Did God Choose Israel and Not the Other Nations?
By Dr. Mark Bailey – BSF Board Member
One of my greatest joys during the past 35 years has been leading Bible study tours to Israel. Each group is unique. Some are students, others are professors, many have been BSF members. However, one common thread links them all — their deep emotional response.
There is a profound spiritual impact that comes from standing on the sites where Scripture took place. Passages once read in black and white become full-color memories. Israel is the land where God commissioned a small, insignificant group of people to change the world for eternity.
God referred to Israel as “His people” (Deuteronomy 7:6); His “treasured possession” (Psalm 135:4), and even the “apple of His eye” (Zechariah 2:8).
From Deuteronomy 7:6-10, we know that God did not choose Israel because they were strong or mighty. In fact, God chose Israel when they were small and weak, a people without a land.
Beginning with a single man, Abraham, God built a powerful nation. In Genesis 12:2-3, God promised, “I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.”
They were chosen and blessed by God, not only for their own sake, but to be a blessing to all nations, for all time. God’s plan for Israel stretched beyond their borders. Let me highlight three major ways God has blessed the world through His people Israel.
Light to the nations
In a world darkened by sin and chaos, God chose Israel to be a light to the nations. They were called to be a kingdom of priests who were to reflect God’s character to all nations. Through Israel, neighboring peoples or nations discovered what obedience to God would bring and also what would follow as a result of their disobedience. God chose Israel to be a people who would showcase both His redeeming grace and righteous judgment.
In Isaiah 42:6-7, God revealed His character in this declaration to Israel: “I, the LORD, have called you in righteousness; I will take hold of your hand. I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles, to open eyes that are blind, to free captives from prison and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness.”
And again, in Isaiah 49:6, “It is too small a thing for you to be my servant to restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back those of Israel I have kept I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.”
For generations, Israel recognized this burden and prayed accordingly.
Solomon petitioned God to hear the prayers of immigrants within Israel’s border “so that all the peoples of the earth may know your name and fear you, as do your own people Israel” (1 Kings 8:43).
The Psalm writers prayed that:
“… all the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the LORD” (22:27).
“… your ways may be known on earth, your salvation among all nations” (67:2).
“… all nations be blessed” (72:17).
God implemented His saving activity through Israel to transform them. They became His servants to deliver Good News to the world for the salvation of all. The mission of God has always been for the world to know Him as God.
One commentator writes, “God wanted a ‘flagship’ nation that was an example to the world – not of how they behave, but of how He behaves.”
Stewards of God’s Truth
As part of His blessing, God gave Israel a gift. They were “entrusted with the very words of God” (Romans 3:2).
The Psalmist wrote, God “has revealed his word to Jacob, his laws and decrees to Israel. He has done this for no other nation” (Psalm 147:19-20).
Highlighting God’s blessing for Israel, Paul wrote, ““Theirs is the adoption to sonship; theirs the divine glory, the covenants, the receiving of the law, the temple worship and the promises. Theirs are the patriarchs, and from them is traced the human ancestry of the Messiah, who is God over all, forever praised! Amen” (Romans 9:4-5).
But once again, this gift was not for Israel alone.
As stewards of God’s Truth, Israel was given the privilege of guarding God’s Word and sharing it with the nations.
The blessing extends to us today. Through the Jewish Scriptures — the law, the promises, and the patriarchs — God pointed the world to Jesus the Messiah (Luke 24:44). God entrusted Israel with the very foundation of Christianity.
Line of the Messiah
As the ultimate mark of His blessing, God chose Israel to be the human line of the Messiah. Through the Old Testament, we read detailed prophecy, down to the Messiah’s birthplace and gender, that confirm Jesus as the promised Savior. Beginning with Abraham, Jesus’ genealogy can be traced through the Jewish nation, the tribe of Judah, and narrowed to the family of David.
Through the miracle of the virgin birth, God fulfilled Isaiah’s prophecy (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:22-23). At just the right time, He delivered humanity from the curse of sin though Jesus’ substitutionary death (Galatians 4:4).
Once more, the world was blessed through God’s blessing to Israel. While salvation comes through a Jewish Messiah, the Bible makes it clear He is also the Savior for the whole world (John 4:42).
Starting back in Genesis 12:2-3, we see how God kept His promise to Abraham. Throughout their history, Israel did not earn God’s favor; they certainly did not always deserve it. God bestowed His blessing freely, and through that blessing we are blessed.
When we wonder, “Did God choose Israel and not the other nations?” we can answer that God chose Israel “for” the other nations. Through a single people, God reflected His character and delivered His Word to the world. And by keeping an ancient promise, He extended salvation to all people for all time.
When I travel to Israel with a group, I know they will feel deeply connected to the land of Abraham’s promise, because through that promise, we discover eternal hope in Jesus.
More in this series:
Why Does God Judge People He Loves?
New vs. Old Testament: Is God the Same?
Coming Soon
Dr. Mark L. Bailey
BSF Board Member
Dr. Mark L. Bailey is the Chancellor and Senior Professor of Bible exposition at Dallas Theological Seminary in Dallas, Texas, He has served at DTS for 37 years. Prior to assuming the seminary’s presidency, Dr. Bailey served as professor of Bible Exposition and vice president of academic affairs. He pastored churches in Arizona and Texas. He was seminar instructor for the Walk Thru the Bible Ministries for 20 years and is in currently in demand for Bible conferences and other preaching engagements. He is married to his wife, Barby, and they have two married sons and six grandchildren.
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Louise, the answer simply is YES! Pray for all Israelis that they no longer have to incur the hatred that has befallen them for a thousand years!✡️
Beautiful reading. I’ve always had an affection for the Jewish people, something I learned a long time ago from my grandfather who loved Pope John XX111, Angelo who helped the Jews escape the Nazis during WW2. His picture was on his wall. I grew up with the Jewish people and babysat for some. Nice peace loving people just the same as all of us except for some minor
differences that being from an RC. I never thought about anything when I was growing up because I wasn’t taught to hate or…I never ever understood the reason for the hatred of the Jews until now. I don’t have hate in my heart for anyone. I’m still naive even at my 70 something age. until after October 7, here in Canada and the US. Sad 😢. seeing people out on the streets asking for the killing of Jews. I’ll always be behind them. Oh I do know about the holocaust but I couldn’t understand! Why? Was it just that madman in Germany? I can’t even say his name. That being said the Jews are the Chosen. What a price they’ve paid for this. Bless all Israelis worldwide. 😊
How prophetic these words are after October 7:
“ I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people and a light for the gentiles, to open eyes, that are blind to free captives from prison and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness”
It was predicted what is happening now in Israel/Gaza war. What a wake up call!!!
This morning I woke up and CNN was there (I’m not a lover), and I listened to Emily’s dad talking about the daughter he thought was dead but found out was alive, she’s only 9, her birthday was yesterday, he remembers his daughter before Hamas took her as a captive and I have never cried so hard, so early in the day looking at her pictures…come home Emily soon. God is with you and dad (he was overcome with tears🥲), oh I pray for her and will now everyday and have asked my dear departed son who is working on the other side as an angel to help her to come back to her dad …
safe and sound. God bless Israel!
Does Israel still hold favor in Gods eyes?
It seems that Israel and its people were chosen my God before the New Covenant. Israel disobeyed God’s law and killed the Son of God. Acts 7:51-53: “You stiff-necked people! You are just like your ancestors: You always resist the Holly Spirit. You killed those who predicted the coming of the Righteous One. And now you have betrayed and murdered Him- you have received the law given to you by angels, but have not obeyed it. What purpose the God that all Christians believe in has for Israel? God will reveal in HIS own time. Perhaps this October 2023 war is an early sign of God’s plan for Israel. The People of Israel and Palestinian have so much hatred for each other that it might well be the destruction of both. God does not condone hate amongst humans, there for this war, in my mind, is been guided by the Devil! Just a thought.
Stumbled across this blog while researching psalm 147 following on Deut 4:1,5-9 and preceding Matthew 5:17-29 the liturgy of the church for Wednesday the third week in lent and found it very encouraging, indeed challenging. Lord have mercy, Christ have mercy, Lord have mercy. Crux Sancta Sit Mihi Lux: Non Draco Sit Miho Dux: Non Suade Mihi Vana: Ipse Venena Bibas. Saint Benedict pray for the beleaguered citizenry of the worldly wisdom governed nations Eph 6:10-20, Letter to the Hebrews.
Thank you for clarifying this principle. As a believer, I was once cornered by colleagues who went or studied at a Christian university and seemed to have profound knowledge of the story of Israel. They made claim that we had nothing to do with the story of the jews. Infact they believed Christianity to be a foreign religion that has the advantage of having been well documented hence preserving its origins and precinct
Would love to go and visit the nation God choose of all and decide to bless us through it.
blessed nation indeed .
I have dreamted about this too for soo long. May God make it happen
This blog has opened my eyes to the knowledge of Israel as a chosen people. And yes I would love to travel to Israel one day.
This commentary helped so much! One day I would love to go to Isreal with Dr Bailey!!!!
Can you address the issue of predestination. I am in a BSF class. I accept the premise of predestination as it is portrayed in scripture. Another gropu membr does not. Either way it does not seperate us in our love and devotion to God through his son Jesus. Thank you
Herbert, we just received a similar question. I’m hoping we can address predestination specifically in another Hard Questions blog article. It is definitely worth examining!
This is amazing! My husband and I recently visited Israel and he asked the tour guide the same question, “Why did God choose Israel?” You have nailed it. God is sovereign. He chose Israel for His purpose and glory. So that His grace and mercy will be displayed to Israel: imperfect people like we are today.
Nice, article but can it be in audible forms to listen to please, Kate
Kate – we would love to offer in an audible version! Unfortunately, we don’t have the staffing resources yet to offer multiple versions. Thank you for the suggestion. We will look into options
These blogs on hard questions are so very helpful to me and to my ladies. Thank you to our board members and other participants for making the effort to educate us more completely.
Yes, thank you‼️ Prayerfully, some confusion will be clarified for the struggling to understand more fully. Me? Just a little old lady that accepts Gods word fully at my age after trying to grasp the hard parts for years. I know my Lord comforts and leads me with a peace beyond description.
I wish I have known BSF long as the teachings are profound in the way they study the Bible. Analysis of characters and relating to personal life. Step by step I get to understand who God is. I desire that more people should get these teachings and be saved.
Is the New Testament’s Great Commission, then, an extension of Israel’s light to the world?
I really needed to hear this about God’s judgment seeming so harsh at times. I needed to read this and understand it. I’m thinking of myniece who has a teminal disease and is in extreme pain all the time–partially medicated, but it boggles her mind with extreme meds so she takes a lot of the pain rather than having her mind muddled. Extremely bright and funny to others as she hides her pain. She is a somewhat Christian and not a total believer. She questions “why God has let her suffer all these past 14 years. She is in her 50’s. I try to explain God’s plan for her but am woefully inadequate. Her mother is a believer, he brother agnostic.
It should be noted that “Israel” is a covenant God created with His people. We should not confuse the current 1948 political state that is today’s Israel with God’s promises to His people.
Katherine, I do not understand. Can you or HQ explain?
Hi Sylvia, we encourage you to speak with your group leader or teaching leader about these questions. Here, Katherine is referring to the difference between the biblical world of Israel and the modern political state of Israel. Again, we encourage you to reach out to your BSF class with any and all questions you may have about the study. Thank you!
Why don’t the Jewish people believe that Jesus is the Messiah?
AJ, you can find the answer to your question at One for Israel There are many testimonies of Jewish people who have come to faith in their Messiah Yeshua, praise to God!! They all explain what kept them from believing in Jesus.
I’m reminded of the truth(s) of both judgement and mercy in pratical ways daily.
One such way comes by way of the daily routine of driving. Most of those hours and miles spent getting to and from are quite routine. But there are times when that routine is interrupted by the human operators of those moving vehicles; it becomes me/’them’. I want the law enforcement/judgement present when it’s ‘them’. When the red & blue lights are in my rear view mirror, I am not hoping for judgement, but mercy. There is need in daily human endeavours for each. Having a learner’s mindset helps me benefit from both. Thank you BSF for speaking truth from God’s ‘instruction manual’ to guide the day!
It has been a real joy for me to have been part of BSF for about 15 years. It requires some discipline to study every week, but the rewards are great. It’s amazing that there is so much to learn from these weekly assignments. I have been a Christian from a young age, lived in a God fearing home where Bible reading and prayer was a must everyday. Taught Sunday school for years, etc, and yet I find myself learning something new every week. Unending are the mysteries of God’s leading in the lives of His chosen people, but also of us/me as Gentiles.
Thank you for the many years of study and effort the leaders of BSF Head Offices have put into preparing all these studies. Without you this would not have been our pleasure to study. I m so glad God has chosen all you you to make this possible. May God reward you richly.
BSF was such a huge blessing to me and my 2 adult children after coming out of a lengthy abusive marriage. I can’t put into words the blessings I received by getting into HIS WORD.. Those lessons have lasting impact on my life and the lives of my family members and those I live near. The JOY of knowing HIM deeper is indescribable. So very thankful for those years of study in BSF…..so very blessed.
The Three Wise men from the East came before the Holy Family at Jesus Birth. They presented Him with expensive Gifts…Gold, Incense and Myrr. Question: what happened to this lotto which the Holy Family Received??? Suddenly, they became the first known recorded Refugees….
The story of Isreal is interesting, but how does it compare/contrast to 1 Chronicles 5.10
Now the sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel, (for he was the firstborn; but forasmuch as he defiled his father’s bed, his birthright was given unto the sons of Joseph the son of Israel: and the genealogy is not to be reckoned after the birthright.
Thank you so much for your question! We will pass it along.
Who are we mere mortals, even seminary professors, to clearly understand the full nature of God?
Thank you so much for helping me see and understand the Bible more clearly. I consider myself a new Christian too learning God’s word. I’m so thankful for BSF in my life. I have been in church for many years but never could understand what I was reading. I didn’t want too read the Old Testament because it was hard too understand and seemed so harsh. Now because of BSF I love reading it and get excited when I recognize the stories. I am so grateful and blessed too be a part of BSF and thank each one who gives so much too help us understand. I am so excited too keep learning.
So very excellent & clear teaching. We hope to share it w/ my husbands Oncologist who questions why God allowed the persecution of the Jewish people by Hitler.
Dear Dr. Bailey,
That is a question that I have often asked. Thank you for your insightful answer. I would also like to know the answer to a question that many of my unsaved relatives/friends would like to know: “Why does God allow bad things to happen to innocent children?”
Thank you for your question. We will pass it along and consider it for future blog posts.
Thank u so much for explaining why God chose Israel, it makes perfect sense to me now, I knew that it would, I just didn’t know when.
…and it started with October 7. God won’t be to happy anytime soon. No one can fool with his chosen people. Bless and protect all Israelis worldwide and may the hostages be brought back safely, soon.
Thank you for clarifying this point. What a privilege for the Israelites and what a great blessing for those of us who have adopted into the family!!
I LOVE the history of Israel. I am always in AWE of GOD’s chosen people and how HE consistently reveals HIS deep love this unique nation and fir us as well. Thank you for this interesting information which deepens my understanding of God’s purpose and persistent love for Israel.
I would be interested in receiving information about the trips you may lead to Israel in the future. Have been there once but long to return now that I have matured more in the WORD and have a deeper understanding of Israel’s future and Christ’s Return. Thank you
So many today are getting into the teaching or Replacement Theology. Can you shed some light on this?
Hi DeLane, thanks for your question. We will pass it along to Dr. bailey and consider it for future blog posts.
blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.”
Are we hesitant to bless by giving them Jesus?
“Beginning with a single man, Abraham, God built a powerful nation. In Genesis 12:2-3, God promised, “I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” ”
Apparently, it looks like God didn’t “choose” a nation at all, but created one to suit His purposes. Historically, Israel as a nation, fell away from God like all the other nations, so in essence, He could have “chosen” any nation. By building His own nation, God was able build a family tree that would be important in identifying the Messiah, which is one of many reasons that makes the OT crucial to us.
I so enjoyed the excerpt that God chose Israel for other nations. And…..how God reflects HIS character. See it’s not about us, it’s about God’s character. A PROMISE KEEPER and SALVATION giver as seen over and over again.
Absolutely no way to say that God shows favouritism when His only Beloved Son is sacrificed for ‘the world’, not just Israel. Praise The Lord.
Israel was chosen as the nation to show God’s grace but clearly it’s was disappointing and disastrous not because of God’s fault but of men’s own problem (it’s again because of the their wrongly use of the freewill given by God). How could Israelite ancestors say so proudly to guarantee they could obey God’s commandments when they didn’t even know the contents (Exodus 19:8) and repeated again after the law was given by Moses (Exodus 24:7)? Wasn’t this a clear sign of men’s pride, which is a symbol of men’s failure starting from Genesis 3 down to Revelations 20? And this pride always marks a separation between God and His beloved chosen people (this is the case when we think clearly of why God implemented such measures in Exodus 19:12-13, 16-22 as separation from His chosen people), otherwise they could at least see God’s face freely without being struck death (actually no such Bible record, by God’s grace). Is that favouritism? Never! But it’s rather God’s judgments according to His law given by Moses (who put themselves under ‘The Law’ by their ancestral pride.
And The Israelite religious leaders never learnt the painful lesson. They made the same mistake again before Pilate, inviting curses on themselves and all their descendants (Matthew 27:25), which will not disappear until The Second Coming of Our Lord with us. Continuous disasters occurred again and again over Israel. If these are God’s favouritism, that would obviously be the opposite.
Apostle Paul is the one who knows God’s way : first to Jews and then to Gentiles. Praise The Lord that we are never forgotten and is now under His grace, not law any more because He personally fulfilled the law on The Cross. If favouritism is mentioned again, that seems applying to new covenant believers. Hallelujah.
Thank you, Dr. Bailey, for answering this question with such clarity. Your post was a blessing!
I’d love to know when Dr. Bailey takes a group to the holy land.
Same!
God chose one faithful person , and from him, He chose one person at a time from each generation with a purpose to build a nation , so that the Redeemer of this world can arrive . And all the nations in the world will be blessed and benefitted. He doesn’t want any one to perish , and He kept his promises and covenants. Most of it is fulfilled. What is spoken in Revelation is yet to fulfill , then His plan and purpose for humanity will be fulfilled.
Thank you so very much for my emails! I learn so much and enjoy reading them, Please continue sending them.
This was very interesting and helpful. Thankyou!
When believers die our souls immediately go to live with Christ. Why when Christ return our bones rise from the grave and what about those that are cremated or those that die at sea?
Hi Thelma! Thank you for this great question. We will pass it along and consider it for future blog posts.
Thank you, Dr. Bailey, for your Holy Spirit led discernment in answering questions that have been on people’s minds for a long time.
I am eager to encourage my group members to read Holly’s blog and yours to glean from this insiteful information. I have been a group leader for almost 30 years and still learning so much from God’s Word thru the BSF studies over that period of time. Every chapter and verse reveals new truths of His Word.
I am looking forward to reading more from you, Dr. Bailey, as God speaks through you.
Thank you, from a very grateful BSF 80 yr.old “student.”
Such a wonderful Study and I give thanks first to God for provide YOU as a faithful servant to continue
with such a mission!
Thank You for provide for so many that are anxious to study, The History of Israel is not the best example
of faithfulness! But show all of us the Faithfulness OF GOD. How much He has love them and forgive them all
Such a wonderful study!
I appreciate Your effort and dedication to keep available this study for so many that has been called!
I did the Camino, when I finished ended in Santiago, Spain . . . I was told James is buried in the Catholic Cathedral is this true.
Hi Margie! Thanks for your question. We will pass it along.
Thank you Dr. Bailey.
Yes. God did not choose a nation, He chose a man.
The beginning of God’s promise to this nation did not start when they became a nation, it started from one man – Abraham.
I’m learning so much about the OT
can these blogs be on audio as well?
Hi Stephanie! Thank you for your comment. We do not have blogs available on audio at this time, but you can find audio notes and lectures on the BSF app!
Hello… I’m looking forward to more blogs from Dr. Bailey. Blessings, Sherry
Thank you, Pastor for answering my question….Why did God choose Israel and not the other nations? And yes, through Israel , the world has been blessed for the reasons you mentioned. However, I believe there is another reason. Although I can’t explain it as well as you did, I believe it has something to do with the “HEART” of the Jewish People as a nation. I Samuel 16:7b,,,for the Lord looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.” Keep answering the hard questions.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading why
God chose Israel as His people. Deuteronomy 29:29 says the mysteries of God belong to God. I accept His word as definitive. I receive His Word as absolute. So I don’t question what or why God does what He does. He is sovereign
I so love studying the OT and seeing the attributes of God so clearly revealed as He communicates through His chosen people – a message extended to the rest of the world as we are grafted into the family of God.
I truly enjoyed “Did God choose Israel and not the other Nations”. It makes clear the fact that they were to teach others about God, not just a favorite people. I would love to read other article written by Dr. Bailey. Really don’t know how I got this.
Hi Judy! We’re so glad you loved this post. In the BSF archive, you can find many posts, including this post by Dr. Bailey: https://bsfblog.org/jesus-ultimate-lifestyle-guide/.
Thank you so much, Dr. Bailey, for your commitment to the accuracy of the word of God and your ability to share it with others. You are a blessing.
God chose Israel , That through them He himself would come in the flesh to bring salvation to the whole world. Thus the whole world was chosen John 3:16, sadly people chose to reject this great gift of God and miss his awesome presence and love along with all the benefits offered through His promises.
Thanks for the information. This have answer my question about Israel. About Israel being chosen or or God favorite. This information was very knowledgeable &wise.
Israel a flagship nation chosen by God to be the steward to deliver His truth and character.
How God chooses Israel again on the principle of the weak to confront the strong is amazing.
A very informative and relevant truth based on God’s promises
Thank you Dr. Bailey for this clear examination of this question. The irony and great tragedy of history is the extreme prejudice and persecution the Jewish people have suffered at the hands of so called Christians since the time of Christ, a Jew himself.
I don’t understand how or why people mistreat Jews. They are God’s chosen people. I pray for the Jews and all people, even the ones who hate me. I know I can’t go to heaven hating his creation. Please try to love us all.
This is indeed perspective changing!
Thank you for this great knowledge about God’s promises to all nations through Israel and the proof of God who does not show favouritism but out of love and grace Israel was set apart for our good
Why are so many preachers teaching Replacement theology now?
Question: why God allows bad things happen? The earth is his and all that is in. God is all knowing but why
Vivian – thank you for sharing!
Dr. Bailey, What a gift for me to read the truth about God’s choice of His people Israel from you as a Board member of BSF. When I was asked to be a group discussion facilitator, my first question was where is BSF on Israel and who are the theologians involved with the study? Though my husband & I had studied for many years with BSF before moving to Israel in 1998, I was reluctant to reinvest in BSF because of the culture pressures and biblical compromises we experienced upon our return to the States after living, working, and studying in Jerusalem for 5 years. Churches seemed so unfamiliar with the truth of God’s revelation through the Original Testament and were often immersed in replacement theology, anti-Semitism, and lack of prayer for the Jewish people. God chose Israel “for” the other nations and to this day He continues in that covenant of love for His treasured possession. Without the Jewish people and the Hebrew Scriptures I would never have known the depth of the Father’s love. I had known the depth of Jesus’s love through His faithful ministry of grace and truth, but the whole counsel of God taught me and continues to teach me how to live daily in fresh awareness and obedience through the study and application of His Word.
God is omniscient; therefore, he knew in advance that His “chosen people” would be the same ones who called for Jesus to be crucified. How do I give a rational explanation to a non-believer?
Having been born 10 years after the Holocaust, in a Jewish family, I had never thought of Israel as being much favored. Kids used to call me “Julie the Jew” in elementary school. When I was about 6 this kid came up to me, pointed to his Crucifix and said “You did this!” I was frightened. I didn’t even know what a Crucifix was. Once a friend told me I couldn’t come back to his house because his mother found out I was Jewish. It was very painful. I was just a little kid. As I got older I used my humor like when they would ask me if I had horns. I never said anything to my parents. I would like to say that it stopped when I became an adult. I still get asked ridiculous questions, i.e. “Is it true that all Jews have small earlobes?” I never wear my Star of David, or Mazuzah in public. An acquaintance, years ago, would always introduce me as “This is Julie, my Jewish friend.” What I wanted her to say was “This is Julie, my friend.”
I’m so very sorry for the bias and pain you’ve experienced, especially from Christians. Jesus was Jewish too. He said, “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you.” John 15:18
God loves you!
Julie, I am so sorry for the pain you have endured. And very sorry every Christian that met you did not thank you for being Jewish. Without you no one in the world would ever know the one true living God of the Bible. You are the archaeological evidence that there is a living God who speaks and acts and performs miracles. Without you we would have no ancient stories or rituals or reminders through fests and festivals that there is a God to even depict the heart, the truth, the compassion, and the judgement of God. We would have no understanding of faith, love, covenant, sin, forgiveness, or atonement. You gave us all the words and stories of God. You Julie, your heritage, your history, and even your pain. God sees, He knows, He grieves with you. I wear a star of David as a Christian, and a menorah, and have prayed with the Jewish people in synagogues because the Jewish people gave me and still gives me so much. And God cared enough about the Gentiles to become a man to show us the very face of God in Jesus, who is Jewish. God loves His people, and is grieved at the sins of those who do not yet know Him. I grieve too. I cannot take away your painful memories, but Jesus can, wants, to, and will if you ask. He does not take away your Jewishness only brings a depth of an understanding to it, and turns your ashes into beauty. He is your Shalom!
I am so sorry for your difficult experiences. This should never happen to any of God’s beautiful children! You are designed with a purpose and so much mire loved then you can imagine by God our Father. True Christ followers would not have treated you like this. I pray they have changed by now and that you can be healed of those hurtful times.🙏💕
Dearest Julie,
If you were my friend, I would introduce you as my friend, not Jewish friend. It hurts my heart to read of comments that you endured.
Blessings to you, my friend Julie
Thankyou for explaining so simplicity the blessings of Israel’s connection to Jesus Christ. I am 79 and my one desire is to visit the land of my Savior. Your connectedness to the Bible and the country of Israel makes this a touch of The Master tonite as I read this!
Dr. Bailey,
I truly enjoy your writings! I was blessed to tour Israel in 1997, and your statement: “There is a profound spiritual impact that comes from standing on the sites where Scripture took place. Passages once read in black and white become full-color memories.” describes my feelings exactly, which I have expressed many times in describing my experience in similar terms. I look forward to reading more of your writings which illuminate the scriptures so well.
On the other hand, He makes it clear that He defines how WE must approach Him — beginning with repentance at the baptism of John — in order to grow into the fullest possible relationship with The Father & His Son. Jas. 4.6,7. KJV
After the flood, He allowed a few hundred years for mankind to see what men will do on their own. Just 3 generations after the Flood came a ruler named Nimrod, building cities with a central building project. It wasn’t until 7 generations later that God established in Abraham righteous faith, building nothing on his own (Ps. 127.1 KJV), rather than man’s religious and political endeavors. His “chosen” people are also His chosen ensamples (1 Cor. 10.11 KJV), both in righteousness and in unrighteousness…
Thank you so much for sending this out to us.I think it’s wonderful that Dr. L. Mark Bailey has written this blog. I hope that you can relay to him that I enjoyed it tremendously. It’s wonderful to be able to read it again and again whenever I want. Please convey my thanks to him if that’s possible. ✝️
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” God chose Israel because they’re small, weak & without land”. Are there any nations in the globe that suffers the same, small, weak & no land? Why just Israel? God can also choose other nations, do His purpose what He intended for Israel to do.
I don’t fully understand what’s going on to Israelites & Palestinians at the present time. I think because Isreal is God’s chosen nation, it got to the heads of the Israelites, that they can do whatever they want, like invading neighboring nation. As a kid, my nanny who is illiterate, told me, Jews are usurpers. As an adult, I thought that’s why most Jews are rich people. Maybe because of that, comes a lot of anti-semitism?
Thank you Dr Bailey! I have been blessed by your words before and now I am blessed again.
I just returned from Israel two days ago and saw a BSF bus there on tour at a hotel on the Sea of Galilee.
It is awesome to go to this little land where God touched down to show us His grace and truth (John 1:17) through His Son, Jesus Christ!
All His earthly life Jesus knew
what His earthly end would be and yet He walked steadfastly to the cross and completed the purpose for which He had come! God’s judgment fell on Him so we might
be spared by taking refuge in Him
by faith.
II Cor 8:9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich.
“Jesus don’t let me forget what you went through for me,
Nor the love Lord that You showed in dying upon the tree;
If my heart should ever grow cold then Jesus remind me,
Of the pain Lord that You bore on Calvary.
You submitted yourself to the cross though it should have been me,
You who knew no sin were made sin that you might cleanse me;
Oh what measure of love made you go, I think Jesus will never know,
Until heaven is finally our home
and we clearly see thee.
Praise God for the life of Dr. Bailey! An the others who like him, help us understand God’s Word more & whose life witness inspires us to walk in God’s ways!!!
Thank you for sharing your wisdom and understanding so that we may know Him and His ways better.
What are your thoughts on the meaning of Deuteronomy 32:7-9?
Some, including Michael Heiser, think this is God sending lesser spiritual beings from the heavenly realm to watch over other nations but Israel he chose for himself. That thought doesn’t contradict the fact that Israel was to show the glory of YHWH to the other nations.
Excellent question! We will send it to Dr. Bailey
God’s omniscient & infinity is beyond my
humanness , yet He reach out to my finite world through His Son Jesus Christ.
Thank you Mark. That’s a very clear explanation and overview.
Can you tell me more about your Bible study tours to Israel? I would love to join an historical, not just a religious one, tour of Israel. Thanks
The Isaiah 42 and 49 passages quoted above are clearly about the Messiah, not the nation of Israel. How could Israel be tasked with restoring itself?
Mike – thank you for asking! We will forward your question to Dr Bailey
I was taught that Isaiah 42:6-7 and Isaiah 49:6 refer to Messiah; is this incorrect, or is there a sense in which they refer both to the nation of Israel and to Messiah?
Agnes- thank you for asking! We will forward your question to Dr Bailey
Thank you for answering the question I asked our first week of this current study.
Just one more question-why do Jews not recognize Jesus Christ? Have they been blinded?
I also felt that awe while traveling through Israel to visit biblical sites. I stood on ground where David engaged Saul, where Elijah brought fire down from heaven etc. even the highways had signs directing motorists to ancient cities mentioned in the Bible The past and present became one.
If I may presume to assist, try Romans Chapter 11…Joel
Thanks you for all the time and work you put into BSF. I have found BSF to be the most profound Bible study that I have studied in my life of 74 years. It has been moving and impactful in my life.
Thank you
Can you tell me more about your Bible study tours to Israel
Thank you
Martha
Comment on Replacement Theology. Even though a P.K. until about 3 years a retired Southern Baptist missionary said Do not support the Israels, they lost God’s favor with disobeying God so many times. and told me about Replacement Theology. They can become a christian thru Jesus, but lost their gift of covenant and land.
Does God forget his promises?
NEVER! He is God
Israel has been a nation of dry bones for about 2,500 years. But, take a look at Ezekiel 37. His promise to Abraham has a parenthetical period for the Gentiles; but, has not become null and void.