Are Old Testament Promises to Israel Applicable to Gentile Christians?

In his "Look at the Book" video lab, John Piper explains why it is valid--and urgent--for Gentile Christians to take OT promises, such as Isaiah 41:10, as applying to them.  The line of reasoning presented here has far-reaching implications for how Christians handle the Word of God.

"Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand" (Isaiah 41:10).

Visual Christmas Story

This video from the Skit Guys tells the Great Story at a swift pace.  Watch and wonder.  "Come, thou long-expected Jesus!"
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Church & State

This election season, let’s ponder the oft-cited 2 Chronicles 7:14:  If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.  “My people…”; “their land…”  How should this word to ancient Israel be applied by Christians in today’s world?

In Old Testament times God’s people lived under “theocracy”:  devotion to the Lord and allegiance to government were inseparable; no divide between religion and public life (between “church and state”).  American Christians some­times succumb to wishful thinking that we have a theocracy today—that the rule of God could be “restored” in our land.  But that’s not a biblical hope.  With the coming of Christ and his Great Com­mission, God brought theocracy to an end.

God’s children today are an inter­national, inter-racial, worldwide people—called the church—that can’t be con­tained in or aligned with any one nation-state.  So an Old Testament promise about the “land” of ancient Israel cannot be neatly transferred to our country (or any country) today.  Rather, the application of 2 Chronicles 7:14 would center on the church—i.e., that group who, today, are God’s people:  “my people.”  If we as Christians, in fellow­ships all around the world, repent and pray and humbly seek God, then he’ll forgive and renew his people—his church.  And so, the text relates to the revival of the church, not the improvement of this country.

Here are a few church-and-government challenges believers should grapple with: 

1) Thank God for the gift of the US government—it’s not perfect, but much about it is good. 

2) Submit to the law of the land (see Rom 13:1-7; 1 Pet 2:12-17).  Only when “Caesar” would force you to turn against Christ is it right to play the Acts 5:29 civil disobedience card:  We must obey God rather than men.  

3) Pray for government leaders (1 Tim 2:2)—for wisdom, humility, reverence for God, zeal for the common good, unwavering commitment to justice, and both restraint and courage in “bearing the sword.” 

4) Serve your country, including through constructive criticism.  “Sub­mit” does not mean silence. 

5) Watch your expectations:  the state isn’t supposed to promote or advance the church (or vice versa), so don’t expect it to do so. 

6) Model respectful inter­action with those you disagree with this election season (e.g., other party, other positions). Let it be obvious that “the Christians” don’t use the world’s weapons of twist­ing facts, half truths, smearing opponents, or hitting back.  Break the rules of politics as usual. 

7) Finally, give praise to Jesus as Lord of All and King of Kings.  For all your appreciation of our government and nation, let it be ever so clear to all around you that you exalt Christ as “Commander-in-Chief”!

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Imprecatory Psalms

In Psalm 69:22-28 David cries out to God in a prayer of “imprecation.” That means cursing or condemning: his appeal is that destruction would be brought upon those who are God’s and his enemies. “Let them be blotted out of the book of the living; let them not be enrolled among the righteous” (69:28 ESV).

What do we do with such fierce verses? Are there people who, as enemies of God, should be the target of such prayers today? Here are three key Christian responses to the imprecatory Psalms:

Recognize that you deserve God’s righteous wrath. You and I are only spared justice and welcomed into God’s friendship by sheer mercy. We’ve sinned and snubbed God’s honor—regardless of whether our sins are glaring or more socially acceptable. Take no comfort in the idea that you’re “not that bad.” Fair compensation for our sin would be spiritual and eternal death (Rom 6:23).

Follow the biblical line of thought to that destination where the longing for justice points. That is, listen to your heart as it cries out for enemies of God and of his people to get what they deserve, and then see how he deals with that injustice. How does the Scripture story unfold so as to provide resolution for the guilty sinners? Answer: the cross. We’re “justified” (i.e., declared not guilty) through the death of Christ in our place (e.g., 2 Cor 5:21; Rom 3:24; 5:8). And this justification, this pardon for violations of God’s just and holy standards, is realized in any given person’s life not on the basis of deserving but as a gift, a gift to all who believe in Jesus—who entrust their lives forever into his care.

Then redirect your righteous rage against God’s enemies who insult and abuse and even murder Christians, and release it at the cross. That is, transfer your soul fury into prayer that injustices committed will be dealt with—fully and finally—in the way God has established in his New Covenant, the final chapter in his grand plot of conflict resolution. Refuse to cultivate hatred for enemies, but instead obey Jesus: “But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you” (Luke 6:27-28 ESV). In fact, if we harbor hate in our hearts, we’re saying that the cross was not sufficient to satisfy a just God! Don’t go there. Be content with his good plan for meting out justice in this world, and pray for the Lord’s life-changing hand to bring more and more sinners into his justifying grace.

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"If my people..."

It gets messy sorting out the believer’s allegiance to God and country. Let’s take the “If my people” text as case study. “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and forgive their sin and heal their land” (2 Chron 7:14). My people… their land… How is this word to ancient Israel relevant for God’s people in the world today?

In Old Testament times God’s people lived under “theocracy”: devotion to God and allegiance to government were one and the same thing; there’s no separation between religion and public life, between “church and state.” American Christians are at times prone to think we should have a theocracy today—that the rule of God can somehow be restored in the U.S.A. But that’s not a biblical hope. With the coming of Christ and his giving of the Great Commission, the Lord brought theocracy to an end.

God’s people today is an inter­national, inter-racial, worldwide people—called the church—that can’t be con­tained in any one nation-state. So a promise about the “land” of ancient Israel cannot be neatly transferred to our country today. Rather, the application of 2 Chronicles 7:14 would center on the church—that group who, today, are God’s people: “my people.” If we as Christians scattered in fellowships all around the world repent and pray and humbly seek God, then he will respond and renew his people—the church. And so, the text relates to the revival of the church, not the improvement of living conditions in any particular country.

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