For: The Institute of Contemporary and Emerging Worship Studies, St Stephen’s University, Essentials Blue Online Worship Theology Course with Dan Wilt.
In thinking about Chrsitianity, reading the Bible, hearing preachers and watching God TV, I have heards many talk about the importance of Israel and the importance of praying for Isreal. Tom Wright (Wright, Simply Christian, p.69) puts it, ‘ When Isreal is free at last, that will be the time when the true God will fulfill all His promises, judge the whole world, and put it all to rights.’
This confirmed for me the importance of the role of Isreal in God’s plan. But once again, I was left wondering why God had chosen Isreal over and above other nations and didn’t this show favouritism from an unbiased God? It seemed to bea very odd one off decision by God and I couldn’t understand why He chose to do things this way.
From reading Wilt (Wilt, Theoloy of Worship, Week 2), he discusses God as creator. God cares deeply about that which He has put His heart into. Therefore He care about creation and all that is in it. He cares not just about Israel, but about every nation. Indeed, there is a rescue plan in place to save the whole of creation.
Wright made it clear for me in his book Simply Christian that the decision to choose Israel started back with His covenebt with Abraham. He chose, through Abraham, to put his rescue into operation. Abraham’s sons leads to the growth of the nation of Israel and so in choosing Israel, God is simply continuing the narrative and keeping the covenant that He made with Abraham. Indeed, Jesus came from this line and so ultimately, His redemptive purpose was fulfilled as originally promised even when Israel itself could no longer be used for this purpose (ibid. p.65).
There are also remarkable parallels between the story of Israel and the life of Jesus. The King promised to Israel ultimately came in the perfect rule of Jesus (ibid p.70). Jesus Himself became a living temple where heaven and earth meet. The longing that is within every human heart has been fulfilled now that the echo has become a voice that has been and can be heard (ibid p.71). The Word (Torah) was given as a guide for people on how to live in justice and harmony, again refelcted in the person of Jesus (ibid. p72). Many today refer to Jesus as the living Word and is an example for us as Christians as to how we should live. Ultimately, a new creation would be brought into being through the story of Abraham, Israel and Jesus (ibid. p.72,73).
I have been surprised at the parallels between these two stories but now see that the life of Jesus comes to fulfill that which was already promised to the world through Abraham in the Old Testamant.
Israel therefore rightly takes its place as a nation to be prayed for by all Christians across the world.
July 13, 2008 at 5:06 am
Nice post, I’ve also wondered at why God chose the Jews. Who was the Rabbi that said, “The Jews are like everyone else, only more so.”? I think it’s been pretty tough on them, but I know God hasn’t forgotten them (Romans 11).
In a sense we all follow the pattern of Jesus’ life; that in order to experience resurrection power we have to get on the cross and die (to self, sin, etc). But like you said, especially Israel.
But I agree that we need to pray for Israel. They are possible facing mass extinction, or total war. I know they haven’t exactly been angels in their struggle to survive and secure the land, but that is all the more reason to pray for peace in that region.
July 18, 2008 at 2:46 pm
This isn’t an easy topic. Well done for wrestling with it. I think of how many conflicts have been fought by Christians over Israel (whether to attack or protect it). Often we lose sight of the bigger picture-that God has a plan to set the whole world right (Israel and everything else).