Why Israel Still Matters:
A Prophetic Perspective on Modern-Day Blessing and Responsibility

By Jim Staley, Passion for Truth Ministries

The Rising Question: Who Is Israel?

The recent viral debate between Senator Ted Cruz and Tucker Carlson has reignited a timeless question: Who is Israel? For many believers, the answer seems rooted in Genesis 12, where God promises blessings to Abraham and his descendants. Yet, when these ancient promises intersect with modern politics, theology, and misinformation, clarity becomes elusive.

This is more than a political issue—it’s a spiritual one. In times like these, believers must seek truth with discernment and humility. That’s why I feel compelled to speak to you plainly, to cut through the confusion and help bring biblical insight into the firestorm surrounding Israel.

The Covenant Is Key—Not Character

Let’s begin with a foundational truth: Christian support for Israel doesn’t stem from the behavior or righteousness of its leaders or citizens. It’s grounded in covenant—God’s eternal promise to Abraham and his descendants. God has never depended on perfect people to fulfill His perfect plan.

Sadly, some today promote the myth that modern Jews aren’t truly descendants of Abraham. This idea—debunked by both science and history—is more than just false; it’s spiritually dangerous.

Genetic Continuity: The Science Confirms It

Modern genetics clearly affirms the ancestral unity of the Jewish people. Whether Ashkenazi, Sephardic, or Mizrahi, Jews share common genetic roots in the Near East. Peer-reviewed studies, including those published in Nature and the American Journal of Human Genetics, confirm this.

The Cohen Modal Haplotype, a specific Y-chromosome marker among Jewish priests (Kohanim), traces back to Aaron, Moses’ brother. The Khazar theory—suggesting Ashkenazi Jews descend from medieval converts—is not only debunked but weaponized by anti-Semites.

Beyond Missiles: The Battle Over Israel’s Legitimacy

Israel faces more than rockets—it faces a war of narratives. Propaganda, ideological warfare, and denial of atrocities (like those committed on October 7th) attempt to delegitimize both the Jewish people and their state. This is spiritual warfare as much as it is political conflict.

Clarifying Terms: What Do We Mean by “Israel”?

To understand the debate, we must define our terms:

• The Nation of Israel – the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
• The State of Israel – the modern, secular democracy established in 1948.
• Spiritual Israel – those grafted into the covenant by faith, as explained in Romans 11 and Ephesians 2.

All Jews are Israelites, but not all Israelites are Jews. After Solomon, Israel split into two kingdoms: the northern House of Israel (10 tribes) and the southern House of Judah (2 tribes). The northern tribes were exiled and assimilated—often referred to as the “lost sheep of Israel,” whom Jesus came to restore.

The Bible’s grand narrative involves the reunification of these two houses into one family. This is the full prophetic picture many believers miss.

Israel’s Secular Government Still Serves a Prophetic Role

Yes, modern Israel is secular. Yes, its government has flaws. But secularism does not disqualify Israel from fulfilling prophecy.

In fact, Scripture shows God using secular rulers—Cyrus of Persia, for example—to advance His purposes. The rebirth of Israel in 1948 fulfilled ancient prophecies from Isaiah and Ezekiel. Even if Israel’s leaders don’t follow the Torah, their return to the land is a divine act.

Imagine Israel as a tree:

• The soil is the Promised Land.
• The tree is the people of Israel.
• The wall around it (the state/government) may be flawed, but it protects the tree.

You cannot bless the tree while cursing the soil—or vice versa.

The Story of the Bible: Land, House, and Family

As the late Brad Scott often said, the entire Bible is about:

• A land (Israel),
• A house (God’s dwelling among His people), and
• A family (the children of Abraham—both physical and spiritual).

Even when the “prodigal son” walks away, he remains part of the family. So it is with Israel. The covenant endures, despite disobedience.

Misguided Theology, Misplaced Allegiances

Replacement theology—the idea that the Church has replaced Israel—has led many believers to turn their backs on God’s chosen people. But Scripture warns: in the end times, all nations will rise against Israel (Zechariah 12:3). If the Church isn’t rooted in the full counsel of God, it risks siding with Israel’s enemies.

God’s Promise in Genesis 12 Still Stands

Genesis 12:3 declares: “I will bless those who bless you, and curse those who curse you.” Some say this promise was only for Abraham, not Israel. But Genesis 17 clears that up:

“I will establish my covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you… and give to you and your descendants… all the land of Canaan as an everlasting possession.” (Genesis 17:7–8)

This isn’t about Ishmael or Esau—it’s about Isaac, Jacob, and the 12 tribes. The promise is specific, irrevocable, and rooted in redemption’s timeline.

Not About Behavior—But God’s Faithfulness

Many object, “Why should we bless Israel when they don’t believe in Jesus?” The answer: because God does. The covenant was never based on perfect behavior—it was based on His unchanging promise.

When you bless Israel, you align yourself with God’s redemptive plan. Romans 11 says it clearly: “God has not cast away His people.”

The Church’s Responsibility

If Israel doesn’t recognize Jesus as Messiah, part of the blame falls on the Church. We’ve often misrepresented Yeshua so badly that He became unrecognizable to Jews. That should lead us to compassion, not condemnation.

Jesus wept over Jerusalem. We should too.

A Real Israel Fulfills Real Prophecy

Zechariah 12:3 and Joel 3:2 describe events involving a literal Jerusalem, a literal Jewish people, and a literal land. These end-time prophecies require the modern State of Israel to exist.

Romans 11 warns Gentiles not to be arrogant: “You do not support the root, but the root supports you.” We’ve been grafted into Israel’s tree—not the other way around.

God’s Love Outlasts Our Labels

Paul writes in Romans 11:28 that while Jews may be “enemies concerning the gospel,” they are still “beloved for the sake of the fathers.” God can hold both truths. So must we.

Touching What Belongs to God

Let me share a personal story from prison. One day I casually reached under a newspaper on an end table to grab a TV guide—only to be shouted at by a man who felt disrespected. Another inmate quietly pulled me aside and said, “In here, that paper is his castle. You don’t touch it without asking.”

That paper? It was his. And Israel? It’s God’s. To handle it without reverence, without understanding, is to violate something sacred.

Prophecy in Real Time

Isaiah 66:8 asked, “Can a nation be born in a day?” Israel’s rebirth on May 14, 1948, answered that.

Ezekiel 36:24 foretold the regathering of Jews from the nations—fulfilled. Even the revival of the Hebrew language is unparalleled in history. No dead language has ever come back as the national tongue of its people. That’s divine.

Miracles in 1948 and 1967, the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls, and archaeological support for Scripture all point to God’s hand on modern Israel.

Honor Over Agreement

Respect is what’s missing in much of the Church today—respect for Israel’s calling, even amid their imperfections. You don’t have to agree with every policy to honor their role in prophecy.

Yeshua didn’t win people by condemnation. He led with love, grace, and truth. So must we.

Prophecies Unfolding Before Our Eyes

Isaiah, Zechariah, Amos, and Ezekiel all prophesied about Israel’s restoration. It’s happening—now. The land is flourishing, Jerusalem is a “heavy stone,” and the Jewish people are back in their homeland. The stage is being set for Ezekiel 38 and 39, for Gog and Magog, and potentially even a coming peace treaty.

The Bottom Line: Bless What God Blesses

Israel is not perfect. But it is prophetic. Blessing Israel doesn’t mean agreeing with everything—it means aligning with God’s plan. The Bible doesn’t ask us to endorse sin—it asks us to honor the story God is writing.

“You cannot love the tree and curse the soil. You cannot nourish the soil and uproot the tree.”

So let’s walk in humility. Let’s choose love. Let’s align with God’s covenant, and not the counsel of the crowd.

Because prophecy is unfolding—and we’re called to be on the right side of it.

Watch the full teaching here:

https://www.youtube.com/live/EnjaLD-bojE?si=Wc6pXxXWhyycj4uZ

Watch “Did Biblical War III Just Start” here: https://youtu.be/devjedq3IQE