Don’t assume Israel’s significance diminished after the New Covenant arrived as prophesied by Jeremiah, or that the destruction of the temple and the exile of the Jews ended God’s promises given to Jacob. The promise of the New Covenant was given specifically to the Jewish people, and the Jews who believed in Jesus Christ changed the whole world. Ever since Jacob wrestled with God and prevailed, Israel has been at the center of the Bible and has been a sign to the nations.

Just as prophets were chosen to make known the knowledge of God to Israel, Israel was chosen to make His name known among the nations. Israel’s calling did not depend on whether they would always obey. It remains whether Israel is obedient or not, whether they rebel, or whether they want to be chosen or not. Being chosen by God is not a choice made by the one chosen; the choice is what is done with the calling after it is received.

The Lord chose Israel to be an example to the world. Blessings were conditioned on obedience, but judgment was promised for rebellion and disobedience.  Nonetheless, the Lord promised Abraham he would never lack a man to stand before him and that he would never utterly cut off his seed from being a people.

Israel is chosen to serve as a visible sign of the times and seasons and the 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.” The Lord will neither remove the gift nor the calling of their election as a prophetic sign to the world.

Israel validates the truth of God’s word whatever they do. If they choose to walk in obedience, they are exalted, but when they live in rebellion, they are brought low. God’s mercy and wrath are dealt out accordingly (Deuteronomy 27 and 28).

After crossing over 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 followed bears witness to both. They have experienced profound exaltation and harsh abasement.

Israel is called God’s firstborn among the nations. Because God loved all His creation, He chose Israel to bring the knowledge of God to people of all nations. They are a people set apart to be a light that all the world may see, and believe and come to worship the one true God.

However, being chosen does not guarantee it will be beneficial for the ones chosen. Being chosen is a choice made by the Chooser, not the one who is chosen. Those who are chosen choose whether they will be blessed or cursed after being called.

All who are called must respond; there is no escape. If the response to the calling is to obey, then blessings will flow. Otherwise, the calling becomes a curse. King Saul was chosen to be the king; after he was rejected for disobedience, David still acknowledged Saul as the Lord’s anointed, until the Lord took him away by the hands of his enemies

Both wonderful blessings and grievous curses have come upon the Lord’s chosen people—it is recorded that His judgments might be known among the nations so that men might fear God and believe in Him.

God is always glorified in all things—in obedience or disobedience—in the former by His mercy, faithfulness, and goodness, and in the latter, by his righteous judgments and the wrath that falls on the rebellious.

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

Choosing Judas worked to the glory of God in a way far greater than the works done by the other disciples. Christ was crucified and resurrected as a result of Judas’s betrayal. But there was no blessing for Judas, only a curse

All things, whether good or evil, work to the glory of God. What then? Do we do evil that good may come? Judas was cursed and became the icon of betrayal even though Christ was glorified by his betrayal; those who do evil thinking good will come will face a just damnation.

Israel’s witness, from past to present, testifies to God’s blessings and curses. The witness is established openly to the whole world testifying to the truth of God’s word, 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. In Israel, we can understand the invisible war being waged between the forces of heaven and hell.

The Jewish people have been restored to their ancient homeland. At the same time, the Lord is uniting His children worldwide. As Israel is set round about by enemies inside and outside, likewise, the body of believers is currently under assault. Turmoil is dividing Israel and the world, being made manifest through antisemitism.

A parallel storyline is unfolding in both the physical world and in the spiritual realm. By observing Israel, we are made aware of spiritual things even as we behold them with our eyes in the world.

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. But the Redeemer shall return to Zion and all who believe, both Jews and Gentiles alike, will be saved.

“And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the Lord hath said, and in the remnant whom the Lord shall call.” (Joel 2:32)