anticipated return as a king. His Second Coming will be an awe-inspiring, visible, and tangible event, heralding the end of the Great Tribulation (Mt 24:27, 30). Upon His return He will be accompanied by the saints (1 Thess 3:13), and He will fulfil multiple prophecies including—rescuing Israel, defeating the Antichrist, and judging the nations (Zech 14:4; 2 Thess 2:8; Mt 25:31–46).

With the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, Israel's biblical relevance is magnified. God’s commitment to Israel is ongoing, necessitating our prayers and support. Israel, like all nations has its flaws, yet our Christian heritage remains richly Jewish, and Jesus Himself was biologically Jewish. As we anticipate Christ's Second Coming and Israel's restoration, our primary mission remains: spreading the Gospel and making disciples. Rather than instilling fear, these tumultuous times should ignite our passion to live fervently for Christ, and to persistently stand with Israel.

Am Yisrael Chai