The Friends of Israel Today

When the apostle Paul defined “a Jew who is one inwardly,” did he mean that Christians—who are reconciled to God—are the true identity of Israel and the recipient of the nation’s covenant promises? Many believe so, but they are mistaken. Romans 2:28–29 is one of several passages that have been misinterpreted to teach that the church is the new Israel. Discover how the Romans 2 passage reveals God’s desire for the Jewish people to devote their hearts truly to Him rather than merely to keep a clean external appearance!

As we conclude our short series on the biblical cities of refuge, we learn what happened after a person arrived in such a city. An accidental manslayer’s protection from vengeance was contingent upon staying in the city. Returning home was permitted only upon the death of the high priest. Through the death of Jesus, our High Priest, we, too, find freedom and payment for our sin debt. In the days of Moses, long before Jesus came, we find this beautiful picture of God’s grace, played out in the lives of His Chosen People!

Our God is a God who frees and redeems. The concept of Jubilee shows these attributes of His in His instructions to Israel. But even though the year of Jubilee is rarely found in the rest of Scripture, its message plays an important part in some powerful Bible prophecies. Study Jubilee’s themes of liberty and redemption with us in Ezekiel’s end-times prophecy and Isaiah’s Messianic prophecy. As you see how these themes highlight the prophets’ writings and Jesus’ ministry, you’ll see why they are key to your present and future, too!

When Jesus died on the cross to save sinners from death, God gave humanity access to Himself in a new way: within believers in Jesus themselves through the Holy Spirit! This week, David Gunn joins the show to detail this shift from God’s localization to His personal indwelling in his article “The Nearness of God” from our latest issue of Israel My Glory magazine. Tune into this week’s excellent broadcast to gain a wealth of insight into God’s loving presence not only with, but within His children!