My goal in this series of articles is to sketch out a biblical framework as we consider the question “Why Israel?” Is something supernatural at work in this nation. In this series we will explore that possibility through a Biblical lens to see if our suspicions might be correct. Perhaps you have heard or asked yourself questions similar to those below. If so, I think you will find Biblically framed answers as we embark on this study.

• Why is Israel in the news so much today and why is that topic so divisive?
• I’ve heard that the church must bring the kingdom of God on earth so that Jesus can return, is that correct?
• Didn’t God reject Israel because of their evil behavior, stubbornness and killing of Jesus?
• If God was involved in Israel’s rebirth as a nation, what’s so special about that land and the city of Jerusalem. Why not Lebanon or Peru or some other nation?
• Is the Old Testament for the Jews and the New Testament for Christians? We have our Bible and they have theirs, right?
• Did God change? (Jesus is nicer than his Father, I like him better.)

Going forward we will touch on these questions from a Biblical perspective.

Brief Foundation
You are probably aware that the lineage of Israel is traced through their ancestors Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. There was no chosen people or nation of Israel prior to these patriarchs.

Prior to Abraham, three major events had occurred in the early chapters of Genesis. First was the fall of man in the garden, later man had so corrupted themselves that God sent a great flood, and finally the people decided to create their own kingdom (apart from Yahweh) and built a ziggurat to the heavens. The Creators patience had worn thin; he scattered the peoples, disinheriting them and called a man and his wife (Abram/Sarai) to begin the grand experiment once again. 

I like to think of Genesis chapters 1 – 11 as the prologue explaining the cause of evil, pain and suffering on earth. Then beginning with the call of Abram in Genesis 12, God began the story of redemption.