The History of Israel: From the Abrahamic Covenant to the Blessed Hope in Christ

The history of Israel begins with God’s sovereign call to a man named Abram, later called Abraham, whom He chose to be the father of a great nation. In Genesis 12:1-3, God said, “Get out of your country, from your family and from your father’s house, to a land that I will show you. I will make you a great nation; I will bless you… and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” This foundational covenant was not only about giving Abraham land and descendants but also about establishing a redemptive purpose that would reach all nations. The covenant was reaffirmed in Genesis 15:5-7, where God promised Abraham that his descendants would be as numerous as the stars, and again in Genesis 17:7-8, God declared, “I will establish My covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you in their generations, for an everlasting covenant… Also I give to you and your descendants after you the land in which you are a stranger, all the land of Canaan.” This covenant was unconditional and eternal, grounded in God’s unchanging faithfulness, not in man’s merit.

Following Abraham, the covenant passed to Isaac (Genesis 26:3-5) and then to Jacob, who was later named Israel (Genesis 28:13-15). Jacob’s descendants became the twelve tribes of Israel. During a time of famine, Jacob and his family settled in Egypt, where they were later enslaved for 400 years. God raised up Moses to deliver them, fulfilling His promise to Abraham in Genesis 15:13-14, where He had foretold their affliction and eventual deliverance. After the exodus, Israel journeyed through the wilderness and entered the Promised Land under Joshua’s leadership. The land of Canaan—a central aspect of the Abrahamic Covenant—became their inheritance. This period demonstrated God’s power and provision, as seen in the miraculous crossing of the Jordan River (Joshua 3), the fall of Jericho (Joshua 6), and the division of the land among the tribes (Joshua 13–21).

Yet Israel’s journey in the land was marked by cycles of faithfulness and rebellion. During the time of the judges and later the monarchy, the people often turned to idolatry. God raised up kings such as David, who desired to build a house for the Lord, and whose line God promised would endure forever: “Your house and your kingdom shall be established forever before you. Your throne shall be established forever” (2 Samuel 7:16). This was a messianic promise, ultimately pointing to Jesus Christ. Despite moments of national strength, the nation fell into sin and idolatry. Prophets like Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel warned of judgment, and eventually, God’s hand of discipline fell. The Northern Kingdom of Israel was conquered by Assyria in 722 B.C., and the Southern Kingdom of Judah was exiled to Babylon in 586 B.C. Even in exile, however, God remained faithful, promising restoration: “I will bring them back to this land; I will build them and not pull them down, and I will plant them and not pluck them up” (Jeremiah 24:6).

Centuries later, under Roman rule, the long-awaited Messiah—Jesus Christ—was born, fulfilling the prophetic hope that through Abraham’s seed, the nations would be blessed. Galatians 3:16 says, “Now to Abraham and his Seed were the promises made… and to your Seed, who is Christ.” Jesus came to fulfill not only the Abrahamic Covenant but also the prophetic words concerning salvation and kingship. He was born of the tribe of Judah, in the line of David, and declared the coming of the kingdom of God (Mark 1:15). Through His death and resurrection, Christ offered redemption to both Jews and Gentiles. The blessings of the covenant were no longer confined to ethnic Israel but extended to all who believe. As Galatians 3:29 teaches, “If you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” Through Christ, believers become partakers in the spiritual inheritance originally promised to Abraham.

In modern history, the Jewish people remained scattered for centuries, facing persecution, particularly in Europe. The horrors of the Holocaust stirred global support for a Jewish homeland. On May 14, 1948, David Ben-Gurion proclaimed the establishment of the State of Israel, fulfilling prophetic Scriptures like Isaiah 66:8: “Who has heard such a thing? Who has seen such things? Shall the earth be made to give birth in one day? Or shall a nation be born at once?” The regathering of the Jewish people from the nations, as foretold in Ezekiel 37, especially in the vision of the dry bones coming to life, was partially fulfilled in this historic event. Though modern Israel still faces conflict and spiritual blindness to the Messiah, God has preserved His covenant people as a sign of His ongoing faithfulness.

For believers today, the story of Israel offers both a historical foundation and a spiritual hope. The narrative of God’s dealings with Israel provides a tangible demonstration of His character—His faithfulness, justice, mercy, and covenant-keeping love. From the call of Abraham to the formation of the nation, from the giving of the Law to the coming of the Messiah, Israel’s journey reveals a God who is intimately involved in human history and who honors His word across generations. For the Church, understanding Israel’s story is not merely an academic pursuit but a vital connection to the roots of our own faith. As Romans 11:17-18 teaches, Gentile believers have been grafted into the olive tree, sharing in the rich nourishment that comes from the patriarchs and the promises given to them.

Just as Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness (Genesis 15:6), so too all who believe in Jesus Christ are counted as children of Abraham—not by blood, but by faith. The apostle Paul explains this clearly in Galatians 3:7, “Therefore know that only those who are of faith are sons of Abraham.” And again in verse 29, “If you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” This truth bridges the Old and New Testaments, showing that the covenant God made with Abraham was not only for his physical descendants but also for all who would share in his faith. This spiritual heritage makes every believer a participant in the blessings of the covenant—namely, justification by faith, adoption into God’s family, and a share in the eternal inheritance.

Our blessed hope as believers is not only tied to the future restoration of Israel—a promise that still stands according to Romans 11:25-27—but also in the glorious return of Jesus Christ, who will come again in power and great glory. He will return not as a suffering servant, but as the King of Kings, reigning in righteousness, justice, and peace. Isaiah 9:6-7 prophesied that “the government will be upon His shoulder… Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David and over His kingdom.” This reign will be literal, global, and eternal, fulfilling the promises made to both Israel and the Church—one united people under one Shepherd (John 10:16).

In Christ, we look forward to the new Jerusalem, described beautifully in Revelation 21, where God will dwell among His people, and “He will wipe away every tear… there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away” (Revelation 21:4). This is the ultimate fulfillment of God’s promises—an eternal inheritance, secured not by human effort but by the finished work of Christ on the cross. The covenant love that began with Abraham will find its fullest expression in the eternal union of God with His redeemed people, in a kingdom where righteousness dwells (2 Peter 3:13).

Therefore, the story of Israel is not just ancient history—it is a living testimony of God’s unchanging purpose. It points us to Christ, anchors us in the promises of God, and fills us with hope for the future. As we await the second coming of our Lord, we do so with confidence, knowing that “He who promised is faithful” (Hebrews 10:23), and His covenant will never fail.

In conclusion, the history of Israel is not just the chronicle of a nation—it is the unfolding story of God’s redemptive plan for the world. From the covenant with Abraham to the land, the kings, the exile, the return, and the coming of Christ, we see God’s sovereign hand at work. Israel’s story reminds us that God’s promises never fail. For believers today, both Jew and Gentile, the invitation is open to inherit the same blessings by faith in Jesus Christ. Through Him, we await the full realization of God’s kingdom and the eternal inheritance promised to all who believe.