Don’t assume that Israel’s significance has decreased since Jeremiah prophesied of the New Covenant. The promises the Lord gave to Jeremiah were for the Jewish people. From its inception, Israel has been, continues to be, and will continue to be a focal point and a beacon to the nations until the end. Just as prophets were chosen from among the people of Israel to serve as a sign to Israel, Israel itself is chosen and set apart from the nations to serve as a sign to all nations. The calling of the Jewish people in relation to the present world is not salvational in the eternal sense—eternal salvation is a personal relationship between individuals and God, not any ethnicity—the placement of Israel in this world is used as a witness to both the mercy and judgment of God.

The calling of Israel remains true regardless of whether the Jewish people as a whole believe or do not believe. It is true regardless of whether they are in obedience to God or not, whether they desire to be chosen or not, or if they believe in God or not. Israel is chosen to serve as a visible sign of blessings and curses for all nations. God will never revoke their calling. As the Apostle Paul wrote to the Romans, “The gifts and calling of God are without repentance.” This means that the Lord will neither take back their gifts nor their calling regarding their role as a visible sign for the present.

God has irrevocably placed the Jewish people in the position of validating the truth of His word before all people. If they walk in obedience or disobedience, his mercy or wrath will be dealt out accordingly (Deuteronomy 27 and 28).

When Israel After the Israelites crossed over the Jordan, the Lord commanded that the twelve tribes be divided into two groups: six tribes were to stand on Mount Gerizim, the mount of blessing, and the other six tribes on Mount Ebal, the mount of curses. The priests and Levites were to stand in the valley between the two mountains while the Levites called out a series of blessings and curses. The tribes standing on the two mountains were to answer “Amen” after each statement. Thus, Israel was chosen to stand as a testimony of the recompense of rewards, both good and evil.

The history of the Jewish people that would follow bears witness. The Jewish people have experienced both profound exaltation and harsh abasement.

Israel is the firstborn of God among the nations. They were chosen and set apart to be a light that all the world might see and believe. However, being chosen does not guarantee that it will be beneficial for everyone who is chosen. Being called is not a choice; being blessed by the calling is. If, in response to being called by God, a choice is made to obey, then all is well. Otherwise, those who are chosen may remain chosen—King Saul was accepted by David as the Lord’s anointed until his death—however, there is a grievous end to rebellion.

We see in the descendants of Jacob throughout history both wonderful blessings and the grievous curses that came upon the Lord’s chosen people—all done in the sight of the nations that the judgment of God might be seen, and that all men might believe and fear God. Regardless of whether Israel is in obedience or disobedience, God is glorified in all things and before all—in the former, by his mercy and goodness, and in the latter, by his righteous judgments and the wrath that follows.

Whether God is obeyed or not, his judgments remain faithful. There is no escape for those who are elected to be a witness of God’s judgments. To their betterment or to their ruin, an example is to be made of those who are chosen.

Judas was chosen; Jesus said to his disciples, “Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil?” Some of those who are called will not inherit the kingdom of God—many are called, but few are chosen. Judas fulfilled what he was chosen for, but to his damnation.

Thus, the Lord was glorified in choosing Judas in a far greater way than through any work done by the other disciples, as he was glorified and resurrected as a result of Judas’s betrayal. All things, good and evil, work in the end to the glory of God. What then? Do we do evil that good may come? Paul wrote that those who do so will face just damnation.

Israel, from past to present, testifies to the blessings and the curses, the mercy and the judgments of God. A witness is established before the whole world, testifying to the truth of the fulfillment of God’s word. The Lord’s word is true, as shown by the examples of Israel.

Israel is presently center stage. The events occurring in Israel today provide a portal into the spiritual realm where we see the activities happening. In Israel, we can understand the invisible war being waged between the forces of heaven and hell.

God is returning the Jewish people to their ancient homeland, just as He is uniting the children of God worldwide in one Spirit—and as Israel is set round about by enemies on the inside and out, likewise, the body of believers is currently under assault. Political turmoil has divided Israel, just as spiritual turmoil is dividing the world, often made manifest through antisemitism.

A parallel storyline is unfolding, both in the physical world and in the spiritual realm. We can be aware of spiritual things taking place even as we behold them with our eyes.

Those who remain faithful and endure until the end shall be saved. As the time of the Gentiles comes to its fullness, all Israel shall be saved, as it is written, “There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and he shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob; for this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins” (Isaiah 40:9; Joel 2:32).

The Lord has not forsaken Israel even as the greater part of Jewry currently lives in disobedience. Those who believe, both Jews and Gentiles alike, can be confident of God’s faithfulness. Indeed, all whom God has chosen by his foreknowledge to inherit his kingdom shall be saved.