This is an outstanding book, superbly written and packed full of information and insights on all the issues that constantly arise regarding Israel. The author expertly tackles a wide range of questions and concerns, whether biblical, theological, historical or political.
Sandra Teplinsky is a Messianic Jewess and a trained attorney. Her clear mind and sharp focus enable her to dig deep in pursuit of truth. But she also has a heart of intercession and a desire for justice. As she explains, this is not a scholarly treatise: “As a former attorney with a political science degree and seminary background, I have researched the theological, historical and journalistic works of others, distilling them into a format lay readers can understand. The information I share has been not only intensely investigated but drenched in years of intercessory prayer” (p23).
Certainly we are treated not just to a feast of facts and arguments but to hearing Heaven’s heartbeat.
Israel with the Kingdom in View
This book is a significantly revised update of Why Care About Israel? (2003). Much has happened since then so this is very welcome, not least because the author now resides part-time in Israel and so the book can offer “more of an inside, nuanced view than did its predecessor” (p16). She has been able to add significantly from her personal experiences and contacts, while remaining true to the inspired and authoritative word of God.
The author identifies three types of Christian who will benefit from her book: those interested in Israel and wanting to learn more from a Messianic Jewish/Israeli perspective; those who already care for Israel but want to stay current on issues or gain deeper insight; and those who doubt or question that God still has prophetic plans for Israel (pp14-15). Certainly all three categories will be satisfied with what she has produced.
We are treated not just to a feast of facts and arguments but to hearing Heaven’s heartbeat.
But she is also aware that there are non-Christians who are puzzled or troubled by the controversy surrounding Israel. If they are willing to set aside certain preconceptions, press the reset button and view the matter through the lens of Scripture, then there is much for them too.
The author claims that the biblical truths and factual issues unpacked in her book will “serve as guiding principles for many years to come, however matters unfold in Israel, the Middle East and the rest of the world” (p18). This is because her key premise is that the issues at stake are all about God, his character, his heart and his ways.
She talks about Israel not for Israel’s sake but for God’s sake and the world’s sake. The bigger picture of establishing God’s Kingdom is always in mind. As such, she affirms we can be “quite optimistic about the future, so long as we wholeheartedly follow Him into it” (p17)
Part I: Biblical Basis
The first part of the book is structured around Paul’s arguments in Romans 9-11. She first describes God’s inseparable love for Israel. Here is a love story on divine display, played out on centre-stage before a global audience.
She follows this with a chapter on the sanctity of covenant which contains an excellent section on how to handle Scripture. The Hebraic approach is well-explained, and contrasted with Greek-based interpretations which have led people down wrong paths regarding God and Israel. Current anti-Israel views are shown to emerge from faulty hermeneutics, something that must be put right if attitudes are to change.
Teplinsky talks about Israel not for Israel’s sake but for God’s sake and the world’s sake.
The next three chapters cover Israel’s prophetic destiny, the contention of election, and the salvation of Israel. All these chapters are impressive and powerful. Even for those who have studied these topics before, there is much to gain.
Part II: Current Affairs
Chapter 8, on the Islamic Middle East and anti-Semitism, is a pivotal chapter as we move into the second half of the book which covers the facts and realities of the present world and likely future outcomes. Part of this chapter contains a useful summary of key countries (Iran, Syria, Lebanon, Egypt, Iraq, Turkey), their current relation to Israel and the problems she faces from each of them. Gaza is also mentioned as part of this.
Chapter 9 focuses on discerning the truth about Israel today. As Israel’s story is primarily about God and his purposes it is important to get the story straight.
Here the author provides personal examples from her life in Israel and shows how the war on truth leads to unreliable information via the media. One fascinating point is that “As a result of the world’s diminished value on truth, 21st-century Palestinian and other anti-Israel leaders have made extensive use of what is called lawfare. Lawfare is warfare not by customary military means, but by manipulating or changing the laws of traditional Western civilization for otherwise unobtainable political goals” (p164).
The final chapters provide essential material for combatting false news and views. Everything is clearly and succinctly explained to aid the discussion. There is an excellent summary of the time leading up to Israel’s statehood and the Arab/Palestinian plight, including the hot topic of refugees. The author also tackles claims of Israeli injustice and provides an interesting survey of Palestinian Christianity, an oft-overlooked phenomenon.
We learn that although Palestinians Christians often suffer and must be treated better, yet they can be very anti-Jewish in outlook with Replacement Theology dominating their attitudes. They need our prayers for greater enlightenment and breakthrough that only Christ can bring.
This is an outstanding book, superbly written and packed full of information and insights.
Why Still Care?
The book has good endnotes and is well-indexed. In addition there is a companion website, www.whystillcareaboutisrael.com, which contains further helpful study aids, including notes documenting or expounding on topics mentioned in the book. The system of referencing in the book’s main text makes it clear whether a letter or number refers to the endnotes, the website or both. There is no confusion. However, the book can be easily read without referring to any of the notes. As the author points out, “They exist solely for more serious readers as a complementary tool” (p23).
Any book with a question for a title must by the end have answered that question adequately, and certainly this book achieves that. Why still care? Because God does. We should love Israel for his reasons, not our own. The Jewish people are back in the land for his purposes. They are flesh and blood people under his care.
This book is a treasure trove - perhaps the one book to be read and re-read at this time of Israel’s 70th anniversary. Highly commended.
Why Still Care About Israel? The Sanctity of Covenant, Moral Justice and Prophetic Blessing (282pp) is available from CFI for £11. Also on Amazon. Next week, we are pleased to be publishing a sample chapter from the book for your interest.
