Israel

Introduction

Whenever a person hears the name “Israel,” it is likely to cause the hearer to consider many different things, some good, and some not so good. However, when we consider the term “Israel” from the information recorded in the Bible, the only book which records for the reader the origin and significance, and even the future of, the nation of Israel, then we are immediately struck with the fact that this terms means far more than modern news and events. This is a nation whose history and future were predetermined by God, and whose existence is, and will be, a blessing to the world. 

In the Ancient Near East, nations came and went. One nation rose up against another nation by means of its ruler, usually a strong military man who was able to impose an army against a weaker nation and sack it. Or through political intrigue, one ruler was able to take over the body politic of a neighbor and succumb it to himself. 

However, the origin of the nation of Israel is different from these scenarios. The beginning of this nation is far more unique and interesting than any other nation of its time, or since. In this section of the essay, we will examine the beginning of the nation, and its unique purpose in God’s plan for the world. 

The Origin of Israel

The nation of Israel never really began as a nation, a group of people coalesced around a strong military or political leader, with laws and a military. Rather, the nation of Israel began as a loosely-knitted people of a promise to a man, Abraham. What is more, the time of the promise to Abraham, and the successful fulfillment of that promise is yet to be realized.

Abraham was a typical middle-eastern man in a city-state called Ur, which was in modern day southern Iraq. This region would have been lush with water and vegetation, and a livestock business would have been a thriving endeavor for any man. It certainly was for Abraham. 

While in that land, God appeared to Abraham, as recorded in Acts 7:2-3, and told him to leave all that he built and start walking towards another land which YHWH would make clear to him and give to him. So, Abraham, his wife Sarah, his nephew Lot, and Lot’s wife, all began the trip together to this mysterious land. By way of northern Syria, where Abraham’s father died, Abraham and Lot finally arrived in the land of Canaan.

In that land, Abraham was given a promise by God that he would have descendants which numbered as the stars of heaven, and the sands of the sea. That promise is the promise of progeny, and such numbers of descendants that they would be innumerable. 

However, it was not purely the numbers of descendants which identified the offspring as the Israelites. It was these people who not only identified with Abraham, his circumcision, and the promise of land, but also were the descendants of Abraham’s grandson, Jacob. This lineage is what makes the Israelites unique in that they are known to this day from the change of Jacob’s name to “Israel.” 

The Name “Israel”

Abraham’s immediate child of promise was Isaac. Isaac had a son named Jacob. It was this Jacob whose name was changed to “Israel” by God. It is to this event which we will now look. 

Jacob had traveled to Padam-aram, a northern region where his extended family was, in order to secure a wife. Upon returning from that region, he knew that he would have to travel through the area where his brother, Esau, lived. Jacob had deceived Esau in a variety of ways when they were younger, and Jacob was concerned that Esau would take revenge against him for it.

The night before they met, God appeared to Jacob and wrestled with him. It was this event which gave Jacob his name “Israel,” a name given by YHWH Himself. This naming of Jacob became the identification of the descendants of Abraham through the line of Isaac and Jacob. And, what is more, this line was the line which would carry the promises God made to Abraham.

The name “Israel” is a compound word which has two possible meanings. The first part of the name, “Isr-“ means, in the original language of the Old Testament, Hebrew, “to strive,” or “to contend with” someone. The last part of the name, “-el,” is a form of the name of God. One definition of the name might be “God strives,” or “God contends.” This would take the name as more of a description of God Himself. However, another more likely definition is “He who strives with God,” or “the one who contends with God.” This would take the reference of the name as more of a description of Jacob, the one who actually wrestled with God in the event that caused the changing of His name. As the name which would likely describe the man, Jacob, rather than God, it is best to see that his name is a description of himself, and not God. It was Jacob who “wrestled” with God that day, and it was Jacob’s descendants who could be seen, in one way or another, to contend with God during their long existence, even to this very day. 

Jacob Becomes Israel

Then He said, “Your name shall no longer be Jacob, but Israel; for you have striven with God and with men and have prevailed.”  (Genesis 32:28, LSB)

When Jacob was initiated into a wrestling match with YHWH, likely the second Person of the Trinity, Adonai, it is obvious that had Adonai exhibited His full power, Jacob certainly would not have survived. However, in some level of condescension, Jacob was given the opportunity to wrestle with God, and Jacob did not quit until he received a blessing from this Man. 

The prophet Hosea describes the importance of this event:

2 And Yahweh has a contention with Judah

And will punish Jacob according to his ways;

He will cause everything to return to him according to his deeds.

3 In the womb he took his brother by the heel,

And in his maturity he wrestled with God.

4 Indeed, he wrestled with the angel and prevailed;

He wept and sought His favor.

He found Him at Bethel,

And there He spoke with us,

5 Even Yahweh, the God of hosts,

Yahweh is His name of remembrance.  (Hosea 12:2–5, LSB)

The prophet recalls the event in Genesis 32 wherein Jacob “wrestles” with God and, determined with tears, demands a blessing. This tenacity to request a blessing from the Angel is the source of the naming of Jacob as “Israel.” This event was a pivotal event in the life Jacob, certainly. But, it is also a defining moment for the descendants of Jacob as well. This event in the life of Jacob is the event that identified the nation as the “sons of Israel.” It was the event wherein God initiated a relationship and concluded the interaction with a blessing by renaming Jacob as Israel. This action on the part of YHWH demonstrates that Jacob, although involved in years of scheming and supplanting, is now the possession of YHWH in a direct and purposeful way. Now, as heir of the promise of Abraham, through Isaac, Jacob will continue the hope of the promise of them both. 

That is where the nation stands throughout all of its existence. Ever since God met Abraham in Ur of Chaldea, and again in Haran, and promised him to become the one who would receive immense, and even worldwide blessing, the descendants of Abraham have had that promise in their favor. And yet, the nation as a whole, and as their history will prove, has rarely, if ever, actually lived in light of this promise in the blamelessness which YHWH compelled Abraham to exhibit.

The History of Israel

Throughout the history of the sons of Jacob, Israel, the promise of God to their patriarch, Abraham, has been theirs to claim. Whether it was the meeting of the God of Jacob on Mt. Sinai after their bondage in Egypt, their entrance into the land promised to Abraham, or the elevated position among the nations as the result of David’s reign, the people of Israel (Jacob) have been the possessors of the promise which was handed down to him from the God of Abraham.

Yet, as mentioned, the people have not behaved in a manner consistent with the promises of YHWH to them. The covenant of Moses, with all of its requirements and stipulations of obedience, justice, and mercy, did nothing to compel the nation as a whole to walk in obedience to YHWH. 

There were periods of immense idolatry, and waywardness as a nation and under the rule of very wicked kings. The greatest of their sin, however, was the death of the Messiah Jesus Christ at their hands. When the Messiah came, He should have been received and worshipped. He should have been elevated, praised, and believed on. He should have been sung about and exalted in Jerusalem. 

However, the sons of Israel strove against the Messiah and crucified Him by the hands of the Roman Empire. The religious leaders of the sons of Jacob, instead of imitating Jacob as he begged for a blessing, rather imitated the old Jacob by fighting against God. This has lead, then, to the condition of the worst kind for the people of YHWH. They have, as Jesus Himself said, had their entire nation left to them “desolate,” that is, YHWH will have no part with them. 

The Future Of Israel

Some might say, in light of the above scenario, that the nation of Israel, the people of the twelve sons of Jacob, have no future. After all, it would seem that by their behavior over the 3,400 years of their existence, that they are no longer the recipients of the blessings promised to their great patriarch, Abraham. This might be especially in light of their rejection of, and execution of, Jesus Christ, the Son of God. 

However, if the promises of God were based upon the behavior of the people, they might never be realized. Rather, the promises of God to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Israel), were just that-promises. The covenants made with the nation do not change the promises. Instead, the promises will be confirmed by God alone. He will, of His own power and purpose, accomplish His commitment to the sons of Israel because of His promise to the fathers of Israel.

Conclusion

The promises to Abraham as recorded in Genesis 12:1-3 will be realized with the twelve tribes from the sons of Israel. Those promises, or “promise” as they really should be considered as one concentrated unit of accomplishments by God, cannot be revoked, unless God fails to keep His Word. Since it is impossible for God to say anything untrue, or promise anything He can’t accomplish, it remains to be seen exactly how God will follow through with these magnificent promises to Abraham. However, Scripture demonstrates that 1) God will accomplish His promise of exalting the nation of Israel, 2) God will accomplish His promise of blessing nations who bless Abraham, and curse nations who curse Abraham, 3) God will return the descendants of Abraham to the land promised to Abraham. Since we do not see these promises permanently accomplished at this time, we wait for them by faith that God will accomplish them in the future as His Word says.