Israel’s "occupation"?
So I caught an interesting article a few days ago and I’m actually going to comment on it. I’ve been keeping my thoughts, like these, on various post-it notes scattered around my desk for a couple years now. Considering I started this “man diary” to post on those topics, I guess I finally realize it’s time to start using it like I originally intended… i.e., getting my random thoughts off my chest. Ok, enough rambling off-topic.
Anyway, here’s a link to the article: Vatican synod calls for end to Israel’s ‘occupation’. To summarize the article, it appeared at first glance that the Catholic church had determined Israel was no longer part of God’s sovereign plan. Notice these comments from the leader of the Special Assembly for the Middle East of the Synod of Bishops, Archbishop Cyril Salim Bustros:
“We Christians cannot speak of the ‘promised land’ as an exclusive right for a privileged Jewish people. This promise was nullified by Christ. There is no longer a chosen people – all men and women of all countries have become the chosen people.”
Now, going down the rabbit hole a bit, I decided I better follow-up and understand (a) if Bustros’ comments were really in line with the document from the Synod, and (b) if his comments were in line with the Vatican’s stance. As for (a), the document doesn’t really say much regarding its stance on the idea of God’s plan for Israel. However, it certainly makes a stance that the two-state plan is the way to go right now with Israel and the Palestinians. The document itself included, among many other words, the following statement (you can read the entire document here):
The citizens of the countries of the Middle East call upon the international community, particularly the United Nations conscientiously to work to find a peaceful, just and definitive solution in the region, through the application of the Security Council’s resolutions and taking the necessary legal steps to put an end to the occupation of the different Arab territories.
The Palestinian people will thus have an independent and sovereign homeland where they can live with dignity and security. The State of Israel will be able to enjoy peace and security within their internationally recognized borders. The Holy City of Jerusalem will be able to acquire its proper status, which respects its particular character, its holiness and the religious patrimony of the three religions: Jewish, Christian and Muslim. We hope that the two-State-solution might become a reality and not a dream only.
As for (b), I found a statement on the Catholic News Agency’s website, in this article: Holy Land Church official finds no ‘anti-Zionist’ bias at synod, by Franciscan Father Pierbattista Pizzaballa.
The synod’s message, Father Pizzaballa said, is “not the voice of the Vatican nor the Church.” It is rather "simply the voice of the synod fathers."
So, I guess I don’t need to find out if Bustros speaks for the Vatican. The entire assembly doesn’t speak for the Vatican either. I find that quite interesting, given the following excerpt from the beginning of the Synod’s document:
We have come to Rome, We the Patriarchs and Bishops of the Catholic Churches in the Middle East with all our spiritual, liturgical, cultural and canonical patrimonies, carrying in our hearts the concerns of our people.
For the very first time, we have come together in a Synod, gathered around His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI, with both cardinals and archbishops, who are heads of the various offices in the Roman Curia, presidents of episcopal conferences around the world, who are concerned with the issues of the Middle East, representatives from the Orthodox Churches and ecclesial communities and Jewish and Muslim guests.
This doesn’t sound like “simply the voice of the synod fathers.” Do they not speak with some amount of authority? Anyway, that’s a rabbit hole best left for another day. I would instead like to focus on Bustros’ apparently “personal” belief… namely that Christ nullified the privileged place held by Israel in God’s plan. I think Scripture tells us that’s a problematic statement. However, let me at least start out by agreeing in some small part with what he said. The Gospels tell us the following:
10 He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. 11 He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. 12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.
John 1:10-13 (ESV)
42 Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures: “ ‘The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; this was the Lord’s doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes’? 43 Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people producing its fruits. 44 And the one who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; and when it falls on anyone, it will crush him.”
Matthew 21:42-44 (ESV)
John tells us Jesus came to those who were to believe in Him; that he was not received by His “own people” (Israel). Matthew also tells us that He was rejected by Israel; that the “kingdom of God” would be taken from them and given to others (Gentiles). So, does this mean Israel was completely replaced by the church? That’s where I disagree with Bustros’ statements. Let’s take a look at what Paul tells the Gentiles in his letter to the Romans.
11 So I ask, did they stumble in order that they might fall? By no means! Rather through their trespass salvation has come to the Gentiles, so as to make Israel jealous. 12 Now if their trespass means riches for the world, and if their failure means riches for the Gentiles, how much more will their full inclusion mean! 13 Now I am speaking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch then as I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry 14 in order somehow to make my fellow Jews jealous, and thus save some of them. 15 For if their rejection means the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance mean but life from the dead? 16 If the dough offered as firstfruits is holy, so is the whole lump, and if the root is holy, so are the branches. 17 But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, although a wild olive shoot, were grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing root of the olive tree, 18 do not be arrogant toward the branches. If you are, remember it is not you who support the root, but the root that supports you. 19 Then you will say, “Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in.” 20 That is true. They were broken off because of their unbelief, but you stand fast through faith. So do not become proud, but fear. 21 For if God did not spare the natural branches, neither will he spare you. 22 Note then the kindness and the severity of God: severity toward those who have fallen, but God’s kindness to you, provided you continue in his kindness. Otherwise you too will be cut off. 23 And even they, if they do not continue in their unbelief, will be grafted in, for God has the power to graft them in again. 24 For if you were cut from what is by nature a wild olive tree, and grafted, contrary to nature, into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these, the natural branches, be grafted back into their own olive tree. 25 Lest you be wise in your own sight, I want you to understand this mystery, brothers: a partial hardening has come upon Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. 26 And in this way all Israel will be saved, as it is written, “The Deliverer will come from Zion, he will banish ungodliness from Jacob”; 27 “and this will be my covenant with them when I take away their sins.” 28 As regards the gospel, they are enemies of God for your sake. But as regards election, they are beloved for the sake of their forefathers. 29 For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.
Romans 11:11-29 (ESV)
If you didn’t catch it, try reading it again. And this time, pay close attention to two things: (1) does he tell the Gentiles that Israel has been removed from the picture, (2) what does he tell us will happen with Israel? See what verse 24 says? We Gentiles are “contrary to nature” as we are grafted into God’s kingdom. Israel makes up the “natural branches,” and he goes on to say they “will… be grafted back into” the kingdom, does he not? Now, are they grafted back in just like we are, groups at a time throughout history? I would suggest the answer is “no.” See what verse 25 says? “A partial hardening has come upon Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in.” Their hearts are hardened to reject the Word until some point in time in the future. This time has not come yet. But it will come, won’t it? For God made promises to Israel, and as verse 29 tells us, those promises are “irrevocable.” I’m far from a walking dictionary, but the word “irrevocable” seems to me a far cry from Bustros’ statement, “This promise was nullified by Christ.” So what sort of promises are we talking about?
1 Now the LORD said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. 2 And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”
Genesis 12:1-3 (ESV)
This was God’s covenant with Abraham; that He would make him a nation (Israel), and that through Israel the rest of the world (Gentiles) would be blessed. I think this agrees with a portion of Bustros’ statement, namely that with Christ’s coming “all men and women of all countries” are now blessed. However, we get more information if we read on a bit farther.
14 The LORD said to Abram, after Lot had separated from him, “Lift up your eyes and look from the place where you are, northward and southward and eastward and westward, 15 for all the land that you see I will give to you and to your offspring forever. 16 I will make your offspring as the dust of the earth, so that if one can count the dust of the earth, your offspring also can be counted. 17 Arise, walk through the length and the breadth of the land, for I will give it to you.” 18 So Abram moved his tent and came and settled by the oaks of Mamre, which are at Hebron, and there he built an altar to the LORD.
Genesis 13:14-18 (ESV)
This is a very specific piece of land, the so-called “Promised Land.” I see an interesting word in there in verse 15… did you catch it? Forever. Not for a while; not until I decide to do something different with the world; forever. If you spend much time in the Old Testament, you’ll find God state over and over again that he’ll remove Israel from their land; however, you will also find God state over and over again that if they would just repent, He would return them to their land. That cycle has happened more than once. Is there reason to believe Christ ended (“nullified”) that cycle? You see, it seems to me Israel holds a special place in God’s plan.
6 “For you are a people holy to the LORD your God. The LORD your God has chosen you to be a people for his treasured possession, out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth. 7 It was not because you were more in number than any other people that the LORD set his love on you and chose you, for you were the fewest of all peoples, 8 but it is because the LORD loves you and is keeping the oath that he swore to your fathers, that the LORD has brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you from the house of slavery, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt. 9 Know therefore that the LORD your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations.
Deuteronomy 7:6-9 (ESV)
Read that first verse again. God chose Israel out of “all the peoples.” Verses 8 and 9 say it again… that God keeps His promises. How long? “To a thousand generations.” I don’t know about you, but I think that means a long time. We are reminded of this later in Genesis as Jacob gives out his final blessings to his sons and grandchildren.
3 And Jacob said to Joseph, “God Almighty appeared to me at Luz in the land of Canaan and blessed me, 4 and said to me, ‘Behold, I will make you fruitful and multiply you, and I will make of you a company of peoples and will give this land to your offspring after you for an everlasting possession.’
Genesis 48:3-4 (ESV)
An “everlasting possession.” Everlasting. Nullified. Now where did I put my thesaurus? God even tells us to expect Israel to return to their land someday; that “everlasting” really does mean what you think it means. Take a look here at Ezekiel.
22 “Therefore say to the house of Israel, Thus says the Lord GOD: It is not for your sake, O house of Israel, that I am about to act, but for the sake of my holy name, which you have profaned among the nations to which you came. 23 And I will vindicate the holiness of my great name, which has been profaned among the nations, and which you have profaned among them. And the nations will know that I am the LORD, declares the Lord GOD, when through you I vindicate my holiness before their eyes. 24 I will take you from the nations and gather you from all the countries and bring you into your own land.
Ezekiel 36:22-24 (ESV)
Where is Israel before God does this? They appear to have been scattered across various nations; living among “all the countries.” Does this describe what God did with Israel back in 1948? Sure could be. Is it necessarily so? Well, there is still more coming regardless of what we think, as Ezekiel goes further.
21 then say to them, Thus says the Lord GOD: Behold, I will take the people of Israel from the nations among which they have gone, and will gather them from all around, and bring them to their own land. 22 And I will make them one nation in the land, on the mountains of Israel. And one king shall be king over them all, and they shall be no longer two nations, and no longer divided into two kingdoms. 23 They shall not defile themselves anymore with their idols and their detestable things, or with any of their transgressions. But I will save them from all the backslidings in which they have sinned, and will cleanse them; and they shall be my people, and I will be their God. 24 “My servant David shall be king over them, and they shall all have one shepherd. They shall walk in my rules and be careful to obey my statutes. 25 They shall dwell in the land that I gave to my servant Jacob, where your fathers lived. They and their children and their children’s children shall dwell there forever, and David my servant shall be their prince forever. 26 I will make a covenant of peace with them. It shall be an everlasting covenant with them. And I will set them in their land and multiply them, and will set my sanctuary in their midst forevermore. 27 My dwelling place shall be with them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 28 Then the nations will know that I am the LORD who sanctifies Israel, when my sanctuary is in their midst forevermore.”
Ezekiel 37:21-28 (ESV)
Verse 21 sounds the same… God gathers them “from all around,” bringing them to “their own land.” What does “their own land” mean? Verse 25 seems to clear that right up for us: “the land that I gave to my servant Jacob, where your fathers lived.” Didn’t we read about that specific spot of land earlier? Verse 26 does it again to us… “an everlasting covenant” and “forevermore.” And, what do we find in the final verse? “The nations” will know God sanctifies “Israel.” I say again, it seems to me Israel finds themselves in a special spot in God’s heart; in God’s plan. Were these simply figurative words? They’re prophecy.
7 Surely the Lord GOD does nothing, without revealing his secret to his servants the prophets.
Amos 3:7 (ESV)
“Now come on, Nuke… you’re forgetting that the Old Testament was biased toward Israel. Read the New Testament,” you might say. Ok, let’s give that a shot before I wrap up. I know you’re tired reading by now… but hang with me just a bit further. I’ll give you two final witnesses. First we’ll read one quick passage from Paul.
1 I ask, then, has God rejected his people? By no means! For I myself am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, a member of the tribe of Benjamin. 2 God has not rejected his people whom he foreknew. Do you not know what the Scripture says of Elijah, how he appeals to God against Israel?
Romans 11:1-2 (ESV)
God still has Israel in His plans. Paul understood this. Read all of Romans if you still don’t see it. How about my second witness from the New Testament? Would you accept words directly from Jesus?
17 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.
Matthew 5:17 (ESV)
“The Law or the Prophets.” That’s the Old Testament if you didn’t already know that. Did Christ “nullify” God’s promises to Israel? Now that I found my thesaurus again, I see “nullify” and “abolish” appear to be fairly close synonyms. But that must be discouraging to Bustros, because I see Jesus said He did not come to abolish the Old Testament promises. He came to fulfill them. One of those promises was to bless all the nations through Israel – i.e., the Gospel would come to the Gentiles; to the entire world. But I don’t see how we can forget God also promised to restore Israel to their land. There is danger in thinking as Bustros does; that the church has replaced Israel. There is a special caution sitting there in Paul’s letter, and I find it beautifully stated in the NRSV.
20b So do not become proud, but stand in awe.
Romans 11:20b (ESV)
Stand in awe that we were even allowed to be part of God’s redemptive plan. We have not replaced Israel, but we join them through Christ’s work on the cross. They’re already back in their land. The “time of the Gentiles” may be over soon. Then again, maybe there are many years left for them to be thrown back out, but even so they’ll return again. God said so.
Random parting thought (for those who haven’t fallen asleep yet): T and I have been studying our way through Revelation lately, and recently focused on Jesus’ letter to Philadelphia. In Jesus’ letter, He says:
9 I will make those of the synagogue of Satan who say that they are Jews and are not, but are lying—I will make them come and bow down before your feet, and they will learn that I have loved you. 10 Because you have kept my word of patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth. 11 I am coming soon; hold fast to what you have, so that no one may seize your crown.”
Revelation 3:9-11 (ESV)
Those “who say that they are Jews and are not, but are lying.” Could this possibly refer to those who say we’ve replaced Israel? Think those letters were only to churches in John’s day? They’re for us, too. Spend some time studying each letter, and I think you’ll see every one of us in there. Something to chew on for a while.
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