O offspring of Abraham, His servant,
Psalm 105:6
O children of Jacob, His chosen ones.
Supersessionism cannot be true. I know that is going to irk some. Yes… The New Testament does call believers as the seed of Abraham… And the seed of Isaac. But it never calls all believers the seed of Jacob it Israel.
It is not as though the word of God has failed. For they are not all Israel who are descended from Israel, nor are they all children because they are descendants of Abraham, but “In Isaac shall your descendants be called.” So those who are the children of the flesh are not the children of God, but the children of the promise are counted as descendants. For this is the word of promise, “At this time I will come, and Sarah shall have a son.” Romans 9:6–9
Psalm 105:6
Descendants of Jacob also descend from Isaac and Abraham. But not all who call Abraham and Isaac as fathers can call Jacob the same. Just as Jewish folk descend from Judah who came from Jacob.
Gentiles are not the children of Jacob, physically nor spiritually. This is important to grasp. Jacob is called Israel by God… Abraham is not Israel, nor is Isaac.
I am going to split hairs even further… The term Jewish derives from Judah and is not synonymous with Israel. Judah is a son of Israel, and Jewish people are a subset of Israelis. Not all Israelis are Jewish.
The Psalmist helps us to grasp this very important point.
He remembers His covenant forever,
Psalm 105:6
the word that He commanded, to a thousand generations,
that covenant He made with Abraham,
and His oath to Isaac,
and confirmed to Jacob as a decree,
and to Israel for an everlasting covenant,
saying, “To you I will give the land of Canaan
as the portion of your inheritance.” Psalm 105:8–11
The promise was made to Abraham. But not all of his descendants inherited Canaan. The promise was extended to Isaac. But not all of the descendants of Isaac inherit the Land. The promise was confirmed to Jacob. Only those from Jacob inherit the Land.
Again, this means that not all of the descendants of Abraham are Israeli. Nor are all of the progeny of Isaac. Only Israelis are descended from Jacob.
What does that mean?
Well… There is yet a future for Israel. Because the promises to Jacob have not yet been fulfilled. And the universal church does not qualify to fulfill them. As the Psalm rightly declares, the inheritance of Israel is the land.
Understand, Christians are heirs of God, too. We are co-heirs with Jesus Christ. God’s inheritance is His people Israel. (See Deuteronomy 32:8–9.) A Christian’s inheritance is not earthly., either.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an incorruptible and undefiled inheritance that does not fade away, kept in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 1 Peter 1:3–5
Psalm 105:6
There is a distinct purpose for the church, to prevail against the gates of Hell. Tuis is an offensive posture, meaning the enemy is defeated and we work to reclaim creation for God. If you are a Christian, rejoice that God wants you to work with Him in reaching the world.
The universal church does not supersede Israel. It does not replace Israel. The church is not “spiritual Israel.” It is not the fulfillment of Israel or their purpose. Even though no distinction exists between Jews and Greeks. Any can be saved and be a part of the Church, but that does not make one Jewish or Israeli.
The distinct purpose for the church is to go into the world and make disciples. There will be a time when that mission is complete. There will no longer be a need for the Gentile church. What happens then?
The time of grace through mercy is gone… And grace through judgment comes upon the whole world. Do not wait to get right with God, mercy is available now. Judgment comes swiftly… And there may be no respite from it as there is now.
