Christians who study God’s Word can easily see how much God loves Israel and the Jewish people—it’s all over Scripture! Yet, so many churches sit on the fence and struggle to endorse Zionism—the Jewish people’s right to their own state in their ancestral homeland. What’s the reason for churches’ lukewarm approach to God’s Chosen People? The Friends of Israel President …
Malachi’s prophecies unmistakably drive home the truth that Israel’s halfhearted sacrifices were not pleasing to God because the people were far from His heart. But in chapter 4, the prophet turned the attention from Israel’s spiritual complacency to its future filled with divine promise, the opening to God’s great blessing and restoration. The finale of our 4-part series on Malachi …
The first two chapters of Malachi paint an unflattering picture of the Jewish people after returning to their land. Instead of giving the Lord their best, they offered halfhearted sacrifices to Him. But in chapter 3, God graciously assured Israel He would send His Messenger and that His presence would return to the Temple! Part 3 of our 4-part series …
The prophet Malachi referred to the Temple altar as “the table of the Lᴏʀᴅ,” indicating a close relationship and fellowship between God and His people. Yet, the Israelites flippantly offered unworthy sacrifices on this table, failing to give the Lord the honor due Him. Part 2 of our 4-part series on the book of Malachi examines Israel’s relationship with God …
In the last book of the Old Testament, the prophet Malachi warned the children of Israel that they needed to repent of their sin. Having recently returned to the Holy Land from exile, they were guilty of the same sin with which many of us struggle today: spiritual apathy, or indifference. Though they sacrificed to God, they didn’t give Him …
The state of Israel is a thriving, bustling democracy. But the freedoms Israelis enjoy today came at the expense of much pain and war immediately at its inception. A recently revealed excerpt from the diary of Israel’s first prime minister, David Ben-Gurion, offers an unfiltered view into the tension-filled beginnings of the Jewish state and reminds us of the great …
The Friends of Israel reaches all around the world, and this week, we’re checking in with Trevor and Maggie Stewart-Sweet in the United Kingdom! They are a much-needed light in a progressively darkening climate, as antisemitism’s rising tide in Europe includes a surge in the UK. Chris chats with Trevor to learn more about their ministry among the Christian and …
What is the main purpose of Scripture? Many believe it’s our salvation from sin. While salvation certainly is a major theme, the overarching message of the Bible goes beyond our individual redemption. In the conclusion of our 3-part series on why Bible interpretation matters, we continue studying Dr. Charles Ryrie’s theology by focusing on the glory of God—the true purpose …
Why does it matter how we interpret the Bible? One major reason concerns God’s Chosen People. We believe that God blessed the Jewish people—the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—and made specific promises to them. However, the growing belief in Replacement Theology, which considers the church as the “true Israel” and the new beneficiaries of those promises, has blurred the …
Does the Bible ever confuse you? Do you struggle to understand some of its teachings? Remember, the best method of reading the Bible doesn’t require any special abilities. All it takes is a plain sense, literal reading of the Word! This approach matters greatly—especially when it comes to understanding what God declares about Israel and the Jewish people. In part …
