Who Constitute The True Israel Today?

[barryrob]

Who Constitute The True Israel Today?

Among whom do the prophecies about restoration of Israel have fulfillment today?



Galatians 6:15, 16: "Neither is circumcision anything nor is uncircumcision, but a new creation is something. And all those who will walk orderly by this rule of conduct, upon them be peace and mercy, even upon the Israel of God."



So "the Israel of God" is no longer determined on the basis of conforming to the requirement laid upon Abraham for all the males of his household to be circumcised. Rather, as stated at Galatians 3:26-29, those who belong to Christ and who are spirit-begotten sons of God "are really Abraham's seed."




Comments by some Bible scholars on "The Israel of God" Galatians 6:16






MATTHEW Henry's commentary on the whole Bible page 2306
"A foundation is laid for these in that gracious change which is wrought in them; and while they behave themselves as a new creatures, and govern their lives and hopes by the rule of the gospel, they may most assuredly depend upon them. These, he declares, shall be the portion of all the Israel of God, by whom he means all sincere Christians, whether Jews or Gentiles, all who are Israelites indeed, who, though they may not be the natural, yet are becoming the spiritual seed of Abraham these, being heirs of faith, are also heirs together with him of the same promise, and consequently entitled to the peace and mercy here spoken of. The Jews and judaizing teachers were for confining these blessings to such as were circumcised and kept the law of Moses; but, on the contrary, the apostle declares that they belong to all who walk according to the gospel, or of the new creation, even to all the Israel of God, intimating that those only are the true Israel of God who walk according to this rule, and not that of circumcision".








A THEOLOGICAL WORD BOOK OF THE BIBLE BY ALAN RICHARDSON D.D. PAGE 115

"Therefore they [the Israelites] look forward to the day in which God shall fashion a new instrument, more adequate to his purpose. All NT writers regarded the Church of Jesus Christ as this new instrument, and see the fulfilment of Israel's destiny in the new covenant which had been made and sealed through the death of God's Messiah. The Christian Church is, in fact the New Israel, though the expression is not actually found in the NT (or for that matter in the OT).





NEW BIBLE DICTIONARY 2nd Ed. by Tyndale PAGE 541

"Whether the expression 'the Israel of God' in its one appearance in the NT (Gal 6:16) denotes believing Jews, of believing Jews and Gentiles without distinction, is disputed; the latter is more probable, especially if the expression is to be construed in apposition to 'all who walk by this rule'. But that the community of believers in Jesus, irrespective of their natural origin, is looked upon as the new Israel throughout the NT is clear. They are 'the twelve tribes in the dispersion' (1 Pet 1:1), who are further designated, in language borrowed from OT descriptions of Israel, as 'a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's own people' (1 Pet 2:9)."





Barnes' notes on the New Testament by Albert Barnes page 961


"[Gal 6:]16. ... And upon the Israel of God. The true church of God; all who are his true worshipers. See Notes on Rom ii. 28, 29; ix. 6."



Just a few thoughts to start this thread.

What do you think?
Barryrob

[Solly]

Yes, the church is the true Israel now. Or rather, Israel is the church now. Or even better, Jesus is Israel, the prince who has power with God, the obedient Son Hos 11.1, and we are united to him by faith.

[barryrob]

Yes, the church is the true Israel now. Or rather, Israel is the church now. Or even better, Jesus is Israel, the prince who has power with God, the obedient Son Hos 11.1, and we are united to him by faith.
Could you explain "Jesus is Israel" a little more please?

Barryrob

[Cherith]

Could you explain "Jesus is Israel" a little more please?

Hello Barry,

I will attempt to shed more light on your question, but first I want to introduce something for consideration. In another thread (http://www.theologyweb.com/forum/showthread.php?t=40164) Maxwell asked how a New Covenant could be promised to "the house of Israel" and/or fulfilled when following their captivity by Assyria they were lost to history from which they never recovered as a separate entity/people group. As I've shown in other threads, Israel (i.e. the descendants of Jacob/Israel) was to keep ALL of the commandments (http://www.theologyweb.com/forum/showthread.php?t=23472) of which one was NØT to intermarry among the nations (http://www.theologyweb.com/forum/showthread.php?t=22956) - for spiritual reasons (purity of the faith) as well as practical ones (e.g. to maintain tribal inheritance, the royal bloodline, etc.). The fact that the 10 tribes of the Northern Kingdom broke apart and went their own way, establishing their own king (who was not of the line of David), building their own temples, etc. put them on the outs with God way before He finally destroyed them through the Assyrians. Thus for this prophecy to be fulfilled we must first understand that it can NEVER be fulfilled in the future because 2,700+ years of intermarriage has taken place so as to irreversibly intermingle the bloodline of the northern tribes with that of the rest of humanity. Therefore, we are left with only three options:

1) it was never fulfilled at all,
2) it must have been fulfilled in the past, presumably somewhere close to the time of their initial dispersion (something even modern Jews wouldn't profess, for they too believe the tribes were irrevocably lost.) or
3) it must be spiritually fulfilled - either in the past or in the future - to spiritual descendants of Israel. (I believe Raine called herself an "Israelite" (http://www.theologyweb.com/forum/showpost.php?p=598573&postcount=44) as opposed to a "Jew" on the Salvation in Judaism (http://www.theologyweb.com/forum/showthread.php?t=23572&page=3&pp=16) thread...)

Christians say these spiritual descendants of Jacob/Israel are those who profess faith in the God of Jacob/Israel as He has revealed Himself. This is an important distinction, not to be swept away by mere rhetoric. If God has revealed Himself as the Jewish profess, then Xianity is false, if He has revealed Himself as Xians profess then Judaism is false. If Judaism has the true picture of God's revelation, then presumably the prophecy of the New Covenant has yet to be fulfilled. And how it can be fulfilled without lawful heirs is a tremendous problem to their theology. But if Christianity is the true picture of God's revelation, and Xianity says that "they who be of faith, the same are the children of Abraham" (Gal 3:7) and "ye are children OF GOD by faith in Jesus Christ" (Gal 3:26) Therefore, the true children of Abraham are those who believe in God as He has revealed Himself and these children are then identified as children not just of Abraham but of God. Jesus is The Son of God, but also the Greater Son of Abraham. And who were Abraham's greatest sons/offspring if not Jacob/Israel, the progenitor of the nation; Moses, the lawgiver of the nation; David, the king of the nation; not to mention the greatest prophets of that nation that the world has ever seen. Jesus is the embodiment of all of the greatest sons of Abraham but Jacob/Israel in particular, for as I said he was the progenitor of the nation. It was between him and his twin brother that the Lord put a difference, setting the stage for the fact that "neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children" (Rom 9:7). But listen to Isaiah:

Isa 49:1-13 "Listen, O isles, unto Me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The LORD hath called Me from the womb; from the bowels of My mother hath He made mention of My Name. {2} And He hath made My Mouth like a sharp sword; in the shadow of His Hand hath He hid Me, and made Me a polished shaft; in His quiver hath He hid Me; {3} And said unto Me, THOU ART MY SERVANT, O ISRAEL, IN WHOM I WILL BE GLORIFIED. {4} Then I said, I have laboured in vain, I have spent My strength for nought, and in vain: yet surely My judgment is with The LORD, and My Work with My God. {5} And now, saith The LORD that formed Me from the womb to be His Servant, to bring Jacob again to Him, Though Israel be not gathered, yet shall I be Glorious in the eyes of The LORD, and My God shall be My strength. {6} And He said, It is a light thing that Thou shouldest be My Servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel: I will also give Thee for a Light to the Gentiles, that Thou mayest be My Salvation unto the end of the earth. {7} Thus saith The LORD, The Redeemer of Israel, and His Holy One, to Him whom man despiseth, to Him whom the nation abhorreth, to a servant of rulers, kings shall see and arise, princes also shall worship, because of The LORD that is faithful, and The Holy One of Israel, and He shall choose Thee. {8} Thus saith The LORD, In an acceptable time have I heard Thee, and in a Day of Salvation have I helped Thee: and I will preserve Thee, and give Thee for a Covenant of the people, to establish the earth, to cause to Inherit the desolate heritages; {9} that Thou mayest say to the prisoners, Go forth; to them that are in darkness, Show yourselves. They shall feed in the ways, and their pastures shall be in all high places. {10} They shall not hunger nor thirst; neither shall the heat nor sun smite them: for He that hath mercy on them shall lead them, even by the springs of water shall He guide them. {11} And I will make all my mountains a way, and My highways shall be exalted. {12} Behold, these shall come from far: and, lo, these from the north and from the west; and these from the land of Sinim. {13} Sing, O heavens; and be joyful, O earth; and break forth into singing, O mountains: for The LORD hath comforted His people, and will have mercy upon His afflicted."

One cannot help but understand this as a Messianic prophecy, nor miss the fact that The Lord is not addressing Israel as a nation, for it is the nation of Israel who is to be gathered by this Servant along with many of the Gentiles. It is He who is given for a Covenant. And another point not to be missed is that "the nation abhor[s]" Him rather than welcomes Him with open arms. (The nation, not the nations.)

And then, of course, you have the verse that Solly pointed out:

"When Israel was a Child, I loved Him, and out of Egypt I called My Son." --Hosea 11:1

"So he got up, took the child and His mother during the night and left for Egypt, {15} where he stayed until the death of Herod. And so was fulfilled what The Lord had said through the prophet: "Out of Egypt I called My Son." --Mat 2:14-15

Of course, Christians readily accept that prior to the advent of the Messiah the passage in Hosea 11:1 appeared to be referring to the nation of Israel, but with the advent of the Messiah, the fulfillment of the Old Covenant, and the inauguration of the New Covenant, we understand that Christ/Messiah was typified in the nation of Israel as well as her institutions.

Thus just as "Jacob," the progenitor of the ancient nation became synonomous with the name "Israel" given to him by God meaning "a prince with power" and his physical descendants also were referred to as "Israel", so too the Messiah who became the progenitor of the faithful, spiritual nation of God - as He is understood to be the embodiment of Israel with all her hopes and dreams - is referred to as "Israel" in such places as Isa 49:3, Matt 2:15, etc. and thus this spiritual nation that has His Laws and Precepts written on their heart replaces the physical nation that had them written on tablets of stone and who fell short of their calling. The term (i.e. "Israel") does not change, only the constituents. This is the claim of the New Covenant writings and this is the claim of the early believers (see for example Justin Martyr's Dialogue with Trypho).

Jacob, the progenitor of the Old Covenant nation = Israel
Jacob's physical seed = Israel

Messiah, the progenitor of the New Covenant nation = Israel
Messiah's spiritual seed = Israel

I could say more, but I must hasten to work. Hope this helps,
--C

[Daddy Waddy]

Who Constitute The True Israel Today?

Among whom do the prophecies about restoration of Israel have fulfillment today?



Galatians 6:15, 16: "Neither is circumcision anything nor is uncircumcision, but a new creation is something. And all those who will walk orderly by this rule of conduct, upon them be peace and mercy, even upon the Israel of God."



So "the Israel of God" is no longer determined on the basis of conforming to the requirement laid upon Abraham for all the males of his household to be circumcised. Rather, as stated at Galatians 3:26-29, those who belong to Christ and who are spirit-begotten sons of God "are really Abraham's seed."




Comments by some Bible scholars on "The Israel of God" Galatians 6:16






MATTHEW Henry's commentary on the whole Bible page 2306
"A foundation is laid for these in that gracious change which is wrought in them; and while they behave themselves as a new creatures, and govern their lives and hopes by the rule of the gospel, they may most assuredly depend upon them. These, he declares, shall be the portion of all the Israel of God, by whom he means all sincere Christians, whether Jews or Gentiles, all who are Israelites indeed, who, though they may not be the natural, yet are becoming the spiritual seed of Abraham these, being heirs of faith, are also heirs together with him of the same promise, and consequently entitled to the peace and mercy here spoken of. The Jews and judaizing teachers were for confining these blessings to such as were circumcised and kept the law of Moses; but, on the contrary, the apostle declares that they belong to all who walk according to the gospel, or of the new creation, even to all the Israel of God, intimating that those only are the true Israel of God who walk according to this rule, and not that of circumcision".








A THEOLOGICAL WORD BOOK OF THE BIBLE BY ALAN RICHARDSON D.D. PAGE 115

"Therefore they [the Israelites] look forward to the day in which God shall fashion a new instrument, more adequate to his purpose. All NT writers regarded the Church of Jesus Christ as this new instrument, and see the fulfilment of Israel's destiny in the new covenant which had been made and sealed through the death of God's Messiah. The Christian Church is, in fact the New Israel, though the expression is not actually found in the NT (or for that matter in the OT).





NEW BIBLE DICTIONARY 2nd Ed. by Tyndale PAGE 541

"Whether the expression 'the Israel of God' in its one appearance in the NT (Gal 6:16) denotes believing Jews, of believing Jews and Gentiles without distinction, is disputed; the latter is more probable, especially if the expression is to be construed in apposition to 'all who walk by this rule'. But that the community of believers in Jesus, irrespective of their natural origin, is looked upon as the new Israel throughout the NT is clear. They are 'the twelve tribes in the dispersion' (1 Pet 1:1), who are further designated, in language borrowed from OT descriptions of Israel, as 'a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's own people' (1 Pet 2:9)."





Barnes' notes on the New Testament by Albert Barnes page 961


"[Gal 6:]16. ... And upon the Israel of God. The true church of God; all who are his true worshipers. See Notes on Rom ii. 28, 29; ix. 6."



Just a few thoughts to start this thread.

What do you think?
Barryrob
the english speaking people are the true israel today.

[barryrob]

the english speaking people are the true israel today.
Christianity was taken to the NationS

Acts 18:6 . . .From now on I will go to people of the nations."





and



Psalm 125:5

As for those turning aside to their crooked ways, Jehovah will make them go away with the practicers of what is hurtful. There will be peace upon Israel.



So as most of the "english speaking people" are enjoying thier "crooked ways" in disobedancy to God's principels and "praticeers of what is hurtful" say with morals and waring and not lovers of peace with God as most only pay lip service to God today.



Barryrob

[InChristAlways]

Isa 49:1-13 "Listen, O isles, unto Me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The LORD hath called Me from the womb; from the bowels of My mother hath He made mention of My Name. {2} And He hath made My Mouth like a sharp sword; in the shadow of His Hand hath He hid Me, and made Me a polished shaft; in His quiver hath He hid Me; {3} And said unto Me, THOU ART MY SERVANT, O ISRAEL, IN WHOM I WILL BE GLORIFIED. {4} Then I said, I have laboured in vain, I have spent My strength for nought, and in vain: yet surely My judgment is with The LORD, and My Work with My God. {5} And now, saith The LORD that formed Me from the womb to be His Servant, to bring Jacob again to Him, Though Israel be not gathered, yet shall I be Glorious in the eyes of The LORD, and My God shall be My strength. {6} And He said, It is a light thing that Thou shouldest be My Servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel: I will also give Thee for a Light to the Gentiles, that Thou mayest be My Salvation unto the end of the earth. {7} Thus saith The LORD, The Redeemer of Israel, and His Holy One, to Him whom man despiseth, to Him whom the nation abhorreth,


Christianity was taken to the NationS

Acts 18:6 . . .From now on I will go to people of the nations."





and





Psalm 125:5




As for those turning aside to their crooked ways, Jehovah will make them go away with the practicers of what is hurtful. There will be peace upon Israel.





So as most of the "english speaking people" are enjoying thier "crooked ways" in disobedancy to God's principels and "praticeers of what is hurtful" say with morals and waring and not lovers of peace with God as most only pay lip service to God today.





Barryrob


Hi Barryrob. I believe the bible is fulfilled but let me ask you something, there is this prophecy that had to be fulfilled in Ezekiel which I believe it was in the first century destruction of Jerusalem but what about the NC in Hebrews 8. Is there a reason that Judah is mentioned in the OC but not in the NC? Also, the scepter of Judah was to go to Jesus, therefore, there is in essence no more house of Judah, thus no more "jews". What do you think about that?

Ezek 37:21 "And say to them, 'Thus says the Lord GOD, "Behold, I will take the sons of Israel from among the nations where they have gone, and I will gather them from every side and bring them into their own land;
Ezek 37:22 and I will make them one nation in the land, on the mountains of Israel; and one king will be king for all of them; and they will no longer be two nations, and they will no longer be divided into two kingdoms.

Hebrew 8: Because finding fault with them, He says: "Behold, the days are coming, says the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah -- 9 "not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they did not continue in My covenant, and I disregarded them, says the LORD. 10 "For this [is] the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the LORD: I will put My laws in their mind and write them on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.

[Conductor42]

My answer:

Jeremiah 31:34-35 So said the Lord, Who gives the sun to illuminate by day, the laws of the moon and the stars to illuminate at night, Who stirs up the sea and its waves roar, the Lord of Hosts is His name. If these laws depart from before Me, says the Lord, so will the seed of Israel cease being a nation before Me for all time.


Jeremiah 31:36 So said the Lord: If the heavens above will be measured and the foundations of the earth below will be fathomed, I too will reject all the seed of Israel because of all they did, says the Lord.

[InChristAlways]

My answer:

Jeremiah 31:34-35 So said the Lord, Who gives the sun to illuminate by day, the laws of the moon and the stars to illuminate at night, Who stirs up the sea and its waves roar, the Lord of Hosts is His name. If these laws depart from before Me, says the Lord, so will the seed of Israel cease being a nation before Me for all time.

Jeremiah 31:36 So said the Lord: If the heavens above will be measured and the foundations of the earth below will be fathomed, I too will reject all the seed of Israel because of all they did, says the Lord.Hi Yoshi. Don't forget about Isaiah 28 concerning Judah and Jerusalem [not Israel].

Genesis 49:1 And Jacob called his sons and said, "Gather together, that I may tell you what shall befall you in the last days:

Isaiah 28:14 Therefore hear the word of the LORD, you scornful men, Who rule this people who [are] in Jerusalem, 15 Because you have said, "We have made a covenant with death, And with Sheol we are in agreement. When the overflowing scourge passes through, It will not come to us, For we have made lies our refuge, And under falsehood we have hidden ourselves." 16 Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: "Behold, I lay in Zion a stone for a foundation, A tried stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation; Whoever believes will not act hastily. 17 Also I will make justice the measuring line, And righteousness the plummet; The hail will sweep away the refuge of lies, And the waters will overflow the hiding place.