THE TWO HOUSES OF ISRAEL (1) Introduction

All throughout the Bible we read about a people called Israel. God has a special relationship with this people. However, who is Israel today? Is Israel composed of only the Jewish people? Or is Israel the Christian church? This study aims to clear this up. As believers we need to know our place within the people of God.

WHO IS ISRAEL?
Political or history books tell us that the Israelites are the people that were born or have citizenship in the modern State of Israel. Some say that Israel is comprised of all the Jews, wherever they may live.  Others assert that the Christian Church has taken the biblical place that once belonged to the Israelites. Who is right?

The answer is in plain sight: In the Bible. However, we must inquire into it, and follow the story of this people throughout God’s Word so that we may discover the truth. This revelation is a treasure that has been hidden, but that is being revealed at this time. Personally, I consider it a privilege to discover what we will study throughout these lessons, and it is with great pleasure that I share with you what I have been learning.

To be able to know who Israel is, we must first be familiar with their origin.

A CHOSEN PEOPLE

In Genesis chapters one to eleven, biblical history speaks of humanity in general. We all come from Adam, and we all come from Noah and his sons. This is the story of the beginning of all mankind.

However, starting on Genesis chapter 12 and all the way to the book of Revelations, the Bible concentrates on a special nation: Israel. In the book of Genesis we read how God formed this nation from a man that had no children, and from a family that had no land.

The father of this chosen people was Abraham, who was called to form this special nation.

(Genesis 12:1-2)  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. 

God chose Abram and his descendants, and promised to bless them. Therefore, was God’s blessing to be only for Abraham and his descendants? What about all the other families and nations? This is made clear when we continue reading:

(Genesis 12:3)   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."

Through Abraham and his family God’s blessing is going to reach all the families of the earth.

THE PROMISE

God promised Abraham that he would give him “land and offspring”. Faith was required for Abraham to believe this promise, since he was over 90 years old and his wife was barren. Besides, they lived in the land of Canaan, where they were foreigners, and as such were not allowed to purchase land. However, God made an eternal covenant with Abraham.

(Genesis 17:7-8) And I will establish my covenant between me and you and your offspring after you throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your offspring after you.  (8)  And I will give to you and to your offspring after you the land of your sojournings, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession, and I will be their God."

Again, God confirms that the blessing he would give Abraham and his family would turn out to be a benefit to all humanity.

(Genesis 22:18)  and in your offspring shall all the nations of the earth be blessed, because you have obeyed my voice."

Through Abraham’s offspring all the nations of the Earth would be blessed. However, before blessing everyone, He had to form this nation in order to accomplish His purpose.