Who is Israel?

“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one…” (Deuteronomy 6:4). 

I have many names. I am “Jill Ng” and at one point I was “Jill Keddie”; I am “mom”; I am “wife;” I am “Jillybean” (high school days…); I have a lot of names that can describe myself at many seasons of my life. I was not “mom” my whole life, but I was always “Jill.” As I have many names, the people of God are no different.

The names used for God’s people has changed over time. At first, we required no name, because we all were His creation. Over time, the family of Adam, after about 1000 years, lead to a man named Noah. After God brought a great flood that covered the whole earth, the three sons of Noah spread across the earth. Derived from the name of one of the sons, Shem, came a name that represented the people of God for generations: Hebrew.

Abraham (Abram), Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, and Moses are all included in this people group. When Jacob, the grandson of Abraham wrestled with God in the wilderness and God changed his name to Israel. After that event, the people of God were also called “Israel” or “Israelites.” As I mentioned in Yearning for a Fresh Start, I will take time this winter to break down the Shema which is a prayer of the people of Israel into bite sized pieces. This is a cornerstone statement that is known in the Jewish community, spoken aloud daily. As we discover God’s people over time we can see the value in also practicing regular declaration of what is important to us.

The Shema prayer begins with the words, “Hear, O Israel:” (NIV) or “Listen, O Israel:” (NLT). Before we move on in this prayer, we need to understand a few things. Who is speaking and who are they speaking to? These words were spoken by Moses, who had just lead God’s people out of slavery in Egypt. You may have heard of the plagues, Passover, and the parting of the Red Sea. If you haven’t had a chance to hear this story, check out the book of Exodus (ch.1-20).

Photo by cottonbro

After God brought His people, the Hebrews who were also called Israelites, out of bondage in Egypt by miraculously making a path for them to escape, He wanted to reveal Himself to them in a new way. Due to their release and unexpected freedom, they desired structure which God provided in the Ten Commandments and the Law. This gave the Isrealites boundaries on how to focus on God and receive His best for them. It was a way He allowed His people to see their value to Him.

After Moses taught them the things God shared with Him, he taught the people of God a prayer about how important it was to keep the commands God had given, but were these words only for those present that day? Absolutely not. It was for Israel then, but also the people of God today. While we currently have a country named Israel, the word Israel in this context is speaking to God’s people; those who follow God; those who want to follow and be cared for by Him.

Over time, the name Hebrew became interchangeable with “Jewish”, which some relate to the house of Judah, the Southern Kingdom of Israel. Regardless of where the names originated, it is helpful to know that the Israelites, the Hebrew people, were also called Jews.

However the Jewish people were not all of Israel. There was a division shortly after the reign of King David which complicated the dynamic of the people of God. Those who had been united just a few generations prior, were now two distinct groups: the North and the South. The ten tribes of the North were called Israel or Ephraim. Judah, the kingdom of the South was exiled and were preserved as God’s people. The Northern Kingdom was taken by Assyria and it’s people were dispersed into the nations. When they dispersed, they lost their identity and became culturally gentile. Both groups which each were part of God’s people, yet both would struggle to accept that Jesus was the Messiah they had been waiting for.

Jesus came to unify the two kingdoms, but He didn’t stop there. He chose to unify all people, by including gentiles, the lost kingdom, and the Jews as God’s people. Peter, whom Jesus asked to lead the believers in John 21, wrote in his first letter (1 Peter).

“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.” (1 Peter 2:9-10)

Here, he was speaking to the gathered believers - both Jews and gentiles (non-Jewish) alike. Paul, one who sat under the disciples’ teaching after encountering Jesus himself, clarifies this unity. He explains how the blend of Jews and gentiles, of all people, is now Israel. This reality displays Jesus’ role of making restoration available to all people:

Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called “uncircumcised” by those who call themselves “the circumcision” (which is done in the body by human hands)— remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.

Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit. (Ephesians 2:11-22)

This displays a simple truth: we are Israel. The words of Moses, the commands God offers His people to show them how to navigate their freedom, are for us; for me; for you. We are part of God’s people. Because of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection, we have access to not only be restored with God. We can also see that the prophets, the wisdom of the Old Testament and New Testament are meant to encourage, inspire, and guide us to love others, love God, and receive His love more completely. These documents are not only for the past, but for today.

In the same brushstroke, the Sh’ma (Shema) was written for us. When Moses says, “Hear, O Israel” he’s saying: “Hear, all people of God; those who love Him and desire to live for Him.” or “Hey, ________ (insert your name here)! These words are for you.” As we proceed in unpacking this prayer, this declaration, we must start with the truth that while you may or may not genetically be Jewish, you can still be apart of God’s people as was true for many used by God even before Jesus came.

When anyone chooses to follow God, they become among His people, those who can access and receive His wisdom through the gift of the Holy Spirit (see Acts 2). There is no longer rules about circumcision or geneology. God loves you as His own people, regardless of you decide you are worthy or you want that relationship with Him. He’s waiting, inviting you to be His; wanting to see you realize you belong among His people.

May you see how precious you are. The God who created us sees you as a valuable part of His people, His family. Come, and be among His people. We are here whenever you are ready to welcome you into His arms; to help you know and receive His generous gift of restoration.