Who Is Israel?
“And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed and heirs according to the promise” (Gal. 3:29, KJV). Here, Paul defines true spiritual Israel. Later he declares: “Circumcision is nothing; uncircumcision is nothing; the only thing that counts is new creation! All who take this principle for their guide, peace and mercy be upon them, the Israel of God!” (Gal. 6:15, 16, REB).
After the sublime “Hallelujah Chorus” of Romans 8, Paul’s change of mood seems suddenly dark and foreboding. As a student of the scriptures, especially the 70-week prophecies in Daniel 9, he must realize the significance of the stoning of Stephen. He has just declared that nothing can separate us from the love of God, but his mind is reminded that there is one thing that can separate even those specially chosen by God. Persistent, deliberate choices to disbelieve His promises will eventually be honored. Paul realizes God labored long with Israel, His chosen people. There were tests of faith in the wilderness after leaving Egypt, unbelief on the verge of entry, then captivity to cure idolatry, years of apostasy, then finally Israel corporately murdered His Son. Even then God sends one more messenger, Stephen; even the cross does not reach their hearts. Through its leadership, Israel rejects and stones Stephen so the gospel is officially taken to the Gentiles.
Paul, motivated by the Holy Spirit, feels anguish over the loss of his brethren. He declares he is willing to be accursed or separated from Christ for the sake of his kinsmen. Under other circumstances, this would be self-serving exaggeration. For this to be genuine, it can only be a gift of the Spirit.
Paul then analyzes why Israel’s separation was not the fault of God. He begins by explaining that as God defines Israel, He has kept His promises. God does not define true Israel by race, language, or even lineage from Abraham. The promises were not repeated to Ishmael or Esau, but over and over He reminds them He is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
Who comprises Israel? “We learn also who are Israel. The name was given to him in token of the victory which he had gained by faith. It did not bestow any grace upon him, but was a token of the grace already possessed. … It is not the name that brings the blessing, but the blessing that brings the name. As Jacob did not possess the name by nature, so nobody else can. The true Israelite is he in whom is no guile. … So the Israelite is only the one who has personal faith in the Lord. …
“Let every one who would fain be known as an Israelite consider how Jacob received the name, and realize that only so can it be worthily carried by anyone. Christ, as the promised seed, had to go through the same struggle. He fought and won through His trust in the word of the Father, and so He is of right the King of Israel. Only Israelites will share the kingdom with Him; for Israelites are overcomers, and the promise is, ‘To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with Me in My throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with My Father in His throne.’ Rev. 3:21” (E. J. Waggoner, The Everlasting Covenant, p. 116; Glad Tidings Publishers ed.).