The modern state of Israel does not equal Israel from the Christian Bible. I have been thinking for some time that someone or even I myself should say or write something about this, but then the best living theologian does it for us – nice!
Some of my thoughts: an Israel which is not obedient to its only legitimate authority, the Messiah, the Prince of Peace, and to the constitution which He set up for it (Matt 5:3–10, see esp. vs. 5 talking about taking “the land”, הָאָרֶץ), is not “the Israel of God’ (Gal 6:16) but rather “Israel according to the flesh” (1 Cor 10:18). Apostate, severed from its holy Root (Is 11:1). The only remaining promise for this one is repentance (Rom 11:23–32). That’s what we, the wild branches, should be praying for them.
The current christless, militant Israel is actually its own contradiction and a major cause of Antisemitism, ie. unjust hatred of innocent Jews around the world. And just like Antisemitism, Izraelolatry is a sin, too.
Matjaž Črnivec 