Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1492023 in Books
• Published on: 2007-07
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 52 pages

Customer Reviews

Israel & the Church
This illuminating little book - barely more than a pamphlet - speaks of big issues. Among them are a clear explanation of chapters 9 to 11 of the Apostle Paul's letter to the Romans, the rebirth of the State of Israel as a fulfillment of prophecy and the role of Messianic Jewish believers in the destiny of the world.

The calling of Israel from Abraham to Moses is discussed in chapter 2. This calling of the Patriarch is the bridge between universal history and the history of Israel. The life of Abraham is thus foundational to understanding the role of the nation of Israel then and now. The most momentous events were the willingness of Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac and God's covenant with him. The place of sacrifice was Mount Moriah which is now under the Temple Mount. Because of his obedience, Abraham became high priest of the whole human race as well as the physical and spiritual father of Israel's priests. In essence the calling of Israel is as priesthood on behalf of the whole of humanity for the redemption of the world.

The calling of Israel in the Mosaic covenant is examined in chapter 3 which covers the principle of representational righteousness, the sacrificial system, blood sacrifice, temple architecture, the parallel in the high priest and the pictorial representation of God's plan of salvation through the Jewish holy days. The next chapter deals with the Torah as a foreshadowing of the age of the Kingdom of God, the type of society of love and justice that Torah brings about, its redemptive purpose and the New Covenant promised in Jeremiah 31 and Ezekiel 36.

Chapter 5 deals with Israel's calling in a transitional age, the failed expectation, Diaspora and return. Israel's gifts and calling have continued as a witness of God's truth. Moreover, some basic meanings of the Hebrew Scriptures continue to be reflected in Jewish life with continued significance for the world. The next chapter examines the Messianic Jewish calling in our time. Jewish believers serve as an organic link between Israel and the Church. The author also devotes some passages here to Biblical and Christian Zionism, a short history of the Palestinian issue, the question of whether Messianic Jews ought to live in Israel and their tensions with the State of Israel.

The historic church failed miserably in regard to Israel. The first division in the church arose from its rejection of the legitimacy of the early Messianic Jewish community, the Notzrim, after the first century. This established the roots of Antisemitism and the heresy of replacement theology. Concerning this tragedy Juster refers to the book The Glory and the Shame by Peter Hocken. Famous Christian leaders that fanned the flames include Justin Martyr, Chrysostom and later Martin Luther. At Nicea II in 787 AD the Jewish life in Yeshua was declared a heresy. The current relationship between Christians, Jews and Messianic Jews is also considered here; the author concludes that Israel and the Church are interdependent entities that fulfill different but complementary priestly roles.

The final chapter explores the calling of Israel in the age to come. Juster strongly believes that the goal of redemption is not the elimination of distinct people groups but that the nations will retain their identity in the Messianic age. In order to better understand these themes, passages from Isaiah, Jeremiah and Revelation are referenced for further study. I highly recommend this book to Christians with a heart for Israel, along with Why Care About Israel? by Sandra Teplinsky, God's Promise and the Future of Israel by Don Finto, In Defense of Israel by John Hagee and Ruth & Esther: Shadows of Our Future by Frank Morgan.