Hello KJB --

You bring up a very important point, and one that is very confused, especially in Fundamentalist circles.

Indeed, "Israel" is the apple of God's eye.

But what is Israel? Is it the national group of ethnic people's in the Middle East?

Or is it something far bigger.

Israel is the "people of God". Jews are simply an ethnic race, who are part of Israel. At one time, they were Israel (God's people) because of their covenant relationship with Him (ahhhhh, yes, there's that dern "covenant" nonsense again, right?).

But in the Davidic covenant, God makes promises to him which include the dominion of the son of David over all peoples, races, tribes, and ethnics. David responds by stating that this covenant is now a covenant for the whole world and not just the Jews. He is stunned at the grace and magnimity of God in allowing "Gentile dogs" to have a part in the covenant kingdom promised to his son.

If Israel is merely the Jews, then you and I are in deep deep weeds according to Scriptures, for Jesus only came to die for His people Israel:

Mt 2:6 And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.

"...my people Israel" Do you see that? Or another way of putting it would be "....rule my people who are called Israel."

Of course, if Israel only refers to the Jews, then you and I are not under His rulership, are we? See the problem that causes?

Mt 15:24 But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

In other words, taking His words quite literally, He is not sent AT ALL to us Gentile dogs (unless you are lucky enough to be a Jew, KJB).

But here is the strongest verse on the subject, a verse which used to puzzle me until I figured this out:

Ro 9:6 Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel:

Perhaps a little "private interpretation"? will help.

Ro 9:6 Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, my servants, my true believers[/b] which are of Israel:[/b] the national covenant nation, the nation state in which the Jews live.

Elsewise, this sentence makes no sense if taken literally. If Israel = Jew, then St. Paul has lost his mind. They are not all Jews who are Jews???

You are a Jew by being born into that ethnic group and there is no way to sever that identity.

But if Israel means "true servant of God" or "people of God" then that verse makes tremendous sense, for the members of the Sanhedrin, the Pharisees, and all Jews who were persecuting the Church to death indeed were not God's true people at all.

Cordially in Christ,

Brother Ed