God chose Israel because of their faithful ancestor, Abraham. Hebrews 11:8,11 recount the two most prominent examples of Abraham’s faith in God. God told Abraham in Genesis 12:2 that He would make a ‘great nation’ from his descendants. “And I will make you into a great nation, And I will bless you, And make your name great; And you shall be a blessing…”
Abraham had only one ‘son of the Promise’. Romans 9:9 (CSB), “For this is the statement of the promise: At this time I will come, and Sarah will have a son.” God repeated His covenant with Abraham in Genesis 17:19, “Your wife Sarah will bear you a son, and you shall name him Isaac; and I will establish My covenant with him as an everlasting covenant for his descendants after him.”
Isaac fathered Jacob. And God spoke to Jacob in Genesis 35:10-12 and said, “Your name is Jacob; you shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel (one who has power with God) shall be your name.” God also said to him, “I am God Almighty; Be fruitful and multiply; A nation and a multitude of nations shall come from you, And kings shall come from you. And the land which I gave to Abraham and Isaac, I will give to you, And I will give the land to your descendants after you.”
Jacob, now renamed Israel, had twelve sons. This family multiplied greatly while they were slaves in the land of Egypt. Their great Exodus marked the birth of Israel as a nation. God led them out of Egypt, developed His relationship with them during their 40 years in the wilderness, and ultimately led them into the promised land.
Samuel summarized Israel’s history and legacy in 2 Samuel 7:22-24 (CSB), “This is why you are great, Lord GOD. There is no one like you, and there is no God besides you, as all we have heard confirms. And who is like your people Israel? God came to one nation on earth in order to redeem a people for himself, to make a name for himself, and to perform for them great and awesome acts, driving out nations and their gods before your people that you redeemed for yourself from Egypt. You established your people Israel to be your own people forever, and you, LORD, have become their God. ” (See also Amos 3:2.)
Israel was, is, and will always be God’s special representatives in the Earth. The promise to bless the human race through Israel with the birth and redemption brought through Messiah is the great Gospel (good news) of Galatians 3:8. The glorious kingdom to come soon will accomplish this great blessing through Jesus and the faithful Church in Heaven and the heroes of faith and righteous Israel on Earth.
End Times prophecies continue to interest many. At the center of much controversy is the tiny nation of Israel. Hated by many, Israel faces great obstacles for its very survival. This booklet outlines End Times prophecy and how God will one day fight for Israel as He sets up His earthly kingdom.
Download the free PDF: "Will Israel Survive the End Times?"
