Why Should Christians Support Israel?

November 13, 2023

The nation of Israel was founded around 1400 BC (the date of the Exodus is uncertain) when Joshua led the Jewish army into the land of Canaan, and through a miraculous series of great military victories, crushed the tribes that controlled sections of Canaan and established Israel as a nation. The nation rose to the heights of world power under the kingships of David and Solomon (1010 BC – 930 BC). The northern part of Israel fell to the Assyrians around 722 BC and the Southern Kingdom, known as Judea, fell to the Babylonians in 568 BC. Since that time, the nation of Israel has been occupied by the Assyrians, Babylonians, Persians, Greeks, Romans, Arabs, Ottomans, and British.

In contrast, the nation of Palestine has never existed. On November 15, 1988, Yasser Arafat, chairman of the Palestinian Liberation Organization, issued the Palestinian Declaration of Independence from Algiers. Palestine has never had a place they can call their homeland. They have existed to destroy Israel. The chant, “From the River to the Sea, Palestine will be free,” would be appropriate on the lips of Nazi Germany. It calls for the genocide of all Jews who live in Israel. The Palestinians mean it. The ruling government of the Gaza Strip, the Palestinian Authority, has a Martyr fund of $350 billion annually, for terrorists and their families who have killed Jews.

As Americans, we should support Israel for obvious reasons. First, Israel is a strategic ally — helping them helps us. Both countries have their flaws, as do all countries, but both stand for freedom and seek to spread freedom around the world. Second, Israel shares our democratic values. The government of Israel adheres to the rule of law and treats its citizens, including Arabs and Muslims, fairly and equally under the law. Third, Israel’s enemies are daily plotting their destruction. Hamas (supported by Palestinians) and Hezbollah (supported by Iran), are just two of the many jihadist groups organized for one purpose, to destroy Israel and kill Jews.

I believe Christians should pray for and support Israel for Biblical reasons. First, God Gave the Promised Land to the Jewish people as their eternal home. Israel is a unique nation because it was established by an act of God, who promised Abraham there would be an eternal covenant. Genesis 17:8 reveals, “The whole land of Canaan, where you now reside as a foreigner, I will give as an everlasting possession to you and your descendants after you; and I will be their God.”

Secondly, we read in Genesis 12:3, that God has promised to bless those who bless Israel. The Lord says, “I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” There are many countries and leaders in the Old Testament who came to believe in the power of the God of Israel, supported Israel, and were blessed. When the Assyrian empire was beginning to become established, General Naaman contracted leprosy. After God healed Naaman, through the prophet Elijah, Naaman declared, “Now I know that there is no God in all the world except in Israel” (II Kings 5:15). I believe a convincing case can be made that our country has benefitted from God’s blessing, in part because of our relationship and support of Israel. I would not recommend testing God’s word, and would always desire God’s blessing and none of God’s curses.

There are a few general truths that I believe can be made about the Israeli/Palestinian conflict. First, if all the Palestinians were to put down their guns there would be peace. If all Jews put down their guns, there would be no more Jews. I have never heard anyone refute the truth of this statement. Second, when Muslims come to that place where they love their children more than they hate Jews, hostilities in the Middle East will end. And finally, Israel is holy land to three of the world’s largest religions: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. People from all over the world want to go to Jerusalem to celebrate the roots of their faith. If the hatred of Jews were to end, the wealth of Israel would skyrocket, and people of all faiths and races who live there would benefit.

Do you think history reveals that God blesses those who bless Israel and curses those who curse Israel? What are some examples in your mind? Do you believe that God gave the Promised Land to the Jews as the Bible states? Does this affect the way you pray and believe that God’s hand is at work in this terrible war? (To find out more about Al Earley or read previous articles see, www.lagrangepres.org).