This is about God defending Israel.

This is a full-on and complex biblical commentary & study about how much God defends Israel and His people, as well as, how much God disciplines Israel & His people…

It’s important to understand that those of us who follow Jesus are God’s Holy People as we are the Bride of Jesus. And right now, God has spoken to me about how much He is preparing His Bride…

God’s Word Lasts forever! God is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow which means that what God has done in the past regarding Israel, He could again do, whether to defend or discipline Israel or any nation…

“And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.”

‭‭1 Timothy‬ ‭3‬:‭16‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

‭‭Philippians‬ ‭2‬:‭11‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.”

‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭13‬:‭8‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭24‬:‭35‬ ‭KJV‬‬

God's Covenant with Israel: A Special Relationship

The foundational idea is God's covenant with Abraham, which is extended to his descendants, the Israelites. This covenant is an unconditional promise from God to bless Abraham and make his descendants a great nation. The promises include a land (Canaan) and the promise that through Abraham's "seed," all the families of the earth would be blessed (Genesis 12:1–3). This establishes a special, unique relationship between God and Israel.

This special relationship is highlighted in many passages:

* Deuteronomy 7:6: "For you are a people holy to the LORD your God. The LORD your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on the face of the earth to be his people, his treasured possession."

* Amos 3:2: "You only have I known of all the families of the earth; therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities." (This verse shows both the special relationship and the added responsibility that comes with it.)

* Psalm 105:8–15: This Psalm recounts God's faithfulness to His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and how He protected them from kings and nations, saying, "Touch not my anointed ones; do my prophets no harm!"

God as Israel's Defender

Throughout the Old Testament, God is portrayed as the protector and defender of Israel. This is often seen in times of war and national crisis.

* The Exodus: The entire story of the Exodus is the prime example of God defending His people against a powerful empire (Egypt). The plagues and the parting of the Red Sea demonstrate God's power and His commitment to freeing Israel from oppression (Exodus 14:13–14).

* The Conquest of Canaan: God commands the Israelites to conquer the land of Canaan, promising to fight for them against their enemies (Joshua 1:5–9; Deuteronomy 20:4).

* The Period of the Judges: Time and again, when Israel is oppressed by foreign nations, God raises up judges to deliver them (e.g., Gideon, Samson). The victory is often attributed to God's intervention, not Israel's might (Judges 7:2).

* Prophetic Passages: Prophets like Isaiah and Jeremiah contain both warnings against Israel and promises of God's future restoration and protection. Isaiah 54:17 says, "no weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and this is their vindication from me," declares the LORD.

The Consequences of Coming Against Israel

The Bible also contains numerous passages that suggest a divine retribution for those who oppose Israel. The idea is that attacking Israel is, in a sense, attacking God Himself.

* Genesis 12:3: The original blessing to Abraham contains a warning: "I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed." This is often interpreted as a principle that applies to nations and individuals throughout history.

* The Prophets: Prophets frequently pronounce judgment against nations that have oppressed or harmed Israel.

   * Jeremiah 50–51: These chapters are a long, detailed prophecy of judgment against Babylon for its destruction of Jerusalem and the exile of the people.

   * Obadiah: The entire book is a prophecy of judgment against Edom for its gloating and participation in the destruction of Jerusalem.

   * Joel 3:2: God says, "I will gather all nations and bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat. There I will put them on trial for what they did to my inheritance, my people Israel, whom they scattered among the nations, and for dividing up my land."

Nuance and Complexity: A Different Perspective

It's crucial to acknowledge that the biblical narrative is not a simple, one-sided story. There are important nuances and counter-perspectives to consider:

* God's Judgment on Israel: The prophets make it clear that God's protection is not unconditional. When Israel disobeys the covenant, God uses foreign nations as instruments of His judgment. The Assyrian and Babylonian exiles are the primary examples of this (Isaiah 10:5; Jeremiah 25:9). This means that a nation coming against Israel is not always an act of pure evil to be immediately punished by God; it can sometimes be part of God's plan to discipline His people.

* The Universal Nature of God: While God has a special relationship with Israel, the Bible also presents God as the Creator and Lord of all nations. Passages like Isaiah 19:24–25 suggest a future where Egypt and Assyria will also be God's people, alongside Israel. The book of Jonah, too, shows God's compassion for a Gentile city (Nineveh) and His desire for all people to repent.

* The Role of the Church: In the New Testament, the "people of God" is broadened to include all believers in Christ, both Jews and Gentiles. Paul argues in Romans 9–11 that the Church is "grafted in" to the promises of Israel. The identity of "God's people" is no longer exclusively ethnic but also spiritual. This has led to different theological interpretations of how the Old Testament promises to Israel apply today.

Conclusion

In summary, the Bible strongly affirms that God has a special, covenantal relationship with Israel and that He acts as their defender. There are numerous passages that warn of divine retribution for nations that oppress or harm Israel. However, this is not a one-dimensional truth. The same biblical texts also show that God uses nations to discipline Israel when they are unfaithful to Him, that God is the sovereign Lord of all nations, and that His plan of salvation extends to all peoples.

Therefore, a full biblical commentary must hold these truths in tension. God is Israel's defender, and He will judge those who come against them without cause. But He is also a just God who judges Israel for its sin and loves all nations, desiring their repentance and salvation. The question of how these biblical principles apply to contemporary geopolitical situations is a matter of ongoing theological and hermeneutical debate.

Currently

1. The Re-establishment of Israel as a Fulfillment of Prophecy

A central belief for many is that the re-establishment of the modern state of Israel in 1948 was a direct fulfillment of biblical prophecies. Passages from the Old Testament, such as Ezekiel 36:24, "For I will take you from the nations and gather you from all the countries and bring you into your own land," are seen as a literal prediction of the Jewish people's return to the land after centuries of diaspora.

From this perspective, the very existence of the state of Israel today is a testament to God's faithfulness to His promises. The fact that the Jewish people, despite immense persecution and attempts at extermination throughout history, have survived and returned to their ancient homeland is considered a "prophetic miracle."

2. God's Hand in Military Victories and Geopolitical Outcomes

Those who hold this view often interpret Israel's military successes against numerically superior enemies as evidence of divine intervention. The Six-Day War in 1967 and the Yom Kippur War in 1973 are frequently cited as examples. In these events, Israel's quick victories against a coalition of Arab states are seen as a direct result of God's protection, fulfilling the biblical promise to defend His people.

In contemporary conflicts, such as those with Hamas and Hezbollah, this perspective would view Israel's advanced military technology and strategic effectiveness as being guided or blessed by God. The development of defensive systems like the Iron Dome, which intercepts incoming rockets, might be seen as a modern-day manifestation of God's watchfulness over Israel.

3. The Principle of "I Will Bless Those Who Bless You" (Genesis 12:3)

This verse, where God promises Abraham, "I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse," is a cornerstone of this theological perspective. It is often applied to modern-day nations and their relationship with Israel.

* Blessing: The United States, for example, is seen by many as a nation that has been blessed by God, in part, because of its historical and ongoing support for Israel. This support is viewed as a form of "blessing" Israel, which in turn brings God's favor upon the U.S.

* Cursing: Conversely, nations or groups that actively work against Israel are seen as inviting God's judgment. The decline of certain historical empires or the struggles of modern nations that have been hostile to Israel might be interpreted as a fulfillment of the "curse" part of this promise.

4. End-Times Prophecy and the "Time of Jacob's Trouble"

Some of the most intense theological discussion about Israel and current events revolves around "end-times" prophecy. This view suggests that current global conflicts and growing animosity toward Israel are a prelude to a final series of prophetic events.

* Ezekiel 38-39 (Gog and Magog): Many see the prophecy of a massive coalition of nations attacking Israel as a future event that will likely involve Russia (Magog) and Iran (Persia). The current geopolitical alignments, particularly the alliance between these nations, are seen as setting the stage for this prophesied invasion. According to this view, God will supernaturally intervene to destroy these armies, proving His power and sanctifying His name among the nations.

* Zechariah 12:3: This verse, which describes Jerusalem as a "heavy stone for all the peoples," is often interpreted as a prophecy of the current international focus on Jerusalem and the intractable conflicts surrounding its status. The verse states that "all who lift it will surely injure themselves," which is seen as a warning to nations that attempt to interfere with God's plans for the city.

* The Church as "Spiritual Israel": Some believe that the promises made to Israel in the Old Testament are now fulfilled in the Church (composed of all believers in Christ, both Jews and Gentiles). They might not see a direct, one-to-one correlation between the modern state of Israel and the biblical prophecies.

* The Problem of Unconditional Support: Other Christians express concern that an uncritical, blanket support for the modern state of Israel overlooks the complex humanitarian and political issues in the region, particularly regarding the Palestinian people. They would argue that a biblical understanding of justice and compassion must be applied to all people.

* Theological Humility: Many would stress that it is difficult and often presumptuous to pinpoint specific contemporary events as a direct fulfillment of biblical prophecy. The Bible warns against being so focused on "signs" that one misses the main point of God's redemptive work.

In conclusion, for a significant number of Christians, God's defense of Israel in current worldly events is seen through a lens of prophetic fulfillment. The existence of the state of Israel, its military prowess, the blessings on its allies, and the geopolitical tensions surrounding it are all interpreted as ongoing signs of God's faithfulness to His ancient covenant and a prelude to future prophetic events.