The Biblical Case for Supporting Israel

Today we join with thousands of churches world-wide and recognize Christians United for Israel Sunday. There are various opinions on Israel, with many of those opinions determined by one's political allegence or religious upbringing. But, as believers, our opinions should be shaped by the inerrant statements of the Word of God. Now, more than ever, we must consult the Scriptures concerning Israel and use this foundation as the basis for our prayers, our decisions, and our actions. What does the Scripture say about Israel and how we should relate to this nation and people? Indeed, this would take many books to answer. But let's start with a quick summary.

1. Israel belongs to God's chosen people, the Jews, and Jerusalem is God's chosen city.

Psalms 132:13-14
¹³ For the LORD hath chosen Zion; he hath desired it for his habitation.
¹⁴ This is my rest for ever: here will I dwell; for I have desired it.

2. Israel and the Jewish state is a prophetic fulfillment (Amos 9:11, Duet 28:36-38, Genesis 15:18, Isaiah 43:5-6, Jer 6:15, Ezekiel 36:9, 35:6-7, Ezekiel 37:21-22, 36:11)

Jeremiah 31:5-8
⁵ Thou shalt yet plant vines upon the mountains of Samaria: the planters shall plant, and shall eat them as common things.
⁶ For there shall be a day, that the watchmen upon the mount Ephraim shall cry, Arise ye, and let us go up to Zion unto the LORD our God.
⁷ For thus saith the LORD; Sing with gladness for Jacob, and shout among the chief of the nations: publish ye, praise ye, and say, O LORD, save thy people, the remnant of Israel.
⁸ Behold, I will bring them from the north country, and gather them from the coasts of the earth, and with them the blind and the lame, the woman with child and her that travaileth with child together: a great company shall return thither.

3. Christ is destined to rule Israel, freeing a world in distress

Psalms 24:7-10
⁷ Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.
⁸ Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle.
⁹ Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.
¹⁰ Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, he is the King of glory. Selah.

4. God Himself will protect Israel and the Holy City, Jerusalem (Ps 87:3, 48:1, 76:1-2, 48:2, 40:9, Zechariah 1:14, 16-21, 2:12)

Zechariah 3:2
² And the LORD said unto Satan, The LORD rebuke thee, O Satan; even the LORD that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee: is not this a brand plucked out of the fire?

5. Mankind, and all nations, are commanded to encourage and support Israel (Is 52:7)

Isaiah 62:11-12
¹¹ Behold, the LORD hath proclaimed unto the end of the world, Say ye to the daughter of Zion, Behold, thy salvation cometh; behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him.
¹² And they shall call them, The holy people, The redeemed of the LORD: and thou shalt be called, Sought out, A city not forsaken.

6. Those who hate Israel and Jerusalem expose themselves to a curse and strict judgment (Zechariah 14:12-13, 16-17).

Psalms 129:5
⁵ Let them all be confounded and turned back that hate Zion.

7. Those who bless Israel and support the Jews qualify themselves for God's blessing and favor.

Genesis 12:2-3
² And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:
³ And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.