With the recent tensions in the Middle East, it is important for Christians everywhere to understand the times, recognize their role, and confirm their commitment and obedience to God. The Sapphire Project places Israel and the Jewish people as a priority for support, especially in these end times. We believe that Israel is the Promised Land and the Jewish people are the apple of God’s eye, God’s chosen, who He established a covenant with many thousands of years ago that still holds today.
Zechariah 2:8-10 says;
For this is what the Lord Almighty says: “After the Glorious One has sent me against the nations that have plundered you—for whoever touches you touches the apple of his eye. I will surely raise my hand against them so that their slaves will plunder them. Then you will know that the Lord Almighty has sent me. “Shout and be glad, Daughter Zion. For I am coming, and I will live among you,” declares the Lord (NIV).
For you are a people holy to the LORD your God. Out of all the peoples on the face of the earth, the LORD has chosen you to be his treasured possession. (Deuteronomy 14:2 NIV).
This clearly establishes God’s word about Israel.
Genesis 13:14-15 tells us;
The LORD said to Abram after Lot had parted from him, “Look around from where you are, to the north and south, to the east and west. All the land that you see I will give to you and your offspring forever (NIV).
Genesis 15:18-19 outlines these lands;
On that day the LORD made a covenant with Abram and said, “To your descendants I give this land, from the Wadi of Egypt to the great river, the Euphrates–the land of the Kenites, Kenizzites, Kadmonites, Hittites, Perizzites, Rephaites, Amorites, Canaanites, Girgashites and Jebusites” (NIV).
Genesis 26:2-3 confirms God’s promise;
The LORD appeared to Isaac and said, “Do not go down to Egypt; live in the land where I tell you to live. Stay in this land for a while, and I will be with you and will bless you. For to you and your descendants I will give all these lands and will confirm the oath I swore to your father Abraham (NIV).
Genesis 28:13-15;
There above it stood the LORD, and he said: “I am the LORD, the God of your father Abraham and the God of Isaac. I will give you and your descendants the land on which you are lying. Your descendants will be like the dust of the earth, and you will spread out to the west and to the east, to the north and to the south. All peoples on earth will be blessed through you and your offspring. I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you” (NIV).
This covenant is the authentic Word of God that provokes us to support Israel and the Jewish people.
Here are some critical principles for supporting Israel:
1. God chose Israel
Israel is God’s prized possession, the apple of God’s eye (Zechariah 2:8). God gave the land of Israel to Abraham, Issac, Jacob, and their descendants in an everlasting covenant.
Genesis 17: 19-21;
Then God said, “Yes, but your wife Sarah will bear you a son, and you will call him Isaac. I will establish my covenant with him as an everlasting covenant for his descendants after him. And as for Ishmael, I have heard you: I will surely bless him; I will make him fruitful and will greatly increase his numbers. He will be the father of twelve rulers, and I will make him into a great nation. But my covenant I will establish with Isaac, whom Sarah will bear to you by this time next year” (NIV).
We find the boundaries of Israel’s land in Numbers 24:2-15, Ezekiel 47:13-28; 48. Examine the map of Israel, and you will discover that the information in these scriptures indicates that Israel’s land stretches beyond its current borders. Supporting Israel does not communicate disdain for Arabs because Christ called us to love and pray for all people, “I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people” (1 Timothy 2:1 NIV).
2. Christianity has Jewish roots
Christians must acknowledge their attachment to the Jewish people by their love for Jesus Christ. Addressing the Samaritan woman in John 4:22, Jesus affirms, “You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews” (NIV). Jesus was a Jew. Luke 1:26; 2:21; 41-50 highlights Jesus’ participation in Jewish culture. When Jesus died on the cross, His inscription read “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews” (John 19:19). Christians are forever connected to Israel and the Jews.
3. God blesses those who bless Israel and the Jews
The Bible instructs us to bless Israel and the Jewish people;
“I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you” (Genesis 12:1-3 NIV).
For Zion’s sake I will not keep silent, for Jerusalem’s sake I will not remain quiet, till her righteousness shines out like the dawn, her salvation like a blazing torch (Isaiah 62:1 NIV).
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they that love thee shall prosper. Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy palaces. For my brethren and companions’ sakes, I will say now, peace be within thee. For the sake of the House of the Lord our God I will seek thy good (Psalm 122 NIV).
“I have posted watchmen on your walls, O Jerusalem; they will never be silent day or night. You who call on the LORD, give yourselves no rest, and give him no rest till he establishes Jerusalem and makes her the praise of the earth” (Isaiah 62:6-7 NIV).
They were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in the Jews’ spiritual blessings, they owe it to the Jews to share with them their material blessings (Romans 15:27 NIV).
Different Biblical stories convince us of these blessings. Genesis 30:27 articulates Laban’s blessing because of Jacob;
But Laban said to him, “If I have found favor in your eyes, please stay. I have learned by divination that the LORD has blessed me because of you” (NIV).
In Genesis chapter 41, God blessed Pharaoh and the Egyptian people because of Joseph;
When the famine had spread over the whole country, Joseph opened all the storehouses and sold grain to the Egyptians, for the famine was severe throughout Egypt. 57And all the world came to Egypt to buy grain from Joseph, because the famine was severe everywhere. (Genesis 41:56-57 NIV).
4. God curses those who curse Israel and the Jews
Jewish history is a tale of persecution, and this continues today. The stories of Moses and Pharoh illustrate God’s judgment on those who abuse the Jews. The Israelites were Pharoh’s slaves, but when Pharoh refused to let them go, the Lord sent ten plagues on Egypt.
Jewish history is replete with Anti-Semitism, the longest hatred. Today, many people have contempt for Israel and the Jewish people. It is significant to note that while God loves all people, He established His covenant with Israel and the Jews, and He expects Christians to pray for the peace of Jerusalem.
Receive God’s blessings by renewing your commitment to Israel & the Jewish people. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem, stand up for God’s Holy Land and His chosen people, and speak out against Anti-Semitism whenever and wherever it raises its ugly head.
Recommended Reading
Jerusalem Countdown by John Hagee
In Defence of Israel by John Hagee
Battle for Jerusalem by John Hagee
Israel in World Relations by Richard Bass
Israel for Critical Thinkers by Richard Bass