Bible Study Part 8: Israel and the Nations of the World Blessing God

The appearance of gentiles throughout the Tanakh (the Hebrew Bible), gentiles who hear the call in God’s name and come to the Israelite camp, is intentional. It is God seeing His plan in motion. Each individual who “hears the call” and comes to the camp to experience the light of God through the Israelites and to bless God in response—advances the cause to return God’s name to the world. Israel’s mission, an extremely lofty one with great challenges and responsibilities, comes to partial fruition at critical moments in Tanakh. Each time, however, it falls short of the desired goal, it lacks momentum and the great opportunity is missed.

Moments of Clarity When Israel Shines and Gentiles Hear Their Call

Much of Tanakh is quite sad, with prophets rebuking the people for losing their way, Israel sinning and going into exile, and only the hope of a return to God’s grace. But there are certain moments of clarity, when many of the pieces of the puzzle come together. It is those times that Israel shines and it is those times when some gentiles hear that call, see the light and make the bold move to come to the Israelite camp and bless Israel and God.

For almost two thousand years Jews were wandering, persecuted, sinning and unable to be united. We suffered at the hands of the nations of the world, and even when we managed to act righteously, succeed, indeed call out in God’s name, it landed on deaf ears, or worse, it spawned jealousy and hatred. We were missing the crucial pieces to this puzzle—nationhood, unity, calling out in God’s name and momentum.

Blessing Israel and Blessing God

The modern state of Israel has begun to steer Israel back on course. We are becoming more united than we have been in thousands of years, we have more Torah learning and observance than we have had for many years. Sometimes our actions are filled with clarity to the point of calling out in God’s name to the world. Some people hear that call and come to the people of Israel with their support, blessing Israel and blessing God. They are knowingly or unknowingly participating in the grand Biblical story which continues into modern times. A partnership between Jew and non-Jew once was, with each playing a significant role in the development of the world; a partnership like that must continue to reach the final stages of redemption.

The Bible Has Returned in Our Day

When after 70 years the president of one of the strongest superpowers in the world acknowledges Jerusalem as our eternal capital, and when a pastor representing millions off gentiles blesses Israel and blesses God I cannot help but be optimistic. The biblical story took a dark break in exile, but has returned in our day and age.

May the Nations of the World Continue to Join Israel in Blessing God’s Name

What an honor and what a great responsibility. May we continue to call out in God’s name and may the nations of the world continue to join us in blessing God’s name forever and ever.