Should Christians Support Israel?

Should Christians Support Israel? What does it really mean to “support” Israel—and who is Israel according to God? We break it down from a Biblical perspective, exploring God’s calling for Israel and what He calls Christians to do in response. Don’t miss this deep look at faith, obedience, and truth.

What was Israel supposed to be?

1. A Holy and Set-Apart People: Different from other nations, dedicated to God and His ways.
   • This was conditionally based on their fulfilling the covenant.
   • Exodus 19:5-6, Leviticus 20:26, Deuteronomy 14:2
2. Chosen, for a Purpose.
   • Deuteronomy 7:6 to be God’s people.
   • Amos 3:2 To be disciplined in regard to sin.
   • Isaiah 41:8-9 To be God’s servant.
   • Isaiah 43:20-21 Proclaim God’s Praise
3. A Light to the Nations: explain and exemplify God’s ways to all nations.
   • Isaiah 42:6, Isaiah 49:6, Psalm 96:3-10
4. A Blessing to All Nations:
   • Genesis 12:2-3
5. A Covenant People: to live by and uphold God’s standards
   • Exodus 6:7, Jeremiah 31:33, Leviticus 26:12
6. A Kingdom of Priests: to represent God to the world and bring them to Him.
   • Exodus 19:6
   • Deuteronomy 4:6-8
7. Righteous, Doers of Justice, Defenders of the Oppressed, Do No Wrong or Violence
   • Micah 6:8, Deuteronomy 16:20, Leviticus 19:15, Isaiah 1:17, Proverbs 21:3, Jeremiah 22:3
8. Merciful
   • Micah 6:8, Hosea 6:6, Zechariah 7:9-10
9. God’s Discipline or Judgement on Wickedness: In specific contexts.
   • Deuteronomy 9:4-5
   • God later used Assyria and Babylon as judgment on Israel’s wickedness.

What are Christians called to be?

• A Holy and Set-Apart People: Different from the world, dedicated to God and His ways.  1 Peter 1:15-16, Romans 12:1-2
• Chosen, for a Purpose: God chooses believers to accomplish His plan and display His glory. Ephesians 1:4-5, 1 Peter 2:9, John 15:16
• A Light to the Nations: Show God’s ways, love, and truth to the world. Matthew 5:14-16, Philippians 2:15
• A Blessing to All Nations: Share the Gospel, bring God’s blessing and salvation to all peoples. Matthew 28:19-20, Acts 1:8, Galatians 3:8
• A Covenant People: Live by God’s law, empowered by the Spirit, reflecting His character. Hebrews 8:6-13, Romans 8:4
• A Kingdom of Priests, Ambassadors: Represent God to the world, intercede, and bring others to Him.  1 Peter 2:9, Revelation 1:6, 2 Corinthians 5:20
• Righteous, Doers of Justice, Defenders of the Oppressed, Do No Wrong or Violence: James 1:27, Matthew 5:6
• Merciful: Show compassion, forgiveness, and love toward all.  Matthew 5:7, Luke 6:36, Ephesians 4:32
• Stand Against Evil not through warfare but by God’s Word and Spirit:  Romans 12:19-21, 2 Corinthians 10:4, Ephesians 6:10-18
• Living Sacrifices, Take up Our Cross, Turn the Other Cheek: Romans 12:1, Matthew 5:38-39, Matthew 16:24-25, Philippians 1:29, John 15:13
• Bear the Fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Galatians 5:22-23
• Promote Unity – Remove dividing walls of ethnicities, social status, and gender:  Ephesians 2:14-16, Galatians 3:28, Colossians 3:11
• Loving:  John 13:34-35

How are we doing at fulfilling this call? Not just “we” as in Christianity- but you and I. How am I doing at fulfilling this? How are you doing at fulfilling this? We each need to compare ourselves to the mirror of scripture daily and remove the log from our own eye. And what does it look like to support Israel while also doing those things we are explicitly called to?


Scriptures Referenced in this Episode:
Genesis: 1:27, 12:2-3, 15, 32:28
Exodus: 6:7, 19:5-6, 20:7
Leviticus: 19:15, 20:26
Deuteronomy: 4:6-8, 7:1-2, 7:6, 9:4-5, 14:2, 16:20, 28:1-2, 28:15
Judges: 2:1-3
2 Samuel: 12:7-9
1 Kings: 21:19
Isaiah: 1:17, 5:20, 41:8-9, 42:6, 43:20-21, 49:6
Psalm: 96:3-10
Jeremiah: 7:5-7, 22:3, 31:33
Ezekiel: 5:5-7, 37:21-22
Zephaniah: 3:19-20
Hosea: 6:6
Amos: 3:2, 5:11-12
Micah: 6:8
Zechariah: 7:9-10
Proverbs: 21:3, 24:11-12
Romans: 8:4, 9:6, 11:26-27, 12:1-2, 12:15, 12:19-21
2 Corinthians: 5:20, 10:4
Galatians: 3:8, 3:28, 5:22-23
Ephesians: 1:4-5, 2:14-16, 4:32, 5:11, 6:10-18
Philippians: 1:29, 2:3, 2:15
Colossians: 3:11
Matthew: 5:6, 5:7, 5:14-16, 5:38-39, 5:43-44, 16:24-25, 22:39, 28:19-20
Mark: 16:15
Luke: 6:36
John: 13:34-35, 15:13, 15:16
Acts: 1:8
Hebrews: 8:6, 8:13
1 Peter: 1:15-16, 2:9
James: 1:27
Revelation: 1:6