Psalm 147:20

We may think It’s great to be American or English, French or German or maybe Chinese or Indian, the list is a long one and could embrace every nation, race and language across the world, but however proud we are of our heritage, in Biblical terms one nation surpasses all others. It is Israel, and in this day and age, that is a very controversial and provocative thing to say. What are the grounds for such an opinion? Read these verses carefully.

“The Lord said to Abram, “I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing.””  Genesis 12 :1-2. See also Genesis 15.

“There above the stairway stood the LORD, and he said to Jacob: “I am the LORD, the God of your father Abraham and the God of Isaac. I will give you and your descendants the land on which you are lying. Your descendants will be like the dust of the earth, and you will spread out to the west and to the east, to the north and to the south. All peoples on earth will be blessed through you and your offspring.”” Genesis 28:13-14

“You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to Myself. Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine. And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.' These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel.” Exodus 19:4-6

“So the LORD gave to Israel all the land of which He had sworn to give to their fathers, and they took possession of it and dwelt in it. The LORD gave them rest all around, according to all that He had sworn to their fathers. And not a man of all their enemies stood against them; the LORD delivered all their enemies into their hand. Not a word failed of any good thing which the LORD had spoken to the house of Israel. All came to pass.” Joshua 21:43-45

“At the same time,' says the LORD, 'I will be the God of all the families of Israel, and they shall be My people.” Jeremiah 31:1

“who are Israelites, to whom pertain the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the service of God, and the promises;” Romans 9:4

We could go on, there are countless Bible verses that reinforce the role of Israel in the world and that highlight the importance of those chosen people in God’s thinking. Do they deserve this special treatment? No! Have they earned it? No! According to this verse they do not even know God’s laws and that is certainly true today. The only reason that they are different is because God has decreed it. In fact, there are many passages in Scriptures that talk of His anger and exasperation at their idolatry and rebellion. For an up-to-date assessment of the current nation of Israel, read Ezekiel 36 and you will see that the reason they have taken repossession of the land is “for the sake of God’s name!”  The church has not replaced Israel, for the covenant promises He made with them are forever! This is the single rationale behind why Jews are so hated and despised today and have been throughout the centuries. This is why they somehow survive despite the persecution and hostility of the nations, as our verse reminds us “He has done this for no other nation. Praise the Lord.”

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