We refer to the letter from Philip Church in the April issue of NZ Baptist concerning God’s plan for Israel. 

At the time Paul wrote his epistles, he only had the Old Testament. Paul would have had a thorough knowledge of all the OT prophets and their prophecies.

The establishment of the nation of Israel on May 14, 1948 is prophesied in Isaiah 66:8. Indeed, this nation was born in one day.

God has made four unconditional covenants with Israel. The Abrahamic Covenant establishes the blessing of all nations (Genesis 12:2-3) through the promised Messiah, who came through the line of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and the tribe of Judah. The Land Covenant promises the land to Israel as an everlasting possession to Abraham and his seed, the promise being through Isaac and Jacob (Genesis 15:18 and 17:21, Psalm 105:6-11, Jeremiah 30:3, Ezekiel 47:13-22). 

Let us not forget who really owns the land (Leviticus 25:23). The Davidic Covenant promises the Messiah to rule from the throne of David, which is in Jerusalem (Luke 1:33). The New Covenant, originally made with Israel (Jeremiah 31:31-33), is extended to the Gentiles, who are grafted into the root which is Israel (Romans 11:16-21). 

 We must take Jeremiah 31:35-37 very seriously. Here, God declares his promise that Israel shall be a nation before him for ever.

Many people are teaching replacement theology, which claims that the blessings to Israel have been devolved onto the Church. They reject the prophecies concerning Israel but accept the prophecies concerning the Messiah. By doing this, they are suggesting that God can break his covenants, so how sure can we be of his covenant with us? God never changes (Hebrews 13:8). Replacement theology runs the risk of making God out to be unreliable. Is this truly the God we serve?

– Alex and Liz Harkes
Dunedin