photo #8679973

ISRAEL: A FAMILY AFFAIR The secular world can never comprehend why so many Christians sympathize and side with the nation of Israel for the simple reason that the secular world isn't IN THE FAMILY. Israel's present situation is a family affair, and those outside the family will never get it (I Cor. 2:14). The church is NOT Israel, but there is a practical family relation. Before Jesus was born the Son of God and before any sinner became a son of God by believing on Christ (John 1:12; I Pet. 1:23), the corporate nation of Israel had already moved into the family of God by being declared God's SON in Exodus 4:22-23: "And thou shalt say unto Pharaoh, Thus saith the LORD, ISRAEL IS MY SON, even my firstborn: And I say unto thee, Let MY SON go, that he may serve me: and if thou refuse to let him go, behold, I will slay thy son, even thy firstborn." (emphasis added) So, whether he knows it or not, every true Christian has a family relation to Israel and the inner Holy Spirit bears witness to this truth. Like Israel, if you are saved, you are a son of God in an eternal covenant with God, based on the word of God, and your eternal duty is to glorify God (Isa. 46:13; I Cor. 6:19-20). Every time you see Israel on a map you should be reminded of your eternal security as a son of God. Being eternally watched over by the heavenly Father, the "burning bush" stays in the family and is never consumed (Mal. 3:6). He who keeps Israel also keeps YOU (Psa. 121:3-5; I Pet. 1:5). Being in the family long before you, Israel is, in a manner of speaking, your big brother, and he is presently at war. This does concern you, though your unregenerate flesh might not think so, and your prayers are needed. "Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee." (Psa. 122:6)