Paul Luckraft reviews two books on Israel's restoration.
Over the next few weeks we will be reviewing a number of classic books on the subject of Israel and her restoration, ahead of the 70th anniversary celebrations in May.
This week, Paul Luckraft reviews ‘Does God Play Favourites?’ by Jim Gerrish and ‘Your People Shall Be My People’ by Don Finto. Please see the base of page for ordering information.
Does God Play Favourites? (Gerrish, 353pp, Cornerstone, 2000)
Despite being nearly 20 years old now, this book is a real treasure trove. It has a wide scope and is packed with useful information on every aspect of God’s unique relationship with Israel.
The author contends that the miraculous work of God in restoring the nation of Israel is something that Christians today have to consider if they are to gain any understanding of the purposes of God as outlined in Scripture. He draws on many years of experience and biblical study to present a significant account of why Israel is special. He accepts that spiritually Israel is only partially restored but she has risen from the ashes just as the ancient prophets foretold.
The opening chapters take us through many scriptures to explain how and why this has happened.
Encyclopaedic in Scope and Depth
Later chapters cover the rise of Islam and its impact upon Israel and the Church, the story of how the nation of Israel was reborn, the Jewishness of Jesus and how the Church moved away from its Jewish roots during its early centuries.
The sickness of anti-Semitism is tackled in another chapter, as are the intriguing questions, ‘Is the Messiah restoring Israel?’, ‘Is God a Zionist?’ and ‘Is the Devil angry over Jerusalem?’. The author is clear that “The continual madness and insanity in the Middle East attests to the apparent rage of the devil concerning Israel” (p306). He adds that “No doubt, Satan has found politics a very successful tool in his age-old effort to deprive the children of Israel of their heritage” (p307).
Despite being nearly 20 years old now, this book is a real treasure trove.
The author also considers many of the contemporary aspects which surround Israel in today’s world, namely the refugee problem, the UN and its many resolutions against Israel, and the role of the media.
Each chapter is well thought through and informative - almost encyclopaedic in scope and depth. Everything you could want to know is covered more than adequately. There are also study questions at the end of every chapter, together with excellent endnotes. The book ends with an extensive historical timeline and a full bibliography.
Highly commended.
Your People Shall Be My People: How Israel, the Jews and the Christian Church Will Come Together in the Last Days (Finto, 204pp, Regal, 2001/2016)
This book, updated an expanded in 2016, remains a useful contribution to the literature on how Israel, the Jews and the Christian Church should co-exist now and how, in the words of the subtitle, they will come together in the last days.
The author admits that what he is writing is not always new but he is hopeful that his perspective will add something to those who are already knowledgeable in this area, as well as provide a fresh revelation to others. To this end he achieves his purpose.
The title is taken from the book of Ruth (1:16). The author contends that the Gentile Church should look to her as a role model in terms of commitment to God’s ancient people and a desire to become part of the ‘one new man’ of which Paul speaks (Eph 2:13).
A Remarkable Generation
Part of the fascination of the book is the way the author shows how God has been at work in the past 70 years since Israel became a nation again. He quotes statistics to show that half of those who have ever come to faith in Christ have done so since the founding of the State of Israel in 1948 (p43).
He also sees 1967 (the year when Jerusalem came under Jewish control again) as “the year that brought a change in the heavenlies” (p139). From this time there began to be a noticeable increase of Jewish believers in Jesus. He claims that “since the first century, there has never been a generation that has seen so many Jewish people in so many parts of the world coming to believe in Jesus” (p127).
But as well as proclaiming this good news, the author also makes us aware that “sometime in the future the whole world will take a stand against Israel” (p173). The spiritual battle will intensify. Taking a stand on their behalf is something we need to be preparing for. Here the example of Ruth comes to the fore again.
The book is an easy read and worth trying to pick up second-hand. The overall approach is positive and encouraging. There are good endnotes to each chapter plus an appendix of recommended further reading.
Please click on the following links to purchase the above books:
Does God Play Favourites? (Amazon, second-hand)
Your People Shall Be My People (Amazon, paperback and Kindle)