Israel’s fierce enemies should be aware that God’s divine ownership of the land strengthens Israel’s unwavering fortitude.
Political unrest, religious tension, and armed conflicts have long been prevalent in the Middle East. At the center of many disputes is the nation of Israel. In the modern world, Israel finds itself often surrounded by hostility, with numerous countries and groups calling for its destruction.
To the casual observer, it may seem perplexing why such a small nation is a focal point for global animosity. However, to understand this situation from a biblical perspective, it is essential to recognize Israel’s spiritual and physical significance, God’s covenant with this nation, and the promises of divine protection rooted in Scripture.
Israel’s Covenant with God: A Chosen People in a Chosen Land
The biblical text establishes Israel’s exceptional nature in comparison to other nations. The land and its people occupy a distinct and significant role in God’s overarching plan for humanity. God first made a covenant with Abraham, promising that his descendants would inherit the land of Canaan, a region that became modern-day Israel.
In Genesis 12:1-3, God tells Abram (later Abraham):
“The Lord had said to Abram, ‘Go from your country, your people, and your father’s household to the land I will show you. I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. Through you, I will bless every person on the planet, and I will also bless those who bless you. I will also curse those who curse you.
This promise establishes two crucial things: first, that God would give Abraham’s descendants (the people of Israel) a specific land, and second, that this nation would play a pivotal role in God’s plan for blessing the world.
Israel’s spiritual and physical divine significance begins at this point. Due to its divine ordination as the land of Israel for the Jewish people, it became known as “the Promised Land.”
Israel’s Divine Protection in the Old Testament
Throughout the Old Testament, God protected Israel from her enemies, often when she was outnumbered or in peril. These stories serve as historical records and illustrations of God’s promise to safeguard His chosen people.
1. The Exodus from Egypt
Perhaps the most dramatic example of God’s protection is found in the story of the Exodus, where God delivered the Israelites from bondage in Egypt. The Israelites, having been enslaved for centuries, were powerless against the might of Pharaoh. Yet, God intervened powerfully, sending plagues upon Egypt and parting the Red Sea to allow the Israelites to escape.
In Exodus 14:13-14, Moses reassures the Israelites before the parting of the sea:
“Moses answered the people, ‘Do not be afraid. Stand firm, and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.’”
God fought for His people, delivering them from their oppressors and leading them toward the Promised Land.
2. The Battle of Jericho
As the Israelites prepared to enter the Promised Land, they encountered the fortified city of Jericho. Humanly speaking, it was an impossible battle. But God once again demonstrated His power and faithfulness to Israel.
In Joshua 6:2–5, God gives Joshua instructions on how the Israelites will conquer the city:
“Then the Lord said to Joshua, ‘See, I have delivered Jericho into your hands, along with its king and fighting men. March around the city once with all the armed men. Do this for six days. Have seven priests carry trumpets of rams’ horns before the ark. On the seventh day, march around the city seven times, with the priests blowing the trumpets. When you hear them sound a long blast on the trumpets, have the whole army give a loud shout; then the wall of the city will collapse, and the army will go up, everyone straight in.’”
By following God’s unusual strategy, the Israelites won a miraculous victory. The walls of Jericho fell without a single human blow, showing that God was the one fighting for Israel.
3. The Defeat of the Midianites with Gideon
The Gideon narrative provides yet another potent illustration. God instructed Gideon to reduce his army to just 300 men to face the Midianite army, vastly outnumbered the Israelites. Despite the overwhelming odds, God promised victory.
In Judges 7:7, the Lord says to Gideon:
“The Lord said to Gideon, ‘With the three hundred men that lapped, I will save you and give the Midianites into your hands. Let all the others go home.’”
God gave the Israelites victory, proving once again that His protection was sure, even in seemingly impossible situations.
Israel’s Spiritual Significance: The Birthplace of the Messiah
The land of Israel is significant not just because of its history with the Jewish people but also because it is the place where the Messiah, Jesus Christ, was born. The Bible foretold that the Messiah would come from Israel, specifically from the lineage of King David, who reigned in Jerusalem.
In Micah 5:2, the prophet declares:
“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.”
God fulfilled this prophecy when Jesus was born in Bethlehem, an Israeli town. Israel’s significance extends beyond its borders and people—God entered human history as Jesus, providing salvation for the entire world.
God’s Promises to Protect Israel
Throughout Scripture, God reiterates His promise to protect Israel from her enemies. Israel is said to be unbreakable even in the face of resistance.
4. Psalm 121:4.
“He who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.”
This verse emphasizes that God’s protection is constant and unwavering. He is always vigilant over Israel, guarding her from harm.
5. Isaiah 41:11-12
“All who rage against you will surely be ashamed and disgraced; those who oppose you will be as nothing and perish. Though you search for your enemies, you will not find them. Those who wage war against you will be as nothing at all.”
This passage shows that God will actively destroy the enemies of Israel. Even though many nations and groups may rise against her, God promises they will ultimately come to nothing.
6. Zechariah 2:8
“For thus says the Lord of hosts, ‘After glory, He has sent me against the nations which plunder you, for he who touches you, touches the apple of His eye.’”
God calls Israel “the apple of His eye,” indicating His deep care and affection for the nation. Every assault on Israel is considered a personal slight to God, who vows to exact revenge on those who attempt to harm her.
7. Ezekiel 38-39: The War of Gog and Magog
In these chapters, God describes a future invasion of Israel by a coalition of nations. Although the situation will seem dire, God declares that He will intervene miraculously, destroying Israel’s enemies and magnifying His holy name.
In Ezekiel 39:3-4, God says:
“Then I will strike your bow from your left hand and make your arrows drop from your right hand. On the mountains of Israel, you will fall, you and all your troops and the nations with you.”
God will show His power by crushing the enemies of Israel in a final, climactic battle, proving that He remains Israel’s defender.
Why the World Hates Israel
The hatred toward Israel is not merely a political issue—it is deeply spiritual. Israel’s significance as God’s chosen people and the land of the Messiah places it at the center of a spiritual conflict that has persisted for millennia. Satan, the enemy of God, has always sought to destroy what God has set apart, and Israel is no exception.
In John 15:18-19, Jesus explains:
“If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.”
Israel, as God’s chosen nation, represents God’s sovereignty, plan of redemption, and covenant with humanity. As long as this spiritual reality exists, opposition to Israel will continue.
Conclusion: God’s Everlasting Covenant with Israel
Despite the hostility and conflict that Israel faces in the modern world, the Bible assures us that God’s promises to Israel are everlasting. He has protected Israel through countless wars, preserved her people through persecution, and re-established the nation in her ancient land in 1948.
God’s covenant with Israel remains unbroken, and His word is clear that He will continue to defend her from her enemies.
As believers, we can believe that God is faithful to His promises. The Scriptures remind us that those who stand with Israel are blessed, while those who oppose her face God’s judgment.
God will ultimately accomplish His purposes for Israel and the world and will continue to watch over His people.
Psalm 125:2 beautifully captures this promise:
“As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds his people now and always.”
