Should we protect the nation of Israel?


Question / Comment - Should we protect the nation of Israel?

What verse in the bible states we as a nation are to protect Israel? Thanks

JPN Reply:

Hi,

I'm not sure who the 'we' is (maybe you are meaning the USA???) but here are some quick thoughts... There are general verses, promises and warnings in the Bible to bless, help and pray for the nation of Israel.

The Bible commands us to pray for the peace of Jerusalem (Psalm 122:6) and to speak out for Zion’s sake (Isaiah 62:1). When God made His covenant with Abraham in Gen 12 He said:

"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.
3 I will bless those who bless you,
and whoever curses you I will curse;
and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you."

This unconditional covenant still applies. God still blesses those (countries and people) that bless Abraham's descendant's - the nation of Israel and he gives a warning in Zechariah 2:8 that whoever touches them touches the apple of His eye. We also know that because of Israel's disobedience they were scattered and persecuted amongst the nations. But have a look at Joel chapter 3 which shows the basis for which God will judge the nations in the last days:

‘In those days and at that time,
when I restore the fortunes of Judah and Jerusalem,
2 I will gather all nations
and bring them down to the Valley of
Jehoshaphat. There I will enter into judgment against them
concerning my inheritance, my people Israel,
for they scattered my people among the nations
and divided up my land. They cast lots for my people
and traded boys for prostitutes; they sold girls for wine
that they might drink.


God will judge the nations because of how they treated His people Israel and how their land was divided up! On that basis, it is good that the USA has supported Israel in the past but very dangerous that their current policy (and that of the last 15 years or so) has been about Israel giving more of their land for so called peace.

In short, Israel, being a nation specifically chosen by God, has very few friends in this world. Christians should be one of them and yes, any nation that prides itself on having a Christian foundation should do likewise.

---------------------------------------------

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,
who stirs up the sea
so that its waves roar—
the LORD Almighty is his name:
36 "Only if these decrees vanish from my sight,"
declares the LORD,
"will the descendants of Israel ever cease
to be a nation before me."
37 This is what the LORD says:
"Only if the heavens above can be measured
and the foundations of the earth below be searched out
will I reject all the descendants of Israel
because of all they have done,"
declares the LORD.


All the best.