The Biblical Basis for Supporting Israel as a Nation and a People
For Christians who take Scripture seriously, the question of how to view the modern State of Israel and the Jewish people is both theological and practical. Across Australian cities from Sydney to Perth, believers gather in churches and home groups to study what the Bible actually says about this small but historically significant land and its people. The conversation is not merely political; for many it touches the very heart of how we understand God's faithfulness, prophetic word, and ongoing relationship with humanity.
In a nation as multicultural as Australia, where Christian congregations include people of every background—including a growing community of Middle Eastern believers who have fled persecution—this question carries particular weight. Many Iranian and Iraqi Christians now call Melbourne and Brisbane home, bringing firsthand understanding of the Middle East and a deep love for both the gospel and the land of the Bible. Their witness reminds Australian believers that supporting Israel is not an abstract doctrine but a living faith rooted in Scripture and history.
The Abrahamic Covenant: Foundation of God's Promise
The starting point for any biblical discussion of Israel is the covenant God made with Abraham. In Genesis 12:1-3, the Lord called Abram from Ur and made promises that would shape the rest of redemptive history: "I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse." This passage is foundational because it ties Israel's existence to God's unilateral covenant commitment, not to human performance or merit.
The covenant was reaffirmed in Genesis 15 and expanded in Genesis 17, where God added the specific dimension of land: "The whole land of Canaan, where you now reside as a foreigner, I will give as an everlasting possession to you and your descendants after you." The Hebrew word translated "everlasting" (olam) indicates a perpetual inheritance. Though Israel would later be disciplined and even exiled, the covenant itself was never revoked. The prophet Jeremiah declared that the Lord would never break His covenant with the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
This matters for Christians today because it establishes that God's promises to ethnic Israel are not discarded in the New Testament. Rather, they form the foundation upon which the New Covenant is built. As Paul would later write in Romans 15:8, "Christ has become a servant of the Jews on behalf of God's truth, to confirm the promises made to the patriarchs."
| Covenant | Key Scripture | Core Promise | Fulfillment and Ongoing Significance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abrahamic | Genesis 12:1-3; 15:5-7 | Land, descendants, universal blessing through Abraham | Permanent foundation for God's people; basis for blessing Israel today |
| Mosaic | Exodus 19:5-6; Deuteronomy 28 | A kingdom of priests and a holy nation | Established Israel as a theocracy; covenant obligations still honoured by faithful Jews |
| Davidic | 2 Samuel 7:12-16 | An eternal throne and kingdom | Fulfilled ultimately in Jesus Christ, Son of David |
| New Covenant | Jeremiah 31:31-34; Hebrews 8:8-12 | Law written on hearts, intimate knowledge of God | Inaugurated at Pentecost; opens way for both Jews and Gentiles to know God |
The Prophetic Voice: Scattering and Return
Beyond the covenant narratives, the Hebrew prophets spoke extensively about the future of Israel and the land. Amos 9:14-15 contains a striking promise: "I will bring my people Israel back from exile; they will rebuild the ruined cities and live in them; they will plant vineyards and drink their wine; they will make gardens and eat their fruit. I will plant Israel in their own land, never again to be uprooted from the land that I gave them." This was spoken to a people who had not yet gone into exile, indicating God's foreknowledge and sovereign plan.
Ezekiel added detail in chapters 36 and 37, speaking of the Lord gathering His people from the nations and bringing them back to their own land. He described a time when the land would be healed, the cities inhabited, and the people would know that He is the Lord. The prophet also spoke of the "valley of dry bones"—a vivid picture of national restoration that would precede a spiritual awakening.
For Australian Christians who read these texts, the establishment of the modern State of Israel in 1948 and the ingathering of Jewish exiles from across the Middle East, Europe, and even the former Soviet Union cannot be dismissed as mere coincidence. It resonates deeply with what the prophets foretold. When you sit in a prayer meeting in a Sydney church and hear people praying for the peace of Jerusalem, you are joining a chorus that stretches back millennia.
Israel in the New Testament: Continuity and Compassion
Some Christians assume that the New Testament somehow replaces or supersedes ethnic Israel, but a careful reading shows the opposite. In Romans 9-11, Paul grapples with the question of his fellow Jews and their relationship to the Messiah. Far from writing them off, he expresses "great sorrow and unceasing anguish" in his heart and declares that the gifts and calling of God are irrevocable (Romans 11:29). The olive tree metaphor in Romans 11 shows Gentile believers as wild branches grafted in, while warning them not to boast over the natural branches.
Jesus Himself demonstrated deep emotion toward Jerusalem and its people. In Luke 19:41-44, He wept over the city, knowing the destruction that would come. Yet even then, He spoke of a time when His people would say, "Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord." The New Testament, therefore, does not annul God's covenant purposes for Israel but reveals their deepest meaning in the Messiah.
This continuity has practical implications. When Australian Christians study Romans 11 and see that God's heart remains for the Jewish people, they cannot remain neutral. In a country where synagogues in Melbourne and Adelaide occasionally require security due to rising antisemitism, standing with Israel is also standing with Jewish neighbours who deserve dignity and safety.
The Call to Bless and Pray
Scripture is explicit about how God's people are to treat Israel. Genesis 12:3 still stands: those who bless Abraham's descendants will be blessed, and those who curse them will come under divine displeasure. This is not a license for partisan politics, but it is a sobering principle for nations and individuals alike.
Prayer is one of the most concrete expressions of biblical support. Psalm 122:6 instructs the faithful to "pray for the peace of Jerusalem." Many Australian prayer movements have adopted this psalm as a regular focus, gathering in homes, churches, and public events to intercede for Israel and the region. In Brisbane and other cities, intercessors meet monthly to pray for wisdom for Israeli leaders, protection for the vulnerable, and revival among both Jews and Arabs.
Practical support also matters. Partnering with ministries that serve Holocaust survivors, aiding refugees, supporting Messianic Jewish congregations, and providing humanitarian relief are all ways Australian believers can honour the biblical call. When disaster strikes in the Middle East, Australian Christian aid organisations often mobilise quickly, and this reflects a biblical impulse to bless and serve.
Questions Christians Often Ask
Sincere believers ask difficult questions. Does supporting Israel mean endorsing every political decision made by its government? No—Christians are called to love people while critiquing policies that contradict biblical values, just as the Hebrew prophets often challenged the kings of Israel themselves. Does it mean ignoring the suffering of Palestinians? Absolutely not—the Bible calls us to love our neighbours and seek justice for all.
Another common question concerns replacement theology—the view that the church has replaced Israel in God's purposes. While this interpretation has been taught in some traditions, it conflicts with Romans 11 and the plain meaning of the covenants. The New Testament presents the church as joined to Israel, not substituting for it. Both Jews and Gentiles are now part of God's people through the Messiah, but ethnic Israel retains a unique calling and future.
Some also ask whether the land promises still matter in the New Covenant era. Hebrews 11 still commends Abraham as one who lived by faith in the promised land, and Revelation speaks of a renewed creation where the nations will walk in the light of the New Jerusalem. The land is not the ultimate promise—that belongs to the renewed creation—but it remains significant within God's unfolding plan.
Standing With Israel From Down Under
Australian Christians have a unique opportunity and responsibility in this conversation. As a stable democracy in the Asia-Pacific region, Australia has diplomatic relationships with Israel and a voice in international forums. More importantly, the Australian church has resources, education, and freedom to study and proclaim the whole counsel of God regarding Israel and the nations.
In the multicultural cities of Sydney and Melbourne, local believers can model a biblical approach that honours Jewish communities, welcomes Middle Eastern Christians, and engages thoughtfully with Muslims who also venerate the prophets. Rather than retreating from difficult conversations, Australian Christians can lead with humility, truth, and love. Many seminaries and theological colleges across the country—such as Ridley College in Melbourne—equip students to understand the biblical and historical background of the Holy Land.
This is also a moment for personal consecration. When we are tempted to invest our time and resources in pursuits like live casino game shows that offer no eternal return, the wisdom of Scripture calls us to a better way. Believers are invited to devote themselves to prayer, study of the Word, and informed advocacy for the people and places Scripture holds dear. Many find that when they redirect their attention toward eternal things, their perspective and priorities align more closely with God's heart. For those wanting to explore these themes further, our blog offers regular teaching and prayer resources to help believers grow in biblical understanding.
As we stand with Israel, we are ultimately standing with God's Word and God's faithfulness. The same God who called Abraham, who delivered Israel from Egypt, who sent the prophets, and who gave His Son for the redemption of the world continues His work today. He invites Australian believers—and all who follow the Messiah—to join Him in praying for the peace of Jerusalem, supporting the Jewish people, and proclaiming the gospel to every nation.
Let this be a generation that stands firm on Scripture, prays without ceasing, and walks in the blessing promised to those who bless the people of God.