THIS PRECIOUS ISRAEL (2)

“They are God’s people; he made them his children and revealed his glory to them. He made his covenants with them and gave them the Law. They have the true worship; they have received God’s promises. They are descended from the famous Hebrew ancestors; and Christ, as a human being, belongs to their race. May God, who rules over all, be praised forever! Amen.” Romans 9:4–5

There is something profoundly remarkable about the story of Israel. From Abraham, Isaac and Jacob to Moses, David, the prophets, Esther and ultimately Jesus Christ, the history of this people is inseparably woven into the unfolding history of God's redemptive purpose for humanity.

The Scriptures do not present Israel merely as another ancient nation. Paul deliberately identifies their extraordinary privileges: “the adoption to sonship, the divine glory, the covenants, the receiving of the law, the temple worship and the promises” (Romans 9:4). Their ancestors are honoured in Scripture, and, most remarkably, Christ Himself came from them according to His human ancestry (Romans 9:5; Matthew 1:1; John 4:22).

This is why Israel deserves careful biblical attention.

A PEOPLE MARKED BY PROMISE

The story begins with God's covenant with Abraham:

“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 12:2

And again:

“I will establish my covenant as an everlasting covenant between me and you and your descendants after you for the generations to come.”—Genesis 17:7

God did not merely promise Abraham descendants; He attached His covenant purpose to those descendants.

Sarah herself became part of this extraordinary story. Though Abraham's actions in Egypt and Gerar involved fear and deception concerning their marital relationship (Genesis 12:10–20; 20:1–18), God protected Sarah and preserved His promise. The Lord intervened because the covenant promise concerning Abraham's offspring could not be allowed to fail.

Isaac also experienced remarkable divine favour. When the Philistines stopped up the wells that Abraham's servants had dug, Isaac reopened them and dug again. Even when disputes arose over the wells, Isaac continued moving forward until he found a place where there was room for him (Genesis 26:12–22).

The testimony of Scripture is striking:

“Isaac planted crops in that land and the same year reaped a hundredfold, because the LORD blessed him.” —Genesis 26:12

Jacob likewise experienced God's providential intervention in the house of Laban. Though he encountered manipulation and hardship, God prospered him and eventually commanded him to return to the land of his fathers:

“I am the God of Bethel, where you anointed a pillar and where you made a vow to me. Now leave this land at once and go back to the land of your birth.” —Genesis 31:13

These accounts demonstrate something greater than mere ethnic advantage. Israel's story is a story of divine promise, providence, discipline and preservation.

JOSEPH: PRESERVED IN A FOREIGN LAND

Joseph's story further demonstrates the providence of God.

When tempted by Potiphar's wife, Joseph refused to exchange his integrity for temporary pleasure:

“How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?” —Genesis 39:9

He chose righteousness even when righteousness cost him his freedom.

Joseph was subsequently imprisoned, but imprisonment could not imprison God's purpose for him. In God's appointed time, he was brought before Pharaoh and given wisdom to interpret the king's dreams. Pharaoh recognised something extraordinary in him:

“Since God has made all this known to you, there is no one so discerning and wise as you.” —Genesis 41:39

Joseph eventually became second-in-command over Egypt (Genesis 41:40–44), and through his administration, countless lives were preserved during the famine (Genesis 41:53–57; 50:20).

Even at the end of his life, Joseph's heart remained connected to God's promise concerning the land:

“God will surely come to your aid, and then you must carry my bones up from this place.” —Genesis 50:25

Joseph understood that Egypt was not the final destination of God's covenant people.

GOSHEN: DISTINCT BUT WITHIN EGYPT

When Jacob and his household came into Egypt, Pharaoh permitted them to settle in Goshen (Genesis 46:28–34; 47:1–6). There they multiplied greatly.

Eventually, however, a new Pharaoh arose who did not remember Joseph (Exodus 1:8). The Israelites were subjected to severe oppression.

But oppression could not cancel God's covenant.

“But the more they were oppressed, the more they multiplied and spread; so the Egyptians came to dread the Israelites.” —Exodus 1:12

Pharaoh attempted to destroy the male children of the Hebrews through the midwives. But the midwives feared God and refused to obey his murderous command.

They explained:

“Hebrew women are not like Egyptian women; they are vigorous and give birth before the midwives arrive.” —Exodus 1:19

The result was astonishing:

“So God was kind to the midwives and the people increased and became even more numerous.” —Exodus 1:20

The more Pharaoh attempted to suppress them, the more they multiplied.

This was not simply the strength of human resistance. It was the preservation of a people through whom God had already declared His purpose.

MOSES: CHOOSING COVENANT OVER COMFORT

Moses grew up within Pharaoh's household and received the education and privileges of Egyptian royalty. Yet he knew his true identity.

Hebrews records:

“By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh's daughter. He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin.” —Hebrews 11:24–25

Moses understood that privilege without purpose was empty.

He chose identification with God's people above identification with Pharaoh's palace.

Through Moses, God eventually delivered Israel from Egypt with mighty signs and wonders. The Israelites did not leave Egypt empty-handed:

“The Israelites had done what Moses asked; they had asked the Egyptians for articles of silver and gold and for clothing.” —Exodus 12:35

The Exodus became one of the greatest demonstrations of God's covenant faithfulness in biblical history.

ESTHER: PRESERVATION IN THE PALACE

Centuries later, another Jewish woman found herself within a foreign palace.

Esther was chosen as queen in the Persian Empire (Esther 2:17). But her position was not merely for personal comfort. God placed her where she could become an instrument of deliverance.

When Haman plotted the destruction of the Jews, Mordecai challenged Esther:

“And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” —Esther 4:14

Esther responded with prayer, fasting and courageous action (Esther 4:15–16).

Haman's plot collapsed, and Mordecai was exalted while Haman was brought down (Esther 6:10–12). Even Haman's associates recognised the danger of opposing Mordecai:

“If Mordecai, before whom your downfall has started, is of Jewish origin, you cannot stand against him—you will surely come to ruin!” —Esther 6:13

The Jewish people survived another attempt at annihilation.

REBUILDING AFTER EXILE

In the days of Ezra and Nehemiah, Israel again experienced opposition while rebuilding Jerusalem.

Sanballat, Tobiah and others mocked and threatened the builders (Nehemiah 4:1–3, 7–8). Yet Nehemiah and the people continued working.

Their response was remarkable:

“So we rebuilt the wall till all of it reached half its height, for the people worked with all their heart.” —Nehemiah 4:6

They worked with determination while remaining prepared for opposition:

“With one hand the men did their work and with the other held a weapon.” —Nehemiah 4:17

The work continued because opposition could not ultimately overthrow what God had permitted to be accomplished.

THE EVERLASTING COVENANT

Here lies the heart of the matter: Israel's significance is not founded merely upon military strength, technological advancement, population or political power. It is rooted in God's covenantal dealings with the descendants of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

God repeatedly described His covenant with Israel in enduring language.

Through Jeremiah, the Lord declared:

“I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and with the people of Judah.” —Jeremiah 31:31

And concerning His continuing relationship with Israel:

“This is what the LORD says, he who appoints the sun to shine by day, who decrees the moon and stars to shine by night... ‘Only if these decrees vanish from my sight,’ declares the LORD, ‘will Israel ever cease being a nation before me.’” —Jeremiah 31:35–36

Again, God speaks of an everlasting covenant:

“I will make a covenant of peace with them; it will be an everlasting covenant.” —Ezekiel 37:26

The prophet Isaiah also declares:

“Though your mother forsakes you, I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands.” —Isaiah 49:15–16

And Paul makes an extraordinary statement concerning Israel:

“As far as the gospel is concerned, they are enemies for your sake; but as far as election is concerned, they are loved on account of the patriarchs, for God's gifts and his call are irrevocable.”—Romans 11:28–29

This is one of the strongest biblical reasons to treat Israel's covenant history with reverence and seriousness.

ISRAEL AND THE WORLD

Israel's place in world history cannot be measured merely by its geographical size.

From this comparatively small people came:

- the patriarchs — Abraham, Isaac and Jacob;

- Moses and the Law;

- the prophets;

- the Scriptures of the Old Testament;

- the covenant traditions;

- the worship of the one true God;

- the apostles;

- and, according to His human ancestry, Jesus Christ Himself.

Jesus said plainly:

“Salvation is from the Jews.” —John 4:22

This does not mean that salvation belongs exclusively to Jewish people. Rather, it means that God's redemptive revelation entered the world through Israel and reached its fulfilment in Jesus Christ.

Paul asks:

“What advantage, then, is there in being a Jew, or what value is there in circumcision? Much in every way! First of all, the Jews have been entrusted with the very words of God.” —Romans 3:1–2

That is an exalted historical and covenantal responsibility.

BUT COVENANT IS NOT A LICENSE FOR PRIDE

We must also be careful.

Israel's election never meant that every Israelite would automatically be righteous before God. The prophets repeatedly called Israel to repentance, and Israel itself experienced divine discipline because of unbelief and disobedience.

Paul warns Gentile believers:

“Do not be arrogant, but tremble.”

—Romans 11:20

And he reminds them that God is able both to cut off and to graft in (Romans 11:21–24).

Therefore, the proper response to Israel's story is neither hatred nor racial superiority. It is reverence for God's faithfulness, humility before God's sovereignty, and faith in Christ.

The New Testament ultimately points beyond ethnic boasting to the mercy of God revealed through Christ.

A PEOPLE WHO CARRY A STORY BIGGER THAN THEMSELVES

Israel's story is therefore not merely the story of a nation surviving wars, exile, persecution and political hostility. It is the story of a people whose history has been repeatedly intertwined with God's revealed purpose.

They have been displaced, yet preserved.

They have been persecuted, yet survived.

They have been scattered, yet remembered.

They have been opposed, yet their Scriptures have continued to speak to the world.

They have passed through Egypt, Babylon, Persia, Greece and Rome, yet the covenant story has continued.

The survival of Israel across the centuries should cause the student of Scripture to pause and ask:

What is God doing in history?

CONCLUSION: THIS PRECIOUS ISRAEL

Israel occupies an extraordinary place in the history of the world because the Bible presents Israel as a people chosen, called, disciplined, preserved and entrusted with divine revelation.

Their greatest distinction, however, is not that they are invincible.

Their greatest distinction is that God chose to work through them in the unfolding of His redemptive purpose.

Paul's words should silence every proud voice:

“Theirs is the adoption to sonship; theirs the divine glory and the covenants; theirs the receiving of the law, the temple worship and the promises. Theirs are the patriarchs, and from them is traced the human ancestry of the Messiah, who is God over all, forever praised! Amen.” —Romans 9:4–5

What a people!

What a history!

What a covenant story!

What a divine mystery!

And what a Messiah!

The story of Israel reminds us that God does not abandon His purposes simply because generations pass, empires rise and fall, or nations attempt to erase what He has established.

But Israel's story should not make the Church proud against Israel. Instead, it should make the Church humble before God.

For Paul concludes:

“Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out!” —Romans 11:33

And then he declares:

“For from him and through him and for him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen.” —Romans 11:36

THIS PRECIOUS ISRAEL is therefore not merely a story about an ancient people.

It is a testimony to the faithfulness of God.

It is a reminder that covenant carries responsibility.

It is a warning against pride.

It is an invitation to understand the Scriptures.

And above all, it is a signpost pointing the world toward Jesus Christ—the Messiah of Israel, the Saviour of the world and the fulfilment of God's redemptive purpose.

Israel has a remarkable place in history because God placed a remarkable responsibility upon her in the history of redemption. And the Church must learn to recognise that place without replacing Christ with ethnicity, and without replacing biblical truth with political sentiment.

The God who made covenant with Abraham is still God. His purposes have not failed. His promises have not collapsed. His wisdom remains beyond human comprehension. And His ultimate purpose is that mercy should reach the nations through Jesus Christ.

May the Church therefore read Israel's story with reverence, study it with humility, pray with understanding, and never forget the Messiah who came from Israel and whose salvation is offered to the whole world.

To Him alone be glory forever. Amen.

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Peter Abdul-Razaq, OLAYINKA 

A Serving Missionary — Living Grace Christian Missions, Ilara

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