My wife and I attended a new Sunday School a wee back, as we were away from home. The people were very friendly, and the class was very relaxed. Welcome cards were provided, with the proverbial contact information requested, and study books were handed out to the strangers.

It was a well established class, with mature believers discussing what the church offers while some stragglers came through the door.

Eventually, we prayed and the study guide was opened. We were in Numbers this morning, discussing the rebellion of the Israelites prior to entering the land. Some of the guide was read to us, with the occasional discussion pursued.

As a little background, I have promised my wife that if we attend a new group, that I will not offer up questions concerning the Word until we know the people and become part of the group. It has too often occurred that I ask a question, especially if I have been studying an epistle or topic, a “discussion” ensues. That is a polite way of saying that the question I throw into the middle of the room may upset the faith of some of the attendants, or simply not comply with the particular churches standing on a certain teaching.

I refrain from this practice since it can seem divisive, and upset some. It also fed my pride, for I thought I was smart! I though I would let everyone know about Carl.

Again with the elevation of self! Somewhat disgusting!

But I digress. This class was going along well, with light discussion and occasional reference to the study guide, when all of a sudden someone pulled a “Carl”.

Let’s call him Joe. I don’t know Joe of course, having visited this class only once, but to say the least he is an interesting fellow.

As you may recall, we were discussing Israel entering the land, and Joe mentioned the Israeli / Palestinian conflict, and his estimation of the tumult in the Middle East. It seems he had great respect for the leader of the Jewish nation, speaking of how he had every right to do as God leads.

This took me aback, since the immediate context of his message was how Israel was treating the Palestinians, even those who live within the West Bank and Gaza strip. Now I want to be careful in recounting what he said, but his message seemed to be that whatever the Israeli leader did to expand the land of Israel was in obedience to God.

Alarm bells stared ringing off in my head. How could a believer say that? Now before we go any further, I want to provide full disclosure. Thirty years ago I would have sided with this fellow, for I was of the opinion that national Israel was destined to reclaim their land. I was strongly within the pre-tribulation dispensational camp, thinking that God was picking up in 1947 where He left off with national Israel in 70 AD.

Not so anymore, and one of the main reasons is my understanding of the righteousness of God, the gospel of God.

Romans 3:22 the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction:

Paul speaks of the righteousness of God as having no distinction, that it is available for all. How is it that I considered God to be working in two people groups, the Body of Christ, AND a geopolitical nation? How is it that any geopolitical group of people could claim God’s blessing, little lone the nation God specifically stated would be “vomited” out of the land if continuing to sin.

Leviticus 20:22 You shall therefore keep all my statutes and all my rules and do them, that the land where I am bringing you to live may not vomit you out.

My understanding is that the land vomited Israel out of the land through the captivity of Babylon, and though God showed mercy, the nation was once again, and finally dismantled upon the Roman siege of 70 AD.

Hebrews 8:13 In speaking of a new covenant, he makes the first one obsolete. And what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away.

We have discussed this teaching previously, and considered the impact of the dissolution of the old covenant. With no land, no priestly line and no temple, Israel were a people without an identity. To be of the original Jewish faith was impossible, for the sacrificial system and the practice of the priesthood was gone. A Better had arrived and those in the nation who recognized the majesty of the Crucified One understood God’s greater promise, His holy “nation” of the Body of Christ.

1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

God has one people, the Church, and all are welcome to enter into it. Canadians, Russians, Japanese and Jews are all allowed to enter, and many have. Even Palestinians have joined the Messiah, becoming one with the Body of Christ.

And this is where the idea of God having two people groups becomes difficult to understand simply from a practical standpoint.

If national Israel is performing the righteousness of God in their goal to expand their geopolitical influence through the west bank and Gaza strip, along with expanding their borders eastward, how can this be accepted as the righteousness of God by the believer?

If national Israel is a people group directed by God, we find ourselves in a sticky wicket. For national Israel has been in war mode, having placed the West bank and Gaza Strip under a military occupation since 1967. A military occupation for almost 60 years!

Are God’s “two” peoples enjoying the love and peace admonished by the apostle?

2 Corinthians 13:11 Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.

Palestinians and Israeli’s are dying at each others hands due to this aggression. How can we represent the God of peace and love when God’s “two” people groups are in conflict. What is worse, is that national Israel is killing Palestian believers.

Is God divided? Having shown His people His self sacrificing love for others in the giving of His Son, are we now to understand that God want’s one of His people groups to kill His other people group?

We left this Sunday School somewhat conflicted. I was a good boy in not bringing up questions that may cause confusion, but if we attend on an ongoing basis, I hope to get to know the people, understand their needs, care for their circumstances, pray for them and possibly discuss this conflict.

In all of this, it is important to remember what it is to be righteous. To be righteous is to be consistent in all the attributes of God, to exercise each of the characteristics of our God without conflict. To be righteous is to follow after the Christ, for He alone is our righteousness.

1 Corinthians 1:30 And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption,

To be of a certain blood line, or to claim to be of a certain physical lineage has no influence with God. For there is no distinction.

Romans 3:22 …For there is no distinction:

There is one Body, and it is open to all.

Ephesians 4:4 There is one body and one Spirit–just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call–

God has killed the hostility between national peoples through the gospel. Those who enter into the Body of Christ find there is no basis for hostility with each other.

Ephesians 2:16 and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility.

Let’s live as though there is a real peace within the people of God, and exhibit the righteousness of God as the Messiah has demonstrated.

Ephesians 3:17-19 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith–that you, being rooted and grounded in love,
may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

As believers, we are to have our eyes on the Messiah, not a patch of land in the Middle East. And let us remember those who seek to fight, even against the Body of Christ are without the Messiah, having no hope and without God in this world.

Ephesians 2:12 remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.

---

Thanks again for coming to visit. I hope you found something of interest in this post and would appreciate a comment, to begin a discussion. If you know someone this blog may bless (or challenge), send them a link, so they may join us in our discussion

Come join us at Considering the Bible