Is Israel still the "apple of God's eye"?

Question

Why / Why not?

Answer 1

The entire Tanach (Old Testament) is about Israel (the people) and Israel (the land). If one denies that, then one also denies Christianity since the Tanach is what provides authenticity for Christianity. Jews do not need Christianity to explain their existence or their origin, but Christians cannot explain their existence without Judaism. As God says in the Tanach, His covenant with Israel is eternal and unchanging. Jesus cannot break his Father's covenant with Israel!
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Answer 2

Well for 2000 years the Israel was non exhistant so it wasn't at that time I imagine, but since her rebirth, God is using her to fulfill prophecy and will some day be the apple of God's eye once again and the whole world will be centered around Jerusalem and Israel. Israel is a blessing to the whole world!

Answer 3

In Romans 9-11, Paul addresses the problem of Israel's past election, present rejection of the gospel, and future salvation. These three chapters were written to answer the question Jewish believers were asking: how could God's promises to Abraham and the nation of Israel remain valid while the nation of Israel as a whole seems to have no part in the gospel? The following summarizes Paul's argument.

There are three separate elements to Paul's discussion of Israel in God's plan of salvation:

(1) The first (Rom. 9:6-29) is an examination of Israel's past election. (a) In 9:6-13, Paul maintains that God's promise to Israel has not failed, for the promise never included any except the faithful in the nation. It was meant only for true Israel, those who were faithful to the promise (Gen. 12:1-3;17:19). There is always an Israel within Israel who have received the promise. (b) In Romans 9:14-29, Paul points out that God has the right to do as He pleases with individuals and nations. He has a right to reject Israel if they disobey and the right to show mercy to the Gentiles and offer them salvation if He chooses.

(2) The second major section (Rom. 9:30-10:21) analyzes Israel's present rejection of the gospel. Their failure to respond to Christ is not due to an unconditional decree of God, but to their own unbelief and disobedience (Rom. 10:3).

(3) Finally, Paul explains (Rom. 11) that the rejection of Israel is only partial and temporary. Israel will eventually accept God's salvation in Christ. There are several steps in his argument. (a) God has not rejected the true Israel, for He has remained faithful to the "remnant" that has remained faithful to Him by accepting Christ (11:1-6). (b) God's present hardening of the majority of Israel has come because they refused to believe in Christ (11:7-10; 9:31-10:21). (c) God has turned Israel's transgression (the crucifixion of Christ) into an opportunity to proclaim salvation to all the world (11:11-12,15). (d) During this present time of Israel's national unbelief, the salvation of individuals, both Jew and Gentile (10:12-13) depends on faith in Jesus Christ (11:13-24). (e) Belief in Jesus Christ by a portion of national Israel will take place in the future (11:25-29). (f) God's sincere purpose is to have mercy on all, both Jew and Gentile, and to include in His kingdom all people who believe in Christ (11:30-36; 10:12-13; 11:20-24).
The Scriptures are full of promises of the eventual restoration of Israel to God through their acceptance of the Messiah. This will occur at the end of the great tribulation, just before the return of Jesus (Is. 11:10-16; 29:17-24; 49:22-26; Jer. 31:31-34; Ezek. 37:12-14; Rom. 11:26; Rev. 12:6).

Answer 4

Presume Yahweh exists and that the Old Testament is in fact inspired text.

Then yes, Jews are still the apple of Yahweh's eye(s), because Yahweh promised them that the Covenant was ETERNAL, never to be changed or to pass away.

Makes you wonder why Jesus called God a liar... didn't he say he was making a new covenant? Let's see... God says -- Eternal and Unchanging. Jesus says, changed and done with, here's the new one.

Riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiight.

See the interesting things you realize when you can accept an obviously false hypothetical?

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It's very obvious there are Christians answering this question... Israel is the people of the Jews, the Land of Israel is the land, but Israel itself is the community of Jews, and that's NOT tied to any particular piece of land.

For example, in the Shema, "Shema Yisreal, Adonai Eloheinu, Adonai Ehad", "Hear, O Israel, the Lord is God, the Lord is One," is not talking to a piece of dirt or a political structure -- it speaks directly to the community of Jews everywhere.

Answer 5

The answer is No.
That is ....as a nation, Israel is nothing special in God's eyes.
The particular individuals of that nation can, if they wish, develop a positive relationship with Him.
Matthew 23:37,38 has Jesus telling the Jews their set-up has been abandoned by God (and the reason for it).

Answer 6

Noy. Israel is just a place, and the Jews WERE God's chosen people at one time, but since Jesus came along and made salvation available for everyone, Jew or Gentile, the human race is now the apple of God's eye. He loves us all and He wants us all to live with Him in Heaven when our life here is over, but if we want to do that we have to accept God's gift of grace and we have to do it His way. He knows we won't all make it into the Kingdom of Heaven but He wants us to be there with him. He's not about to ram His rules down our throats though. He simply lays it out for us and gives us the freedom of choice. So a piece of land doesn't have anything to do with who or what God loves.

Answer 7

Those who acknowledge the Lord God as their Creator and Jesus Christ as Savior are the people of God.

Jesus said specifically that those who hate him, hate the Father and those who receive him, receive the Father.

There is no acceptance by God or way to God's heart except through Jesus Christ.

god bless

Answer 8

Yes #1
God made a covenant with them,He keeps His word.#2

Answer 9

Yes, there are always a remnant of faithful followers of God.

Answer 10

The people? Yes. The modern-day country of "Israel"....doubtful.