Why Israel?

The idea of Israel as a nation is an emotionally charged topic. The mere mention of its name can easily set off demonstrations, sometimes resulting in violence and even all-out war. But Why Israel? What is it about this tiniest of Middle Eastern nations that constantly seems to keep the world sitting on the edge of its seat? How did it get there, and for what purpose does it exist? These are age-old questions this book seeks to answer. It is not an attempt to solve any current political, religious, or social perplexities, nor a desire to advocated on behalf of Jews, Palestinians, or Christians living in the region. No, what you are about to read is simply an honest attempt to explain from the Bible how, and why, Israel appears continually in world affairs and conflict. To accomplish this task, we must go way back in time to the biblical account of our world’s beginning. Without question, the Bible itself is a controversial document. It is the most interesting, yet mysterious set of writings known to humanity. Not only is it the top-selling book of all time, but it continues to hold a number one sales position year in and year out. Though despised by some, others hold it in highest reverence, believing it holds the key not only to our world’s past but also its future. But, why the Bible? The Bible is primarily a Hebrew book. It largely documents the story of the Hebrew people (Israel) as recorded by Hebrew writers. Yet as we shall see, it was not meant for the benefit of the Hebrews only, but all the earth’s peoples. The question then arises—Why Israel? The Bible explains the creation of our world, its collapse into a sinful state, and its final restoration to eternal peace. A singular figure known as the “Messiah” brings about its redemption. Christians believe the Messiah revealed Himself 2,000 years ago as the Jewish Rabbi Jesus Christ. Jews believe that he has yet to come but will appear in the near future. Regardless, the answer to our question, Why Israel? is that the Bible teaches humanity’s Savior originates from the Hebrew race… When we read the Bible at face value, we notice the synonymity between Messiah and Israel. Synonymity is defined as “a person or thing so closely associated with a particular quality or idea that the mention of their name calls it to mind.” Simply put one cannot discuss the idea of the Messiah without considering Israel. Any attempt to suggest that the Bible teaches otherwise only obscures the Messiah’s mission to save the world… This book is, therefore, an attempt to make the connection between the salvation of Israel and that of the world as also being synonymous. But to accomplish this task, we must first become better acquainted with the history of Israel—a history deep and rich in the knowledge of the Messiah. The giants of Hebrew faith—individuals such as Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, David, Elijah, and Daniel—though not the promised Seed, they were personifications of the Messiah. The lessons revealed by their life stories were not just for their day, but continue to teach us regarding some future attribute of the Messiah still destined to be played out in our world. Why Israel? Because the Bible declares Israel’s presence on the world scene is tangible evidence of an intangible God. Although habitual apostasies mark Israel’s history, their heritage has remained intact through four world kingdoms despite attempts by the Assyrians, Babylonians, Romans, and more recently the European Holocaust to disband or annihilate them. By all accounts, no people on the planet have suffered so much genocide, yet continue with such tenacity to survive. For nearly 2,000 years they were scattered among the nations, and then miraculously called back into existence as a nation in May 1948. All the algorithms in the world couldn’t have predicted this, but God’s prophets did. Isaiah says God alone can predict the future and make it come to pass.