As a result of grace, we have been saved from sin’s penalty. One day we will be saved from sin’s presence. In the meantime we are being saved from sin’s power.
Alistair Begg

Should Believers support Israel

Should Believers support Israel Should Believers Support Israel? by Michael Schiffman There is a great deal of talk these days in political

circles as well as in religious circles regarding the State of Israel. As the Palestinians wage loud protest against the Jewish state, people are beginning to raise serious questions about the Israeli’s possession of the West Bank and the Gaza strip. They claim Israel is acting wrongly.

There are several issues at stake here. First, regarding Israel’s right to the occupied territories, It should be pointed out that these lands were never part of a Palestinian state. They were lands controlled by Jordan and Egypt prior to the 1967 war. Why in that time did not these Arab states declare a Palestinian state? They could have done so freely. Not until Israel controlled these lands did there cone the outcry for a free Palestinian state.

Secondly, these lands were part of the historic Judea and Samaria, the Biblical Land of Israel. In peace negotiations with Egypt, Israel returned the Sinai peninsula because it was never part of the historical Land of Israel.

Thirdly, these lands were won in a war that was not started by Israel, but by her Arab neighbors. The territories taken provide safe, defensible borders. Israel has a right to this land.

Politically, people have questioned America’s support for Israel. Israel has been, and has remained America’s best friend in the world today. Israel’s defense is strategic to a stable middle east. Were it not for the Israeli army, nothing would stop the soviets from taking advantage of the middle east as they have in other parts of the world. The Israeli military presence contributes to the peace of the region, which in turn contributes to our security.

Politics is one thing, but a spiritual consideration of Israel is something else. How should believers view the modern State of Israel, and who should we support in the Israeli-Arab conflict? Israel is a secular state. It is this secularity that provides for the tolerance of Christianity and Islam as well as Judaism in Israel. In Moslem countries this is oftentimes not the case. Iran furnishes a perfect example of a non-secular state. It is good that Israel is a secular state. Israel’s detractors reason that because the State of Israel is secular, it’s existence can not be the work of G-d in fulfillment of prophecy. They say that if G-d were behind Israel, it would not be secular. The fact is, G-d did say in prophecy that He would restore the Jewish people to the Land, which they themselves would govern, which has indeed happened. In Ezekiel 37, the prophecy of the dry bones is a metaphor of the restoration of Israel. Chronologically, the bones came together, tendons formed, and flesh appeared, but there was no breath in them (vs.8). It was only later that breath entered them. In the spirit of this metaphor, breath can be understood as Spiritual life. Israel returns in unbelief, and only later believes. This fits well with Zechariah 12:10 and Romans 11. The secularity of Israel should pose no problem to her status as the work of G-d.

People have argued that because Israel is secular, it’s government does not deserve our support as believers. America too is secular. All our officials are not perfect. We pray for our leaders because Romans 13:1 tells us that “there is no authority except that which God has established.” We support America even if we disagree with the leadership. And we pray for the leadership. It is no different with Israel. We may not agree with every government policy and action, but we should still support Israel because G-d is behind it. If the American authorities are established by G-d, so are the Israeli. Israel should be supported by believers, not because they like the prime minister, but because it is the work of G-d in fulfillment of His Word. As He has been faithful to Israel, so is He faithful in all His promises to believers. Israel’s blessings are the believer’s encouragement.

Others have pointed to the plight of the Palestinians in refugee camps as reason to support the Palestinians and oppose Israel. Just because a group is “third world” does not mean they are right. The Palestinians are not a victimized peace-loving people. These people have bombed children’s day care centers, nursing homes, school busses, and market places in Israel. They do not recognize Israel’s right to exist. How can Israel treat them any differently? This land was not Palestinian in the first place. It was under the British from 1917 to 1948. Prior to 1917, it was under the control of the Ottoman Turks for 500 years. There was no preexisting Palestinian state. If they would recognize Israel’s right to exist, and not seek the complete destruction of the State of Israel, there would be peace. Israel has done what they have had to do to keep peace. Believers who disagree with Israel’s policies should still recognize God’s hand on Israel, and pray for the peace of Jerusalem, and for the coming King of Israel, the Messiah Yeshua, who will rule the world from Jerusalem and preside over 1000 years of peace. g the State of
Israel. As the Palestinians wage loud protest against the Jewish state, people are beginning to raise serious questions about the Israeli’s possession of the West Bank and the Gaza strip. They claim Israel is acting wrongly.

There are several issues at stake here. First, regarding Israel’s right to the occupied territories, It should be pointed out that these lands were never part of a Palestinian state. They were lands controlled by Jordan and Egypt prior to the 1967 war. Why in that time did not these Arab states declare a Palestinian state? They could have done so freely. Not until Israel controlled these lands did there cone the outcry for a free Palestinian state.

Secondly, these lands were part of the historic Judea and Samaria, the Biblical Land of Israel