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.