I want to start by explaining why I was so perplexed by this question. Until I realized that scripture interprets scripture, I never understood anything in the Bible. That may sound foolish, but what the preachers were preaching cluttered my head when I was initially saved (4 years ago). Because it was written; it was in the Bible, I trusted what they said.
I did not know how damaging it was to take things out of context. Most people believe that the context provided by the surrounding verses is all that matters. I found that digging up other places in the Bible where God speaks about the same subject might teach you a lot more. I read the Bible, but I didn’t scrutinize it. God never contradicts Himself.
Why is there so much misinformation about Jews and Israel? I wrestled with this problem for a year or two. One school of thought maintains that Israel is holy (Revelation 11:8). They think all Jews will be saved in the end. But what about the Jews who perished before the world ended? Were they automatically saved?
Those who practice “replacement theology” are another group. They consider Jews and non-Jews to be the same. I’ve noticed that “replacement theology” is becoming a negative term that is used to dismiss someone.
When it came to Israel and the Jews, something didn’t add up.
God gives promises to Israel that appear to be divided into two covenants. The covenant with Israel would last perpetually, and the gentiles would have Jesus. However, it did not correspond to reality, such as the absence of a Jew or a Greek (Galatians 3:28).
Because of my research, I recognized we required a definition of a Jew and Israel. How can we decide if we aren’t even using the correct definition which God has provided us with many times? This is where I just dump all of my Bible verses. I’d like to draw attention to a few points.
To worship idols, or to break the covenantal laws given at Sinai, would exclude even a natural-born Israelite from being part of Israel, the covenant. Thus, the law repeatedly says that any individual Israelite who violates these stipulations will be “cursed” and “cut off from Israel”—no longer to be included in God’s chosen people Deuteronomy 27:15-26; Exodus 30:33, 38; 31:14; Leviticus 17:14; 18:29; 20:18; 23:29; Numbers 9:13; 19:13; Genesis 17:14; Exodus 12:15
Steve Gregg. Empire of the Risen Son.
Bible Verses
Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the Lord: But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the Lord, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.
Jeremiah 31:31-33
For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;)
Romans 2:14-15
Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.
Matthew 21:43
But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;
1 Peter 2:9
Rahab and Ruth are two of the most well-known examples of Gentiles joining Israel, the chosen nation.
I will smite them with the pestilence, and disinherit them, and will make of thee a greater nation and mightier than they.
Numbers 14:12
As for me, behold, my covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be a father of many nations.
Genesis 17:4
Nations is the word gentile
(As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were. Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be.
Romans 4:17-18
Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel: Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called. That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed.
Romans 9:6-8
Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ
Galatians 3:16
And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.
Galatians 3:29
Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.
Galatians 3:7
For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.
Philippians 3:3
He came unto his own, and his own received him not. As many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
John 1:11-13
And I saw, when for all the causes whereby backsliding Israel committed adultery I had put her away, and given her a bill of divorce; yet her treacherous sister Judah feared not, but went and played the harlot also.
Jeremiah 3:8
For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.
Romans 2:28-29
Pilate answered, Am I a Jew? Thine own nation and the chief priests have delivered thee unto me: what hast thou done? Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.
John 18:35-36
And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven.
Acts 2:5
There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
Galatians 3:28
And not as Moses, which put a veil over his face, that the children of Israel could not stedfastly look to the end of that which is abolished: But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ. But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart. Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away.
2 Corinthians 3:13-16
Here are some points I saw with these verses:
- Jesus made a new covenant with them
- The kingdom was taken from them and given to another nation
- The believers are a holy nation
- The circumcision worship God in the spirit and rejoice in Jesus
- The children of faith are children of Abraham
- The promise was to one and it was Jesus
- Abraham is the father of many nations (the word nations is gentiles)
- He gave Israel and Judah a bill of divorce
- They are not all Israel who are of Israel
- A Jew is not one inwardly
- Jews of every nation in Jerusalem
- There is neither Greek nor Jew
- The Jews are not blinded because it is taken away in Christ, the same way it is in gentiles
Common Debates
Some say the Jews are blind and that is why they cannot accept Christ, but the gentiles are also blind. They all have been blinded by the god of this world (Satan). They may be blinded in different ways, but they are still blind. According to 2 Corinthians 4:3-4, all men are blind until the gospel of Christ shines upon them.
Many will use Romans 11 to prove there are still two covenants.
I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.
Romans 11:1
Yes, God has not forsaken Abraham’s physical seed. That does not imply there are two covenants. This implies that they can be saved through Jesus. There are and will be more people who are Abraham’s physical seed who come to Christ. They can be grafted back in (Romans 11:23). Romans 11 must be read in its proper context. Essentially, the entire chapter explains this.
Verse 28 in Romans 11 is another point I’d like to discuss.
As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the father’s sakes.
Romans 11:28
Yes, they are beloved because Abraham (their father) brought the seed of Jesus. That still does not equal that there are two covenants.
For more on the land of Israel, here is another study I did.