Some might question why is all the special consideration on the subject of Israel is needed? Because of the (big misunderstanding within Christianity and other religions) today the true identity of God's Israel is lost. There are those who ...claim that people who have gone through and keep certain rituals and ceremonies and are apart of A RACE are the true Israel. There are those who claim that the residents of the Palestinian nation of "Israel" are the true Israel. However a true Jew or Israelite is one after the Spirit and heart of God. Roman 2:28 For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh; but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit, not in the letter; whose praise is not from men but from God.
Without a good understanding of the concept of “covenants,” we will never fully understand God’s dealing with mankind. In the beginning, God started with (one righteous man) named Abraham, and subsequently his biological descendants became the NATION OF ISRAEL. However a study of the Old Testament clearly shows that as far back as then people from other nationalities were welcome to become a part of God’s covenant people (i.e., God’s “Israel”) even though they were NOT biological descendants of Abraham
Not every person who came out of Egypt with Moses was a Israelite. People form other nationalities who had a sincere desire to SERVE GOD and become apart of God’s covenant people God’s Israel were welcome and assimilated (absorbed equals) into “Israel,” through faith and obedience to the conditions of the covenant.
An alien living among you who wants to celebrate the Lord’s Passover must have all the mails in his household circumcised; them he may take part, like one born in the land... The SAME law applies to the native-born And to the alien living among you” (Ex. 12:48-49) Other verses are (Num.9:14; Isa. 56:4a, 6-7) God always left a back door open to anyone that desire to serve Him.
God’s Israel under the Old Covenant system always had people form other nationalities who desired to serve the God of Abraham by faith. They were assimilated absorbed as equals as long as they were obedient to the covenant. It is interesting to note that in the genealogy of Jesus, there are four women listed, and tow of these women were NOT biological descendants of Abraham. Rahab, the great, great grandmother of David (Matt. 1:5) was a common prostitute in Jericho, but professed faith in the God of Israel (Josh.2:11) and became part of “Israel” along with her entire family (Josh. 6:25; James 2:25).
Ruth, of Moab, (Matt. 1:5) was from the country of Moab, but professed FAITH IN GOD (Ruth. 1:16) and became part of God’s Spiritual Israel with full approval from the elders of the city (Ruth 4:11-12). Ruth was a Jew, and even if she wasn't. Even if Ruth was not Jewish at the time she lived in the country of Moab. Ruth converted to Judaism before marrying Boaz and bearing Obed. See Ruth 1:16, where Ruth states her intention to convert. After Ruth converted, she was a Jew, and apart of God’s Israel. Ruth had a desire to serve God.
Neither of these women was a biological descendant of Abraham, but both were allowed to become biological ancestors of the Lord Jesus. God’s “TRUE ISRAEL” is (and always has been) a spiritual entity, comprised of people who entered into a covenant relationship with Him regardless of nationality or time in history. During the New Testament times the Apostle Paul alludes to this basic fundamental covenant principles in his letters to early Christians. “Being Jewish is not just what in on the outside. No being a Jew depends on what is on the INSIDE (Rom. 2:28-29) “So you should know that the TRUE children of Abraham are those who have faith” (Gal.3:7)
Not all the people from Israel are TRULY people of Israel. Not all the people who descended from Abraham are children of Abraham...This means that not all PHYSICAL descendants are children of God” (Rom. 9:6-8) All through the Bible, God’s faithful obedient covenant people are referred to as “Israel.”
In the beginning, God deals with the patriarchs of Israel as individuals. He deals with Abraham as an individual; with Abraham’s son, Isaac, as an individual. Abraham’s grandson Jacob as an individual; and with Abrahams great grandson Jacob as an individual. And Approximately 400 years after Joseph God dealt with a man named Moses as an individual. So God’s true “Israel is (and always was ) a spiritual entity comprised of covenant people of faith,
The rest were simply a part of the nation of Israel after the flesh. Unfortunate the nation was also called “Israel” and therein lies the confusion both then and now. In other words, from the very beginning, there was a “physical” Israel and a “spiritual” Israel. Those who were apart of spiritual “Israel” were those individuals who accepted the covenant relationship offer and willingly chose to be faithful and obedient to God. And as a hole, the nation was blessed, as long as the majority were faithful and obedient to the conditions of the Old Covenant and God
At the beginning of the New Testament times, it was an accepted fast that God spiritual Israel would still included people who were not biological descendants of Abraham (i.e., non- Jews) Galatians 3:28-29 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.
Compare this verse with the very same thought expressed by God during Old Testament times. You and the alien shall be the SAME before the Lord” (Numbers. 15:15. See also Exo. 12:49; Lev. 24:22 Numbers. 9:14 and 15:16.
In the 20th century, as a general rule, Christian’s still have trouble understanding this concept of two Israel’s one after the Flesh, and the other after the Spirit. Maybe it will help to think of it this way.
In Christ alone is the pattern of God’s Israel realized. "Israel is my son, even my firstborn" (Exodus. 4:22) When Israel was a child, I loved him. And out of Egypt I called My Son (Hosea. 11:1 NKJV). And was there until the death of Herod, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying, [B] “Out of Egypt I called My Son (Matthew. 2:15) We see the true Israel is Christ. And to be in Christ was to be apart of God’s Israel.
