Gods relationship to the isrealites are spelled out in his covenant to Abraham. here are the promises of that covenant--------------------------------------------------------------------------all verses are from genesis[list type=decimal][*]A great nation was to come out of Abraham, namely, the nation of Israel (Genesis 12:2; 13:16; 15:5; 17:1-2, 7; 22:17)[*]Abraham was promised a land -- specifically, the Land of Canaan (Genesis 12:1, 7; 13:14-15, 17; 15:17-21; 17:8). Later we learn that the privilege of Abraham's descendants, the Jewish people, for living in their land under God's blessing is conditioned upon their obedience (see, for example, Deuteronomy 28-29). But whether the Jews are physically residing inside or outside of the land, or whether anyone else may control it by conquest or any other means, the land belongs to the Jewish people by divine right.[*]Abraham himself was to be greatly blessed (12:2; 15:6; 22:15-17)[*]Abraham's name would be great (12:2)[*]Abraham will be a blessing to others (12:2)[*]Those who bless will be blessed (12:3)[*]The one who curses will be cursed (12:3) -- again and again this principle is operative in the prophets as they pronounce judgment on the nations surrounding Israel for the treatment of His chosen people.[*]In Abraham all the earth will ultimately be blessed, a promise of Gentile blessing (12:3; 22:18)[*]Abraham would receive a son through his wife Sarah (15:1-4; 17:16-21)[*]His descendants would undergo the Egyptian bondage (15:13-14)[*]Other nations as well as Israel would come forth from Abraham (17:3-4, 6; the Arab states are some of these nations)[*]His name was to be changed from Abram to Abraham (17:5)[*]Sarai's name was to be changed to Sarah (17:15)[*]There was to be a token/sign of the covenant -- circumcision (17:9-14).[/list]-------------------------------------------------------------------------- There are three promises to keep in mind 1. The first, that the Jews would be given a land. staying in the land depended on the Jews obedience to God (in the old testement.) but whether the Jews were living in it or not the land was still theres. 2. the seventh, that the gentiles one day also will be Gods chosen people. 3. the fifth and six, whoever blesses the isrealites will be blessed and whoever curses the isrealites will be cursed. we are seeing all these promises carried out today. Notice that in the first promise God sets a condition for staying in the land of Isreal. They must be obediant to God. If they are not obediant they are not disowned, they are still Gods chosen race, but they lose the land. We see this played out over and over again in the OT. The isrealites worship false Gods they take longer to get the promise land. and when the isrealites are faithful they finally see the promised land. They turn disobediant and they are exiled ect. This still rings true today, just because the isrealites are disobediant to God by rejecting his son does not mean they are not his chosen race!! Interestingly they are in the promised land today while they are still disobediant. God does not break his promises which means that soon theres going to be a mass conversion to christianity in Isreal. I believe the 144,000 are close. the second key promise the gentiles will share in the right to be Gods chosen people. We have not replaced the isrealites but we have joined there ranks. The non accepting Jews and the accepting Jews and Gentiles should combine as they are Gods chosen people. Don't get me wrong, the disobediant Jews don't have it easy. The world shutters at what they have gone through for disobeying God. But one day the jews will return to christ, as they are his chosen. The same goes for us, remember when Christ says when a lamb leaves the flock he'll leave the other 99 jsut to bring that sheep back. God doesn't let go of his chosen.( I am not promoting the once saved always saved doctrine, I am firmly against it, but that is a completley different discussion.) The third key promise, I brought this up as we are about to see it happen. Palestine,Iran, and all the other countries against isreal are going to be cursed before our very eyes. The Jews will not be defeated ( they are in there promised land for good) and God will pull all strings to protect them if needed. And if he does it should be the scariest, and most powerful display from God we will ever see. This jumped all over the place. So heres the summary. The isrealites despite there disobediance to God are still his chosen people. By accepting Christ we do not replace the isrealites but share this honor with them. God has punished the isrealties trying to bring them back, and as they are now back in the promised land there returning should be very soon. oh yeah, and Palestine stop attacking Isreal it would be bad for your health. your brother in christRyan Fitz
