From the news to social media, the topic of "Israel" always seems to come up in discussion. For many different groups, the definition of what Israel in fact is, seems to be open to debate. From a Zionist secular nation, to a plot of land, to a lost race made up of ingenious people's, to a black religious moment, there are a few different views on what and who exactly Israel is. Of course when this word is brought up, most think of a plot of land in the middle east, but is that idea Correct? So who is Israel anyway and what is the Biblical definition and legalities in regards to it? Is Israel any of these things or is it something entirely different?
Now This question is not without controversy and is shrouded in mystery. Many people, including myself have struggled with this question, but with God we know that all things are possible. We know that the word Israel, came to existence in the Bible, so with that said, we should be able to find out what or who Israel is. Please follow me and have your Bible ready. You might want to get something to snack on as we are going to be breaking down a lot of scripture, in order to unlock this ancient mystery.
A few nights ago I in the word and I happened to stumble upon Galatians chapter 3. Now the context in respect to the book of Galatians is very important. The book of Galatians is nothing more than a letter from the Apostle Paul, to the church at Galatia. (Modern day Turkey) In chapter three, Paul starts off by asking the Galatians a question. He asks the church if they received the Spirit of God by observing the 613 Torah laws, or by believing the Gospel message, they heard from the Apostles? (Galatians 3:2)
After this rhetorical question, Paul continues breaking down the difference between the law (Torah law) and faith. Now please keep in mind that the Torah law consists of 613 laws that God, through Moses gave the Children of Israel to observe. This was part of their Covenant with God and this observance to these laws is what made an Israelite an Israelite. Paul then prophetically interprets parts of the Torah and shows how they are fulfilled and what they mean regarding the New Testament or Covenant. Galatians 3:9 is one such prophetical scripture, Paul points out that all people (Gentiles) would be blessed through Abraham. Paul explains that this promise is the Gospel message.
Paul confirms that Jesus was the END of the law, by becoming the curse of the law for us. (Galatians 3:13) Paul makes the case that the Torah law came into existence due to the abundance of the sin in the world. These Torah laws were designed only to last until God's promised seed came into the world, to keep this law for us. Not only was this seed meant to keep it, but he was meant to illuminate it and show us what it means to walk properly in it. Finally he carried our sentence for not keeping it.
Now when I reach Galatians 3:16 it all hits me. I've read this all before, but this time, it was different. Something stuck out to me. I noticed that in verse 16, the Apostle Paul was just adamant about teaching the Galatians how the promises of God belonged to Abraham and to his "seed", not "seeds." I stopped and really pondered what Paul was trying to say. At first I did not understand what he was saying, but I just had a feeling he was laying out a very important point.
That's when a thought came to me, are people who are Jewish by blood, under these promises? I wasn't even finished reading this verse when I thought, aren't Jewish people Abraham's seed? Of course as I'm reading I see it. "Scripture does not say "and to seeds," meaning many people, but "and to your seed," meaning no person, who is Christ." So here it is, the promises were to Abraham and to Jesus. I then re-read the entire verse, and then continued reading the rest of the chapter. So as this new thought began to sink it, I started asking myself "What about Abraham's descendants, weren't they part of the promise?" "Weren't they suppose to have rights to the land of Israel?"
This then took me back to Genesis, where I found the the original promises that God gave Abraham. These promises start in Genesis Chapter 12. In fact if we read verse Genesis 12:1-3 We see that God calls Abraham out of his native land, to embark on a journey to a land that God himself would show him. God gives Abraham a series of promises including the land that he would show him. these promises where that Abraham would be made into a great nation, that he would be blessed, that his name would be great, and that others would be blessed through him. This is the list of promises that God gave to Abraham. Of course as we read on in Torah (Genesis-Deuteronomy) God reminds and is reminded of these promises.
Now as long as I could remember I assumed that Abraham's seeds were heirs to his promises but according to Galatians chapter three, that is not the case. So does the Torah actually back up this idea? Well, believe it or not it does. One of the most convincing verses of this idea is in Genesis 12:7. Now in this verse I always assumed that Abraham's blood lineage was promised this "promised land." Before we read this verse, make sure that you have out a King James Bible. You will see this subtle difference that Paul points out in the King James, but of course the NIV and many other translations DO NOT CATCH THIS DIFFERENCE. I urge anyone reading this to line up the NIV with the KJV to see this difference for themselves, boy would the Apostle Paul be upset! (Going through all that adamant teaching in Galatians to have translators drop the ball!) I am going to show both translations for convenience sake.
NIV Genesis 12:7
The LORD appeared to Abram and said, "To your offspring I will give this land." So he built an altar there to the LORD, who had appeared to him.
KJV Genesis 12:7
And the LORD appeared unto Abram, and said, Unto thy seed will I give this land: and there builded he an altar unto the LORD, who appeared unto him.
Now keep in mind the NIV says offspring, while many other translations actually say descendants! Of course by reading the NIV, it's easy to miss Paul's point and assume Abraham's descendants (plural) are covered by this promise. When we read the KJV we see what Paul is saying and clearly that Abraham's blood descendants are NOT covered by this promise, but only the SEED.
Keep in mind that this verse is just ONE of many, where this promise to the SEED is brought to light. Believe it or not, every time that God's promises come up in regards to this promised land, every single verse will read just like Genesis 12:7! The promise reads SEED, just as Paul points out! A few of these verses are as follows, but again keep in mind there are more. Genesis 17:8, Genesis 13:15, Genesis 15:18, Genesis 48:4, Exodus 32:13, Deuteronomy 1:8, Deuteronomy 34:4.
Now I would like to point out Exodus 32:13. This verse is interesting and I'm sure that I could see someone try to shoot down the Galatians 3:16 revelation by pointing out that after the word "SEED," a plural "they" follows. Of course the proposed argument would be that "SEED" is plural in the first place, which is why a "they" follows suit. To that I say, you know that I read the rest of Galatians chapter 3 right? All joking aside, here is Genesis 32:13 Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, thy servants, to whom thou swarest by thine own self, and saidst unto them, I will multiply your seed as the stars of heaven, and all this land that I have spoken of will I give unto your seed, and they shall inherit it for ever.
After reading this verse, it looks as if it can be argued that the promise belongs to Abraham's blood descendants. "And they shall inherit it forever," is pretty convincing. How could a singular SEED be referred to as they? Does this verse diminish the point that Paul is trying to get across? Is scripture now contradicting itself? Or could it be that our perception of blood descendants is off. We must remember that God cannot lie, so the misunderstanding must be on our part, and of course it is. In fact, the very last verse of Galatians chapter three tells us that if we are in Christ, we are heirs to this promise! (Galatians 3:29) Now how do we get "INTO CHRIST?" Galatians 3:27 tells us how we can get INTO Christ and that is by being baptized in Jesus name. This all may look like a spiritual technicality or loop hole if you will, but lets not get this twisted, this is still all about blood. The only blood that matters now, is the Holy Blood of Jesus the Messiah! Our own blood is not sufficient, blood lineage is not sufficient, we must have Jesus blood covering us to be heirs of promise!
The very next verse tells us that once you get into Christ, we are all one in Christ. What we are, what we think we are, and what others think we are is of no value. Being born a Jew or of the blood lineage of Abraham is of absolutely no value, once you get into Christ. Observing circumcision and the works of the law are of no value, when you get into Christ. Once we are in Christ, we receive a new Identity. Scripture says that our hearts and our spirit are made new! We don't need to observe the Torah to keep the law because the Torah now on our heats. The only thing we have to do is remain in Christ. This means that we must stay close to the other's who are in Christ. We do this by breaking bread with them, and staying under the authority and teaching of the people who discipled us.
Now it is not wrong to observe the Torah, but what is the intent behind it? The Torah law makes no man righteous and we cannot think that by observing it we can be made righteous. Our intent needs to be love. We need to submit our human will to the will of God. Praying, reading the Bible, fasting, and assembling together with others in Christ, will help us to mature in Spirit and submit to God. We have to let God direct us. We need to read his word and allow Him to illuminate it for us. God gives the vision, we are to follow Him and His example, not mere rules. Jesus not only wrote the Torah, but he showed us how we are to follow it. After all, the entire point of Torah is to love God and others.
When we get INTO CHRIST, we are a new creation. We receive a new heart and a new spirit. Rules cannot change the heart. For example, if I look at a woman with lust is it not the same as committing the act with her? You can still observe the Torah, and sin in your heart, so the one who observed the Torah and the one who did not at the end of the day are still BOTH guilty. Only through the Spirit of God can our hearts and minds be changed. This is what Paul is talking about when he compares grace and the law.
With all that said, clearly being a blood descendant of Abraham is of absolutely NO value! Being a blood descendant of Abraham CANNOT get one INTO Christ. The promises of God do not belong to anyone who is just a mere blood descendant of Abraham. Unfortunately this unbiblical idea has taken root in the "Christian" community in part to tradition and a complete lack of the real Holy Spirit at work. We are talking about the identity of Israel!
Paul not only points to who Israel is in Galatians, but he defines Israel in the book of Romans; word for word. Romans 9:6 and verse 8 define Israel. (6) Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel: (8) That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed. Please keep in mind that Isaac was not the first born, nor was Jacob. Yet both of these men were of the promised line, that the seed of promise would spring from.
Now don't just take my word on all of this, or even Paul's words for that matter, but Messiah himself. (Obviously the Spirit of Messiah was at work in Paul and all the writers of the Bible, so Paul's words and knowledge is really just an extension of Jesus.) In John 8:44 Jesus tells the "learned" elders of the Torah that their father is "the devil." In fact, Jesus goes right for the heart of this issue in Matthew 3:9, when he say's that God himself could rise up stones to be Abraham's children!
May I rhetorically ask again, who is Israel? The law is done away with, not only does scripture say this, but why else hasn't there been a physical Temple since the days of Christ? Even if it was possible to keep the Mitzvot (613 Torah rules) it still would be impossible because some of these rules REQUIRE a standing physical temple!
Whether you are born a Jew or a gentile; a free man or a slave it doesn't matter! Who a person is before they come into Christ is of zero importance! We need to get away from this racist and superficial idea of labeling and comparing people. The only comparing we should be doing, is with Jesus. This comparison will humble us and show us how much more we need His Spirit in us! The object of our identity is Jesus. It's all about becoming a part of his body, according to Galatians 3:27. His body is a living body, a temple that is made up of blood descendants of Abraham, and also of gentiles. These two bloods are now one in blood, the blood of Messiah.
The ancient mystery of who Biblical Israel is has been unlocked! A new level of understanding and knowledge, revealed. Far from a piece of land in the middle east or a secular government, the identity of ISRAEL is only found in Jesus the Messiah, the SEED of promise. Just like God changed Jacob's name to Israel, He changes our name to Israel, because it is only through Him that we find true identity.
Now This question is not without controversy and is shrouded in mystery. Many people, including myself have struggled with this question, but with God we know that all things are possible. We know that the word Israel, came to existence in the Bible, so with that said, we should be able to find out what or who Israel is. Please follow me and have your Bible ready. You might want to get something to snack on as we are going to be breaking down a lot of scripture, in order to unlock this ancient mystery.
A few nights ago I in the word and I happened to stumble upon Galatians chapter 3. Now the context in respect to the book of Galatians is very important. The book of Galatians is nothing more than a letter from the Apostle Paul, to the church at Galatia. (Modern day Turkey) In chapter three, Paul starts off by asking the Galatians a question. He asks the church if they received the Spirit of God by observing the 613 Torah laws, or by believing the Gospel message, they heard from the Apostles? (Galatians 3:2)
After this rhetorical question, Paul continues breaking down the difference between the law (Torah law) and faith. Now please keep in mind that the Torah law consists of 613 laws that God, through Moses gave the Children of Israel to observe. This was part of their Covenant with God and this observance to these laws is what made an Israelite an Israelite. Paul then prophetically interprets parts of the Torah and shows how they are fulfilled and what they mean regarding the New Testament or Covenant. Galatians 3:9 is one such prophetical scripture, Paul points out that all people (Gentiles) would be blessed through Abraham. Paul explains that this promise is the Gospel message.
Paul confirms that Jesus was the END of the law, by becoming the curse of the law for us. (Galatians 3:13) Paul makes the case that the Torah law came into existence due to the abundance of the sin in the world. These Torah laws were designed only to last until God's promised seed came into the world, to keep this law for us. Not only was this seed meant to keep it, but he was meant to illuminate it and show us what it means to walk properly in it. Finally he carried our sentence for not keeping it.
Now when I reach Galatians 3:16 it all hits me. I've read this all before, but this time, it was different. Something stuck out to me. I noticed that in verse 16, the Apostle Paul was just adamant about teaching the Galatians how the promises of God belonged to Abraham and to his "seed", not "seeds." I stopped and really pondered what Paul was trying to say. At first I did not understand what he was saying, but I just had a feeling he was laying out a very important point.
That's when a thought came to me, are people who are Jewish by blood, under these promises? I wasn't even finished reading this verse when I thought, aren't Jewish people Abraham's seed? Of course as I'm reading I see it. "Scripture does not say "and to seeds," meaning many people, but "and to your seed," meaning no person, who is Christ." So here it is, the promises were to Abraham and to Jesus. I then re-read the entire verse, and then continued reading the rest of the chapter. So as this new thought began to sink it, I started asking myself "What about Abraham's descendants, weren't they part of the promise?" "Weren't they suppose to have rights to the land of Israel?"
This then took me back to Genesis, where I found the the original promises that God gave Abraham. These promises start in Genesis Chapter 12. In fact if we read verse Genesis 12:1-3 We see that God calls Abraham out of his native land, to embark on a journey to a land that God himself would show him. God gives Abraham a series of promises including the land that he would show him. these promises where that Abraham would be made into a great nation, that he would be blessed, that his name would be great, and that others would be blessed through him. This is the list of promises that God gave to Abraham. Of course as we read on in Torah (Genesis-Deuteronomy) God reminds and is reminded of these promises.
Now as long as I could remember I assumed that Abraham's seeds were heirs to his promises but according to Galatians chapter three, that is not the case. So does the Torah actually back up this idea? Well, believe it or not it does. One of the most convincing verses of this idea is in Genesis 12:7. Now in this verse I always assumed that Abraham's blood lineage was promised this "promised land." Before we read this verse, make sure that you have out a King James Bible. You will see this subtle difference that Paul points out in the King James, but of course the NIV and many other translations DO NOT CATCH THIS DIFFERENCE. I urge anyone reading this to line up the NIV with the KJV to see this difference for themselves, boy would the Apostle Paul be upset! (Going through all that adamant teaching in Galatians to have translators drop the ball!) I am going to show both translations for convenience sake.
NIV Genesis 12:7
The LORD appeared to Abram and said, "To your offspring I will give this land." So he built an altar there to the LORD, who had appeared to him.
KJV Genesis 12:7
And the LORD appeared unto Abram, and said, Unto thy seed will I give this land: and there builded he an altar unto the LORD, who appeared unto him.
Now keep in mind the NIV says offspring, while many other translations actually say descendants! Of course by reading the NIV, it's easy to miss Paul's point and assume Abraham's descendants (plural) are covered by this promise. When we read the KJV we see what Paul is saying and clearly that Abraham's blood descendants are NOT covered by this promise, but only the SEED.
Keep in mind that this verse is just ONE of many, where this promise to the SEED is brought to light. Believe it or not, every time that God's promises come up in regards to this promised land, every single verse will read just like Genesis 12:7! The promise reads SEED, just as Paul points out! A few of these verses are as follows, but again keep in mind there are more. Genesis 17:8, Genesis 13:15, Genesis 15:18, Genesis 48:4, Exodus 32:13, Deuteronomy 1:8, Deuteronomy 34:4.
Now I would like to point out Exodus 32:13. This verse is interesting and I'm sure that I could see someone try to shoot down the Galatians 3:16 revelation by pointing out that after the word "SEED," a plural "they" follows. Of course the proposed argument would be that "SEED" is plural in the first place, which is why a "they" follows suit. To that I say, you know that I read the rest of Galatians chapter 3 right? All joking aside, here is Genesis 32:13 Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, thy servants, to whom thou swarest by thine own self, and saidst unto them, I will multiply your seed as the stars of heaven, and all this land that I have spoken of will I give unto your seed, and they shall inherit it for ever.
After reading this verse, it looks as if it can be argued that the promise belongs to Abraham's blood descendants. "And they shall inherit it forever," is pretty convincing. How could a singular SEED be referred to as they? Does this verse diminish the point that Paul is trying to get across? Is scripture now contradicting itself? Or could it be that our perception of blood descendants is off. We must remember that God cannot lie, so the misunderstanding must be on our part, and of course it is. In fact, the very last verse of Galatians chapter three tells us that if we are in Christ, we are heirs to this promise! (Galatians 3:29) Now how do we get "INTO CHRIST?" Galatians 3:27 tells us how we can get INTO Christ and that is by being baptized in Jesus name. This all may look like a spiritual technicality or loop hole if you will, but lets not get this twisted, this is still all about blood. The only blood that matters now, is the Holy Blood of Jesus the Messiah! Our own blood is not sufficient, blood lineage is not sufficient, we must have Jesus blood covering us to be heirs of promise!
The very next verse tells us that once you get into Christ, we are all one in Christ. What we are, what we think we are, and what others think we are is of no value. Being born a Jew or of the blood lineage of Abraham is of absolutely no value, once you get into Christ. Observing circumcision and the works of the law are of no value, when you get into Christ. Once we are in Christ, we receive a new Identity. Scripture says that our hearts and our spirit are made new! We don't need to observe the Torah to keep the law because the Torah now on our heats. The only thing we have to do is remain in Christ. This means that we must stay close to the other's who are in Christ. We do this by breaking bread with them, and staying under the authority and teaching of the people who discipled us.
Now it is not wrong to observe the Torah, but what is the intent behind it? The Torah law makes no man righteous and we cannot think that by observing it we can be made righteous. Our intent needs to be love. We need to submit our human will to the will of God. Praying, reading the Bible, fasting, and assembling together with others in Christ, will help us to mature in Spirit and submit to God. We have to let God direct us. We need to read his word and allow Him to illuminate it for us. God gives the vision, we are to follow Him and His example, not mere rules. Jesus not only wrote the Torah, but he showed us how we are to follow it. After all, the entire point of Torah is to love God and others.
When we get INTO CHRIST, we are a new creation. We receive a new heart and a new spirit. Rules cannot change the heart. For example, if I look at a woman with lust is it not the same as committing the act with her? You can still observe the Torah, and sin in your heart, so the one who observed the Torah and the one who did not at the end of the day are still BOTH guilty. Only through the Spirit of God can our hearts and minds be changed. This is what Paul is talking about when he compares grace and the law.
With all that said, clearly being a blood descendant of Abraham is of absolutely NO value! Being a blood descendant of Abraham CANNOT get one INTO Christ. The promises of God do not belong to anyone who is just a mere blood descendant of Abraham. Unfortunately this unbiblical idea has taken root in the "Christian" community in part to tradition and a complete lack of the real Holy Spirit at work. We are talking about the identity of Israel!
Paul not only points to who Israel is in Galatians, but he defines Israel in the book of Romans; word for word. Romans 9:6 and verse 8 define Israel. (6) Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel: (8) That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed. Please keep in mind that Isaac was not the first born, nor was Jacob. Yet both of these men were of the promised line, that the seed of promise would spring from.
Now don't just take my word on all of this, or even Paul's words for that matter, but Messiah himself. (Obviously the Spirit of Messiah was at work in Paul and all the writers of the Bible, so Paul's words and knowledge is really just an extension of Jesus.) In John 8:44 Jesus tells the "learned" elders of the Torah that their father is "the devil." In fact, Jesus goes right for the heart of this issue in Matthew 3:9, when he say's that God himself could rise up stones to be Abraham's children!
May I rhetorically ask again, who is Israel? The law is done away with, not only does scripture say this, but why else hasn't there been a physical Temple since the days of Christ? Even if it was possible to keep the Mitzvot (613 Torah rules) it still would be impossible because some of these rules REQUIRE a standing physical temple!
Whether you are born a Jew or a gentile; a free man or a slave it doesn't matter! Who a person is before they come into Christ is of zero importance! We need to get away from this racist and superficial idea of labeling and comparing people. The only comparing we should be doing, is with Jesus. This comparison will humble us and show us how much more we need His Spirit in us! The object of our identity is Jesus. It's all about becoming a part of his body, according to Galatians 3:27. His body is a living body, a temple that is made up of blood descendants of Abraham, and also of gentiles. These two bloods are now one in blood, the blood of Messiah.
The ancient mystery of who Biblical Israel is has been unlocked! A new level of understanding and knowledge, revealed. Far from a piece of land in the middle east or a secular government, the identity of ISRAEL is only found in Jesus the Messiah, the SEED of promise. Just like God changed Jacob's name to Israel, He changes our name to Israel, because it is only through Him that we find true identity.