We should rather find it worrying or strange that as God’s people, we can rightly use Psalm 121, and other similar passages – e.g. Isaiah chapters 41 & 43, to pray and partake of their blessings, despite their direct references to Israel but when it comes to the following Psalm, Psalm 122, where an exhortation is also made to God’s people to pray for the peace (Hebrew word “shalowm”, which also means prosperity, health, welfare, tranquility), of Jerusalem, and by extension Israel, we may find reasons to rid ourselves of this responsibility. And still wonder if it’s only the blessings that apply to us but not the responsibility—although both are directed to God’s people. Indeed, the Scriptures lay a clear basis for the church to stand with the nation of Israel, while showing compassion and help for human suffering wherever they occur.
In Ephesians 2, the Scriptures clearly establishes the Gentile believers’ inclusion, not replacement, into the nation of Israel, which gives gentile Christians the right of citizens to enjoy the blessings of God, and adoption as sons and daughters which belonged to Israel (cf. Romans 9:4-5). Ephesians 2:11-13 read thus, “Therefore remember that formerly you, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called “Uncircumcision” by the so-called “Circumcision,” which is performed in the flesh by human hands— remember that you were at that time separate from Christ, excluded from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ” (Ephesians 2:11-13). The Greek word translated “commonwealth” is “politeia”, which also means citizenship, state, or rights of a citizen. Thus, we learn from Ephesians 2 that in Christ, Gentile believers have been included as citizens of the nation of Israel along with the rights of citizenship (Ephesians 2:11-13). This is why the church, including gentile Christians, can also rightfully claim the promises God, which were exclusively Israel’s (Romans 9:4-5, Ephesians 2:11-13). Moreover, Jesus Himself, after His death and resurrection, does not shy away from His Jewish identity, and is also referred to in Heaven as the Lion of tribe of Judah, the Root of David (cf. Revelation 5:5). A basic duty of citizens is to stand with their nation and people, and seek their good and welfare. Even so, since in Christ we have been included in the commonwealth/citizenship of Israel, we should rather question ourselves, if we are not standing with and seeking the welfare of the nation of which Christ has made us partakers- just as God demands of His people: “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: May they prosper who love you. May peace be within your walls, and prosperity within your palaces (Psalm 122:6-7). We are told in James “If a brother or sister is without [adequate] clothing and lacks [enough] food for each day, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace [with my blessing], [keep] warm and feed yourselves,” but he does not give them the necessities for the body, what good does that do? (James 2:15-17). Similarly, it does little good to only pray for Israel, if we are able to help them materially in their time of need (e.g. partner with ministries with missions to Israel) but we refuse to do so.
Again in Romans 11, the Scriptures strongly affirm the gentile Christians inclusion into the nation of Israel, and warn against any attitude of arrogance/pride, which the gentile church may exhibit towards the nation of Israel. Here is what the Bible says, “But if some of the branches [Israelites] were broken off, and you [Gentiles], being a wild olive, were grafted in among them and became partaker with them of the rich root of the olive tree, do not be arrogant toward the branches; but if you are arrogant, remember that it is not you who supports the root, but the root supports you. 19 You will say then, “Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in.” Quite right, they were broken off for their unbelief, but you stand by your faith. Do not be conceited, but fear; for if God did not spare the natural branches, He will not spare you, either”….For if you were cut off from what is by nature a wild olive tree, and were grafted contrary to nature into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these who are the natural branches be grafted into their own olive tree? (Romans 11:17-20,24). This completely obliterates the Replacement Theology (the teaching that the church has replaced Israel). Here, Paul reaffirms that through faith In Jesus, the gentiles, as wild olive branches, have now been grafted into the cultivated, olive tree, Israel, with Israel being the root that supports the gentile branches. It’s the same truth Paul shares in Ephesians 2, noting that the gentiles believers are now partakers of the commonwealth/citizenship of Israel in Christ. Consequently, the church is warned against any pride it may exhibit towards Israel. The establishment of the Jewish roots of Christianity and the warning to gentile believers against pride towards Israel (Romans 11), should teach the church, and particularly gentile Christians, that the Scriptures call for honour and thereby support for Israel, whose rich heritage we have been made partakers. This truth is exemplified in Romans 15.
In Romans 15, the church in Achaia and Macedonia were commended for supporting the church in Jerusalem on this basis: “Yes, they were pleased to do so, and they are indebted to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in their spiritual things, they are indebted to minister to them also in material things” (Romans 15:27). This was written for our learning and profitable for doctrine that we may learn to live accordingly (cf. Romans 15:4, 2 Timothy 3:16-17). From the Scriptures, the spiritual things/benefits of Jews or Jewish believers, which gentiles partake of is not restricted to Jewish saints. Rather, it is thoroughly explained in the New Testament to encompass the rich spiritual heritage of the nation of Israel which gentile believers share in, including God’s promises and adoption as sons and daughters, and also from whom (Israel) is Christ according to His human descent/nature (see Romans 9:4-5, Romans 11:17-24, Ephesians 2:11-13). If it is by sharing in Israel’s spiritual blessings and heritage that the gentile Christians were required to minister to the Jewish believers, then it does follow that we (gentiles) are indeed spiritually indebted to nation of Israel, whose spiritual heritage we now partake of. I believe it is this same exhortation that is given us, as God’s people, to seek the peace and prosperity of Israel (cf. Psalm 122).
Additionally, if we know the purposes of God for Israel, including His declaration to fight for and liberate Israel from the gentile nations that would gather to destroy it in the greatest time of trouble the world will ever see, and His purpose to make Israel a glorious habitation in the earth from where Jesus will rule the whole earth in the age to come, with gentile nations required to visit Israel yearly to worship the King of kings (e.g., Zechariah chapters 12-14, Ezekiel 38 &39, the book of Revelation), then it should be impossible for any Christian who claims to live for the purposes and will of God not to see a biblical case for the church to stand with, pray for, and support the nation Israel.
This does not mean that we must support every single decision the Israeli government or people make, even if those decisions contradict the Scriptures. Neither does this mean that we do not show compassion and help for human suffering everywhere, and pray for all the afflicted as we continually endeavour to preach the gospel to all nations. Even so, as those who have been made partakers of the rich roots of Israel in Christ, we are taught in Scripture to honour, stand with and support Israel. And we simply align ourselves with God’s purpose if we do.
Kwadwo Omari, PhD
October 17, 2023
A Very Important Message
For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life (John 3:16). For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 6:23). Therefore, If you do not know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour, I invite you to put your faith in Him. Pray the prayer below to accept Jesus Christ as your Saviour: “I come to you God in Jesus’ name and surrender my life unto you. I repent of my sins and I ask You to forgive me all my sins. I confess with my mouth that Jesus is Lord, and I believe with my heart that God has raised Jesus from the dead. I thank you God for saving me, in Jesus name, Amen”. If you sincerely prayed this prayer, believe and be assured that you are saved, for the Bible says that whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved (Romans 10:13, Romans 10:9-10, Acts 16:31). Find a Bible believing church to attend so that you can be taught and trained to grow in the ways of God. You can also email me ([email protected]) and I will be happy to grow together with you in Christ. God bless you.