The topic of Israel—its territory, its people, and its place in God’s plan—is still one of the most contentious and fiercely disputed issues in the world today. News headlines frequently ask, “Is Israel legitimate? “Should Israel defend itself?” ” “How about the government, the land, and the people? ” Social media, political podiums, and even church pulpits are full of perspectives, some supportive, some hostile, and many just misinformed. Despite the cacophony, believers must ask God, not the world, what He says about Israel.
This essay delves into the teaching of Romans 11:1-12 as unpacked by pastors Jack Hibbs and Amir Tsarfati, and explains why, in their words, your knowledge of Israel determines your entire biblical worldview—from salvation and prophecy to the very nature of God’s faithfulness. We’ll go over the scriptures, covenants, conflicts, and the call on each believer’s life. If you’ve ever pondered where you fit into God’s plan or how to respond to current events with spiritual clarity, this essay is for you.
Also, anyone is welcome to join the Church of Sermons as a member. This invitation is made to everyone who want deeper biblical understanding, community, and a shared commitment to God’s revealed truths.
Opinions of Men vs. the Word of God
In a society full with opinions, it’s easy—even inside the church—to follow the cultural stream or adhere to denominational traditions. Replacement theology, for example, is common in many Christian settings. According to this belief, the Church has superseded Israel in God’s purpose, and all promises made to Israel now belong solely to the Church.
However, as Hibbs and Tsarfati continually note, God’s Word never states that the Church is Israel or Israel is the Church. Scripture never refers to Gentile believers as “spiritual Israel” in a way that undermines God’s distinct, ongoing plan for the Jewish people. The New Testament, particularly Romans 11, makes it clear: “Has God cast aside His people? Definitely not! ” Paul, himself an Israelite, emphasizes the ongoing character of God’s covenant.
Quoting anti-Israel voices or even revered church fathers does not undermine the authority of the Holy Spirit, who wrote Scripture. The apostles, especially Paul, recognized the danger of replacing Israel in the biblical narrative. They addressed it directly, warning against cherry-picking scriptures or creating doctrines out of context.
According to Hibbs and Tsarfati, replacement theology is more than just a theological error; it “messes up your entire biblical understanding.” It distorts the ideas of redemption, eschatology, and even God’s character. If God could abandon His promises to Israel, why wouldn’t He do the same to you? The subject of Israel serves as the litmus test for good biblical teaching.
Understanding Israel’s Origins: A Divine Decree
Israel’s tale is more than just a historical accident or human achievement. Its existence is due to a divine decision. In Genesis 12, God addresses Abram (later Abraham) and pledges to make him “a great nation,” grant him a specific place, and bless all families on the planet through him.
This is not only a personal blessing. It is a three-part, unconditional covenant: seed, land, and blessing. God does not negotiate or debate; He declares. Unlike the Mosaic Covenant, which Israel would frequently fail to uphold (and thus foreshadowed a New Covenant), the Abrahamic Covenant is eternal, based on God’s character rather than human performance.
There have been several attempts throughout history to eliminate, denigrate, or redefine Israel, alleging that the Jews are not the true Jews, that the country is not their own, or that Israel is a scourge rather than a blessing. All of this directly violates God’s own words. Despite constant opposition, God’s promise stands. From the scattered Jews of the 1920s—many of whom would have preferred to remain in Europe until the horrors of the Holocaust drove their return—until the miraculous rebirth of Israel in 1948, God’s hand is unmistakably visible.
Israel’s position in the world is unique. The Jewish people make a far greater contribution to science, technology, medicine, and worldwide culture than their size would suggest. Innovations you use every day, from the microchips in your smartphone to life-saving medical discoveries, have often originated in Israel. However, far more essential than any technological contribution is Israel’s spiritual role: the Messiah came from her, and He will return to her.
Israel’s Redemption: Grace, Blindness, and Future Salvation
A perennial debate, particularly among critics and skeptics, is whether Israel’s continuous “blindness”—her national reluctance to accept Jesus as Messiah—indicates that God has rejected her. Paul addresses this directly in Romans 11: God has not abandoned His people. Even in the midst of national unbelief, there is a loyal remnant, chosen by grace.
This partial blindness is not evidence of God’s rejection, but rather part of the redemption process. According to Tsarfati, Israel’s hardening served a definite purpose: it permitted the gospel to be preached to the Gentiles, stirring Israel’s envy and eventually leading to her national salvation. The promise is incredible: “all Israel will be saved.” No other country has a scriptural guarantee of communal redemption.
The story of Israel is one of discipline and restoration. God uses adversity to draw Israel back to Himself, much like a parent disciplines a loving child (an analogy that both speakers employ effectively). Exile, the Holocaust, persecutions, and the scattering among the nations were all foreseen in Deuteronomy 28 and by the prophets. However, none of these sufferings invalidate God’s covenant. On the contrary, their perseverance through centuries of hostility demonstrates God’s faithfulness.
What about the individual Jew today? When Jews turn to Christ, the veil is lifted, just as it is for Gentiles. Countless Jewish believers today—many of them are notable Bible instructors and witnesses—provide living testimony that God’s “blindness” is only partial and temporary. And, according to prophecy, there will come a day when the entire nation will turn to Christ.
The nature of Israel’s covenant is everlasting, unconditional, and unbreakable.
The Abrahamic Covenant forms the basis of Israel’s relationship with God. It will always exist. Israel will continue to be a nation before God as long as the sun, moon, and stars exist. This is not based on Israel’s faithfulness—in fact, Scripture is brutally honest about Israel’s numerous flaws—but on God’s.
Dr. Paul Benoit outlines the key point: “The fundamental essence of the Abrahamic covenant is vital in this discussion. The covenant is an everlasting one. This covenant relationship has no time limit, implying that Israel will remain a nation in this relationship with the Lord their God indefinitely.
God, via the prophets Jeremiah and Ezekiel, confirms that even if Israel fails, He would restore and renew His covenant. In Jeremiah 31, He pledges a “new covenant” with Israel, one that would be engraved on their hearts rather than on stone, in clear anticipation of the Gospel.
Denying Israel’s continued place in God’s plan is to deny God’s basic character. If God’s promises can be withdrawn, what hope do we have? God’s gifts and calling are irrevocable—not just for Israel, but for everyone who has placed their confidence in Christ.
The Messiah and Israel: God’s Deliverer; Israel’s Firstborn
The mystery of the Messiah flows like a golden thread through both the Old and New Testaments. The Messiah was always meant to come through, to, and for Israel—and, by extension, the entire world. The Jewish scriptures explicitly state that God has a Son (see Proverbs and Psalms). Isaiah 53, which has been the source of redemption for innumerable Jewish believers, represents the suffering Servant who bears the sins of all.
Jesus Himself stated, “Salvation is of the Jews.” His earthly mission was to “the lost sheep of the house of Israel,” and even after His resurrection, the apostles were instructed to begin preaching “in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and then to the ends of the earth.”
Early Christianity was virtually exclusively Jewish. Only later, as the Gentile church flourished, did Jews become the minority among believers—a circumstance prophesied to be reversed in the latter times, when a large number of Jews will return to faith.
Today, Jewish ritual continues to await the Messiah’s return. Daily prayers in synagogues worldwide implore God to “restore His presence to Zion” and return. The act of praying for the Messiah’s return recognizes that He has already come and gone once.
The Promised Land: God’s Gift, the World’s Obsession
The land is one of the most contentious issues in the Israel-Palestine conflict. Who does it belong to? What are the boundaries? What does God say about people who want to partition the land or eliminate Israel from the map?
God’s promise of the land is as clear as any in the Bible. The land is an everlasting ownership for the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, according to Genesis 12, 13, 15, and 17, the prophets, and Jesus himself. The reported borders, which reach from the Nile to the Euphrates, greatly exceed modern Israel’s territory. These promises have not yet been fulfilled, but will be in the Messianic kingdom.
God warns that the nations of the world will be condemned according to how they treat Israel and the land (see Joel 3). Dividing the land or denying Israel’s right to exist is not only a political issue, but also a spiritual one with global implications.
Modern Israel’s revival and flourishing—its transformation from a barren land to one of the world’s agricultural and technological powerhouses—is a fulfillment of prophesy. As the Bible states, “the plowman will overtake the reaper” in a region of unparalleled wealth. Israel now sells fruits and vegetables throughout Europe, and its wine sector is receiving international praise. This physical regeneration is a prelude to the prophesied spiritual revival.
The Miracle of National Rebirth: May 14, 1948 and Beyond
Perhaps the most amazing prophecy realized in modern times is the rebirth of Israel. Isaiah inquired, “Can a nation be born in a day?” ” On May 14, 1948, the answer was affirmative. After over 2,000 years of dispersion, the Jewish people returned to their ancient country, declared statehood, and reestablished their nationhood.
This event startled the world and sparked immediate opposition. Despite enormous obstacles, Israel survived and thrived. The Bible foresaw both a return to unbelief (the majority of Jews returning to Israel were secular, not religious) and continued hostility from neighboring countries. What critics point to as evidence against Israel—her lack of instant spiritual revival—is also proof that prophecy is being fulfilled exactly: first the physical restoration, then the spiritual.
Every attempt to destroy Israel, whether in ancient times or in modern-day wars and terror assaults, has failed—not because of Israeli power alone, but due to God’s protective hand. The story of Israel is about a faithful remnant maintained by God, waiting for the day when “all Israel will be saved.”
Israel’s Unconditional Survival: Through Fire and Into Eternity
Prophecy makes it clear that Israel’s journey to final redemption is not simple. Daniel 12 and Zechariah 13 foresee unprecedented hardship for Israel—so severe that “unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved.” Despite this, God guarantees survival to a remnant.
Critics frequently accuse Christians of uncritically supporting Israel while ignoring its misdeeds or failings. However, this is a strawman. No nation, including Israel, is faultless. No government is flawless. The difference is that, despite her flaws, God has selected Israel for a specific purpose, and He disciplines her like a loving father disciplines his child. The same is true for all believers: God’s love does not condone sin, but it never abandons His children.
Human faithfulness is unimportant; heavenly faithfulness is what matters. God’s gifts and calling are irrevocable. The sorrow and punishment Israel has experienced are foreshadowed in Scripture and are part of God’s process of reconciling His people to Himself.
Loving the Jew and Comforting Jerusalem: The Christian Mandate
With so much debate swirling around Israel, how should Christians respond? Paul’s message is clear: “Do not be ignorant of this mystery…that blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in.” So all of Israel will be saved.”
It is not the Christian’s responsibility to “fix” Israel or to criticize her, but rather to love her, pray for her, and incite her jealousy with the reality of the Messiah living inside us. The command in Isaiah 40:1 is to “comfort, comfort my people.” The New Testament affirms this: we are asked to be witnesses not only to the world as a whole, but also to the Jewish people.
The days are deceitful; Satan is astute and persistent in creating confusion and enmity. He has always despised Jews because it was through them that the Savior came to overcome him. Any Christian who finds himself practicing anti-Semitism or replacement theology should pause and evaluate his own heart. To oppose Israel means to oppose the God of Israel.
The world may change, the church may split, but God’s Word endures. Every prophesy is based on the existence of the Jewish people and the nation of Israel. Jesus’ return is related to Israel’s repentance and restoration. Denying Israel’s participation undermines the entire story of salvation.
A call to discernment and membership
In an age where the world is changing, churches are more concerned with entertainment than prayer, and biblical truth is frequently diluted, the call is clear: be discerning. Test what you’ve heard and read. Don’t get caught away with every opinion or trend. Instead, anchor yourself on God’s unchanging Word and let the Holy Spirit to lead you into every truth.
Anyone interested in deeper learning, camaraderie, and a place to stand firm on the truth of God’s Word is welcome to join the Church of Sermons as a member. This group welcomes those who desire to expand their knowledge and love, pray for Israel and the globe, and declare the hope of Christ’s return.
Conclusion: God Keeps His Promises
The story of Israel is, above all, about a God who keeps His promises. Against all odds, Israel was born, dispersed, and reborn. Israel stands up to all of its opponents. Despite all mistrust, God’s Word stands true.
The message for all believers is not only about Israel, but about God Himself. If He can keep His promises to a rebellious nation for thousands of years, He can keep them to you. The God of Israel is faithful, patient, righteous, and kind.
Finally, as Paul exclaims in Romans 11:33, “Oh, the depth of the riches of God’s wisdom and knowledge!” How unsearchable are His judgments and methods beyond discovery! ”
Let us then live lives transformed by the Holy Spirit, loving and comforting God’s people, and standing firm on the truth of His Word—knowing that the tale is not over and that the best is yet to come.
Consider joining the Church of Sermons today to learn more, grow in faith, and be part of a community focused on the gospel and the hope of Christ’s return.
God keeps His word. Will you stand with Him?
“Comfort you, my people,” says your God. In Isaiah 40:1 and Romans 11:29, it is stated that God’s gifts and calling are irrevocable.
