Before we begin, let me remind you that all previous articles can be found in my archive at: www.fromstuart.com/archive

The book of Hosea is one of the most remarkable books in the Bible.

It is a book about an unfaithful people and a faithful God.

Hosea’s marriage to Gomer was a living picture of God’s relationship with Israel. Israel had been joined to God in covenant, yet she repeatedly turned away from Him and pursued other gods.

Hosea’s personal heartbreak was intended to help Israel understand God’s heartbreak.

Israel had not merely broken God’s laws; she had violated God’s love.

And yet, remarkably, God did not give up on Israel.

That is the message I want to highlight from Hosea:

Israel sins.
God judges.
God restores.

And that third point is perhaps the most important of all.

1. Israel Sins

Israel’s sin in Hosea was not occasional disobedience. It was persistent, deliberate unfaithfulness.

God says:

“For the land commits flagrant harlotry, forsaking the Lord.”
— Hosea 1:2

Israel had become spiritually adulterous.

She worshiped idols. She trusted foreign nations rather than God. She attributed God’s provision to her idols. She rejected God’s Word and corrupted the worship He had given her.

Perhaps most tragically, Israel claimed to know God while living as though she did not:

“My God, we of Israel know You!”
— Hosea 8:2

But knowing about God is not the same as knowing God.

Hosea’s concern was for a deep, personal knowledge of God—a knowledge that changes how we think and live.

Israel had the Word of God, but the Word of God did not have Israel.

And sin had consequences.

Israel was sowing.

She would eventually reap.

2. God Judges

God’s love does not mean that He overlooks sin.

Hosea contains some sobering announcements of judgment.

Israel would be scattered. Her strength would be broken. Her false gods would fail her. Her foreign alliances would not save her.

One of Hosea’s most memorable statements is:

“For they sow the wind
and they reap the whirlwind.”
— Hosea 8:7

Israel had sown rebellion, idolatry, and self-reliance.

She would reap destruction.

But there is something important to understand about God’s judgment in Hosea:

Judgment is not the opposite of God’s love.

It is, in part, an expression of His love.

God says:

“I will hedge up her way with thorns, and I will build a wall against her…”

— Hosea 2:6

Why?

Because Israel was pursuing her “lovers.”

God was going to block the road.

He was going to remove the things Israel had trusted in place of Him.

God’s love is not a pampering love. It is a pursuing and perfecting love.

God’s discipline was intended to bring Israel home.

And this is where Hosea becomes astonishing.

3. God Restores

If Hosea ended with Israel’s sin and God’s judgment, it would still be a powerful book.

But it doesn’t.

It ends with restoration.

God says:

“Return, O Israel, to the Lord your God,
for you have stumbled because of your iniquity.”
— Hosea 14:1

And then:

“I will heal their apostasy,
I will love them freely,
for My anger has turned away from them.”
— Hosea 14:4

Notice the subject of those promises.

God.

“I will heal.”

“I will love.”

God’s ultimate answer to Israel’s unfaithfulness is not abandonment.

It is restoration.

The people who had been judged will be restored.

The people who had been called “not My people” will again be called My people.

What Does Hosea Say About Israel’s Future?

This is where Hosea presents a significant challenge to Replacement Theology—the idea that the Church has replaced Israel in such a way that God’s covenant purposes for Israel have effectively come to an end.

Hosea’s message points in the opposite direction.

Israel’s sin is real.

Israel’s judgment is real.

But Israel’s restoration is also real.

The very people who are judged in the book are the people whom God promises to restore.

The same covenant relationship that Israel violated is the relationship God promises to renew.

God says:

“I will betroth you to Me forever;
yes, I will betroth you to Me in righteousness and in justice,
in lovingkindness and in compassion,
and I will betroth you to Me in faithfulness.
Then you will know the Lord.”
— Hosea 2:19–20

Hosea does not present Israel’s unfaithfulness as the end of God’s purposes for Israel.

Instead, it presents Israel’s restoration as another demonstration of God’s faithfulness.

That matters.

If God’s covenant faithfulness to Israel can simply be discarded because Israel was unfaithful, then what does that tell us about the faithfulness of God?

Hosea gives us a different answer:

Israel’s unfaithfulness does not cancel God’s faithfulness.

In fact, Israel’s eventual restoration will demonstrate just how faithful God is.

And This Is Good News for Every Christian

There is something deeply encouraging about Hosea that goes beyond the question of Israel.

The story of Israel is ultimately a story about grace.

Israel sinned.

God judged.

But God did not abandon His people.

Instead, He said:

“I will heal their apostasy,
I will love them freely,
for My anger has turned away from them.”
— Hosea 14:4

That should cause every Christian to rejoice.

The same God who demonstrates His faithfulness by ultimately restoring Israel is the God whose grace toward us is greater than all our sin.

Israel’s story gives us a picture of the character of God.

God does not minimize sin.

He judges it.

God does not pamper rebellion.

He disciplines it.

But God does not abandon His own.

He restores.

That is why Hosea is not merely a book about ancient Israel.

It is a revelation of the heart of God.

God’s people can be profoundly unfaithful.

But God remains faithful.

Our sin is great.

His grace is greater.

And perhaps that is the greatest lesson Hosea has for us.

The restoration of Israel will not be a testimony to Israel’s faithfulness.

It will be a testimony to God’s.

Israel’s story ultimately declares what Hosea has been telling us all along:

God’s unfailing love is greater than our unfaithfulness.

And if God’s grace is great enough to pursue, discipline, forgive, and ultimately restore an unfaithful Israel, then every Christian can look at Hosea and say with confidence:

My sin may be great—but the grace of God, through Jesus His Son, is far greater. 🙏

—Stuart

That is not an accident.

Marriage is more than a human institution. It is a picture—an earthly representation of a heavenly reality. The Bible uses marriage to help us understand the covenant love of Christ for His people.

So what is the big idea about marriage?

To answer that, let’s look at the steps of ancient Jewish marriage. In them, we find a remarkable picture of Jesus and His Bride.

The Shidduchim: The Match

The first step was the shidduchim, or the match.

In ancient Israel, it was common for the father of the groom to select a bride for his son. He could delegate this responsibility to an agent, a shadchan, or matchmaker.

The Groom to whom we are betrothed is Jesus. And God the Father has sent His Matchmaker to win us to His Son.

The Matchmaker is the Holy Spirit.

The Spirit opens our hearts to Christ and enables us to believe.

Yet the bride could refuse the proposal.

And so can we.

God does not force us into relationship with Christ. The invitation is real, and our response matters.

“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says...”
— Revelation 2:7

Please don’t say no.

The Mohar: The Bride Price

Next came the mohar, the bride price.

The groom’s father provided the price, but the groom delivered it himself. He left his father’s house and traveled to the home of his prospective bride.

Two thousand years ago, God the Father sent His Son on precisely such a journey—from His home to ours.

And He came with a bride price beyond measure:

His own life.

Peter writes:

“Knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold... but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ.”
— 1 Peter 1:18–19

The price paid for the bride tells us something about the value placed upon her.

So consider this:

What does the price Christ paid tell us about how deeply God values us?

The cross is where the Groom paid the price to make us His own.

The Shiluchim: The Gift

The father of the bride would also provide a dowry to equip her for her new life. This was called the shiluchim.

And we have been given a remarkable gift to equip us for our new life:

the Spirit of God dwelling within us.

Paul writes:

“He who establishes us with you in Christ and anointed us is God, who also sealed us and gave us the Spirit in our hearts as a pledge.”
— 2 Corinthians 1:21–22

The Spirit is God’s pledge—a down payment on what is still to come.

We have God’s presence now while we await the day when we will be with Him forever.

The Ketubah: The Covenant

Then came the ketubah, the written marriage document describing the rights of the bride and the promises of the groom.

Our written covenant is the New Testament—the New Covenant.

Hebrews calls Christ the mediator of a better covenant (Hebrews 8:6).

God has not left His Bride wondering about the nature of His relationship with her.

He has written it down.

The Kiddushin: The Cup

Next came the kiddushin, associated with sanctification and being set apart.

As part of the proposal, the groom would offer the prospective bride a cup of wine. She could accept it by drinking, or reject the proposal by pushing it away.

The cup symbolized the marriage covenant.

Now consider what Jesus did on the night before His crucifixion:

“This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.”
— 1 Corinthians 11:25

The cup of Communion points us to the covenant through which Christ has obtained His Bride.

And once the proposal was accepted, the groom would return to his father’s house to prepare a place for his bride.

Jesus said:

“In My Father’s house are many dwelling places... for I go to prepare a place for you.”
— John 14:2

Then He promised:

“If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself.”
— John 14:3

The Groom leaves. The Groom prepares. And the Groom promises to return.

The Mikveh: Preparing the Bride

While the groom prepared the dwelling, the bride prepared herself.

She participated in the mikveh, ritual immersion in water symbolizing cleansing.

The bride was setting herself apart for her coming husband.

Paul uses this bridal imagery when he writes:

“For I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy; for I betrothed you to one husband, so that to Christ I might present you as a pure virgin.”
— 2 Corinthians 11:2

The Bride is waiting—but waiting does not mean doing nothing.

It means preparing.

It means living as someone who belongs to another.

We are Christ’s.

The Huppah: A Public Covenant

The couple would then appear beneath the huppah, the canopy representing the establishment of a new household.

Vows were exchanged before God and witnesses.

The relationship was now publicly established and binding, even though the bride and groom had not yet come together physically.

That is a remarkable picture of the Church.

We belong to Christ, but we are still waiting for the day when we will be with Him.

Our lives should publicly declare:

I belong to Jesus.

The Waiting: No One Knows the Day

After the betrothal, the bride waited for the groom to come. She did not know exactly when he would arrive.

Jesus made a striking statement about His own return:

“Of that day or hour no one knows... but the Father alone.”
— Mark 13:32

So what should the Bride do while she waits?

Jesus tells us:

“Take heed, keep on the alert; for you do not know when the appointed time will come.”
— Mark 13:33

The Bride waits.

She watches.

She prepares.

She remains faithful.

The Nissuin: The Groom Comes

Finally came the nissuin—the carrying away of the bride to her new home.

When the appointed time came, the groom would come for his bride, accompanied by his friends. Trumpets and shouts would announce his arrival.

The New Testament gives us similar imagery concerning Christ’s return:

“For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God...”
— 1 Thessalonians 4:16

Paul continues:

“Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord.”
— 1 Thessalonians 4:17

The Groom comes for His Bride.

And the destination is permanent:

“So we shall always be with the Lord.”

The Wedding Supper

The story culminates in a wedding celebration.

John sees it in Revelation:

“Let us rejoice and be glad and give the glory to Him, for the marriage of the Lamb has come and His bride has made herself ready.”
— Revelation 19:7

Then comes the invitation:

“Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.”
— Revelation 19:9

The story ends where the entire biblical picture has been pointing:

The Groom and His Bride together.

The Big Idea

So what is the big idea about marriage?

Marriage is meant to reflect the Lord’s marriage to us.

It is an earthly representation of a heavenly reality.

The Bible begins with a marriage.

The Bible ends with a wedding.

In between, we find a Groom who leaves His Father’s house, pays the ultimate bride price, establishes a covenant, gives His Spirit as a pledge, promises to prepare a place, and promises to return for His Bride.

And the Bride waits.

She prepares.

She remains faithful.

Until the day the Groom comes.

That is why marriage matters.

Marriage is not ultimately about us. It is about Him.

Our marriages are meant to tell the story of Christ’s covenant love—to remind the world that there is a Groom who willingly gave Himself for His Bride and who will never abandon her.

And now let me ask you the most significant question of all:

Have you said yes to the Groom?

Jesus Christ has already made His proposal.

He has come to us. He has paid the bride price—not with silver or gold, but with His own precious blood (1 Peter 1:18–19). He has offered us a new covenant in His blood (1 Corinthians 11:25). He has given us His Spirit as a pledge of what is still to come (2 Corinthians 1:21–22). And He has promised that He will come again and take His people to be with Him forever (John 14:2–3).

But a proposal calls for a response.

You can say yes.

To say yes to Jesus is to recognize who He is, to receive what He has done for you, to turn from your sin, and to entrust your life to Him. It is to stop living as though you belong only to yourself and to say, in faith:

“I belong to Christ.”

Perhaps you have spent your life around the wedding. You have heard the songs. You have admired the Bride. You have even known something of the story.

But have you said yes to the Groom?

You don’t have to make yourself worthy before coming to Him. The bride price has already been paid. Christ has already stretched out His hands on the cross.

The invitation is before you.

Will you receive Him?

The Bible’s final picture is not of a Groom who forgets His Bride. It is of a Groom who comes for her.

And so the great story that began in Genesis and reaches its climax in Revelation ends with an invitation:

“The Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come.’”
— Revelation 22:17

The Groom is coming.

Have you said yes to His invitation?

—Stuart

Click here to see previous articles:

www.fromstuart.com/archive

Our church has put together the following Position Paper as a resource for our people who may encounter questions, confusion, or misinformation concerning Israel and the Jewish people.

Please feel free to make use of it in whatever way is helpful. You are welcome to edit, reformat, and customize it as appropriate for your church or organization.

We hope it will serve as a useful resource and help equip others to engage these important issues thoughtfully and accurately.

Stuart Rothberg

Why do we find it necessary to offer this position paper at this time?

In recent years, questions about Israel and the Jewish people have become increasingly prominent. Wars, rising antisemitism, political debate, competing theological viewpoints, and the constant influence of news, podcasts, videos, and social media have left many believers asking how they should understand Israel from a biblical perspective. As a church, we believe it is both timely and necessary to provide clear, scriptural guidance on these important matters.

Our church believes that the Bible is the inspired, inerrant, and authoritative Word of God (2 Timothy 3:16–17; 2 Peter 1:20–21). Therefore, our understanding of Israel and the Jewish people must come from Scripture—not from politics, changing public opinion, popular teachers, podcasts, social media, or current events.

From Genesis to Revelation, God reveals His character through His dealings with Israel. His faithfulness to Israel demonstrates His faithfulness to every promise He has made. For this reason, what we believe about Israel is not merely a matter of history or politics but a testimony to the trustworthiness of God Himself.

This paper is not intended to answer every question about Israel or current events. Rather, it seeks to summarize the biblical convictions that guide our church’s understanding of Israel and the Jewish people so that we may think clearly, speak truthfully, and respond faithfully.

As followers of Jesus Christ, we are committed to loving the Jewish people, praying for Israel, proclaiming the Gospel to Jew and Gentile alike, rejecting antisemitism in every form, and interpreting current events through the lens of Scripture rather than interpreting Scripture through current events.

What is God’s covenant with Israel?

God sovereignly chose Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and their descendants to be His covenant people (Genesis 12:1–3; 15:18–21; 17:7–8; Deuteronomy 7:6–8). This choice was not based on Israel’s righteousness but upon God’s grace, love, and sovereign purpose.

God made unconditional covenant promises concerning a people, a land, a nation, a kingdom, and a coming Messiah through whom all nations would be blessed. Because God cannot lie (Titus 1:2), these promises remain certain.

Paul reminds us:

“The gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.” (Romans 11:29)

Throughout history Israel has experienced both blessing and discipline, yet God’s covenant faithfulness has never failed. Israel’s disobedience has never canceled God’s promises.

What is the relationship between Israel and the Church?

We believe the Bible clearly distinguishes between Israel and the Church while revealing one way of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ alone.

Israel is God’s covenant nation.

The Church is the Body of Christ, composed of believing Jews and Gentiles united by the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 2:11–22).

The Church shares in the spiritual blessings that flow from God’s covenant promises through Christ (Galatians 3:13–14), but Scripture never teaches that the Church becomes Israel or inherits Israel’s national promises.

Paul distinguishes Jews, Greeks, and the Church of God (1 Corinthians 10:32). Likewise, Romans 11 teaches that believing Gentiles have been graciously grafted into God’s redemptive program without replacing the natural branches.

We therefore reject Replacement Theology (also called Supersessionism), which teaches that the Church has permanently replaced Israel in God’s plan.

Paul asks,

“God has not rejected His people, has He? May it never be!” (Romans 11:1)

Though all believers, both Jew and Gentile, share in the blessings of the New Covenant through Christ, God’s particular covenant promises to Israel have not been transferred to another people. The Lord who faithfully kept His promises in the past will fulfill every remaining promise to Israel in His perfect time.

What is Israel’s role today?

The Jewish people remain deeply loved by God because of His covenant with the patriarchs.

Paul writes,

“From the standpoint of God’s choice they are beloved for the sake of the fathers.” (Romans 11:28)

Although most Jewish people today do not recognize Jesus as the promised Messiah, God has not abandoned His people. Their present unbelief is neither total nor final. Scripture describes it as a partial hardening until God’s purposes among the nations are complete (Romans 11:25).

We thank God for His continued preservation of the Jewish people throughout history and for the restoration of Israel as a nation in its historic homeland. We see in God’s preservation of Israel another testimony to His covenant faithfulness and look forward to the complete fulfillment of His promises when Messiah returns.

What is Israel’s future?

The Bible promises a future national restoration of Israel.

The prophets foretold a day when Israel would return to the Lord (Ezekiel 36:24–28; Zechariah 12:10), and Paul declared,

“And so all Israel will be saved.” (Romans 11:26)

We believe Jesus Christ will literally return to establish His righteous kingdom and fulfill God’s covenant promises to Israel exactly as He has spoken (Luke 1:31–33; Acts 1:6–7).

Our confidence rests not in world events but in the faithfulness of God.

What does it mean to bless the Jewish people?

To bless the Jewish people is to respond to them with the love, truth, and compassion that reflect the heart of God. From the beginning, God promised Abraham, “I will bless those who bless you” (Genesis 12:3), and throughout Scripture He demonstrates His enduring love and faithfulness toward Israel.

Through the Jewish people, God gave the world the Scriptures, the prophets, the covenants, and, according to the flesh, our Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 9:4–5). We therefore owe them biblical love, prayer, compassion, and faithful Gospel witness.

Blessing the Jewish people does not mean approving every action or policy of the modern nation of Israel or placing any government beyond biblical evaluation. Rather, it means rejecting antisemitism, praying for the peace of Jerusalem (Psalm 122:6), showing kindness and respect to Jewish people, supporting faithful ministry among them, and sharing the Gospel with humility and love.

Paul testified,

“My heart’s desire and my prayer to God for them is for their salvation.” (Romans 10:1)

This must also be our prayer.

The Gospel remains

“the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.” (Romans 1:16)

For that reason, we reject the teaching that Jewish people have a separate covenant of salvation apart from faith in Jesus Christ.

Jesus declared,

“I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.” (John 14:6)

Peter proclaimed,

“There is salvation in no one else.” (Acts 4:12)

Therefore, we lovingly and respectfully proclaim Jesus as Israel’s Messiah and the Savior of the world whenever God gives opportunity. The greatest blessing we can offer anyone—Jew or Gentile—is the good news of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.

Our witness should never be arrogant or argumentative. Instead, our lives should display such joy, holiness, humility, peace, and confidence in Israel’s Messiah that Jewish people are drawn to consider Him.

Paul teaches,

“By their transgression salvation has come to the Gentiles, to make them jealous.” (Romans 11:11)

May God use our lives and testimony to awaken many Jewish people to faith in their Messiah.

Why do we reject antisemitism?

We recognize that the nation of Israel, like every nation and government, is accountable to God and subject to moral evaluation according to His Word (Psalm 33:12–15; Proverbs 14:34). Thoughtful, truthful, and biblically grounded criticism of the actions or policies of the Israeli government is not, in itself, antisemitism. The prophets of Israel faithfully confronted the sins of Israel’s leaders and people while never denying God’s covenant faithfulness or His love for the nation. Likewise, Christians should evaluate all nations—including Israel—with honesty, justice, and biblical discernment, avoiding both uncritical support and unfair condemnation.

Antisemitism, however, —the hatred of, prejudice toward, or unjust discrimination against Jewish people because they are Jewish—is contrary to the character of God and incompatible with biblical Christianity.

Every Jewish person bears God’s image (Genesis 1:26–27), is loved by God (Romans 11:28–29), and is our neighbor whom Christ commands us to love (Matthew 22:39).

We therefore reject every form of antisemitism, including hatred, prejudice, discrimination, violence, harassment, antisemitic stereotypes, Holocaust denial or minimization, and conspiracy theories that falsely assign collective guilt or promote hostility toward Jewish people.

We also acknowledge with sorrow that throughout history some who claimed the name of Christ have mistreated Jewish people. Such actions were sinful and contrary to the teaching and example of Jesus Christ, Himself a Jewish person.

What should shape our view of Israel?

Scripture commands believers to be people of truth and discernment. In an age of twenty-four-hour news, podcasts, videos, blogs, and social media, Christians must resist sensationalism, speculation, and fear.

Not every headline is accurate.

Not every podcast is trustworthy.

Not every video tells the truth.

Not every teacher handles Scripture faithfully.

God calls His people to test every claim carefully.

“Examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good.” (1 Thessalonians 5:21)

“The naive believes everything, but the sensible man considers his steps.” (Proverbs 14:15)

We therefore encourage every believer to measure every teaching by God’s Word, verify factual claims before repeating them, reject conspiracy theories and unsubstantiated accusations, and speak truthfully and graciously in every conversation (Ephesians 4:15, 25).

Our confidence rests not in internet personalities or political commentators but in the unchanging Word of God.

How should we respond?

We rejoice that the God who called Abraham is the God who keeps every promise He has made.

His faithfulness to Israel assures us of His faithfulness to His Church.

Until Jesus Christ returns, we commit ourselves to love the Jewish people, pray for the peace of Jerusalem (Psalm 122:6), stand against antisemitism, support faithful Gospel ministry among the Jewish people, proclaim salvation through Christ alone, and eagerly await the day when Israel’s Messiah will reign over all the earth.

“For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen.” (Romans 11:36)

Blessings to you as you offer truth to those darkened in their understanding about Israel and Israel’s Messiah, the Lord Jesus.

-Stuart

"Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one."

Because of this strong commitment to the oneness of God, many Jewish people find the doctrine of the Trinity difficult to understand or accept.

This study is designed to demonstrate that the concept of the Trinity did not begin in the New Testament. Instead,

The New Testament does not introduce a new idea about God—it reveals more fully what was already present in the Old Testament (the Hebrew Scriptures).

1. The Old Testament Teaches One God but Leaves Room for God in Three Persons

Key Text: Deuteronomy 6:4 — The Shema

“Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one.”

At first glance, this seems to rule out the Trinity. But the Hebrew word for one is important.

Two Hebrew Words for “One”

Yachid

• Means a unity, an absolute unity, an absolute one

• Example: Isaac called Abraham’s only son

Echad

• Means a unity, but a composite unity made up of more than one

• Can describe multiple persons forming one

Examples:

• Genesis 2:24 — Husband and wife become one (echad) flesh

• Evening and morning form one day

Conclusion

In the Shema, the holiest words in Judaism, the word used for the oneness of God is Echad, not Yachid. God is certainly One, but His oneness allows for plurality… the one God in three Persons.

2. God’s Name Shows Hints of Plurality

Elohim — A Plural Name

Genesis 1:1

“In the beginning God (Elohim) created...”

Important observations:

• Elohim is grammatically plural

• Yet it often takes singular verbs

• This suggests plurality within unity

This does not prove the Trinity, but it opens the door for it.

3. God Speaks of Himself Using Plural Pronouns

These are some of the clearest hints of plurality.

Key Passages

Genesis 1:26

“Let Us make man in Our image.”

Genesis 3:22

“The man has become like one of Us.”

Genesis 11:7

“Let Us go down...”

Isaiah 6:8

“Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?”

Why This Matters

God:

• Speaks as one (”I”)

• Yet refers to multiple persons (”Us”)

This strongly suggests plurality within the one God.

4. The Angel of the LORD — A Divine Person Distinct From God

One of the strongest Old Testament evidences.

What Makes This Angel Unique?

The Angel of the LORD:

• Speaks as God

• Receives worship

• Forgives sins

• Is called God

• Yet is distinct from God

No ordinary angel ever does this.

Key Examples

Hagar — Genesis 16

The Angel of the LORD says:

“I will multiply your descendants.”

Only God can make that promise.

Abraham — Genesis 22

The Angel says:

“You have not withheld your son from Me.”

Yet Scripture also calls Him the LORD.

Moses — Exodus 3 (Burning Bush)

• The Angel appears

• Then God speaks

• The two are treated as the same divine person

This shows:

God is present — yet distinct from God.

Two LORDs — Genesis 19:24

“The LORD rained fire… from the LORD out of heaven.”

This strongly suggests:

Two divine persons sharing the same divine identity.

5. The Spirit of God Is Active in the Old Testament

The Holy Spirit is not a New Testament invention.

He appears throughout the Old Testament.

Creation — Genesis 1:2

“The Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.”

This shows:

• The Spirit is active at creation

• Not an impersonal force

The Spirit Speaks and Leads

Examples:

• Nehemiah 9:20 — The Spirit instructs

• Isaiah 63:10 — The Spirit is grieved

• Joel 2:28 — God promises to pour out His Spirit

Important Insight

Only persons can be grieved.

This indicates:

The Spirit has personality.

6. Passages Showing Multiple Divine Persons Together

These are especially powerful.

Isaiah 48:16

“The Lord GOD and His Spirit have sent Me.”

Three persons appear:

1. The Speaker (Divine)

2. The LORD God

3. The Spirit

This strongly resembles:

Father — Son — Spirit

Isaiah 63:7–10

I shall make mention of the lovingkindnesses of the Lord… And the angel of His presence saved them… but they rebelled and grieved His Holy Spirit

Three figures appear:

1. The LORD

2. The Angel of His Presence

3. The Holy Spirit

All are involved in saving Israel.

This is one of the clearest Old Testament Trinity passages.

7. Messianic Passages Show Divine Relationships

These passages show God interacting with another divine figure.

Psalm 110:1

“The LORD said to my Lord...”

Two divine persons:

• LORD (Yahweh)

• My Lord (Adonai)

Jesus Himself used this passage to prove the Messiah is more than human.

Psalm 45:6–7

“Your throne, O God… therefore God, your God, has anointed you.”

God speaks to God.

This strongly suggests multiple divine persons.

Proverbs 30:4

“What is His name, and what is His Son’s name?”

A remarkable Old Testament reference to God’s Son.

8. The Trinity Is Present at Creation

Genesis reveals all three persons.

Genesis 1

We see:

• God creates

• Spirit moves over waters

• Word speaks creation

Later Scripture confirms:

• God creates by His Word

• The Son is called the Word

Thus:

Father — Spirit — Word

All active in creation.

9. The Trinity Is Hinted in Worship Language

Threefold Praise — Isaiah 6:3

“Holy, holy, holy.”

Threefold repetition emphasizes:

• Complete holiness

• Possible reflection of three divine persons

Priestly Blessing — Numbers 6:24–26

The Lord bless you, and keep you;

The Lord make His face shine on you,
And be gracious to you;

The Lord lift up His countenance on you,
And give you peace.’

“The LORD…” repeated three times.

Many scholars see:

Threefold blessing → One God

10. Summary Argument — The Trinity Is Found in the Old Testament (the Hebrew Scriptures)

The Old Testament reveals:

1. One God

Clear throughout Scripture.

2. Plurality Within God

Seen in:

• Names

• Pronouns

• Divine conversations

3. Multiple Divine Persons

Seen in:

• The Angel of the LORD

• The Spirit of God

• Messianic figures

4. Three Persons Appearing Together

Seen in:

• Isaiah 48

• Isaiah 63

Final Conclusion

The Trinity is not only a New Testament truth.

Instead:

• The Old Testament introduces the concept

• The New Testament clarifies the persons

• Together, they reveal the full nature of God

Or stated simply:

The Trinity is hidden in the Old Testament and revealed in the New. ✨

Father, Son, and Holy Spirit… the Triune God intent on offering salvation to all who accept His merciful and gracious provision for our sin through faith in Jesus the Son.

And so we close with the marvelous words of a great hymn authored by Thomas Ken in 1674:

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heav’nly host; praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost!

—Stuart

Missed a previous article? No worries! They are all contained in my archive at this link: www.fromstuart.com/archive

Today, Jewish people construct booths called Sukkot to remember how God provided for Israel and to remind themselves that life in this world is temporary. The booths are often decorated with fruits and vegetables as reminders of God’s goodness and provision.

Families build Sukkot in yards and patios, eat meals inside them, and sometimes even sleep in them. The booths remain standing for the seven days of Sukkot, the Feast of Tabernacles.

In 2026, Sukkot begins at sunset on Friday, September 25.

Sukkot is one of the appointed feasts God gave to Israel and the final feast on the biblical calendar. But for those who have trusted in Jesus, I believe it points beyond Israel’s past to God’s future purposes.

“Then it will come about that any who are left of all the nations that went against Jerusalem will go up from year to year to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, and to celebrate the Feast of Booths.”
—Zechariah 14:16

The Final Feast on God’s Calendar

Leviticus 23 gives the instructions for the Feast of Booths:

“Speak to the sons of Israel, saying, ‘On the fifteenth of this seventh month is the Feast of Booths for seven days to the LORD.’”
—Leviticus 23:34

Sukkot began on the fifteenth day of Tishri, the seventh month. It followed two other important fall feasts:

• Feast of Trumpets — the first day of Tishri

• Day of Atonement — the tenth day

• Feast of Booths — the fifteenth day

All three occurred within fifteen days.

There is a remarkable progression:

Repentance → Redemption → Rejoicing

The Feast of Trumpets calls attention to repentance.
The Day of Atonement points to redemption.
And Tabernacles is the feast of rejoicing.

Sukkot is often called “the season of our joy.”

Don’t miss the significance: the biblical cycle of the fall feasts ends with joy.

For the believer, that points toward our ultimate destiny. Whatever circumstances you may be experiencing today, if you belong to Christ, your final reality is not sorrow, suffering, or death.

Your final reality is joy in the presence of God.

Remembering What God Has Done

Why did God command Israel to live in booths?

“You shall live in booths for seven days; all the native-born in Israel shall live in booths, so that your generations may know that I had the sons of Israel live in booths when I brought them out from the land of Egypt. I am the LORD your God.”
—Leviticus 23:42–43

The booths reminded Israel of the wilderness.

For forty years, the Israelites lived as pilgrims without permanent homes. They depended upon God for food, water, protection, and provision.

So every year, Sukkot reminded them:

God took care of us.

That is something Christians need to hear as well.

We are remarkably good at remembering our problems and remarkably poor at remembering God’s faithfulness.

Sukkot teaches us to look backward with thanksgiving:

• Remember where God has brought you.

• Remember His provision.

• Remember His protection.

• Remember the prayers He answered.

• Remember the times you could not see a way forward—and God provided one.

The God who was faithful then has not changed.

Rejoicing in What God Is Doing

Sukkot is not only about looking backward. It also coincides with the final harvest of the agricultural year.

The crops have been gathered. The work is finished. The harvest is in the storehouses.

Now it is time to rejoice.

Sukkot is therefore a celebration of God’s present provision.

The people could look at the harvest and say, in effect:

God has provided again.

This helps explain why the Feast of Tabernacles was a time of extraordinary joy. It was a national celebration of thanksgiving and one of Israel’s three great pilgrim feasts, along with Passover and the Feast of Weeks, or Pentecost.

Israelites traveled to Jerusalem for these celebrations, and the journey itself became an occasion for singing and worship.

There is something profoundly biblical about stopping to celebrate God’s goodness. We often live as though thanksgiving can wait until everything is perfect.

It cannot.

God has provided.
God is providing.
Therefore, rejoice.

The Water Ceremony and the Words of Jesus

There is another fascinating dimension to Sukkot as it was celebrated in the time of Jesus.

The feast took place at the beginning of the winter rainy season, so prayers for rain became an important part of the celebration.

Each morning, water was brought from the Pool of Siloam to the Temple in a joyful procession. The high priest carried a golden pitcher and returned through the southern gate, known as the Water Gate.

Silver trumpets sounded as he entered the Temple, and the people heard the words of Isaiah:

“Therefore you will joyously draw water from the springs of salvation.”
—Isaiah 12:3

The high priest poured out the water while the people worshiped. The Levites sang the Hallel, Psalms 113–118, and the priests marched around the altar with palm branches.

On the seventh and final day, the celebration reached its climax.

Then Jesus stood in the midst of the celebration and cried out:

“If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.’”
—John 7:37–38

Think about the setting.

The people were praying for water. They were celebrating God’s provision of water. They were looking forward to the rains that would sustain the coming harvest.

And Jesus essentially said:

I am what you are looking for.

The One who satisfies your deepest thirst was standing among them.

Jesus was not merely offering temporary relief from physical thirst. He was offering the living water of salvation and the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit.

There is no circumstance in which Jesus is insufficient. He satisfies our deepest needs—for forgiveness, peace, joy, righteousness, and the presence of God.

The Feast of Ingathering

Sukkot also has another name: the Feast of Ingathering.

Its immediate meaning concerns the final agricultural harvest. The crops have been gathered, and the people rejoice over God’s provision.

But Scripture gives us reason to look beyond the agricultural harvest toward a future ingathering.

The Bible teaches that Jesus Christ will return and establish His kingdom on earth. Zechariah 14 describes a future time when the nations will come to Jerusalem to worship the King.

The Lord will gather the believing remnant of Israel back to the land He promised, and Gentiles who have placed their faith in Him will also worship the King.

“Then it will come about that any who are left of all the nations that went against Jerusalem will go up from year to year to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, and to celebrate the Feast of Booths.”
—Zechariah 14:16

The Feast of Ingathering therefore points toward God’s future work.

God has gathered a harvest before.
God is gathering people to Himself now.
And God will ultimately bring His purposes to completion.

What God has promised, He will do.

That gives us another reason to rejoice.

The Word Became Flesh and Tabernacled Among Us

There is an even more personal connection between Sukkot and Jesus.

“And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
—John 1:14

The word translated “dwelt” carries the idea of tabernacling among us.

What a beautiful picture.

The God who once manifested His presence among Israel in the tabernacle came into the world in the person of Jesus Christ.

He did not remain distant. He came into our world. He became flesh. He established a point of contact with us.

The eternal Son of God, who is infinite, entered His creation and took upon Himself genuine humanity. He did not cease to be who He was; He became what He had not previously been.

The God who dwelt among His people in the tabernacle ultimately came to dwell among us in human flesh.

We Are Living in Temporary Booths

Life in this world can be difficult.

Our bodies grow old. We experience pain, disappointment, temptation, sickness, grief, and loss.

Like the temporary booths of Sukkot, our earthly dwellings are not permanent.

But Jesus understands.

He Himself lived in this world and experienced hunger, thirst, weariness, rejection, sorrow, temptation, and suffering.

For approximately thirty-three years, the Son of God tabernacled among us. Throughout His earthly life, He looked to and depended upon His Father.

That gives us a pattern for how we should live.

The sukkah was deliberately temporary. Its construction reminded the worshiper that this was not a permanent home. Its roof was open enough to allow those inside to look through and see the sky.

What a fitting picture of the Christian life.

Look up.

Do not become so absorbed in your temporary dwelling that you forget the God who is above it.

Do not allow today’s circumstances to block your view of eternity.

Do not let suffering convince you that this world is all there is.

We are pilgrims.
Our present dwelling is temporary.
Our future home is eternal.

Looking up with you,

—Stuart

It is the sixth of the seven feasts of Israel described in the book of Leviticus and was the most solemn day on Israel’s calendar.

Leviticus 23:27 (NASB 1995)

“On exactly the tenth day of this seventh month is the day of atonement; it shall be a holy convocation for you, and you shall humble your souls and present an offering by fire to the LORD.”

The Day of Atonement occurred on the tenth day of the seventh month, Tishri, ten days after the Feast of Trumpets.

For Israel, this was not a day of celebration.

It was a day of repentance.

A day of fasting.

A day of soul-searching.

A day when the people reflected on the reality of sin and their fractured relationship with a holy God.

😔 A Day to Humble the Soul

The Lord repeatedly emphasized two requirements for the people:

1. Humble yourselves

2. Do no work

Leviticus 23:28 (NASB 1995)

“Neither shall you do any work on this same day, for it is a day of atonement, to make atonement on your behalf before the LORD your God.”

The word atonement carries the idea of a covering.

On this day, God provided a covering for Israel’s sins through the sacrifice of innocent blood.

Was blood really necessary?

God says yes.

Not tears.

Not sweat.

Not good intentions.

Not religious effort.

Only blood.

Leviticus 17:11 (NASB 1995)

“For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you on the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood by reason of the life that makes atonement.”

The seriousness of the day cannot be overstated.

Leviticus 23:29-31 (NASB 1995)

“If there is any person who will not humble himself on this same day, he shall be cut off from his people. As for any person who does any work on this same day, that person I will destroy from among his people. You shall do no work at all. It is to be a perpetual statute throughout your generations in all your dwelling places.”

And again:

Leviticus 23:32 (NASB 1995)

“It is to be a sabbath of complete rest to you, and you shall humble your souls...”

👑 The High Priest’s Most Important Day

Seven days before Yom Kippur, the high priest left his home and entered a period of preparation.

Every detail mattered.

Every step had to be performed exactly as God prescribed.

On the night before the ceremony, the elders of the priesthood stayed awake with him.

They read Scripture.

They questioned him.

They walked him through the procedures.

They even prevented him from sleeping.

The high priest had to be alert, focused, ceremonially clean, and fully prepared.

By sunrise, Jerusalem was buzzing with anticipation.

The Temple courts filled with worshipers.

Roman soldiers stood nearby in case unrest broke out.

Everyone knew this was the most important day of the year.

🩸 Blood Before the Mercy Seat

Throughout the day, the high priest repeatedly changed garments, immersed himself in water, and washed his hands and feet.

He first offered sacrifices for himself and his household because he was a sinner too.

Then came one of the most dramatic moments of the day.

Two goats were brought before him.

Lots were cast.

One goat was designated:

“For the LORD.”

The other became:

The Scapegoat.

A scarlet cord was tied to the scapegoat to distinguish it from the other animal.

The bull was sacrificed.

Its blood was collected.

The goat for the LORD was sacrificed.

Its blood was collected.

Then the high priest entered the Holy of Holies—the most sacred place on earth.

Carrying incense and sacrificial blood, he stood before the Mercy Seat and sprinkled the blood before God.

Everything had to be cleansed.

Everything had to be atoned for.

Everything had been touched by sin.

🐐 The Scapegoat

After the sacrifices were completed, the high priest turned to the scapegoat.

Placing both hands upon its head, he confessed the sins of the nation.

Symbolically, the guilt of Israel was transferred to the animal.

Then the goat was led into the wilderness.

Far from the city.

Far from the people.

Far from the Temple.

Eventually it was taken to a remote ravine and cast over the edge, ensuring it would never return.

The message was unmistakable:

The people’s sins had been carried away.

How fitting are the words of the psalmist:

Psalm 103:12 (NASB 1995)

“As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us.”

The people rejoiced because their sins were symbolically removed from them.

⛔ What Were the People Doing?

Surprisingly, not much.

In fact, God specifically commanded them not to work.

Notice the repeated emphasis:

• “Neither shall you do any work.” (v. 28)

• “That person I will destroy.” (v. 30)

• “You shall do no work at all.” (v. 31)

• “A sabbath of complete rest.” (v. 32)

On the Day of Atonement, Israel was simply commanded to:

✅ Stop working

✅ Humble themselves

✅ Trust God’s provision

The people did nothing to secure atonement.

The high priest did all the work.

✝️ A Better High Priest

Do we have a high priest like that today?

No.

We have a far better one.

The earthly high priest was imperfect.

He had to offer sacrifices for his own sins.

He entered God’s presence with fear.

He hoped the sacrifice would be accepted.

But our High Priest is different.

Our High Priest is Jesus Christ.

Hebrews 7:26-27 (NASB 1995)

“For it was fitting for us to have such a high priest, holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners and exalted above the heavens; who does not need daily, like those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the sins of the people, because this He did once for all when He offered up Himself.”

Jesus was both:

👑 The Perfect High Priest

🩸 The Perfect Sacrifice

Unlike the priests of old, He never sinned.

Unlike the sacrifices of old, His sacrifice never needs to be repeated.

🔥 From Covering Sin to Taking It Away

The Day of Atonement provided only a temporary covering for sin.

Every year the same sacrifices had to be offered again.

Every year the same ceremony had to be repeated.

Every year another Yom Kippur arrived.

Why?

Because animal sacrifices could never permanently solve humanity’s sin problem.

But then came Jesus.

When John the Baptist saw Him approaching, he declared:

John 1:29 (NASB 1995)

“Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!”

Notice the difference.

The sacrifices of Yom Kippur covered sin.

Jesus takes away sin.

What the blood of bulls and goats could never accomplish, Christ accomplished forever at Calvary.

🙌 The Gospel Hidden in Yom Kippur

The Day of Atonement was never merely about ancient rituals.

It was a prophetic picture.

A shadow.

A preview.

A divine illustration pointing forward to Jesus Christ.

The high priest pointed to Christ.

The sacrifice pointed to Christ.

The Mercy Seat pointed to Christ.

Even the scapegoat pointed to Christ.

As the scapegoat carried away the sins of Israel, so Jesus bore our sins and removed our guilt forever.

And just as Israel was commanded to cease from its works and trust God’s provision, salvation today is not earned through religious effort.

We stop striving.

We humble ourselves.

We trust in the finished work of Christ.

The people rested while the high priest worked.

Today, believers rest in the completed work of the Great High Priest who declared:

“It is finished.”

As Yom Kippur approaches, may we remember that what was once symbolized in shadows has now been fulfilled in substance.

The Lamb has come.

The sacrifice has been made.

The sin-bearer has carried our guilt away.

And our Great High Priest lives forever. ✝️

—Stuart

As Jewish people around the world gather to celebrate Rosh Hashanah, believers in Jesus have an opportunity to reflect on the prophetic significance of this biblical feast and what it teaches us about the Lord’s return.

The Day of the Blowing of Trumpets

The biblical name for this holiday is Yom Teruah, meaning The Day of the Blowing of Trumpets.

“Again the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, ‘Speak to the sons of Israel, saying, “In the seventh month on the first of the month, you shall have a rest, a reminder by blowing of trumpets, a holy convocation.”’”

— Leviticus 23:23-24

The central symbol of this feast is the shofar, a trumpet made from a ram’s horn. Its curved shape has long been associated with humility, brokenness, and repentance.

God commanded Israel to observe this feast on the first day of the seventh month, Tishri, as a day set apart for worship and reflection.

A Time to Stop

The Lord further instructed:

“You shall not do any laborious work, but you shall present an offering by fire to the Lord.”

— Leviticus 23:25

This was not a day for business as usual. It was a day to stop.

A day to examine one’s heart.

A day to consider one’s spiritual condition before God.

Sometimes God tells us to go. Other times He tells us to stop. Stop what is distracting you. Stop long enough to hear His voice. Stop and take inventory of your walk with Him.

The Trumpet Yet to Sound

For Christians, the sound of the trumpet points beyond ancient Israel to a future event.

The Apostle Paul wrote:

“For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ shall rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord.”

— 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17

One day there will be a final trumpet blast.

The next great sounding of God’s trumpet will gather believers into the presence of the Lord. The dead in Christ will rise, and living believers will be caught up to meet Him.

Every blast of the shofar serves as a reminder that history is moving toward that moment.

Rosh Hashanah and the Days of Awe

Although Scripture calls this day the Feast of Trumpets, it later became known as Rosh Hashanah, meaning “Head of the Year,” marking the beginning of Israel’s civil year.

Jewish tradition associates Rosh Hashanah with the beginning of the Ten Days of Awe, a period of self-examination that concludes on the Day of Atonement, Yom Kippur.

The emphasis during these days is repentance, reflection, and a renewed commitment to God. One traditional greeting is:

Leshanah tovah tikatevu — “May you be inscribed for a good year.”

Another familiar custom is dipping apples in honey, expressing the hope for a sweet year ahead

One meaningful tradition is the Tashlich ceremony, in which people gather near a body of water and symbolically cast away breadcrumbs or stones, representing repentance from sin.

The practice is often associated with Micah’s words:

“He will again have compassion on us; He will tread our iniquities under foot. Yes, You will cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.”

— Micah 7:19

While these customs developed after biblical times, they reflect an important truth: God calls people to repentance and offers mercy to those who seek Him.

God’s Calendar of Redemption

The seven biblical feasts of Israel can be viewed as God’s prophetic calendar of redemption.

The first four feasts were fulfilled during Christ’s first coming:

• Passover points to Christ’s sacrificial death.

• Unleavened Bread points to His burial.

• First Fruits points to His resurrection.

• Pentecost points to the coming of the Holy Spirit and the birth of the church.

Today we live between the fulfillment of the fourth feast and the fulfillment of the fall feasts that many believers associate with Christ’s return and the completion of God’s redemptive plan.

We are living in the Church Age.

And we are waiting.

Waiting for the trumpet.

Waiting for the King.

Are You Ready?

The final trumpet will be both a warning and an invitation.

A warning of coming judgment upon a rebellious world.

An invitation for God’s people to be gathered to Him forever.

When the trumpet sounded at Jericho, the walls fell down. When God’s trumpet sounds in the future, His people will rise up.

Jesus said:

“Therefore be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming.”

— Matthew 24:42

As Rosh Hashanah approaches, may the sound of the shofar remind us to examine our hearts, renew our devotion to Christ, and live with expectancy.

The King is coming.

Are you waiting?

Are you watching?

Are you prepared?

—Stuart

Previous articles can be located in my Archive at:

www.fromstuart.com/archive

Before we begin, let me remind you that you can access previous articles by going to my Archive at: www.fromstuart.com/archive

“If most Jews in Israel do not believe that Jesus is the Messiah, why should Christians support Israel?”

A growing number of Christians are asking this question:

At first glance, the question seems reasonable. If Israel remains largely in unbelief, doesn’t that undermine claims that the modern State of Israel has prophetic significance?

The answer is found in Bible prophecy itself.

The prophets never predicted that the Jewish people would return to their land as a believing nation. Instead, they repeatedly foretold a physical regathering first, followed by a spiritual restoration later.

Israel’s present condition is therefore not a contradiction of Scripture—it is exactly what Scripture said would happen.

The Jewish people are back in their ancient homeland, but largely in unbelief. According to the prophets, that is not the end of the story. It is the beginning of the final chapter.

The Miracle of Israel’s Return

For nearly two thousand years, the Jewish people were scattered among the nations.

Moses warned that this dispersion would occur because of Israel’s disobedience:

“The LORD will scatter you among all peoples” (Deuteronomy 28:64).

Yet Moses also promised that God would one day bring them back:

“The LORD your God will restore your fortunes and have mercy on you, and He will gather you again from all the peoples where the LORD your God has scattered you” (Deuteronomy 30:3).

Centuries later, Isaiah expanded the promise:

“He will assemble the banished of Israel, and gather the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth” (Isaiah 11:12).

Today, after centuries of exile, millions of Jews have returned to Israel from nations across the globe. Nearly half of the world’s Jewish population now lives in the land promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

Historically, this is astonishing.

Biblically, it is precisely what the prophets predicted.

The Prophetic Pattern: Return First, Repentance Later

The crucial point many Christians overlook is that Scripture presents Israel’s restoration in two distinct stages.

Stage One: Physical Regathering

God first brings the Jewish people back to their land.

Ezekiel writes:

“I will take you from among the nations, gather you from all the lands and bring you into your own land” (Ezekiel 36:24).

Notice that the return to the land comes first.

Stage Two: Spiritual Restoration

Only after the regathering does God promise spiritual renewal:

“Then I will sprinkle clean water on you... I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you” (Ezekiel 36:25–27).

The sequence is unmistakable:

1. Regathering to the land.

2. Spiritual cleansing.

3. National renewal.

The prophets consistently present this same order.

Ezekiel’s Valley of Dry Bones and Modern Israel

Ezekiel 37 provides perhaps the clearest illustration of this prophetic pattern.

The prophet sees a valley filled with dry bones, which God identifies as “the whole house of Israel.”

The restoration unfolds in stages:

First

The bones come together.

Second

Sinews, flesh, and skin cover them.

Third

The breath of life enters them.

The first two stages restore a national body, but there is still no spiritual life.

Only afterward does God’s Spirit enter them.

Many Bible teachers see a remarkable parallel with modern Israel.

The Jewish people have been regathered.

The nation has been restored.

Hebrew has been revived.

Israel is thriving and functioning as a nation.

Yet most Israelis still do not recognize Jesus as Messiah.

In Ezekiel’s imagery, the body has been restored, but the final breath of spiritual life is still future.

Zechariah’s Vision of Israel’s Future Conversion

The prophet Zechariah describes a future moment when Israel, already living in the land, experiences national repentance.

“I will pour out on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace and supplication; so that they will look on Me whom they have pierced” (Zechariah 12:10).

Notice what is already true when this event occurs:

• The people are living in Jerusalem.

• The nation is back in the land.

• Israel has been regathered.

Only then does God open their eyes.

Once again, the prophetic order remains consistent:

Return first. Conversion later.

Paul’s Confirmation in Romans 11

The New Testament affirms exactly the same pattern.

Paul acknowledges Israel’s present unbelief while insisting that God’s covenant purposes remain intact.

“For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable” (Romans 11:29).

Paul explains that Israel is currently experiencing a temporary hardening:

“A partial hardening has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in” (Romans 11:25).

Yet he immediately points to a future national salvation:

“And so all Israel will be saved” (Romans 11:26).

Present unbelief does not mean God has abandoned Israel.

Rather, it means God is continuing to unfold His prophetic plan exactly as He promised.

Why Israel’s Unbelief Does Not Negate God’s Hand

Many Christians assume that if God is working through Israel today, then:

• Israel’s government must be righteous.

• Israel’s leaders must be godly.

• Israel’s people must be spiritually faithful.

Scripture never makes those claims.

Throughout biblical history, God continued working through Israel despite repeated seasons of rebellion, unbelief, and disobedience.

If national faithfulness were the standard by which God’s activity was measured, one would have to conclude that God was absent during much of Israel’s Old Testament history.

The Bible teaches the opposite.

God’s covenant faithfulness is not dependent upon Israel’s perfection.

The modern regathering demonstrates God’s faithfulness to His promises, not Israel’s worthiness.

Israel’s Place in the Future Prophetic Program

Numerous prophetic passages indicate that Israel must exist as a nation before end-time events can occur.

Scripture anticipates:

• Israel dwelling once again in the land.

• A future covenant described in Daniel 9:27.

• A period of tribulation and refinement.

• National repentance.

• The return of the Messiah.

• The ultimate restoration of Israel.

The existence of Israel in unbelief is therefore not evidence against prophecy.

It is a necessary element within the prophetic sequence itself.

A Christian Response to Rising Antisemitism

One troubling trend in recent years is the growing belief among some Christians that because Israel does not yet believe in Jesus, support for Israel is unnecessary—or even wrong.

But that conclusion ignores what the prophets plainly taught.

The Bible anticipated:

• Israel’s return in unbelief.

• International hostility toward Israel.

• Growing pressure from the nations.

• God’s preservation of the Jewish people.

• A future national turning to Messiah.

Christians should reject antisemitism in all its forms.

We can acknowledge Israel’s imperfections while still affirming God’s continuing covenant purposes.

Supporting Israel does not require believing that every government policy or military action is correct.

It means recognizing God’s faithfulness to His promises and opposing hatred directed toward the Jewish people.

What Should Christians Do?

The biblical response is neither blind nationalism nor indifference.

Instead, Christians should:

• Rejoice in God’s faithfulness to His Word.

• Pray for the peace of Jerusalem (Psalm 122:6).

• Oppose antisemitism.

• Love the Jewish people.

• Share the gospel with Jewish people.

• Pray for Israel’s future national salvation.

The Jewish people need Jesus just as every other nation does.

Supporting Israel should never diminish our commitment to proclaiming the gospel. Rather, it should increase our anticipation of the day when Israel recognizes her Messiah.

The Bigger Picture

When we step back and view Israel through the lens of biblical prophecy, the modern Jewish return to the land becomes difficult to ignore.

The Bible predicted:

• A worldwide regathering.

• A return to the land in unbelief.

• Continued spiritual blindness.

• Increasing hostility from the nations.

• A future outpouring of God’s Spirit.

• National repentance.

• Israel’s ultimate salvation.

The sequence matters.

The prophets did not foresee a regenerated nation returning to the land.

They foresaw a nation returning first—and then being transformed by God.

The bones have come together.

The nation stands once again in the land.

But the final breath of spiritual life—the great turning to Messiah described by Ezekiel, Zechariah, and Paul—still lies ahead.

For Christians who believe the Scriptures, Israel’s present unbelief is not a reason to withdraw support.

It is one of the strongest evidences that God is keeping His Word exactly as He promised.

—Stuart

It’s the Day of Atonement—Yom Kippur.
You’re standing in Jerusalem nearly 2,000 years ago.

The air is still. The nation is waiting.
The High Priest disappears behind the veil…
carrying blood into the very presence of God.

Everything depends on that moment.

Because everyone knows this truth:

“For the life of the flesh is in the blood… for it is the blood by reason of the life that makes atonement.”
—Leviticus 17:11

Now imagine this:

The Temple is gone.
The altar is gone.
The sacrifices have stopped.

And they have never returned.

So here’s the question:

How are the sins of Jewish people atoned for today?

Why This Matters for Christians

If you have Jewish friends, neighbors, or coworkers, this isn’t theoretical.

Many are deeply sincere, morally serious, and committed to honoring God.

But they are also living within a system that developed after the sacrificial system ended.

To love them well, we need to understand two things:

1. What they believe about atonement today

2. What Scripture actually teaches about atonement

Only then can we clearly—and graciously—point them to the Messiah.

What Changed After 70 A.D.?

In 70 A.D., the Romans destroyed the Second Temple.

That wasn’t just a political event—it created a theological crisis.

Under the Law of Moses, sacrifices could only be offered at the Temple:

“Be careful that you do not offer your burnt offerings in every cultic place you see, but in the place which the LORD chooses…”
—Deuteronomy 12:13–14

No Temple meant no altar.
No altar meant no sacrifices.

So the question became unavoidable:

How can sin be atoned for without the system God Himself established?

How Atonement Is Understood in Judaism Today

In response, rabbinic Judaism developed alternative ways to seek forgiveness.

Today, most Jewish people emphasize:

• Repentance (teshuvah)

• Prayer (tefillah)

• Good deeds (mitzvot)

• Charity (tzedakah)

• Fasting, especially on Yom Kippur

These are sincere and meaningful practices.

Scripture certainly affirms the importance of repentance:

“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise.”
—Psalm 51:17

But the key question remains:

Is repentance alone sufficient for atonement?

What the Bible Actually Teaches

The Bible gives a consistent and unchanging principle:

“For the life of the flesh is in the blood… it is the blood that makes atonement.”
—Leviticus 17:11

And again:

“Without shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.”
—Hebrews 9:22

From the earliest pages of Scripture, the pattern is clear:

• A substitute is provided

• Sin is transferred to that substitute

• The substitute dies

• The sinner is spared

Even in the beginning, after sin entered the world:

“The LORD God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife, and clothed them.”
—Genesis 3:21

A life was given to cover sin.

The Meaning of Yom Kippur

The Day of Atonement makes this unmistakable.

On that day:

• Blood was brought into the Holy of Holies

• A sacrifice was made for sin

• A scapegoat carried sin away

“Then he shall kill the goat of the sin offering… and bring its blood inside the veil… and sprinkle it on the mercy seat.”
—Leviticus 16:15

“He shall lay both of his hands on the head of the live goat… and send it away into the wilderness… and the goat shall bear on itself all their iniquities.”
—Leviticus 16:21–22

The message is unmistakable:

Sin requires death—but God provides a substitute.

The Tension That Remains

Here is the difficulty:

• God required blood for atonement

• The Temple is gone

• No sacrifices have been offered for nearly 2,000 years

So we must ask:

Did God change His requirement?
Or did He provide something greater?

The Prophets Point Forward

The Hebrew Scriptures anticipated a solution.

The prophet Jeremiah wrote:

“I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more.”
—Jeremiah 31:34

The prophet Daniel declared:

“To finish the transgression, to make an end of sin, to make atonement for iniquity…”
—Daniel 9:24

And Isaiah gives the clearest picture:

“He was pierced through for our transgressions…
the LORD has caused the iniquity of us all to fall on Him.”
—Isaiah 53:5–6

This is substitution.
This is atonement.
This is sacrifice.

The Fulfillment: Jesus the Messiah

When John the Baptist saw Jesus, he declared:

“Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!”
—John 1:29

Jesus Christ did not abolish the sacrificial system.

He fulfilled it.

“Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill.”
—Matthew 5:17

He became the final sacrifice:

“Not through the blood of goats and calves, but through His own blood, He entered the holy place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption.”
—Hebrews 9:12

“But He, having offered one sacrifice for sins for all time, sat down at the right hand of God.”
—Hebrews 10:12

“For by one offering He has perfected for all time those who are sanctified.”
—Hebrews 10:14

The Moment Everything Changed

At His death:

“And behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.”
—Matthew 27:51

Access to God was opened.

Not through repeated sacrifices—
but through one perfect atonement.

Why This Matters for Your Jewish Friends

Many Jewish people are sincerely seeking forgiveness.

They pray.
They repent.
They pursue righteousness.

But Scripture makes this clear:

Atonement is not complete without a sacrifice.

This is not about winning arguments.

It’s about helping them see God’s provision.

How Christians Should Respond

With humility.
With compassion.
With truth.

The apostle Paul, himself a Jewish man, wrote this about Jewish people:

“For I testify about them that they have a zeal for God, but not in accordance with knowledge.”
—Romans 10:2 (NASB 1995)

Our role is not to condemn—but to point.

The Gospel, Clearly Stated

• Sin requires atonement

• Atonement requires a sacrifice

• God has provided that sacrifice. His name is Jesus.

“In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace.”
—Ephesians 1:7

A Final Encouragement

If you know someone Jewish, please pray for them.

Ask God for wisdom, love, and opportunity.

Because the story of Scripture leads here:

The Lamb has been provided.

“He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world.”
—1 John 2:2

Blessings to you,

—Stuart

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While some raise legitimate questions, many are persuasive because they simplify extraordinarily complex issues, appeal to our emotions, and confirm what we may already be inclined to believe.

As followers of Jesus Christ we have a biblical obligation to investigate claims carefully before accepting or repeating them. This is especially important when accusations have historically been used to justify hatred and violence against an entire people.

Sadly, many modern conspiracy theories about Israel and the Jewish people are not new discoveries. They are simply old lies dressed in modern clothing.

The Mother of Modern Jewish Conspiracy Theories

Nearly every major conspiracy theory about Jews or Israel can be traced—either directly or indirectly—to one infamous forgery: The Protocols of the Elders of Zion.

First published in Russia in 1903, the Protocols claimed to reveal the secret meeting minutes of Jewish leaders plotting to dominate the world. The document purported to expose a vast Jewish conspiracy controlling governments, banks, the media, education, financial markets, and world events.

It was all a lie.

The Protocols has been repeatedly exposed by journalists, historians, governments, and courts as a complete fabrication. Nevertheless, it remains the most influential antisemitic publication of modern history. It continues to circulate around the world in dozens of languages, both in print and online.

Old Lies in New Forms

Although the accusations continually change, they almost always follow the same pattern established by the Protocols.

1. Jews Secretly Control the World

This is the foundational claim of the Protocols. It alleges that Jews secretly manipulate governments, banking, commerce, education, media, and international politics for global domination.

2. Jews Control the Financial System

Claims that Jewish families secretly manipulate the world’s banking system, financial markets, or economies are centuries old but were popularized by the Protocols. Modern references to secret banking dynasties merely recycle the same accusation.

3. Jews Control the Media and Hollywood

Another familiar allegation is that Jews secretly dominate newspapers, television, Hollywood, and social media in order to shape public opinion and suppress the truth. Again, this simply echoes the Protocols’ claim that Jews secretly control information.

4. Jews Manipulate Nations into War

For centuries Jews have been accused of dragging nations into wars for their own benefit. Today the accusation often appears in claims that Israel or “the Israel Lobby” secretly controls American foreign policy or military decisions.

5. Jews Possess Dual Loyalty

This theory argues that Jewish citizens can never truly be loyal to their own country because they ultimately serve Israel or an international Jewish agenda. Though older than the Protocols, it became one of its central themes and continues to circulate today.

6. Israel or Jews Were Behind 9/11

Almost immediately after September 11, conspiracy theories claimed that Israel or the Mossad orchestrated the attacks or warned thousands of Jews to stay home that morning. Every major version of these claims has been thoroughly disproved, but they persist because they fit the Protocols’ assumption that Jews secretly engineer world events.

7. Jews Created or Profited from COVID-19

During the pandemic, conspiracy theories claimed that Jews either created COVID-19 or profited from vaccines. Similar accusations appeared during the Black Death, when Jews were falsely blamed for poisoning wells and spreading plague.

8. “White Replacement”

Some extremists claim that Jews are orchestrating mass immigration to destroy Western civilization or replace white populations. Although expressed in modern political language, the underlying accusation remains unchanged: Jews are secretly manipulating history.

9. Secret Technologies and “Space Lasers”

Even bizarre claims that Jews control the weather, manipulate natural disasters, or possess hidden technologies follow the same template. The details become more absurd, but the basic accusation never changes.

10. Organ Harvesting and Ritual Murder

Ancient blood libels accused Jews of murdering Christian children for religious purposes. Modern versions accuse Israel of harvesting organs or deliberately targeting civilians as part of organized evil. The details differ; the demonization is identical.

11. Holocaust Denial

Some claim the Holocaust never happened or was exaggerated as part of a Jewish conspiracy to gain sympathy or political influence. Even history’s greatest documented crime against the Jewish people is transformed into another supposed Jewish plot.

The Pattern Never Changes

Notice the recurring theme.

• Jews secretly control powerful institutions.

• Jews manipulate governments and world events.

• Jews create wars, financial crises, or pandemics.

• Jews deceive the public through media and banking.

• Therefore, Jews become responsible for nearly every major problem in history.

This is precisely the worldview promoted by The Protocols of the Elders of Zion.

The names, technologies, and political issues have changed.

The conspiracy has not.

Throughout history these lies have served one purpose: to demonize the Jewish people and justify discrimination, persecution, and violence against them.

A Biblical Response

Christians should be especially cautious before embracing sensational claims about Israel or the Jewish people. Scripture repeatedly warns God’s people against believing accusations without careful examination.

That verse could almost have been written for the age of social media. The first video, article, or podcast often sounds convincing—until the evidence is examined. Wisdom requires investigation before conclusion.

The Bereans provide an example worth following.

“Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.” (Acts 17:11)

If the Bereans carefully tested the preaching of the Apostle Paul, surely we should test the claims of internet personalities, political commentators, anonymous social media accounts, and conspiracy theorists.

Scripture also reminds us:

“Whoever answers a matter before he hears it, it is folly and shame to him.” (Proverbs 18:13)

Many conspiracy theories flourish because people reach conclusions before hearing all the evidence.

God also commands:

“You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.” (Exodus 20:16)

Repeating unverified accusations may make us participants in bearing false witness—even if we sincerely believe them.

Paul likewise exhorts believers:

“Test everything; hold fast what is good.” (1 Thessalonians 5:21)

Biblical discernment is neither naïve nor cynical. It neither believes everything nor assumes hidden conspiracies behind every event. Instead, it patiently weighs evidence, seeks truth, and refuses to spread falsehood.

Conclusion: Followers of the One Who Is Truth

The history of antisemitism teaches a sobering lesson: the accusations change, but the pattern rarely does. Medieval blood libels became modern conspiracy theories. The names, technologies, and political circumstances have changed, but the underlying claim remains the same—that the Jewish people are secretly responsible for the world’s troubles.

Christians should recognize this pattern and refuse to participate in it.

Our Lord identified Himself by saying, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life” (John 14:6). As His followers, we are called to be people of truth. Paul therefore commands believers, “Having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor” (Ephesians 4:25). Truthfulness is not optional; it is a mark of Christian discipleship.

That means we should be slow to believe sensational accusations and even slower to repeat them.

• Proverbs 18:13 reminds us that answering a matter before hearing it is “folly and shame.”

• Proverbs 18:17 teaches that the first account often appears convincing until the evidence is carefully examined.

• 1 Thessalonians 5:21 instructs us to “test everything; hold fast what is good.”

These verses describe the posture of a mature believer. Biblical discernment is neither gullible nor cynical. It is careful, patient, humble, and committed to the truth.

This does not mean Christians must agree with every policy of the modern State of Israel. Nations, including Israel, may be evaluated—and even criticized where criticism is warranted. But our judgments must be grounded in evidence rather than rumors, facts rather than fabrications, and truth rather than prejudice.

The Protocols of the Elders of Zion is one of history’s most destructive lies. For more than a century it has fueled suspicion, hatred, persecution, and violence against the Jewish people. Followers of Jesus should have no part in perpetuating its offspring.

In a world overflowing with misinformation, Christians should be known not for spreading sensational stories, but for loving truth, exercising discernment, and refusing to bear false witness. Such conduct honors Christ, protects our witness, and reflects the character of the One who is Himself “full of grace and truth” (John 1:14).

Pursuing truth with you,

—Stuart

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This world is not your final destination. You are a citizen of another kingdom, traveling through a fallen world toward your heavenly home.

And along the way, you need something indispensable:

👉 The blessing of God.

Without His blessing, you cannot make it.

The good news is that God delights to bless His people.

The text before us makes this wonderfully clear.

📜 An Ancient Blessing

In 1979, archaeologist Gabriel Barkay discovered two tiny silver scrolls while excavating a burial cave in Jerusalem’s Hinnom Valley. Inscribed on them was part of the blessing found in Numbers 6.

These scrolls date to the late seventh or early sixth century B.C.—approximately 400 years older than the biblical manuscripts found among the Dead Sea Scrolls.

For over 2,500 years, these words have testified to one unchanging truth:

God desires to bless His covenant people.

✡️ A Blessing Rooted in Israel’s Covenant Story

God originally gave these words to Aaron, Israel’s high priest, to pronounce over His covenant people. For centuries, faithful Jews heard this blessing spoken over them as a reminder of God’s covenant faithfulness.

Even today, the Aaronic Benediction remains one of the most beloved prayers in Jewish worship.

📜 Christianity did not appear out of nowhere. Our faith is rooted in God’s promises to Israel and fulfilled in Jesus Christ.

The roots are Jewish.

The fulfillment is in Jesus.

And the blessing belongs to all who are united to Him by faith.

📖 The Priestly Blessing

“The LORD spoke to Moses, saying, ‘Speak to Aaron and to his sons, saying, Thus you shall bless the sons of Israel. You shall say to them...’”

— Numbers 6:22–23

God is so committed to blessing His people that He gave specific instructions to His priests regarding how to do it.

The blessing originated with God, but it was mediated through Aaron.

Today, however, we have a greater High Priest.

✝️ The Lord Jesus Christ is the High Priest of a new and better covenant.

As we read this blessing, we should hear it as God’s gracious word to us through Christ Himself.

✨ “The LORD Bless You”

“The LORD bless you and keep you...”

— Numbers 6:24

Interestingly, the word “you” in Hebrew is singular.

This blessing is personal.

If you belong to the Lord Jesus, you can place your own name into it:

“The LORD bless me.”

This is God’s heart toward His people.

Even when His providence is difficult to understand, His desire for the ultimate good of His children never changes.

We often think we know what blessing looks like. God knows better.

Because He is the source of every good gift, being blessed by God is being blessed by the very best.

💡 A Beautiful Word Picture

The Hebrew word behind “bless” carries the idea of kneeling.

Picture a loving father stooping down to meet a small child at eye level.

That is how God blesses.

The infinite God bends low to show kindness to His people.

🛡️ “And Keep You”

“The LORD bless you and keep you.”

— Numbers 6:24

The word keep conveys protection, preservation, and watchful care.

Ancient shepherds sometimes slept across the entrance to their sheepfold, becoming the gate that protected their flock.

What a picture of our Lord.

🐑 Jesus, our Good Shepherd, does not promise a life free from suffering, but He does promise that none of His sheep will be lost.

He is our keeper.

Christians may face hardship, persecution, and even death, but the Good Shepherd never loses His sheep.

If the Lord keeps you, you will be kept.

Forever.

☀️ “The LORD Make His Face Shine Upon You”

“The LORD make His face shine on you, and be gracious to you.”

— Numbers 6:25

Have you ever waited for a loved one at the airport?

You scan the crowd. Then suddenly you see them.

Their face lights up, and so does yours.

That is the picture here.

God’s shining face represents His favor and delight.

You are not lost in a crowd.

He knows you.

He sees you.

He has turned His face—not His back—toward you.

✨ You may experience the frown of the world, but if you belong to Messiah Jesus, you possess something infinitely greater:

You have the smile of God.

Not because of what you have done, but because of whose you are.

You are His.

😊 “The LORD Lift Up His Countenance Upon You”

“The LORD lift up His countenance on you, and give you peace.”

— Numbers 6:26

The pagan nations surrounding Israel imagined gods who were distracted, distant, and difficult to engage.

The God of Israel is entirely different.

His attention toward His covenant people is neither distracted nor reluctant.

👉 You have God’s full attention.

The Creator of the universe is not too busy for you.

His countenance is directed toward you.

And what does that produce?

Peace.

🌿 God’s Smile and Your Peace

The blessing ends with one of the Bible’s richest words:

Shalom.

Shalom is more than the absence of trouble. It is well-being that flows from being in a covenant relationship with God.

Your body may be hurting.

Your finances may be strained.

Your family may be struggling.

Your future may be uncertain.

But because you have peace with God through the Lord Jesus, it can still be well with your soul.

God’s smile. Your peace.

The two belong together.

✝️ A Trinitarian Blessing

Notice the threefold repetition:

The LORD bless you.

The LORD make His face shine upon you.

The LORD lift up His countenance upon you.

Three declarations.

Three blessings.

Three invocations of the divine name.

Many Christians throughout church history have seen here a beautiful foreshadowing of the Trinity:

🔹 The Father blesses.

🔹 The Son blesses.

🔹 The Holy Spirit blesses.

The triune God is fully committed to the blessing of His people.

🏷️ God’s Name Upon You

The blessing concludes:

“So they shall invoke My name on the sons of Israel, and I then will bless them.”

— Numbers 6:27

God places His name upon His people.

This signifies ownership, identity, and belonging.

You bear His name.

You are His possession.

And because you belong to Him, He blesses you.

❤️ A Final Word

For centuries, this blessing has been pronounced over the people of God.

Today, through our Great High Priest, Jesus Christ, it remains gloriously true.

If you belong to Christ:

✅ The Lord blesses you.

✅ The Lord keeps you.

✅ The Lord smiles upon you.

✅ The Lord gives you His full attention.

✅ The Lord grants you peace.

You are traveling home.

The road may be difficult.

The journey may be long.

But you do not travel alone.

You travel under the smile of God.

And that blessing is enough.

—Stuart

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Though many nations act primarily out of economic interests, military calculations, or political ambitions, this is not the case with the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Iran is a revolutionary Islamic regime founded upon a particular interpretation of Shi’ite Islam.

Its leaders do not see themselves simply as politicians.

They see themselves as guardians of a divine mission.

It is theology that drives the Iranian regime.

Understanding this helps explain Iran’s otherwise irrational hostility toward Israel—and toward America.

The Great Divide in Islam

Islam’s two largest branches are Sunni and Shi’a Islam.

The split occurred shortly after the death of Muhammad.

Sunnis believed leadership should be selected by the Muslim community.

Shi’as believed leadership belonged exclusively to Ali, Muhammad’s son-in-law, and his descendants.

Over the centuries, this disagreement evolved into a profound theological division.

Today, most Muslims in the world are Sunni.

Iran stands apart.

Approximately 90 percent of Iranians adhere to Shi’a Islam, specifically the Twelver branch of Shi’ism.

Iran is the only nation whose official state religion is Twelver Shi’ism.

Understanding Twelver Shi’ism is essential to understanding modern Iran.

The Hidden Imam

Twelver Shi’ites believe God appointed a succession of twelve divinely guided Imams descended from Muhammad through Fatimah, Muhammad’s daughter, and Ali.

According to Twelver theology, the Twelfth Imam disappeared in the ninth century and entered what is called the Occultation.

He is known as the Hidden Imam—or the Mahdi.

Twelver believers await his return at the end of history, when he will establish justice throughout the world.

The question naturally arises:

If the rightful ruler remains hidden, who governs until he returns?

The answer became the foundation of the Islamic Republic.

Khomeini’s Revolutionary Vision

In 1979, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini led the revolution that toppled the Shah and transformed Iran into an Islamic republic.

Khomeini advanced the doctrine known as Wilayat al-Faqih—the Rule or Guardianship of the Islamic Jurist.

According to this doctrine, Islamic clerics possess both the authority and responsibility to govern society during the Hidden Imam’s absence.

This is why Iran’s Supreme Leader is not merely a political figure.

He is a religious authority with significant power over military, judicial, and governmental affairs.

Unlike the American system, where church and state are constitutionally separated, Iran’s political structure is built upon the fusion of religion and government.

The Islamic Republic therefore sees itself as far more than another country pursuing national interests.

It sees itself as the custodian of an Islamic revolution and a key player in a larger spiritual drama.

Why “Death to America” and “Death to Israel”?

The revolutionary regime’s hostility toward Israel and the United States is not simply geopolitical.

It is ideological.

It is theological.

Since the revolution, Iranian leaders have repeatedly portrayed America as the “Great Satan” and Israel as an illegitimate entity that should ultimately disappear.

Iran’s leaders view Israel as more than a rival nation.

Israel represents a direct challenge to their vision of Islamic supremacy in the Middle East.

The existence of a thriving Jewish state in territory once ruled by Muslims is considered an insult to Allah.

This explains why Iran spends vast sums funding proxy forces such as Hezbollah and Hamas, surrounding Israel through regional allies and armed movements.

The regime’s war against Israel is not merely political.

It is deeply rooted in its revolutionary worldview.

The leaders of Iran’s ruling establishment see the struggle against Israel and the West as connected to the eventual appearance of the Hidden Imam.

Hence the cries:

“Death to America.”

“Death to Israel.”

The Danger of Apocalyptic Thinking

Many analysts make a serious error when evaluating Iran.

They assume all nations are governed by the same cost-benefit calculations familiar to Western policymakers.

But ideology matters.

Religious belief matters.

Eschatology matters.

Within Iran’s revolutionary movement, the expectation of the Mahdi’s return has often been linked to dramatic end-times expectations.

There is the belief that the Hidden Imam will appear in the midst of a violent conflict marked by the defeat of God’s enemies.

It is firmly believed that Israel and America are God’s enemies.

Iran’s leaders are not unintelligent.

They understand the risks of conflict with Israel and America.

Yet their religious worldview welcomes sacrifice, martyrdom, suffering, and divine destiny in ways that many Western observers struggle to comprehend.

History repeatedly demonstrates that people will die—and kill—for what they believe to be sacred causes.

Which raises some sobering questions.

If a movement sees its objectives as divinely commanded, how much confidence should we place in negotiation alone?

If Iran’s leaders view Israel and America not merely as geopolitical rivals but as theological enemies, how should that affect our understanding of the conflict?

Can you see why the present war with Iran is not, as some claim, merely “Israel’s war”?

Can you see why America—the “Great Satan” in Iran’s revolutionary rhetoric—remains a target as well?

And can you see why many Americans believe the United States and Israel cannot allow Iran to acquire a nuclear weapon?

A Clash of Two Messianic Visions

Ultimately, the conflict goes deeper than politics.

It is a clash of worldviews.

Twelver Shi’ism looks forward to the appearance of the Hidden Imam.

Christianity proclaims that the Messiah has already come.

Jesus Christ is not a hidden figure waiting to emerge from obscurity.

He entered history.

He died on the Cross for sinners.

He rose bodily from the grave.

He ascended into heaven.

And He now reigns at the Father’s right hand.

Christians are not waiting for a political revolutionary to establish God’s kingdom through earthly conquest.

We are waiting for the return of the risen King who has already defeated sin, death, and Satan.

The Gospel advances through the proclamation of truth—not through coercion, violence, or revolutionary upheaval.

The Lesson for the Church

We should pray for the Iranian people, many of whom live under an oppressive regime and long for greater freedom.

We should pray for the salvation of Muslims, including the leaders of Iran.

We should pray for the peace of Jerusalem.

And we should recognize reality.

The Islamic Republic is not simply another government with which the West has policy disagreements.

It is a revolutionary regime animated by religious convictions, hostile toward Israel, antagonistic toward the United States, and committed to advancing an ideology authored by the Prince of Darkness.

The Apostle Paul reminds us:

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. (Ephesians 6:12 NASB1995)

So very grateful for our powerful, all-knowing, fully in control King above all kings.

Come quickly Lord Jesus!

—Stuart

P.S. If you’d like, you can read previous articles in my Archive by clicking on this link: www.fromstuart.com/archive

It is about the sovereignty of God.

Long before Iran existed as a modern nation, the Lord had already revealed Persia’s place in His redemptive plan. From the rise of the Persian Empire to the future invasion described in Ezekiel, one truth stands above every event:

God rules history.

Nations may imagine they are directing the course of history, but Scripture declares otherwise.

As Daniel told King Nebuchadnezzar:

“...the Most High is ruler over the realm of mankind, and bestows it on whom He wishes...“ (Daniel 4:17, NASB1995)

That truth is the foundation for understanding both ancient Persia and modern Iran.

📜 Persia: A Kingdom God Chose to Use

Most history books remember Persia as one of the greatest empires the world has ever known. At its height, it stretched from India to Egypt, ruling millions of people across three continents.

The Bible tells a different story.

Rather than celebrating Persian military power, Scripture emphasizes God’s sovereign control over Persian kings.

Nearly 150 years before Cyrus was born, Isaiah wrote:

“It is I who says of Cyrus, ‘He is My shepherd! And he will perform all My desire.’“ (Isaiah 44:28, NASB1995)

Imagine hearing that prophecy before Cyrus’ grandparents were even born.

Only the God who declares

“...the end from the beginning...“ (Isaiah 46:10)

could name a future king generations in advance.

When Babylon finally fell, Cyrus became the most powerful ruler on earth. Yet the Lord introduced him with remarkable words:

“Thus says the LORD to Cyrus His anointed...“ (Isaiah 45:1, NASB1995)

Cyrus was not an Israelite. He did not worship the God of Abraham. Yet God called him “My anointed” because He had chosen him for a unique purpose—to release the Jewish exiles, rebuild Jerusalem, and restore the Temple.

Think about what that means.

The most powerful man on earth was unknowingly carrying out the plans of the King of Heaven.

That is the sovereignty of God.

It also teaches a lesson every generation needs to remember.

God is never dependent upon believing rulers to accomplish His will.

He raises kings.
He removes kings.
He directs nations.

Presidents, prime ministers, dictators, and emperors exercise only the authority God permits.

As Proverbs reminds us:

“The king’s heart is like channels of water in the hand of the LORD; He turns it wherever He wishes.“ (Proverbs 21:1, NASB1995)

That truth should profoundly shape how Christians read today’s headlines.

🌍 Why Iran Matters

Modern Iran occupies the territory once known as ancient Persia.

Persia appears repeatedly at pivotal moments in biblical history.

• Daniel served under Persian rulers.

• Esther preserved the Jewish people within the Persian Empire.

• Nehemiah received permission from a Persian king to rebuild Jerusalem’s walls.

Again and again, Persia became an instrument through which God advanced His covenant purposes.

Yet Scripture also reveals that Persia will appear once more—not as Israel’s benefactor, but as part of a future coalition against her.

In Ezekiel 38, Persia is specifically listed among the nations that will join Gog in a massive invasion of Israel.

Unlike some of the ancient names in Ezekiel’s prophecy, Persia requires no guesswork.

Persia is modern Iran.

That does not mean every missile launch, diplomatic crisis, or military exercise fulfills Ezekiel 38.

The Bible never encourages newspaper exegesis.

Neither should we ignore developments that move history in the direction Scripture describes.

The wise believer avoids both extremes.

⚔️ Ezekiel 38: A Battle Bigger Than Iran

Why would God permit such an invasion?

At first glance, Ezekiel 38 appears to be about war.

It is actually about the glory of God.

Throughout Ezekiel one phrase appears repeatedly:

“...they will know that I am the LORD.“

That is the heartbeat of the entire prophecy.

The armies of Gog believe they are pursuing their own ambitions. They see Israel dwelling securely. They imagine an easy victory.

What they do not realize is that God Himself is directing history toward His appointed end.

The Lord tells Gog:

“I will turn you about...and bring you out...“ (Ezekiel 38:4, NASB1995)

The coalition marches because it chooses to march.

Yet behind those choices stands the sovereign God who governs the affairs of nations.

History is never out of His control.

In fact, the coming invasion becomes the very means by which God displays His holiness before the watching world.

⚔️ God’s Purpose: More Than Defeating an Army

Ezekiel describes earthquakes, widespread confusion, pestilence, torrential rain, hailstones, fire, and brimstone (Ezekiel 38:19–22).

Israel is not portrayed as winning through military superiority.

The Lord Himself fights for His people.

This should sound familiar.

He drowned Pharaoh’s army in the Red Sea.

He destroyed the Assyrian army in the days of Hezekiah.

And in the future, He will once again demonstrate that the security of His people ultimately rests in Him—not in military alliances or advanced weapons.

But defeating Israel’s enemies is not God’s highest purpose.

The Lord explains His purpose in unmistakable language:

“I will magnify Myself, sanctify Myself, and make Myself known in the sight of many nations; and they will know that I am the LORD.“ (Ezekiel 38:23, NASB1995)

The nations will witness His power.

His holiness will be vindicated.

His name will be exalted.

Yet there is another purpose that is often overlooked.

🇮🇱 A Turning Point for Israel

Ezekiel 39 reveals that this victory is also intended to awaken Israel.

After centuries of discipline, dispersion, and unbelief, the Lord declares:

“And the house of Israel will know that I am the LORD their God from that day onward.“ (Ezekiel 39:22, NASB1995)

Notice the emphasis.

The battle is not simply about judging Gog and his allies.

It is also about God revealing Himself to His covenant people.

Israel will recognize that her preservation has never depended upon political alliances, military strength, or international support.

It has always depended upon the faithfulness of God.

The Lord goes on to promise that after He restores Israel, He will no longer hide His face from them,

“for I shall have poured out My Spirit on the house of Israel.“ (Ezekiel 39:29, NASB1995)

That points beyond a military victory to God’s larger redemptive purpose.

The God who preserves Israel will also restore her.

The God who judges will also show mercy.

That has always been His way.

❤️ God’s Heart for the People of Iran

As Christians, we must distinguish between a government and the people it governs.

The Iranian regime may threaten Israel and persecute believers.

But millions of Iranians are men and women created in the image of God.

They need the same Savior we do.

One of the most remarkable prophecies concerning ancient Elam—located in present-day Iran—ends not with judgment but with hope.

The Lord says:

“‘But it will come about in the last days that I will restore the fortunes of Elam,’ declares the LORD.“ (Jeremiah 49:39, NASB1995)

Even in judgment, God’s heart is toward redemption.

That should shape our prayers.

Rather than viewing the people of Iran merely as characters in future prophecy, we should pray that many will come to saving faith in Jesus Christ.

In fact, some of the most encouraging reports in the global church today come from Iran.

Despite persecution, imprisonment, and government restrictions, many Iranians are turning to Christ.

👑 The Sovereign God Still Reigns

The story of Iran is ultimately the story of every nation.

Kingdoms rise.

Empires fall.

Governments change.

Borders shift.

Military alliances come and go.

But above them all stands the Lord of history.

The God who named Cyrus before he was born...

The God who directed the Persian Empire...

The God who revealed the future to Ezekiel...

The God who rules over Iran today...

He has not changed.

Daniel declared:

“...the Most High is ruler over the realm of mankind, and bestows it on whom He wishes...“ (Daniel 4:17, NASB1995)

✨ Three Truths to Remember

As we watch events unfold in the Middle East, remember these three truths.

1. God rules over every nation—even those that oppose Him.

2. God will fulfill every promise He has made.

3. Our confidence rests in God’s character—not our prophetic timeline.

We may not understand every headline.

We may not know exactly where today’s events fit in God’s prophetic calendar.

But we know the One who holds the calendar.

That changes everything.

—Stuart

To view previous articles click here:

www.fromstuart.com/archive

Jesus said,

“Therefore I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people, producing the fruit of it.” (Matthew 21:43, NASB 1995)

Many Christians read this verse and conclude that God permanently rejected Israel and replaced her with the Church.

But is that really what Jesus meant?

Let’s look at the passage in its context.

Who Was Jesus Speaking To?

Jesus made this statement while telling the Parable of the Wicked Vine-Growers (Matthew 21:33-46).

In the story, the owner of the vineyard sends servants to collect fruit from the tenants. Instead of honoring him, the tenants beat the servants and kill them. Finally, the owner sends his son. They kill him too.

The meaning isn’t difficult to see.

The vineyard represents Israel.

The servants represent God’s prophets, whom Israel repeatedly rejected.

The son represents Jesus Himself.

The tenants represent Israel’s religious leaders.

Now notice something very important.

Just two verses after Jesus says the kingdom will be taken away, Matthew tells us exactly who Jesus was talking about:

“When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard His parables, they understood that He was speaking about them.” (Matthew 21:45, NASB 1995)

That is the key to understanding the passage.

Jesus was speaking directly to the chief priests and Pharisees who had rejected Him. They were the ones who had failed to lead God’s people faithfully.

What Was Being Taken Away?

Jesus said the kingdom would be taken away from “you.”

Who is the “you”?

The context says it was the religious leaders standing before Him.

Jesus was announcing judgment on those who rejected God’s Son.

He was not saying that God had permanently rejected the nation of Israel.

There is a big difference between judging unbelieving leaders and canceling God’s promises to Israel.

Those are two very different ideas.

Does “A People” Mean the Church?

Many teachers say the “people” receiving the kingdom is the Church.

That is certainly one possible interpretation.

But even if it is correct, it still does not prove that the Church replaced Israel.

Today, God is working through the Church to proclaim the gospel to the world. That does not mean His promises to Israel have been canceled.

Other Bible teachers believe the “people” in Matthew 21:43 refers to a future generation of believing Jews who will receive their Messiah when He returns.

Whichever view you take, neither one requires Replacement Theology.

The verse simply doesn’t say that God has abandoned Israel forever.

What Does the Rest of Matthew Say?

One of the best ways to understand a difficult verse is to keep reading.

Just two chapters later Jesus says,

“For I say to you, from now on you will not see Me until you say, ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’” (Matthew 23:39, NASB 1995)

Notice the word until.

Jesus expected a future day when Israel would welcome Him as Messiah.

That doesn’t sound like a nation God has permanently cast aside.

What Does Paul Say?

If anyone wondered whether God had rejected Israel, the Apostle Paul answered the question directly.

“I say then, God has not rejected His people, has He? May it never be!” (Romans 11:1, NASB 1995)

Later in the same chapter Paul explains why:

“...for the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.” (Romans 11:29, NASB 1995)

God’s promises do not change.

Israel’s present unbelief is real, but it is not permanent.

Paul goes on to describe it as a partial hardening that will last only until God’s present work among the Gentiles is complete (Romans 11:25-26).

God Judges Sin—but He Keeps His Promises

Throughout the Old Testament, God repeatedly judged Israel’s kings, priests, and leaders.

He removed unfaithful leaders.

He raised up faithful ones.

But He never broke His covenant with the nation.

Matthew 21 follows that same pattern.

Jesus condemned corrupt leaders who rejected God’s prophets and ultimately rejected God’s Son.

Their privilege was taken away because of unbelief.

But that is very different from saying that God permanently replaced Israel with the Church.

The Real Message of Matthew 21:43

Matthew 21:43 teaches that God removed kingdom privilege from those who refused to believe and entrusted His work to those who would bear fruit.

It does not say that God canceled His promises to Abraham.

It does not say that Israel is no longer God’s covenant nation.

It does not say that the Church has become the “new Israel.”

Those ideas have to be read into the passage—they are not found in the passage.

When Matthew 21 is read in its context and alongside Romans 11, the picture becomes clear.

God judged unbelieving Israel in Jesus’ day.

God is now saving people from every nation through the gospel.

And God will still fulfill every promise He made to Israel.

The God who disciplines His people is also the God who keeps His Word.

And because He is faithful to Israel, we can be confident He will also be faithful to every promise He has made to us.

—Stuart

Myth vs. Fact

To read the previous articles in this series, and to access all articles in my Archive, click here: www.fromstuart.com/archive

In Parts 1 and 2, we explored what Scripture teaches about Israel and what history reveals about the Jewish people’s connection to the land. These foundations help us approach today’s headlines with greater clarity.

When biblical truth and historical record are understood, the increasing misinformation about Israel can be more accurately confronted.

In this final installment, we will examine several widely repeated modern claims about Israel and consider them carefully in light of documented facts, historical background, and responsible reasoning.

“The one who states his case first seems right,
Until the other comes and examines him.”
— Proverbs 18:17 (NASB 1995)

⚔️ Myth vs. Fact — Modern Conflict

Understanding modern Israel requires examining both security realities and humanitarian concerns.

War is never simple, and headlines rarely tell the full story.

❌ Myth

Israel occupies Gaza.

✅ Fact

Israel withdrew all soldiers and settlers from Gaza in 2005.

In August 2005, Israel dismantled its settlements in Gaza and removed thousands of Israeli residents as part of a unilateral withdrawal. Israeli military forces also withdrew completely from the territory.

However, following Israel’s withdrawal, armed groups gained control of Gaza and launched repeated rocket attacks into Israeli civilian areas. In response to ongoing attacks and security threats, Israel and neighboring Egypt imposed border restrictions intended to prevent weapons smuggling and reduce violence.

These measures were not implemented as an attempt to reclaim Gaza, but as a response to sustained security threats.

Scripture acknowledges the responsibility of governments to protect their citizens:

“For it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid;
for it does not bear the sword for nothing.”
— Romans 13:4

National defense is not aggression—it is responsibility.

❌ Myth

Israel intentionally targets civilians.

✅ Fact

Israel targets military threats and uses warnings and evacuation notices to reduce civilian casualties.

Modern urban warfare presents enormous challenges, especially when armed groups operate from densely populated areas. Israel’s military operations focus on military targets such as weapons depots, rocket launch sites, and command centers.

Before many operations, warnings are issued through:

• Phone calls

• Text messages

• Leaflets

• Public announcements

These measures are intended to allow civilians time to evacuate danger zones.

Civilian loss of life is always tragic and should never be minimized. Yet tragedy alone does not prove intent.

Responsible governments must balance defense with protection of civilian life.

❌ Myth

Israel is committing genocide.

✅ Fact

Genocide requires intent to destroy a population.

Genocide is a legal term requiring deliberate intent to eliminate a people group. While war produces suffering and loss, population data provides important context.

Since 1948, the Palestinian population in Israel, Gaza, and the West Bank has grown significantly. Population growth contradicts the definition of genocide, which involves systematic destruction.

Scripture condemns the deliberate destruction of innocent people:

“Thus says the LORD…
Do not shed innocent blood in this place.”
— Jeremiah 22:3

War should never be confused with genocide without careful legal and historical evaluation.

❌ Myth

Israel deliberately starves Gaza.

✅ Fact

Large amounts of humanitarian aid regularly enter Gaza.

Food, water, medical supplies, and fuel are regularly delivered through coordinated humanitarian efforts. International organizations, along with Israeli authorities, facilitate delivery through designated crossings.

However, aid distribution is often complicated by:

• Ongoing conflict

• Infrastructure damage

• Diversion or theft of supplies

• Logistical challenges within Gaza

These factors affect distribution and availability within civilian areas.

Scripture repeatedly commands care for the vulnerable:

“He who is gracious to a poor man lends to the LORD.”
— Proverbs 19:17

Humanitarian concern remains an essential moral responsibility in any conflict.

❌ Myth

Israel is an apartheid state.

✅ Fact

Israel is a democratic state where Jewish and Arab citizens vote, serve in government, and receive legal protections.

Israel’s Declaration of Independence affirms equality regardless of religion, race, or ethnicity. Arab citizens participate actively in Israeli society and serve in:

• Parliament (Knesset)

• Courts

• Universities

• Medicine

• Journalism

• Local government

Unlike real apartheid systems, Israeli law provides voting rights and legal protections to minority populations.

Scripture affirms the importance of justice and fairness:

“Justice, and only justice, you shall pursue.”
— Deuteronomy 16:20

Societies are measured not only by their policies, but by their commitment to justice.

❌ Myth

Israel does not want peace.

✅ Fact

Israel has signed peace agreements with multiple Arab nations and participated in numerous peace negotiations.

Peace agreements have been signed with neighboring nations including:

• Egypt

• Jordan

• United Arab Emirates

• Bahrain

• Morocco

Israel also entered negotiations with Palestinian leadership, including the Oslo Accords and later peace proposals.

Peace has repeatedly been pursued—though not always accepted.

Scripture consistently emphasizes the pursuit of peace:

“Seek peace and pursue it.”
— Psalm 34:14

Peace requires willingness on all sides.

🕊️ Final Series Reflection

Israel remains central to:

• Biblical prophecy 📖

• World history 📜

• Modern geopolitics 🌍

For Christians, the question is not merely political—but theological.

God’s covenant faithfulness remains a powerful reminder of His unchanging nature:

“Thus says the LORD…
If this fixed order departs…
then the offspring of Israel also will cease from being a nation before Me forever.”
— Jeremiah 31:35–36

God’s faithfulness to Israel reminds believers of His faithfulness to all His promises.

Modern debates about Israel often generate strong emotions and divided opinions. Yet believers are called to seek truth with:

• Wisdom

• Humility

• Discernment

Our understanding of Israel must be shaped not merely by headlines, but by:

• Scripture 📖

• History 📜

• Careful reflection 🧠

• Prayer 🕊️

May we continue to pray for peace, pursue truth, and trust in the faithfulness of the God who keeps His promises.

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem:
‘May they prosper who love you.’”
— Psalm 122:6 (NASB 1995)

—Stuart

To read the previous articles in this series, and to access all articles in my Archive, click here: www.fromstuart.com/archive

Click here to see previous articles: www.fromstuart.com/archive

In Part 1, we examined what Scripture teaches about God’s covenant with Israel and the enduring promises connected to the land. Those biblical foundations are essential, but they naturally lead to another important question:

What does history actually show?

Many modern claims about Israel depend on historical assumptions that are repeated so often they sound authoritative. Yet repetition does not equal truth. When examined carefully, the historical record tells a more complete—and often very different—story.

In this second installment, we will examine widely repeated historical claims about Israel and compare them with documented events, legal decisions, and long-standing ties between the Jewish people and the land.

❌ Myth

Jews are foreign colonialists with no connection to the land.

✅ Fact

The Jewish people are indigenous to Israel, with over 3,000 years of recorded presence.

Jewish kingdoms existed in the land long before the rise of Rome, Islam, or modern European powers. Jerusalem became Israel’s capital during the reign of King David around 1000 B.C.

“David captured the stronghold of Zion, that is the city of David.”
— 2 Samuel 5:7

Scripture repeatedly affirms Jerusalem’s central place in Israel’s history:

“Nevertheless, David took the stronghold of Zion, that is the city of David.”
— 1 Chronicles 11:5

Archaeological discoveries—including inscriptions, coins, city ruins, and temple remains—confirm the presence of Jewish civilization throughout the land. Excavations in Jerusalem and surrounding regions continue to uncover physical evidence consistent with the biblical record.

Even after foreign conquests and dispersions, Jewish identity remained tied to this land through language, worship, and national memory.

This is not the pattern of colonial settlement—but of indigenous continuity.

❌ Myth

Palestine was always an Arab country.

✅ Fact

The land was historically known as Judea.

The name Palestine was introduced by the Romans after suppressing Jewish revolts in 135 A.D. Roman Emperor Hadrian renamed the region Syria Palaestina in an effort to minimize Jewish identification with the land.

Yet long before Roman renaming, Scripture consistently referred to the land as belonging to Israel:

“So the LORD gave Israel all the land which He had sworn to give to their fathers, and they possessed it and lived in it.”
— Joshua 21:43

The name itself derived from the Philistines—an Aegean people, not from modern Arabs.

For centuries following Roman rule, the region passed through multiple empires, including:

• Byzantine

• Persian

• Arab

• Crusader

• Ottoman

During these centuries, the land functioned as a province—not an independent Arab Palestinian state.

No independent Arab Palestinian state existed historically prior to the modern era.

❌ Myth

Jews have no historical claim to Israel.

✅ Fact

Jewish civilization in Israel dates back more than 3,000 years.

Israelite society flourished long before many modern nations existed. The kingdoms of Israel and Judah developed:

• Agriculture

• Law

• Worship systems

• Urban life centered around Jerusalem

Even after exile periods, Jewish communities remained active in the land.

Scripture anticipated both exile and return:

“Then the LORD your God will restore you from captivity, and have compassion on you, and will gather you again from all the peoples.”
— Deuteronomy 30:3

Historical records confirm Jewish communities in:

• Jerusalem

• Hebron

• Tiberias

• Safed

These cities became centers of Jewish scholarship, religious life, and culture.

Jewish pilgrims continued traveling to Jerusalem across centuries—even when the land was ruled by foreign empires.

Jewish connection to the land was never abandoned—it was preserved generation after generation.

❌ Myth

Israel was created illegally in 1948.

✅ Fact

Israel’s establishment followed internationally recognized legal processes.

Israel did not emerge suddenly or without legal foundation. Its establishment followed decades of diplomatic recognition and international agreements.

Key Historical Milestones

📜 Balfour Declaration (1917)
Britain publicly supported the establishment of a national home for the Jewish people while protecting the rights of existing non-Jewish communities.

📜 League of Nations Mandate (1922)
The international community formally recognized the historical connection of the Jewish people to the land.

📜 UN Partition Plan (1947)
The United Nations proposed dividing the land into Jewish and Arab states.

Scripture repeatedly emphasizes God’s sovereign role in establishing nations:

“He changes the times and the epochs;
He removes kings and establishes kings.”
— Daniel 2:21

Israel’s founding followed internationally recognized processes—not unilateral action.

❌ Myth

Palestinians were never offered their own state.

✅ Fact

Multiple proposals for Palestinian statehood were offered and rejected.

Several major opportunities for Arab or Palestinian statehood occurred across decades.

Notable Proposals Included:

• 1937 — Peel Commission Partition Plan

• 1947 — United Nations Partition Plan

• 2000 — Camp David Negotiations

• 2008 — Olmert Proposal

Scripture frequently highlights the importance of choosing peace when opportunities arise:

“Seek peace and pursue it.”
— Psalm 34:14

Repeated rejection of partition proposals contributed to continued conflict rather than peaceful coexistence.

History records multiple missed opportunities for negotiated settlement.

❌ Myth

Jews arrived suddenly in the modern era.

✅ Fact

Jewish presence in the land never ceased.

While waves of Jewish migration increased in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, Jewish communities existed in the land long before modern Zionism.

Historical records show:

• Jews became the majority population in Jerusalem by the 1860s

• Jewish agricultural settlements existed before the modern State of Israel

• Jewish religious communities remained active across centuries

This ongoing presence reflects a people returning to ancestral land—not appearing without historical roots.

Scripture anticipated long remembrance of the land:

“If I forget you, O Jerusalem,
May my right hand forget her skill.”
— Psalm 137:5

This pattern reflects restoration—not invention.

✍️ Closing Reflection

History tells a consistent story:

“Israel was not invented in modern times—it was restored after centuries of exile.”

When examined honestly, the historical record reveals enduring connections between the Jewish people and the land of Israel—connections that survived exile, persecution, and foreign rule.

Understanding the historical record helps believers evaluate modern claims more carefully and thoughtfully. It allows Christians to approach difficult conversations:

• With knowledge rather than assumption

• With discernment rather than reaction

“The works of the LORD are great,
Studied by all who delight in them.”
— Psalm 111:2 (NASB 1995)

🔎 Looking Ahead

In our final installment, we will move from history into the present day, examining modern claims about Israel, including:

• War

• Security

• Humanitarian concerns

• The pursuit of peace

🙏 A Personal Note

I am sincerely grateful for your willingness to read these articles, written as an effort to address the increasing spread of misinformation about Israel and the Jewish people, and the antisemitism that so often follows.

— Stuart

📚 Continue Reading

To read Part 1 in this series, as well as all previously written articles, click this link:

www.fromstuart.com/archive

Christians today are hearing many strong claims about Israel—on television, in classrooms, and across social media. Some of these claims sound convincing, yet many are built on assertion rather than evidence.

In today’s information climate, it often seems that an influential voice can make a claim without substantiation, and it quickly takes root in the minds of listeners. Repetition alone can make an idea feel credible, even when it lacks historical or biblical support.

Too often, careful examination and critical thinking are left behind.

But for believers who take God’s Word seriously, it is essential to examine such claims carefully, thoughtfully, and truthfully. Christians are not called to react emotionally—but to think biblically and to measure every claim against truth.

This three-part series is designed to help Christians distinguish between commonly repeated myths and documented facts about Israel—beginning not with politics, but with the Bible itself. 📖

“Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth.”
— John 17:17 (NASB 1995)

📖 Myth vs. Fact — Biblical Foundations

Before discussing headlines, diplomacy, or modern conflict, we must begin where Scripture begins—with God’s covenant purposes.

Israel’s story is not merely political.
It is biblical, historical, and theological.

❌ Myth

The Jewish people are no longer part of God’s plan.

✅ Fact

Scripture clearly teaches that God has not rejected Israel.

Some claim that Israel’s role ended in the New Testament, or that the Church permanently replaced Israel in God’s purposes. Yet the Apostle Paul directly addressed this misunderstanding.

“God has not rejected His people whom He foreknew.”
— Romans 11:2

“For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.”
— Romans 11:29

Paul warned Gentile believers not to become arrogant toward Israel:

“Do not be arrogant toward the branches… but fear.”
— Romans 11:18–21

God’s covenant faithfulness remains central to biblical theology.

The continued existence of the Jewish people—despite centuries of dispersion, persecution, and exile—stands as powerful evidence of God’s preserving hand.

Israel remains part of God’s unfolding redemptive plan.

❌ Myth

Jews have no biblical claim to the land of Israel.

✅ Fact

God promised the land to Abraham and his descendants as an everlasting possession.

This promise was not vague or symbolic—it was specific, repeated, and enduring.

“I will give to you and to your descendants after you… all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession.”
— Genesis 17:8

God reaffirmed this promise multiple times:

• Isaac — Genesis 26:3

• Jacob — Genesis 28:13

• Israel — Exodus 6:8

This repeated reaffirmation shows that the land promise was not temporary or conditional upon a single generation.

Throughout Scripture, the land of Israel is tied directly to God’s covenant dealings with His people. The Old Testament repeatedly records Israel entering, leaving, and returning to the land—yet always under the authority of God’s promises.

❌ Myth

Israel exists only because of modern politics.

✅ Fact

Scripture foretold Israel’s regathering from the nations.

For centuries, the Jewish people lived scattered among nations across Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East. Yet long before modern political movements existed, the prophets spoke of a future regathering.

“I will take you from the nations, gather you from all the lands and bring you into your own land.”
— Ezekiel 36:24

This promise was echoed by multiple prophets:

• Isaiah spoke of gathering from the ends of the earth (Isaiah 11:12)

• Jeremiah foretold restoration to the land (Jeremiah 30:3)

• Amos declared Israel would be planted in their land again (Amos 9:14–15)

For centuries, the Jewish people lived scattered among nations—yet returned in modern times in numbers that history records and Scripture anticipated.

This regathering is not merely political—it reflects the unfolding of biblical prophecy.

❌ Myth

The land promises were symbolic, not literal.

✅ Fact

Scripture repeatedly describes the land as a real geographic inheritance.

Some interpret the land promises as purely spiritual or symbolic. Yet Scripture consistently treats the land as physical territory promised to a physical people.

“You shall live in the land that I gave to your forefathers.”
— Ezekiel 36:28

God’s promises involve both:

• A people

• A land

The covenant with Abraham included specific geographic boundaries (Genesis 15:18–21). Israel’s history repeatedly records physical possession of the land—not symbolic possession.

When Scripture speaks of restoration, it consistently describes return to an identifiable place—not merely spiritual blessing.

❌ Myth

Christians should be neutral about Israel.

✅ Fact

Scripture calls believers to pray for Jerusalem.

Christians are not commanded to ignore Israel, nor to treat it as historically irrelevant. Instead, Scripture encourages active concern for Jerusalem and its peace.

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem:
‘May they prosper who love you.’”
— Psalm 122:6

This does not mean blind support for every government action, nor does it eliminate the need for discernment. But it does mean recognizing that Israel occupies a unique place in God’s covenant purposes.

Believers are called to:

• Pray for peace 🕊️

• Seek understanding 📖

• Pursue truth 🧠

✍️ Closing Reflection

Israel’s story does not begin in 1948—but in Genesis.

Before debates, headlines, or politics, Scripture establishes enduring truths:

• God chose Israel

• God promised the land

• God preserved the people

• God foretold their return

Understanding these truths prepares us to examine the historical claims surrounding Israel.

Christians are called not merely to hold opinions—but to seek truth.

“You will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.”
— John 8:32

📬 Coming in Part 2

We have briefly looked at some of the biblical foundations concerning Israel. In the next installment, we will turn to history itself and examine what the historical record reveals about Israel and the land.

In the meantime, may the Gospel of Peace go forth in Israel, and all places, so that Jesus, the Prince of Peace, may rule in Jewish and Gentile hearts.

— Stuart

For many Christians, the connection to Jesus seems unmistakable.

But that raises an important question:

If Isaiah 53 appears to point so clearly to Jesus, why do most Jewish people not see it that way?

Let’s take a look at the most popular alternatives.

Early Jewish Interpretation: A Personal Messiah

It may surprise some readers to learn that…

Some of the earliest written interpretations describe a servant who would suffer on behalf of others. In these early traditions, the servant was not primarily seen as the nation of Israel, but as a person—an individual chosen by God.

This is significant because it shows that the concept of a suffering Messiah did not originate with Christianity. It already existed within Jewish interpretation before the rise of the Christian church.

But over time, another interpretation gained influence.

The Rise of the Israel-as-Servant Interpretation

Beginning in the medieval period, a different explanation gradually became dominant.

This interpretation taught that the Servant in Isaiah 53 represents the nation of Israel, not an individual Messiah.

The figure most closely associated with this interpretation is Rabbi Shlomo Yitzchaki, better known as Rashi, who lived in the eleventh century.

Rashi proposed that the suffering described in Isaiah 53 reflects the suffering of the Jewish people throughout history—their persecution, exile, and hardship among the nations.

In this reading:

• The servant is Israel

• The suffering represents national hardship

• The future exaltation reflects Israel’s eventual restoration

Today, this interpretation remains widely taught within traditional Judaism.

Yet when we examine the text closely, several challenges arise.

The Difficulty of Identifying the Servant as Israel

When Isaiah 53 is read carefully, certain details appear difficult to reconcile with the idea that the servant represents the nation as a whole.

Consider Isaiah 53:6:

“All of us like sheep have gone astray…
But the LORD has caused the iniquity of us all
To fall on Him.”

Notice the distinction:

• “us” — those who have sinned

• “Him” — the one who bears sin

The servant is portrayed as bearing the sins of others. If the servant represents Israel collectively, the picture becomes difficult to explain: Israel would be both the guilty party and the sin-bearing substitute.

Another example appears in Isaiah 53:8:

“…He was cut off out of the land of the living
For the transgression of my people, to whom the stroke was due.”

Here, “my people” refers to Israel. The servant suffers for Israel—not as Israel.

And in Isaiah 53:9:

“…He had done no violence,
Nor was there any deceit in His mouth.”

The servant is described as completely innocent—without violence or deceit. Yet the Old Testament repeatedly portrays Israel as a nation in need of repentance, not as a sinless substitute.

For these reasons, some Jewish scholars themselves questioned the national interpretation.

Jewish Voices That Favored a Personal Servant

Not every Jewish interpreter accepted the Israel-as-servant view.

For example, Rabbi Moshe Kohen ibn Crispin, a fourteenth-century Jewish scholar from Spain, argued that interpreting Isaiah 53 as referring to Israel:

“…distorts the passage from its natural meaning.”

He believed the chapter described a personal Messiah rather than a collective nation.

Other interpreters who rejected the national interpretation still proposed individual alternatives. Among the suggested identities were:

• Isaiah himself

• King Cyrus

• King Hezekiah

• Josiah

• Jeremiah

• Ezekiel

• Moses

• Job

• Or an unnamed righteous individual

These proposals demonstrate that, even among those who rejected the Israel interpretation, there was no universal agreement about the servant’s identity.

Why the Israel Interpretation Became Influential

Understanding historical context helps explain why the Israel-as-servant interpretation became widely accepted.

After the rise of Christianity, believers frequently used Isaiah 53 to argue that Jesus was the promised Messiah. In response, Jewish scholars developed alternative readings that preserved traditional expectations of a Messiah who would triumph politically and restore national strength.

Over time, Rashi’s interpretation gained prominence and became widely taught within Jewish communities.

Today, many Jewish readers encounter Isaiah 53 through this inherited interpretive tradition.

A Personal Observation: The Missing Chapter

Allow me to share a personal memory.

In Jewish tradition, when a boy turns thirteen, he celebrates his Bar Mitzvah. During the ceremony, he chants a passage of Scripture assigned according to the weekly reading cycle.

Based on the timing of my birthday, I should have been assigned a reading from Isaiah 53.

But I was not.

Instead, the reading moved directly from Isaiah 52 to Isaiah 54.

Isaiah 53 was skipped.

At the time, I did not question it. That was simply the assigned reading. But later, after reading Isaiah 53 for myself, I began to wonder why such a remarkable passage would not be included in the regular synagogue cycle.

That discovery became part of my own journey toward recognizing Jesus as Messiah.

And I am not alone.

The Question Still Stands

So we return to the central question:

If Isaiah 53 is not about Jesus—then who is it about?

Is it:

• A nation?

• A prophet?

• A king?

• A symbolic figure?

Each proposal faces challenges when measured against the details of the text.

But when those details are compared carefully with the life of Jesus, the correspondence is striking.

Consider again what Isaiah foretold:

• A servant rejected by his own people

• A man of sorrows

• One who suffers silently

• One pierced for transgressions

• One buried with the rich

• One who lives again after death

• One who bears the sins of many

Taken together, these details form a portrait that aligns remarkably with the Gospel accounts of Jesus.

An Understanding Approach Matters

When discussing Isaiah 53 with Jewish friends, humility matters.

These are sacred texts within Jewish tradition. Interpretations are shaped not only by theology but also by history, identity, and community experience.

Many Jewish people have inherited centuries of misinterpretation of texts like Isaiah 53.

Understanding that background encourages better conversations.

It replaces confrontation with thoughtful dialogue.

A Simple Invitation

One of the most meaningful ways to begin such a conversation is also the simplest.

Share Isaiah 53:6:

“All of us like sheep have gone astray,
Each of us has turned to his own way;
But the LORD has caused the iniquity of us all
To fall on Him.”

Then ask:

Who do you think Isaiah is describing?

That question invites reflection.

Not argument.

Not pressure.

Reflection.

A Final Word

Isaiah 53 stands as one of the most remarkable passages in all of Scripture.

It speaks of suffering.

It speaks of substitution.

It speaks of redemption.

And it leaves every reader with a decision:

Who is the Suffering Servant?

We Christians believe the answer is clear.

The servant is Jesus—the One who bore sin, died in our place, and rose again.

And perhaps it still will be.

May the Lord grant you the privilege and opportunity of sharing Isaiah 53 with a Jewish or Gentile friend.

I am ETERNALLY grateful for the Gentile friend who shared it with me.

—Stuart

That is exactly what we find in Isaiah 53.

Isaiah lived approximately seven centuries before the birth of Jesus. Yet in Isaiah 53, he describes a Servant who suffers unjustly, bears the sins of others, dies among the wicked, is buried with the rich, and ultimately triumphs.

It is one of the most remarkable passages in all of Scripture.

As we begin Isaiah 53, consider asking your Jewish friends:

Who Is Isaiah Talking About?

Rejected Before He Was Understood

Isaiah 53:1

Who has believed our message?
And to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?

These words carry a tone of grief. The message has been announced—but not widely believed.

The phrase “arm of the Lord” refers to God’s saving power. It pictures God stepping forward in strength to deliver His people.

Yet many failed to recognize that deliverance when it came.

Why?

Isaiah explains.

An Unexpected Messiah

Isaiah 53:2

For He grew up before Him like a tender shoot,
And like a root out of parched ground;
He has no stately form or majesty
That we should look upon Him,
Nor appearance that we should be attracted to Him.

The Messiah would not look like what people expected.

Instead of towering greatness, He would resemble a tender shoot growing from dry ground—fragile, unimpressive, easily overlooked.

There would be no outward splendor, no royal appearance, nothing that naturally commanded attention.

This reflects the life of Jesus.

He was born not in a palace, but in poverty. He grew up in Nazareth—an obscure village so insignificant that people once asked, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?”

He appeared ordinary.

Not ugly. Not regal. Simply ordinary.

And that disappointed expectations.

The Scottish writer George MacDonald captured this contrast beautifully:

They were all looking for a king
To slay their foes and lift them high;
You came a little baby thing
That made a woman cry.

Despised and Rejected

Isaiah 53:3

He was despised and forsaken of men,
A man of sorrows and acquainted with grief;
And like one from whom men hide their face
He was despised, and we did not esteem Him.

People evaluated Him—and dismissed Him.

The word esteemed carries the idea of assigning value. He was assessed and judged unworthy.

This description fits the life of Jesus with striking accuracy.

He was mocked, spat upon, beaten, and crowned with thorns. Public humiliation became part of His path.

He was misunderstood—even by those closest to Him.

He truly became a man of sorrows, familiar with grief.

But Isaiah now reveals something astonishing.

He Suffered for Us

Isaiah 53:4–5

Surely our griefs He Himself bore,
And our sorrows He carried;
Yet we ourselves esteemed Him stricken,
Smitten of God, and afflicted.

But He was pierced through for our transgressions,
He was crushed for our iniquities;
The chastening for our well-being fell upon Him,
And by His scourging we are healed.

Here we arrive at the very heart of the Gospel.

Notice how often the word our appears.

Not His sins.

Our sins.

People assumed His suffering meant God was punishing Him for wrongdoing.

But Isaiah tells us the opposite.

He was:

• pierced

• crushed

• scourged

Not for His own guilt—but for ours.

The healing Isaiah describes is primarily spiritual. It addresses the deepest human problem—the sickness of sin.

As someone once observed:

The Universality of Sin

Isaiah 53:6

All of us like sheep have gone astray,
Each of us has turned to his own way;
But the LORD has caused the iniquity of us all
To fall on Him.

This verse describes the human condition with painful honesty.

We have all gone astray.

Sin is choosing our own path instead of God’s.

Like sheep wandering without a shepherd, we move toward danger without realizing it.

Yet God did something extraordinary:

He placed our sin on Him.

This is substitution—the very center of the Gospel.

Silent Submission

Isaiah 53:7

He was oppressed and He was afflicted,
Yet He did not open His mouth;
Like a lamb that is led to slaughter,
And like a sheep that is silent before its shearers,
So He did not open His mouth.

Jesus stood silent before His accusers.

Not because He lacked an answer—but because He willingly submitted.

His silence was not weakness.

It was obedience.

It was love.

Cut Off From the Living

Isaiah 53:8–9

By oppression and judgment He was taken away…
For the transgression of my people to whom the stroke was due.

His grave was assigned with wicked men,
Yet with a rich man in His death,
Because He had done no violence,
Nor was there any deceit in His mouth.

Though innocent, He was executed.

Though condemned as a criminal, He was buried with honor.

This was fulfilled when Joseph of Arimathea, a wealthy man, placed Jesus in his own tomb.

His burial confirmed His death—and fulfilled prophecy.

The Mystery of God’s Plan

Isaiah 53:10

But the LORD was pleased to crush Him,
Putting Him to grief;
If He would render Himself as a guilt offering,
He will see His offspring,
He will prolong His days…

These words can feel difficult at first.

How could God be pleased to crush Him?

Because His suffering accomplished redemption.

The Servant became a guilt offering—a sacrifice for sin.

Yet notice what follows:

He will see His offspring.
He will prolong His days.

This points beyond death.

It points to resurrection.

Satisfaction and Justification

Isaiah 53:11

As a result of the anguish of His soul,
He will see it and be satisfied;
By His knowledge the Righteous One, My Servant,
Will justify the many,
As He will bear their iniquities.

The Servant would be satisfied because His work would succeed.

Through Him, sinners could be declared righteous.

Not earned.

Given.

That is justification.

Victory After Suffering

Isaiah 53:12

Therefore, I will allot Him a portion with the great…
Because He poured out Himself to death,
And was numbered with the transgressors;
Yet He Himself bore the sin of many,
And interceded for the transgressors.

Rejected by men.

Exalted by God.

Dishonor turned into glory.

Death turned into victory.

Fulfilled in Jesus

Consider how closely these details align with the life of Jesus.

Isaiah foretold that:

• The Messiah would come from humble beginnings

• He would be rejected by many

• He would suffer unjustly

• He would remain silent before accusers

• He would be pierced

• He would die with criminals

• He would be buried with a rich man

• He would rise and be exalted

Seven hundred years later, Jesus fulfilled these details—not by coincidence, but by divine design.

The Heart of the Message

Isaiah 53 is the Gospel—written centuries before the Cross.

It reveals:

• The seriousness of sin

• The depth of God’s love

• The cost of redemption

• The certainty of victory

The Suffering Servant did not suffer accidentally.

He suffered intentionally.

For Jewish people and for Gentile people.

A Final Reflection

Isaiah closes this passage with a Servant who bears sin, intercedes for sinners, and triumphs after suffering.

That description fits only one person.

Yeshua HaMaschiach… Jesus the Messiah.

The One who:

• Was despised

• Was pierced

• Was buried

• Was raised

• And now reigns

Isaiah saw Him—seven hundred years before He came.

A Jewish prophet spoke to Jewish people of a Jewish Messiah in the Jewish scriptures.

My fellow believers, let me encourage you to ask God to give you an opportunity to share Isaiah 53 with a Jewish person.

Ask this simple question:

Who do you think the Jewish prophet Isaiah is speaking of in Isaiah 53?

I am so grateful for the Gentile believer who helped me to find Jesus, my Messiah.

—Stuart

In effect, Israel said:
“Thank You, God… but no thanks.”

If you were God, how would you respond?
Would you obliterate Israel? You surely would be justified in doing so.

But with God, there is always a divine surprise. ✨

God did not obliterate Israel.
Instead, He gave Israel the king she demanded.

His name was Saul.

A King Like the Nations… and the Consequences

Saul got off to a promising start, but he could never provide for Israel as God would have. As a result, Israel fell prey to the predators around her—Moabites, Ammonites, Philistines, and others.

Eventually, Israel cried out to God for help.

Again, imagine yourself in God’s place.
How would you respond?

Would you say:
“Tough luck.”

That response would certainly be understandable.

But once again, we encounter the surprising grace of God. 💡

Here is what we read in 1 Samuel 12:22 (NASB 1995):

“For the Lord will not abandon His people on account of His great name, because the Lord has been pleased to make you a people for Himself.”

Wow!
Grace greater than all their sin. 🙌

God’s faithfulness to Israel persisted in spite of her unfaithfulness.

Why?
What was so special about Israel?
What good thing was in her?

Nothing.
No good thing.

She sinned.
She rejected God as her King.

And yet—
on account of His great name—
He did not, He would not, He never will reject Israel, His people.

The Real Point: God’s Character

Those who believe Israel’s sin exceeded God’s grace—that He had enough of Israel and rejected and replaced her—are missing the point.

The point is not Israel.
The point is the character of God.

In spite of Israel’s unfaithfulness, God would not reject her—
on account of His great name.

Listen to what we read in 2 Timothy 2:13 (NASB 1995):

“If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself.”

Too Good to Be True?

This sounds almost too good to be true.

How can I believe that God’s faithfulness exceeds my unfaithfulness?

The answer is simple:

Look at how God responded to unfaithful Israel.

That is exactly how He responds to all those who, by faith, have been adopted into His family. 👑

And just when you think God’s gracious response to Israel is beyond reason, we read the final phrase of 1 Samuel 12:22:

“…because the Lord has been pleased to make you a people for Himself.”

God is not pleased with sin.
And He will allow His people to experience the natural consequences of sin.

But God will never abandon His people because of their sin.

Why not?

Because:

1️⃣ His Name
His character. His faithfulness to His promises.

2️⃣ His Pleasure
He has been pleased to make Israel a people for Himself.

As With Israel… So With You

So what’s the point?

Simple.

As with Israel, so too with you who are in Christ. ✝️

Though you and I may sin, our Savior will never abandon us,
on account of His great name.

And not only that—

our Savior has been pleased to make us a people for Himself.

The Right Response to Sin

I do not want to encourage sin.

But I do want to encourage the right response to sin:

✔️ Confess it
✔️ Repent of it
✔️ Run back to the Savior’s loving embrace

There is no need to run from Him.

Run to Him.

He will never abandon you—
even when you have sinned against Him.

Why?

Because He is pleased to have made you His. ❤️

Grace Greater Than All Our Sin 🎶

In 1911, Julia H. Johnston wrote the beloved hymn:

“Grace Greater Than All Our Sin.”

Its refrain beautifully captures this truth:

Grace, grace, God’s grace,
Grace that will pardon and cleanse within;
Grace, grace, God’s grace,
Grace that is greater than all our sin!

The Final Word

Saved by grace.
Sanctified by grace.
Sustained by grace.

God’s grace.

As with Israel,
so too with all who have accepted Messiah Jesus as Savior.

Grace that is greater than all our sin. ✝️✨

—Stuart

P.S. If you are a new subscriber, you may not know that you can access all previous articles by going to my Archive at: www.fromstuart.com/archive