Israel, a people created

"I am the Lord your Holy One, the Creator of Israel, your King." Isaiah 43: 15

What does the Bible say about the history and role of the State of Israel in the world ?

By the prophet Isaiah we learn that a divine will is at the origin of the birth of this people. This birth is a distant consequence of Abram's call in Genesis 12, which was addressed to him at a time of crisis in God's relationship with men. We are in Mesopotamia, ancient center of human civilizations marked by idolatry. The stars, and especially the moon, are venerated, that is, creation rather than the Creator. Chapter 11 of Genesis evokes an event that symbolizes man's claim to be independent of God: the construction of a city to avoid being scattered on earth and a tower to become famous.

This tower is reminiscent of the multi-storey temples brought to light by archeology, and also used to observe the stars (ziggurats). It is indeed the pride of men that presided over its construction. "Come," said they, "let us build a city, and a tower, the top of which reaches to the heavens ; and make us a name" (v. 4). It was a challenge to God and an attempt to evade the status of a Creator dependent creature. In his grace, God does not destroy these rash "builders", but mixes their languages.

It is at this moment that Abram's call is placed : the Lord invites him to leave this milieu of idolatry and human pretensions to live, he and his descendants, a life of faith and fidelity to God.

Abram receives promises : "I will make you a great nation ... I will make your name great ... and in you will be blessed all the families of the earth" (Gen. 12: 2, 3). Such is the purpose of God in choosing this people. We are far from human ambitions which have only multiplied since then. There is God's plan to save man. By "creating" this people, God prepares the blessing of all humanity. More than a story of men, it is God's plan! The next two days we will discover in a very concrete way, the purpose of God in grace and kindness towards his people. God is faithful to his promises to Abram more than 4,000 years ago !

Source (To pleasing the Lord)