All Eyes on Israel
Chapter 2 - Is Modern Israel the Israel of Promise?
Page 8 - God's Rejection of Israel
(Go Back to Page 7 - The Plan of God for Israel)

God's rejection of Israel did not happen until He had tried everything possible. In spite of having another chance with the time and conditions very clearly laid out by the prophet Daniel, the evidence was that they failed in their God-appointed mission. We need to understand very clearly why they were rejected. Here are several verses confirming the fact that they were, as a nation, rejected and giving the reasons why. In answer to the Pharisees accusing Jesus' disciples of eating with unwashed hands He said to them:

When Jesus was about to leave the temple for the last time he said:

"O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! Behold, your house is left unto you desolate." (Matt 23:37-38)

"Your house." Just a few days before, when He cleansed the temple, he had quoted Isaiah where God called it "Mine house."

"Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar; for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people." (Isa 56:7)

"Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof." (Matt 21:43)

The parable was even expressed in national ("... given to a nation ...", not individual, terms. God honored their choice as He always does. He does not force His will or presence on anyone but always leaves us free to choose.

The options for them, as a nation, had been clearly laid out from the time of Moses:

"And it shall be, if thou do at all forget the LORD thy God, and walk after other gods, and serve them, and worship them, I testify against you this day that ye shall surely perish. As the nations which the LORD destroyeth before your face, so shall ye perish; because ye would not be obedient unto the voice of the LORD your God." (Deut 8:19-20)

Thus, we see that, as a response to their rejection of God, God's rejection of Israel (as a nation) was complete. God always honors the free-will choices of man.