The Relationship Between God, Israel & The Nations

Along The Way – Bible Studies: The Relationship Between God, Israel & The Nations

(Written By Kevin A. Hall   11.06.2016).

God’s business is the Nations

The Nations are fully part of God’s intended plan.  It is given that we are a diverse make up of people much like the diversity found in the animal kingdom. All nations will stand before God in judgment – God deals with us corporately, as individuals and as nations.

Because God is sovereign, He can use any nation as an agent of His judgment and when He uses a nation/person it is not because one is more righteous than the other.

Any nation/person can be a recipient of God’s mercy. Jeremiah’s Theology of the potter is a great example of God’s international sovereignty – God can and will change His mind doing one thing and not another.

All nations’ histories stand under God’s control – He rules in the affairs of men. Nations are controlled by Him and belong to Him. God had been moving the nations around like a chess board even before Israel came on the scene, getting things ready for His chosen people.

Israel was elected for a unique purpose. God working through them, all nations would:

·         Be a witness of God’s redemption

·         Be a witness of God’s judgment on Israel – not done in a vacuum; was done before all nations to see

·         Be a witness of God’s restoration of Israel – not done in a corner; was done for all nations to see

·         Be a beneficiary of God’s blessings

·         They will come to worship God

·         They will be included in the identity of Israel

·         They will be accepted into God’s house

·         They will be called by God’s Name

Conclusion:

All nations are under God’s providence

They are created by God and are under God’s governance

All nations will be accountable to God morally and stand under His judgment

Through Israel, mercy, grace and redemption has been extended to all – resulting in a multi – national community of believers making all nations what the Apostle Paul calls “Fellow Citizens”.

Reference:

Wright, Christopher J. The Mission of God’s People. USA: Zondervan (2000)

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