Welcome to part 3 of the series, Debunking Replacement Theology.
The nation of Israel and the church, the body of Jesus Christ, are two separate entities. God has not changed His mind. The church has not replaced Israel. God has a unique plan for both.
Eventually, the offspring of Abram would become the promised nation.
Abram (Abraham) to Isaac to Jacob (Israel) to 12 tribes which comprise the nation.
This is the story of the birth of a nation. The verses below are how the man named Jacob had his name changed to Israel. The nation Israel would come from this man Jacob. This is a brief history, present, and future of God’s chosen nation.
Genesis 32:24-28 And Jacob was left alone. And a man wrestled with him until the breaking of the day. When the man saw that he did not prevail against Jacob, he touched his hip socket, and Jacob’s hip was put out of joint as he wrestled with him. Then he said, “Let me go, for the day has broken.” But Jacob said, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” And he said to him, “What is your name?” And he said, “Jacob.” Then he said, “Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with God and with men, and have prevailed.”
In the Hebrew, Jacob or Ya`aqob means “heel holder” or “supplanter”. It can also mean he cheats or deceives. Jacob was given this name because of the events at his birth.
Genesis 25:26a Afterward his brother came forth with his hand holding on to Esau’s heel, so his name was called Jacob…
This name accurately describes Jacob. He cheated and deceived his brother Esau for his inheritance. Remember the lentil incident in Genesis 25.
The deceiver met his match in his future father in law, Laban. See Genesis 29-31 for the complete details with Laban the master manipulator and his daughters.
Any one watching modern day Israel in action today in the 21st century since their rebirth as a nation would agree, Israel continues to demonstrate mastery levels of deception. If you don’t believe that, watch their intelligence capabilities and Mossad in action.
Mossad (Hebrew: המוסד, “the Institute”) is Israel’s national foreign intelligence agency, officially known as the Institute for Intelligence and Special Operations.
- Intelligence collection (primarily human intelligence/HUMINT)
- Covert operations
- Counterterrorism
- Strategic special missions abroad
Mossad is estimated to have around 7,000 staff and an annual budget of roughly $3 billion (second-largest in the Western world after the CIA). Key units include the Caesarea department for special operations and the elite Kidon (“Bayonet”) unit, known for targeted actions.
Its official motto draws from Proverbs 11:14: “Where no counsel is, the people fall, but in the multitude of counselors there is safety”
The above verse is often loosely associated with themes of deception in intelligence work, though that’s not the literal motto. -Wikipedia
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God changed Jacob’s name to Israel. In the Hebrew, Israel or Yisra’el means “God prevails”. Per Holman’s Bible Dictionary, Israel means God strives, God rules, God heals, or he strives against God.
Genesis 32:28 Then he said, “Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with God and with men, and have prevailed.”
The verse above has proven to be prophetic for nation Israel. The country struggled against Egypt and was held captive for 400 years. God delivered His people out of slavery and bondage in the Book of Exodus.
God’s chosen people were taken captive by Tiglath-Pileser and the Assyrian Empire. Nebuchadnezzar led the Babylonians and plundered Jerusalem. Those who survived were taken back to Babylon. Israel was under Persian rule after they conquered Babylon.
They were dispersed throughout the world in the first century at the hands of the Roman Empire. They survived the Spanish Inquisition in the late 1400’s. Hitler attempted to exterminate the Jewish people during the middle of the 20th century in World War II.
Israel was reborn as a country in a day in 1948. The rebirth of Israel in one day was prophesied in Isaiah 66:8-9.
Isaiah 66:8-9 “Who has heard such a thing? Who has seen such things? Can a land be born in one day? Can a nation be brought forth all at once? As soon as Zion travailed, she also brought forth her sons. Shall I bring to the point of birth and not give delivery?” says the LORD. “Or shall I who gives delivery shut the womb?” says your God.
The same promise of Ezekiel 37 and the vision of the valley of dry bones was fulfilled.
Today, Israel is a nation again. The fact Israel is a nation again defies history. Name one other country who disappeared for about 2,000 years and resurrected into being from the past.
This nation, Israel is going to survive and overcome. The promise is made to Israel. God keeps His promises. This fulfillment is not about the corporate actions of the nation Israel. This nation is not morally superior because God chose them. God can manage the sins of Israel.
I support Israel, God’s chosen people. As a member of the church, I want what is best for them. The church should love, uphold and bless Israel. This does not mean we should enable or condone all of their actions. The church should not kick Israel to the curb. I will not tell them every thing they do is good.
That said, Israel has a right to defend themselves against people who openly state they seek their destruction. Israel has enemies who do not hold life valuable or sacred.
Ultimately, it is about God keeping his word and demonstrating His righteousness and sovereignty. Israel means God Prevails.
“Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with God and with men, and have prevailed.”
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This series is an excerpt from the book, Rapture the Bride Redeemed. https://www.amazon.com/Paul-Lehr/e/B09W8FB77N
