What is the relationship of Israel and the Church today? What is it and what is it called to be? What does this have to do with the Key of Abraham (Genesis 12:3)?
The Relationship of Israel and the Church
Defining the context of “Israel” and the “Church” is essential in understanding the relationship.
Israel in this context does not relate to the political modern nation of Israel as both Jewish and Gentiles (Arabs, Muslim, Christians, and all other religions and secular people) live within the geographical boundaries of Israel.
Israel is more than a nation and a race of people. It is a faith. This faith is symbolized by the Olive Tree, the roots of which is the Covenant YAH made with patriarchs Avraham, Yitz’chak and Ya’akov. A nation was born out of that promise to Avraham. YAH reconfirmed when He changed Ya’akov’s name to Israel. He took them out of the bondage of slavery and gave them the Torah (instructions in righteousness).
YAH has chosen Israel to be a parent to the nations. YAH’s promises to Abraham and the Torah is indeed for all the nations of the earth and is still in effect today. Through Israel, Adonai ELOHIM redeemed the whole world through the Messiah – Yeshua HaMasiach. Father Avraham is the father of Israel and those who are grafted in by faith in Jewish Messiah.
So what is the Church?
Israel is not the Church! Israel is the Mother of the Church. Yeshua said to Simon Peter when he declared that Yeshua is the Messiah “…you are Kefa (Peter), and on this rock I will build my Church…”. This Church is not an institution nor a religion. The Church is also the faith that Yeshua is the son of God, the Jewish Messiah, whom YAH loved the world so much that He gave. That whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16).
Israel is a faith and it encompasses the Jewish people (the natural descendants of Avraham) and the covenant promises YAH made to Avraham. This includes the land as an everlasting possession, Avraham shall be the father of many nations and the promise of 12:3.
What is Israel called to be?
Israel is called to be parent to the nations and the Church. Israel gave us the Holy Scriptures (Torah, instructions in righteousness) and the Messiah. As our parent, YAH commands that we (the Church) honour and obey our parents.
When we don’t obey our parents, we disobey and disrespect them (qlala in Hebrew), we bring YAH’s curse upon us. YAH says He will meerah (completely destroy us). If we forget His laws, He will forget our children (Hosea 4:6).
Genesis 12:3 is the foundation scripture – the Key of Abraham – upon which Israel as the faith anchors. All the nations that dishonour, disrespect and hate Israel, YAH will curse. All the nations that bless Israel, YAH will bless.
Not only nations but individuals throughout the world. We can be in the Church as “grafted in” branches. But if we dishonour, take lightly or disrespect (qlala) our Mother Israel (the roots), YAH will curse use. If we honour, obey the law/instructions, love and respect Israel, YAH will bless us.