Is the Modern State of Israel the Israel of the Bible?

A Response

This question is being asked by an increasing number of social media influencers and podcasters, and by a growing number of Christians.

At first glance, the answer appears to be no.

After all… Biblical Israel was a covenant people, governed by Torah and centered on temple worship. Modern Israel is a secular democracy, established by international decree, without a temple or priesthood. Clearly, the two are not identical.

But the question itself is too narrow. I’d prefer that we seek a biblically supported answer to this question:

Does God’s covenant relationship and redemptive plan for biblical Israel continue with the Jewish people and the Israel of today?

To this question, I offer a resounding YES! And here is why:

God’s Covenant Was Never Revoked

God’s covenant with Abraham was unconditional and everlasting (Gen. 12:1–3; 15:18; 17:7–8). It promised a people, a land, and blessing to the nations. Israel’s later disobedience brought discipline—even exile—but never cancellation.

As the apostle Paul affirms: “The gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable” (Rom. 11:29).

Scripture consistently teaches that God scatters Israel in judgment and regathers her in grace. Exile does not erase election.

The Prophets Foretold a Worldwide Regathering

The Hebrew prophets repeatedly spoke of a physical return of Israel to the land, one far larger than the limited return from Babylon.

Isaiah foresaw a future regathering “from the four corners of the earth” (Isa. 11:11–12), tied to the Messianic hope of Isaiah 11:1–10.

Ezekiel likewise described Israel being restored to the land before spiritual renewal (Ezek. 36:24–27).

Ezekiel’s vision of the valley of dry bones makes the sequence unmistakable. The bones come together, then flesh forms, and only afterward does God breathe life into them (Ezek. 37:5–10).

God explains plainly:

“Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel” (Ezek. 37:11).

This is a two-stage restoration:

1. Physical regathering of Israel to the land

2. Later spiritual renewal by God’s Spirit

Modern Israel Fits the Prophetic Pattern

For nearly two millennia, the Jewish people were dispersed among the nations—yet preserved as a distinct people (Jer. 31:35–37). In the wake of unprecedented persecution, including the Holocaust, they returned to the same land promised to Abraham (Gen. 12:7).

Hebrew was revived as a living language. A nation was reborn in a single generation. “Can a nation be born in a day?” (Isa. 66:8).

No other ancient people has lost its land, retained its identity, and regained national sovereignty after millennia. Biblically speaking, this follows the pattern God declared long ago: scatter, preserve, regather (Deut. 30:3; Ezek. 36:24).

Return in Unbelief Is Not a Problem—it Is a Prophecy

Many Christians assume that if Israel’s return has prophetic significance, Israel must already be righteous. Scripture says otherwise.

God explicitly declares that He regathers Israel not because of their faithfulness, but for the sake of His holy name (Ezek. 36:22–24).

Zechariah foretells Israel’s repentance after they are back in the land, when they look upon “the one whom they have pierced” (Zech. 12:10).

Paul confirms the same pattern in the New Testament. Israel is presently experiencing a “partial hardening” that will last “until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in,” after which there will be a future national turning to Messiah (Rom. 11:25–26).

The return comes first. Repentance follows.

The Church Does Not Replace Israel

The New Testament does not teach that the church replaces Israel. Instead, Gentile believers are described as branches grafted into Israel’s olive tree (Rom. 11:17–24).

Paul warns Gentile Christians explicitly:

“Do not be arrogant toward the branches” (Rom. 11:18).

God has one redemptive plan, but distinct roles for Israel and the nations.

Is Israel Just Another Nation?

Yes, Israel is a modern state with fallible leaders and imperfect policies. Christians are not required to endorse everything the Israeli government does.

But Israel is also not merely another nation. Its preservation, regathering, and restoration align strikingly with biblical prophecy and defy historical probability (Isa. 11:11–12; Ezek. 36–37).

Why This Matters

Denying Israel’s ongoing covenant role has historically fueled Christian antisemitism and distorted biblical theology. Affirming God’s faithfulness to Israel honors Scripture and renews urgency for the gospel— “to the Jew first and also to the Greek” (Rom. 1:16).

Conclusion

Modern Israel is not the final fulfillment of God’s promises—but it is biblically significant. The Jewish people have returned to their land in unbelief, exactly as the prophets foretold. Scripture anticipates a future spiritual awakening that will bless the entire world (Rom. 11:12).

The existence of Israel today testifies not to Israel’s righteousness, but to God’s faithfulness. The God who brought Israel home in unbelief will, in His time, bring them fully home to Himself.