Christians called to support Jews in every way they can

Paul Luckraft reviews 'Israel: Covenants and Kingdom' and 'Why Israel?'

Willem Glashouwer is the President of Christians for Israel International and a regular speaker in this country. Here are two of his most important books, available from Christian Friends of Israel.

Israel: Covenants and Kingdom (2016, 184 pages, available from CFI for £9)

Here is a book that will enhance anyone’s understanding of these crucial concepts. Every chapter is divided into shorter sections, each of which makes a valuable contribution to the overall argument, that God’s relationship with Israel is based upon love for them and faithfulness to his own word.

The establishment of the state of Israel in 1948 brought a fresh challenge to Replacement Theology and those who taught it. Was God keeping his covenants with the Jewish people after all, and if so, how are we to view the overarching biblical concept of the Kingdom of God? This book tackles these issues in a way that will reassure those with a heart for Israel and a mind for God’s word.

After an introductory chapter, the next three explore the scriptural basis of covenant from Creation to Abraham and onwards through his line, culminating in the promise in Jeremiah of a new covenant. These chapters conclude with a summary of the covenants God has made, including their everlasting and unconditional nature where appropriate.

Here the author names seven, at this point omitting the one with Noah but including separate ones on the land, Jerusalem and one he calls the ‘covenant of peace’. This may seem contrary to the more standard approach of five main covenants, but as there are several other covenants which surround these central ones, this is not something to be critical of as his analysis is generally in line with other books on this topic.

Throughout these chapters we get fascinating glimpses of other factors which may be less familiar, for instance the nature of Nimrod and his role at the outset of ‘Babylon’ or Babel, and also a more modern reference to Turkey and President Erdogan within the context of Gog and Magog (Ezekiel 38-39).

God’s relationship with Israel is based upon love for them and faithfulness to his own word.

In chapter five the author turns his attention to his other great theme: Kingdom. He explains this was not a new idea which emerged with the Church, the signs were already there through Israel, though it did become more apparent when Jesus was present on earth. What binds all these elements together is the promise of Gabriel to Mary that her son would be given the throne of David and he will reign forever. The concept of Kingdom is therefore linked to the covenants and must be seen as bigger than just ‘the Church’.

Later chapters cover other important issues. The history, relevance and future of Jerusalem is thoroughly explored including a well-balanced discussion on the possibility of a re-built temple. Part of the concluding chapter tackles the key question of ‘Palestine’. The answer is rather concise but, as in the book as a whole, the author presents facts and conveys a sense of reality about the situation.

Overall the book is well researched and based upon a scholarly approach without being too formal or over-academic. The case is clearly made, that God’s choice of Israel is irrevocable and that he will bless all nations through her. He will bring her Messiah back to this world to fulfil all his promises.

Why Israel? (2012, 216 pages, available from CFI for £10)

An initial glance at the contents might suggest much in common between this book and the one above. For instance, chapter two on the covenants covers the same material – but this later book also expands upon the earlier one. In fact, there is so much more in ‘Why Israel?’ to make it a worthwhile purchase in its own right, including two lengthy appendices, one on’ Jews and Church History’ (40 pages) and another on ‘Jerusalem Chronology’ (16 pages).

Chapters three to five explore three key ‘untils’. The first is in Matthew 23:39, “You will not see me again until you say ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord’”. The others are “until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled” (Luke 21:24) and “until the full number of the Gentiles has come in” (Rom 11:25). The main point made here is that ‘until’ is not the same as ‘unless’ – these things will happen! Moreover, ‘until’ implies a ‘before’ and an ‘after’ which are vital components of what is being promised. Overall, three fascinating chapters.

There is so much more in ‘Why Israel?’ to make it a worthwhile purchase in its own right.

Later chapters cover the roots of anti-Semitism, the Land of Israel (including the Balfour declaration and the British role), and Jerusalem and the Temple. There is also a chapter on aliyah. He asks ‘how does the Lord bring the Jews home?’ and answers with “Israel is on her way to glory and is being brought home by the non-Jews, the Gentiles. By you and me!” (p153). A wonderful thought, but also a challenge!

But the main challenge of the book is spelled out earlier: “God loves Israel as His first-born son, and Jesus, His only-begotten Son, was a Jew. Are you sure that you really love the God of the Bible, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of Israel? Or are you loving your own concept of God?” (p17).

Any book with a question as a title must provide an answer as you read it. In this case you will be left in no doubt by the end of the biblical significance of Israel and the Jewish people today.

Paul Luckraft reviews ‘Celebrating Jesus in the Biblical Feasts’ by Richard Booker (Destiny Image, 2009).

This is another excellent book on Jesus and the Jewish Feasts. Clearly written and well set out, the aim is to enable Christians to discover the significance of these Feasts within their own individual walk with God. As such it is conceived as a personal study resource with practical guidelines at each stage.

The author recognises that in recent times God has been doing a new thing, “breaking down the walls of hatred and misunderstanding that have divided the Jews and Christians” (p8). He believes that celebrating Jesus in the Feasts has many benefits which include a fuller comprehension of God’s plan of redemption and a renewed passion for Jesus. He explains that when Christians celebrate Jesus in the Feasts they are not putting themselves under the Law or trying to be Jews, they are “simply expressing their desire to return to the biblical roots of the faith” (p10).

Personal Challenges

The Feasts are designed to be visual aids, pictures of deeper spiritual truths, and once we see them as God’s special Feasts (appointed times), rather than merely ‘Jewish’ Feasts, then those deeper truths start to emerge.

Chapter One outlines the biblical Jewish calendar which is the correct setting for the seven Feasts in their seasons. Chapters Two to Eight then take each Feast in turn, from Passover (the longest chapter) to Tabernacles. The structure of each chapter is the same: Historical Background, How Jesus Fulfilled the Feast, and Personal Application.

The Feasts are visual aids – pictures of deeper spiritual truths.

The intention of the book becomes clear at the end of each chapter where there is a Personal Study Review which checks your understanding of each Feast and also issues a specific challenge. The reader is asked to describe the seasonal aspect of the Feast in question and to say how Jesus fulfilled this Feast. The review also asks how the Feast as revealed in Jesus applies to our lives today, and concludes with the exhortation to ask God to give you a personal encounter with Jesus as the spiritual reality of this Feast.

Highly Recommended

The next two chapters cover Purim and Hanukkah, which although not part of the mo’edim or appointed Feasts, are significant national holidays and are well worth including in a book of this kind. The structure of these chapters has to change slightly as Jesus did not fulfil these, so as well as the Historical Background and Personal Application as before, there is a section on Purim (or Hanukkah) in the New Testament.

The final chapter acts as a summary of the main purpose of the book by stressing again how Christians can celebrate Jesus in the Feasts. The author realises that people need guidelines and ideas to get them started and so offers many useful suggestions. Within this chapter there is also a section on ‘counting the Omer’, with a Scripture reading plan to cover these 50 days between Pesach (Passover) and Shavuot (Pentecost).

The author offers people useful suggestions and ideas to get started celebrating Jesus in the Feasts.

The author has clearly gone on his own personal journey through the Feasts and is excited about sharing it with others. His book is highly recommended and well worth putting alongside others on this topic.

Celebrating Jesus in the Biblical Feasts: Discovering their Significance to You as a Christian (224 pp) is available in a newer expanded edition (2016) from Amazon for £12.99 (£7.12 on Kindle). Older versions also available.