US: Who's Got Your Back? Israel!
Of the clever T-shirts for sale in the Old City of Jerusalem, one of my favorites depicts a jet fighter with the Magen David (Star of David) emblazoned on its side and the caption: “America, Don’t Worry; Israel is Behind You.”The irony: The tiny nation, smaller than New Jersey and with a population of under10 million, is watching over the rich, gargantuan country of over 300 million.A deep spiritual meaning underlies the humor: God keeps His covenants. He is supremely faithful and He has never rescinded His calling (Romans11:29) or His love for the seed of Abraham (Jeremiah 31: 3).He still watches over Israel.Psalm 1211 I will lift up my eyes to the hills—From whence comes my help?2 My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth.3 He will not allow your foot to be moved; He who keeps you will not slumber.4 Behold, He who keeps Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.Jewish and Gentile disciples together think of ourselves as “New Covenant” people. It is notable that the Tanakh (Hebrew Scriptures) only once mentions the new covenant. In his chapter 31, the prophet Jeremiah outlined the covenant that God was to reveal to the nation of Israel31 Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah: 33 I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts; 34 They all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them 36 If those ordinances [the stars in the sky, the moon, and the sun!] depart from before Me, says the Lord, Then the seed of Israel shall also cease from being a nation before Me forever.These verses profoundly affect the relationship between God and Israel. God announces His intention, then states that a spiritual change is being offered to Israel: the possibility of an inner victory over sin. Not only so, the Lord of all says, “All Israel will be saved!”—from the youngest and least prestigious to the elders and leaders. God is so committed to this people that His love will last as long as the universe exists.
America, Israel, and Messiah
Herein lies a mystery. Different interpretations of the “Servant Songs of Isaiah” lead to debated views of the New Covenant.The prophet speaks of a special Servant in Isaiah 42:1–4; Isaiah 49:1–13; Isaiah 50:4–11; and Isaiah 52:13–53:12.Is he speaking of Israel or Yeshua?Israel has certainly suffered through the Ages for being a natural representative of the Holy One, but the One who paid the price for sin is Yeshua HaMashiach. The greatest force behind America is the Holy One of Israel. Let’s pray our beloved country remembers that fact.