Chapter 5: Chosen for Service NOT Privilege (Who are the Israel of God?)

By Hazel Holland

After the call of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, God’s election was passed on to Jacob’s twelve sons. Since God had changed Jacob’s name to Israel, Jacob’s sons became the sons of Israel, who in turn later became the patriarchs of the twelve tribes of Israel. Some well known descendants from these tribes are Moses from the Tribe of Levi, the Apostle Paul from the Tribe of Benjamin, and King David and Jesus the Messiah from the Tribe of Judah.

This election of the children of Israel was a corporate election and a call to service, not privilege. However, in trying to interpret the Old Testament prophets by the letter instead of by the Spirit, we have more often than not established a place of privilege for the children of Israel that God never intended.

After four hundred years of slavery God delivered the children of Israel (also called Israel or Israelites) from Egyptian slavery and brought them into the land of Canaan so "that they might keep his statutes and observe his laws”. Since God loved all nations, Israel was called to serve the nations by being an example of what it meant to love and worship the Lord. The Scriptures reveal that Israel as a nation was summoned to be God’s priestly people in the earth because God wanted all the nations to come to Him.

I was moved to tears when my friend, Ramone, expressed the following thoughts about the children of Israel. “I believe that God’s sovereign purpose in bringing the children of Israel into the land of Canaan was so that He might teach them, through His law and sacrificial system, of their human inability to remain a faithful covenant partner with God. God wanted to teach them, along with the nations around them, about the reality of sin and man’s total inability to be faithful to God’s covenant. But most importantly, God wanted Israel to share with the nations around them that a faithful covenant partner was coming!”

Israel was chosen to teach the Gentile nations by example of God’s coming salvation for all people. The prophet Isaiah puts it most eloquently when he says; “I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring my salvation to the ends of the earth” (Isaiah 49:6).

God chose the children of Israel because He had a special task for them to perform, not because He loved them more than the other nations, or because they were better than the rest. No. The children of Israel were elected to a ministry of redemptive servanthood. They were chosen to be a living demonstration to the nations around them of what it meant to worship God.

The Old Testament prophets repeatedly tell us that the sons of Israel were God’s chosen ones—God’s chosen servants to teach the nations around them about the reality of sin and man’s total inability to be faithful to God’s covenant. Through the sacrificial system God wanted to bring hope to all people of all nations that a Deliverer was coming!

“O descendants of Israel his servant, O sons of Jacob, his chosen ones” (1Chronicles 16:13).

“O descendants of Abraham his servant, O sons of Jacob, his chosen ones” (Psalm 105:5).

“He brought out his people with rejoicing, his chosen ones with shouts of joy” (Palm 105:43).

The following passage of Scripture reminds us that the nation of Israel was a chosen “son” who was a type (shadow) pointing forward to the coming Reality, Jesus Christ—the Chosen One.

“When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son. But the more I called Israel, the further they went from me” (Hosea 11:1-2).

However, in Matthew 2:15, we find that Hosea’s prophecy was fulfilled when Jesus’ parents took Him to Egypt to protect him from Herod’s slaughter of innocent children.

“When he (Joseph) arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt: And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son” (Matthew 2:14-15).

Here we see Matthew taking a passage from Hosea, which clearly refers to literal Israel, and telling us that this passage was fulfilled in Jesus Christ! The shadow had been fulfilled now that the Reality had come! I feel sure that Matthew also wanted his largely Jewish audience to know that Jesus was the Chosen One foretold throughout the Old Testament Scriptures.

Then we see how Matthew again takes the following prophecy from Isaiah and applies it to Jesus Christ.

“Here is my servant whom I have chosen, the one I love, in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him, and he will proclaim justice to the nations” (Matthew 12:18; Isaiah 42:1).

Israel was “chosen” because God wanted them to be a servant community to the nations around them in order that God might teach them through His law and sacrificial system about the reality of sin and man's total inability to remain faithful to God's covenant. More importantly God wanted Israel to prepare the Gentile nations around them for God's coming salvation. A Deliverer was coming! A Chosen, Faithful Servant and Covenant Partner was coming!

(See Isaiah 51:1-8; Jeremiah 23:19-26; Ezekiel 33:23-29; Micah 7:14-21).

(Next: Chapter 6: Go here.

Chapter 9: Our Higher Spiritual Calling (Who are the Israel of God?)

By Hazel Holland

In our study to determine who are the "Israel of God?” we have found that the election of the physical nation of Israel (Israel after the flesh) was but a sign of a higher spiritual calling. This calling is not based on the lineage of Abraham, but it is based on the faith of Abraham. The following Scripture reveals that this was God's plan even before the creation of the world.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He has made us accepted in the Beloved” (Ephesians 1:3-6).

Jew and Gentile alike, children of Abraham by faith in the promised Seed are being called to enter into Christ and become part of His new creation, the “Israel of God”. We who belong to Christ no longer put our faith in our law-keeping (legalism), or in flesh-based circumcision (Judaism), but only in the cross of Jesus Christ.

“But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but a new creation. And as many as walk according to this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God” (Galatians 6:14-16 (NKJV).

Notice that these verses reveal that those who are "in Christ Jesus" are the “Israel of God." Since Jesus Christ is the new Creation, we are a new creation in Him. As God’s new creation we can only boast of His great salvation.

In our study we have seen that the Old Testament prophets spoke of the great salvation that God would provide in fulfillment of His promise to Abraham. That righteousness, like the righteousness of Abraham, was not a righteousness which men earned by their law-keeping, but it was a righteousness which God Himself provided through the coming Messiah, Jesus Christ.

Now as we read the Old Testament Scriptures and interpret them in the light of God’s final revelation in Christ, we see that Jesus is not only the new Creation, but Jesus is also the Chosen One, and the new Israel.

Furthermore, since the cross, Christ’s flesh became the new Temple which fulfills and replaces the old temple in Jerusalem. Only through this new Temple may you and I (Jew and Gentile alike) enter God’s kingdom.

“Therefore, brethren, since we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, His flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith…” Hebrews 10: 19-22 (NASB).

Suddenly the Dispensationalist’s view of these prophecies being fulfilled in a future millennium begins to unravel. They vanish in Jesus Christ, because He has already fulfilled them!

This means that in Christ, you and I are also chosen. Based on our higher spiritual calling in Christ you and I are also the new Israel who will inherit every spiritual blessing in Christ. May God’s mercy and peace rest upon the true “Israel of God”, His very “treasured possession”, whom He keeps as the “apple of His eye” (Deuteronomy 7:6; 26:18; Psalm 17:8).

Chapter 8: Children of the Promise (Who are the Israel of God?)

By Hazel Holland

The calling of ancient Israel as a nation to be God’s priestly people on earth could succeed or fail. In fact Paul speaks of the failure of this mission when he says, “God’s name is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you” (Romans 2:24). Furthermore, we get a brief glimpse into Paul’s heartfelt sorrow and unceasing grief for those of his fellow Israelites who rejected Jesus as their Messiah.

“I am telling the truth in Christ, I am not lying, my conscience testifies with me in the Holy Spirit, that I have great sorrow and unceasing grief in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were accursed, separated from Christ for the sake of my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh, who are Israelites, to whom belongs the adoption as sons… But it is not as though the word of God has failed. For they are not all Israel who are descended from Israel; nor are they all children because they are Abraham's descendants, but: ‘THROUGH ISAAC YOUR DESCENDANTS WILL BE NAMED.’ That is, it is not the children of the flesh who are children of God, but the children of the promise are regarded as descendants’” Romans 9:6-8 (NASB).

Here Paul paints a picture that identifies the characteristics of the true “Israel of God”. Contrary to what many ancient Jews believed, although the nation of Israel descended from Abraham’s bloodline, being a part of that literal nation did not make them the children of promise, the “Israel of God”. Even though many of the ancient Jews believed that they possessed salvation (being privileged) solely on the basis of their being a descendant of Abraham, the Scriptures teach us otherwise.

Those who are the descendants of Abraham are not necessarily the “Israel of God”, instead that blessing belongs to Jew and Gentile alike who receive the promise of the Spirit through faith in Jesus Christ. Being a descendant by Abraham’s bloodline and being a part of literal Israel does not guarantee that we are heirs of the promise, but being a part of the “Israel of God” by faith in Jesus Christ does guarantee that we are heirs of the kingdom.

Now that the promised Seed has come, we can clearly understand that those who are children of the promise put their faith in Jesus Christ and are recipients of eternal life. Only those who are in Christ are truly the “Israel of God”, but those who are not in Christ are not Israel.

This is a clear declaration that Israel is not a geopolitical nation, or even a genealogical one, but rather a remnant, spiritual people saved by God’s grace from every nation, kindred tongue and people. (Romans 11:5).

First fruits of a New Creation

Paul confirms that the Old Testament doctrine of election remains unchanged in the New Testament. Clearly we can see that God’s love for the human race is universal. God’s election of Abraham, of Isaac, of Jacob, of Israel, or of the church is the way God implements His love for all of humanity.

Because God loves the world He chooses a people, he chooses patriarchs, he chooses prophets, he chooses apostles, and He chooses the body of Christ in order to implement His love for the entire human race. Election has nothing to do with the eternal salvation of individuals, but refers to God’s way of bringing His salvation message to the ends of the earth.

Christians are God’s chosen people in the same way that ancient Israel was chosen. Jews and Gentiles are chosen in Christ to be a servant community and witness to the kingdom of God. We have been called out of darkness into God’s marvelous light in order to declare God’s praises to the ends of the earth.

“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy” 1 Peter2:9-10 (NIV).

Our calling in Jesus Christ is to be the first fruits of the new creation as we anticipate a much larger harvest to come (James 1:18). We are chosen to serve God by issuing the invitation to all people in every nation to come for God’s end time banquet.

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new” 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NKJV).

However, calling ourselves Christians does not necessarily make us Christians. Being a part of the visible body of Christ does not guarantee that we are actually a part of His new creation anymore than being a descendant of one of the tribes of Israel guaranteed that you were part of the “Israel of God”. There’s no difference between a natural Jew and a natural Gentile as far as God is concerned, because children of the flesh are not the children of God.

What makes the difference is if we (Jew and Gentile alike) are children of the promise, born of the Spirit! If we are, then we share a common spiritual ancestry in Christ. Abraham is our father and the Jerusalem that is above is our eternal home.

(Next: Chapter 9: Go here.

Chapter 7: "Unveiled" in Christ (Who are the Israel of God?)

By Hazel Holland

It seems that many in the church have forgotten that Abraham wasn’t looking to possess the land of Canaan as his inheritance at all. For his eyes were on the Jerusalem that is above, the city of the living God, the church of the first born, the Promised Land of the saved (See Hebrews 12).

“By faith he (Abraham) lived as an alien in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, fellow heirs of the same promise; for he was looking for the city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God” Hebrews 11:9-10 (NASB).

Furthermore, Hebrews 11 goes on to say that there were many other "heroes of faith" besides Abraham who died without seeing the promises, but welcomed them from afar by faith.

“All these died in faith, without receiving the promises, but having seen them and having welcomed them from a distance, and having confessed that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. For those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a country of their own. And indeed if they had been thinking of that country from which they went out, they would have had opportunity to return. But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; for He has prepared a city for them” Hebrews 11:13-16 (NASB).

There are many references besides the one mentioned above that refute the idea that God wants His land. More to the point, didn’t Jesus clearly said that His kingdom was not of this world? If it had of been I feel certain that other disciples besides Peter would have been out on the front lines brandishing swords, ready to cut off more than high priest’s servants ears!

Moreover, since the old covenant has been fulfilled in Christ, it is now obsolete! So what would be the purpose of hanging on to literal land in the Middle East that was given to Abraham’s offspring when God’s primary purpose was not the land that was important, but the lives of the people in the nations that God wanted to bless with His salvation?

Why have so many in the church forgotten that God’s goal in giving ancient Israel the land of Canaan in the first place was so they might freely worship Him, and in so doing become a witness to the nations around them that the God of Israel loved all men and wanted all men to know Him.

By failing to let the New Testament interpret the Old, our understanding of ancient Israel’s mission as being a call to service, NOT privilege, has been tragically misunderstood by the church and the nation of Israel alike. Many in the church today have joined Israel in her blindness. My prayer is that the “veiled” Scriptures that cause men to stumble will become “unveiled” in Jesus Christ!

(Next: Chapter 8: Go here.

Chapter 6: Promised "Land" Issue (Who are the Israel of God?)

By Hazel Holland

In the last chapter we discussed how Israel in Old Testament times was chosen by God for service, not privilege. Israel was chosen to be a blessing because she had been entrusted with the privilege of being the bearer of “Light” to the Gentile nations around her.

However, although ancient Israel was chosen by God to be a “light” to the Gentile nations around her of God’s coming salvation, she failed miserably in her mission. Even as we remember Isaiah’s eloquent words, “I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring my salvation to the ends of the earth” (Isaiah 49:6), we recognize that this Scripture only began to be fulfilled after Pentecost.

The veil was lifted from the minds of the disciples as they were filled with the Spirit, and they began to testify that Jesus was the “Light”. After persecution came and the early church was scattered the “light” of God’s salvation went to the four corners of the earth.

Having said that, consider with me for a moment how God’s original plan to use Israel as a “light for the Gentiles” has become very complex, because a parcel of “land” in the Middle East has become more important than the lives of the people who occupy it?

The present Arab-Israeli conflict continues because both the natural children of Abraham (Israel after the flesh) and the Palestinians continue to fight over “land” that each side claims belongs to them. In spite of the fact that the Scriptures tell us that God restored all the land that He promised to give Israel’s descendants, many in the church fail to believe that God kept His promises to them.

“So the LORD gave Israel all the land he had sworn to give their forefathers, and they took possession of it and settled there. The LORD gave them rest on every side, just as he had sworn to their forefathers. Not one of their enemies withstood them; the LORD handed all their enemies over to them. Not one of all the Lord's good promises to the house of Israel failed; every one was fulfilled” (Joshua 21:43-45 NIV).

What further complicates this whole “land” issue is the fact that many Christians have taken sides. They believe that Israel is still God’s “chosen” people, and the literal land they occupy belongs to God because He gave it to them as their inheritance forever.

But that belief totally contradicts God’s heart for all people. Contrary to popular opinion within the church, God does NOT show favoritism. There is no partiality with God!

“There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile; but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. For God does not show favoritism” Romans 2:9-11 (NIV).

No one group, or any certain territory, like the land of Israel, holds a favored position in relation to salvation. God is bringing these blessings to all people on earth. Exclusivity and elitism are out of the question. Peter declares after his change of heart:

“I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right” (Acts 10:34-35).

If God doesn’t show favoritism, why do so many of us in the church? Is it because we do not understand God’s heart for all people? Is it because we see “Israel” as a nation rather than “Israel” as people? Is it because we sadly favor and value an earthly inheritance over an eternal inheritance?

For years many Christian have believed that a necessary condition for the return of the Messiah was for the Jews to return to their land. This belief also ties in with the precursors of modern Zionism who also believed that the return of Jews to the land of Israel was a precondition for the redemption of the Jewish people.

Thus, many Christians, believing that the formation of the state of Israel in 1948 was a miraculous intervention of God, offer their support to Israel by insisting that the land belongs to them, because they are still God’s “chosen” people.

However, if we in the church would take a hard and honest look at the bloody history of how the state of Israel was actually “born”, it could hardly be considered a miraculous intervention of God! Yes, it’s a miracle how God has preserved the existence of the Jews around the world, but NOT the formation of the state of Israel.

My friend Ramone reminded me that to take someone’s life because God said, “This land is my inheritance” neglects the truth that the nations are Christ’s inheritance. He further suggests that "when we kill people for whom Christ died are we not robbing Christ of His inheritance? Furthermore, because we are “co-heirs with Christ” are not the nations our inheritance also? That means our neighbors are also our inheritance. So if we kill our neighbors to possess their property, aren’t we trading our eternal inheritance (our neighbor’s lives) for an earthly inheritance that is temporal?"

By saying that God’s hand was in the establishment of the state of Israel, many in the church are unknowingly declaring that it was God’s will for hundreds of thousands of Palestinians to be evicted from their homes so that “God’s people” could get their land back. That kind of wounding takes a long time to heal! By the church sanctioning that kind of spiritual abuse doesn't it place future generations of Israelis in a grave position where they will continue to inherit a cycle of violence?

From my perspective, the church has done the state of Israel a great disservice by not proclaiming to her the cutting edge of the gospel of Jesus Christ. By not calling her into accountability and repentance for her acts of violence against the Palestinian people we have neutered the gospel of Jesus Christ. God is calling us to speak the whole gospel of God’s love and grace into the Middle East situation. God's Spirit is calling the church to minister to both Jew and Gentile alike, and help them enter into the true Promised Land--the true promised rest found in Jesus Christ?

It’s shocking to realize that land has become more valuable than lives for whom Christ died. Many of us in the church have a serious heart issue. Can you hear the cry in the Father’s heart for the people of this land? I do. My friend, Ramone, heard, “I don’t want My people to have land, I want them to have Me!” What will our response be?

Link:  What God Joined Together at the Cross

Next: Chapter 7:  Unveiled in Christ