HOW SHOULD WE PRAY FOR ISRAEL? (3) Andrew Larkin

PART 3: A FUTURE HOPE FOR ISRAEL

Between the two views outlined in the previous post lie varying ones in between.  This includes those who believe what happens to Israel in the present is significant (without combining biblical and political Israel); those who see the land as significant based on the promises made to Abraham and fulfilled under David and Solomon; and those who believe, in the future, many Jews will turn to Jesus.  Some people believe one of these things; others all three. 

 We might then outline the five views as:

(1)  Zionist – Israel is central to God’s purposes and plans.

(2)  Present Israel is significant – without side-lining the church or combining biblical Israel with the current political nation-state of Israel.

(3)  The land – the promises to Abraham predate the Mosaic covenant (which has been fulfilled) and so has ongoing relevance with present and future importance.

(4)  Future Israel – where many will be saved, perhaps as a precursor to Jesus’ return or, even, at his return.

(5)  Replacement theology – Israel has served their purpose in God’s plans.

This may or may not correspond to the five views outlined by John Hosier but, I suspect, it is not too far off.  For those who feel I have generalised, misrepresented or, indeed, not represented their views, please forgive me.

Views 2, 3 and 4 have in common the idea of Israel having a future in God’s plans and purposes.  There are ways to argue for this position but the key Bible passage which speaks to this issue are found in Romans 9-11.  I find David Pawson’s breakdown of these chapters to be helpful:

1.     Romans 9:1-29 – In the past, Israel was chosen.

2.    Romans 9:30-10:21 – In the present, Israel is stubborn.

3.    Romans 11:1-36 – In the future, Israel will be saved.

The breakdown is more for convenience as the themes are repeated in the different sections.

In the first section, Paul outlines the privileges Israel had as God’s people. He also shows that, although most of the people of Israel had rejected the gospel, this did not mean the message, or God’s power, had failed.  He points out God always worked through particular people in Israel.  Being an Israelite did not necessarily mean a person was a child of Abraham spiritually.  Although both Isaac and Ishmael were Abraham’s children, the line of promise went through Isaac, not Ishmael.  We also see this with God’s love for Jacob, rather than Esau and, later in the chapter, the teaching of a faithful remnant in Israel despite the nation’s sin.

This leads to the present problem Paul faced regarding Israel - they did pursue righteousness, but not by faith.  The gospel was preached but many chose not to believe.  God, however, has not rejected His people for, as Paul points out, he is an Israelite and one with impeccable credentials.   It is here that we see the progression of salvation history involving Jew and Gentile.  Paul points out that the transgression of Israel has allowed Gentiles to come in and be part of the people of God.  He adds, almost cryptically in Romans 11:12: “But if their transgression means riches for the world, and their loss means riches for the Gentiles, how much greater riches will their full inclusion bring!”  This to my mind, suggests a future event involving Israel.

Paul uses an analogy of an olive tree which has had some natural branches (Israel) broken off with a wild olive shoot being grafted in (Gentiles) and sharing in the root.  Lest Gentiles get arrogant, Paul points out if God did not spare natural branches, He won’t spare them if they turn to unbelief.  If the natural branches, Israel, come to faith, they will be back in the olive tree!  Will this happen? I think Romans 11:25-26 suggests the answer is yes.

I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers and sisters, so that you may not be conceited: Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in, and in this way all Israel will be saved.

If it was left at this it could be ambiguous.  Does Israel mean ethnic Israel or Jew and Gentile together, i.e. the church is the new Israel?  Given Paul’s usage of Israel throughout Romans 9-11; the hints seen earlier and the following verses in 11:26-32, I believe he is referring to ethnic Israel (not every single person, but a significant number). 

As it is written:

“The deliverer will come from Zion;
    he will turn godlessness away from Jacob.
 And this is my covenant with them
    when I take away their sins.” 

As far as the gospel is concerned, they are enemies for your sake; but as far as election is concerned, they are loved on account of the patriarchs,  for God’s gifts and his call are irrevocable. Just as you who were at one time disobedient to God have now received mercy as a result of their disobedience, so they too have now become disobedient in order that they too may now receive mercy as a result of God’s mercy to you. For God has bound everyone over to disobedience so that he may have mercy on them all.

This suggests a future ingrafting and return of Israel to her God through faith in Jesus Christ.  This is more exciting than a return to the land although events in the land may precipitate this.  I also think this may be linked to Jesus’ return, as alluded to earlier based on Romans 11:15 which reads:

For if their rejection brought reconciliation to the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead? 

This could be a reference to the resurrection of the dead which will take place when Jesus returns.

 How should we pray for Israel?  We should pray for the day to come when they turn to their Messiah – the one who they are waiting for and has already come.  We should pray for Palestinians and those from other nations to come to know Jesus.  We should pray for those, Israeli and Palestinian who do know Jesus to know his closeness afresh at this time amidst the carnage surrounding them.