The biblical account of Jacob, who God changed his name to Israel, traces his roots back to his grandfather Abraham. Abraham was also known as the father of the Hebrew Children. Abraham was not a Jew, he was a Gentile from the Ur of Chaldeans.  The Bible said that he obeyed God. 

As per the narration in Genesis, God established a covenant with Abraham promising to make his descendants into a great nation and give them the land of Canaan as their inheritance. This covenant forms the basis for understanding the biblical origins of the covenant made to Abraham but has nothing to do with the present day Nation of Israel.

And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed. Genesis 12:2,3  And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness. Genesis 15:6

Notice it says that “all the families of the earth will be blessed” through Abraham’s seed. What seed will that be?  

 Let’s go on.

Abraham had 3 wives and many children.  But Sarah was the wife from whom “the promise” was given, but not to Abraham’s bond woman Hagar.  Abraham married Keturah after the death of Sarah. Abraham’s grandson Jacob, whose name was later changed to “Israel” after an overnight encounter with an angel. The word Israel means “he who strives with God”. It has nothing to do with the present day nation of Israel.

And God said unto him, Thy name is Jacob: thy name shall not be called any more Jacob, but Israel shall be thy name: and he called his name Israel.  Genesis 35:10

Abraham fathered twelve sons through Jacob who became known as of the Twelve Tribes of Israel/Jacob who were also called the Children of Israel. The Bible also describes Moses leading the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt, receiving the Ten Commandments at Mount Sinai, and journeying through the wilderness for forty years before entering the Promised Land of Canaan. Under Joshua’s leadership, they conquered the land and established their presence there hundreds of years before 722 B.C. The first temple in Jerusalem was burned down is c 570 B.C. The people scattered and intermarried with other nations. 

These Hebrew tribes who eventually settled in the land of Canaan received a piece of Canaan land as an inheritance so it was divided up with all the tribes using their tribal names for their piece of land,  as can be seen in ancient maps.  Later Canaan was divided into two Kingdoms … the Northern Kingdom of Israel and the Southern Kingdom of Judea where Jesus was born.  The Assyrians captured the Kingdom of Israel in 722 B.C.  After that there was no more Kingdom of Israel nor has there ever been as prophesied by Jesus, Himself as he was speaking to the Jews who lived in Palestine. 

Phariseeism had taken over the house of Judah. They had their own Holy Books to follow. They were the people who were given the promise but they rebelled against God for centuries to the point where there were very few Hebrew people who worshipped the one and only true God of Israel.  At the time Jesus was born and the unbelieving Pharisees hated Jesus, it was the Pharisees who said, But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this man to reign over us. Luke 19:14 Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof. Matthew 21:43In addition, the Bible in many accounts has made reference to Israelites as God’s chosen people. But are they still God’s chosen people today?  No, Christians are the inheritance of the promise.  It is a new covenant in His blood.

Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ. Galatians 3:29.  But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: 1 Peter 2:9

These very fundamental aspects have shaped the perspective of many Christians towards the modern Nation of Israel that has nothing to do with the promise made to Abraham. Certain religious groups in Kenya regularly hold prayers for the peace and prosperity of the Nation of Israel. They also engage in advocacy efforts that support Israeli causes including lobbying for political support for Israel in international forums. Churches and religious leaders have incorporated teachings that emphasize the significance of the present day Nation of Israel to Old Testament biblical prophecy, linking current events in the Middle East to interpretations of the Bible.

Certain African nations with significant Christian populations have also been misled into blindly supporting the Nation of Israel and its problematic strategic objectives. Each Kenyan president, their spouses and other prominent leaders regularly visit the iconic Wailing Wall in Jerusalem, purportedly for prayer on behalf of their country.  The Wailing wall was believed to be part of the Temple that was burned to the ground in 70 AD. But what did Jesus have to say about that?  As they were talking, their attention was on the Temple.

And Jesus said unto them, See ye not all these things? verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down. Matthew 24:2  He was talking about the Temple in Jerusalem. The temple was never to be built again as Christians are the temple of the Holy Spirit.   What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 1 Corinthians 6:9

The charlatanry in religion has diluted the Gospel message and misguided many followers into believing in and worshiping the Nation of Israel instead of worshiping the one true God of Israel.  Believers are the Israel of God. 

Many Christians have viewed Jewish people as a group favored by God and have therefore followed not only their false spiritual beliefs but also certain cultural practices. This misinterpretation has led some to believe that one can only be considered a child of God through the present day Nation of Israel.  There was never a nation of Israel until 1948 so how could you get to be a child of God for that last 2000 years of church history. The Nation of Israel hates Jesus and also hates Christians.

Some Kenyan churches have even gone so far as to organize trips to the River Jordan for baptisms, in resemblance to the baptism of Jesus Christ.  So just who were these promises given to Abraham as being great nations because of his seed where ALL nations would be blessed.  As we have seen, the promise was Christ not the Nation of Israel who blessed all the nations of the earth.

Visiting various denominations of Christian churches around town, it is difficult to miss the prominent display of an Israeli flag decorating the entire altar space. This practice has been adopted by several prominent figures in the Christian space, and is spreading more rapidly into village churches. Sad that the allegiance is placed in the physical nation of Israel rather than in Jesus Christ who is the true Israel of God.

When Israel became a nation in 1948, with Israel’s so-called war of independence, hundreds of thousands of Palestians were brutally killed as Israel took possession of their houses and land. In the ongoing Israel-Hamas war today 2024, since its commencement,  Israel has committed inhumane acts against Palestinian children and women, contravening international humanitarian laws, and “intentional” manufacturing humanitarian crises in order for Israel to claim all of Palestine to build a Greater Israel. 

Despite these serious acts, numerous Kenyan pastors made statements in support of Israel and have directed their congregations to pray in support of Israel and stand with the nation. They assert that as Christian nations, all must support Israel as the war fulfills God’s prophecies, and no one should stand in opposition to God’s will. All these wars were planned by Satan, himself, not God.  However, this stance has generated questions regarding the morality and humanity of the Christian faith itself. 

Religious leaders have a duty to their followers to maintain a clear-eyed perspective, unswayed by geopolitical pressure or lobbying efforts. With wisdom and discernment, they can guide communities to avoid being misdirected in their faith or used to endorse causes contrary to their spiritual principles.  By prioritizing devotion to transcendent spiritual truths over temporary earthly alignments, leaders of all faiths can best serve those they are called to shepherd.

It is crucial for religious figures to transcend personal interests and remain faithful to biblical interpretation. Their allegiance should be committed not to the modern political entity of national Israel based on worldly nationalist ambitions or territorial claims, but solely to God. Political Zionism as an ideology is entirely separate from Christianity so it must not be glorified in a manner that could distort the Word of God through manipulation.  Not all Zionist are Jews, and not all Jews are Zionists.

We must vigilantly ensure that deceptive narratives do not take root and grow and lead people to worship any entity other than God alone.  Israel of the Old Testament is earthy, and Israel of the New Testament is spiritual.  Born again Christians should not be supporting the earthly Israel.

“Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.” Matthew 24:35

The biblical account of Jacob, who God changed his name to Israel, traces his roots back to his grandfather Abraham. Abraham was also known as the father of the Hebrew Children. Abraham was not a Jew, he was a Gentile from the Ur of Chaldeans.  The Bible said that he obeyed God. 

As per the narration in Genesis, God established a covenant with Abraham promising to make his descendants into a great nation and give them the land of Canaan as their inheritance. This covenant forms the basis for understanding the biblical origins of the covenant made to Abraham but has nothing to do with the present day Nation of Israel.

And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed. Genesis 12:2,3  And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness. Genesis 15:6

Notice it says that “all the families of the earth will be blessed” through Abraham’s seed. What seed will that be?  

 Let’s go on.

Abraham had 3 wives and many children.  But Sarah was the wife from whom “the promise” was given, but not to Abraham’s bond woman Hagar.  Abraham married Keturah after the death of Sarah. Abraham’s grandson Jacob, whose name was later changed to “Israel” after an overnight encounter with an angel. The word Israel means “he who strives with God”. It has nothing to do with the present day nation of Israel.

And God said unto him, Thy name is Jacob: thy name shall not be called any more Jacob, but Israel shall be thy name: and he called his name Israel.  Genesis 35:10

Abraham fathered twelve sons through Jacob who became known as of the Twelve Tribes of Israel/Jacob who were also called the Children of Israel. The Bible also describes Moses leading the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt, receiving the Ten Commandments at Mount Sinai, and journeying through the wilderness for forty years before entering the Promised Land of Canaan. Under Joshua’s leadership, they conquered the land and established their presence there hundreds of years before 722 B.C. The first temple in Jerusalem was burned down is c 570 B.C. The people scattered and intermarried with other nations. 

These Hebrew tribes who eventually settled in the land of Canaan received a piece of Canaan land as an inheritance so it was divided up with all the tribes using their tribal names for their piece of land,  as can be seen in ancient maps.  Later Canaan was divided into two Kingdoms … the Northern Kingdom of Israel and the Southern Kingdom of Judea where Jesus was born.  The Assyrians captured the Kingdom of Israel in 722 B.C.  After that there was no more Kingdom of Israel nor has there ever been as prophesied by Jesus, Himself as he was speaking to the Jews who lived in Palestine. 

Phariseeism had taken over the house of Judah. They had their own Holy Books to follow. They were the people who were given the promise but they rebelled against God for centuries to the point where there were very few Hebrew people who worshipped the one and only true God of Israel.  At the time Jesus was born and the unbelieving Pharisees hated Jesus, it was the Pharisees who said, But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this man to reign over us. Luke 19:14 Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof. Matthew 21:43In addition, the Bible in many accounts has made reference to Israelites as God’s chosen people. But are they still God’s chosen people today?  No, Christians are the inheritance of the promise.  It is a new covenant in His blood.

Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ. Galatians 3:29.  But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: 1 Peter 2:9

These very fundamental aspects have shaped the perspective of many Christians towards the modern Nation of Israel that has nothing to do with the promise made to Abraham. Certain religious groups in Kenya regularly hold prayers for the peace and prosperity of the Nation of Israel. They also engage in advocacy efforts that support Israeli causes including lobbying for political support for Israel in international forums. Churches and religious leaders have incorporated teachings that emphasize the significance of the present day Nation of Israel to Old Testament biblical prophecy, linking current events in the Middle East to interpretations of the Bible.

Certain African nations with significant Christian populations have also been misled into blindly supporting the Nation of Israel and its problematic strategic objectives. Each Kenyan president, their spouses and other prominent leaders regularly visit the iconic Wailing Wall in Jerusalem, purportedly for prayer on behalf of their country.  The Wailing wall was believed to be part of the Temple that was burned to the ground in 70 AD. But what did Jesus have to say about that?  As they were talking, their attention was on the Temple.

And Jesus said unto them, See ye not all these things? verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down. Matthew 24:2  He was talking about the Temple in Jerusalem. The temple was never to be built again as Christians are the temple of the Holy Spirit.   What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 1 Corinthians 6:9

The charlatanry in religion has diluted the Gospel message and misguided many followers into believing in and worshiping the Nation of Israel instead of worshiping the one true God of Israel.  Believers are the Israel of God. 

Many Christians have viewed Jewish people as a group favored by God and have therefore followed not only their false spiritual beliefs but also certain cultural practices. This misinterpretation has led some to believe that one can only be considered a child of God through the present day Nation of Israel.  There was never a nation of Israel until 1948 so how could you get to be a child of God for that last 2000 years of church history. The Nation of Israel hates Jesus and also hates Christians.

Some Kenyan churches have even gone so far as to organize trips to the River Jordan for baptisms, in resemblance to the baptism of Jesus Christ.  So just who were these promises given to Abraham as being great nations because of his seed where ALL nations would be blessed.  As we have seen, the promise was Christ not the Nation of Israel who blessed all the nations of the earth.

Visiting various denominations of Christian churches around town, it is difficult to miss the prominent display of an Israeli flag decorating the entire altar space. This practice has been adopted by several prominent figures in the Christian space, and is spreading more rapidly into village churches. Sad that the allegiance is placed in the physical nation of Israel rather than in Jesus Christ who is the true Israel of God.

When Israel became a nation in 1948, with Israel’s so-called war of independence, hundreds of thousands of Palestians were brutally killed as Israel took possession of their houses and land. In the ongoing Israel-Hamas war today 2024, since its commencement,  Israel has committed inhumane acts against Palestinian children and women, contravening international humanitarian laws, and “intentional” manufacturing humanitarian crises in order for Israel to claim all of Palestine to build a Greater Israel. 

Despite these serious acts, numerous Kenyan pastors made statements in support of Israel and have directed their congregations to pray in support of Israel and stand with the nation. They assert that as Christian nations, all must support Israel as the war fulfills God’s prophecies, and no one should stand in opposition to God’s will. All these wars were planned by Satan, himself, not God.  However, this stance has generated questions regarding the morality and humanity of the Christian faith itself. 

Religious leaders have a duty to their followers to maintain a clear-eyed perspective, unswayed by geopolitical pressure or lobbying efforts. With wisdom and discernment, they can guide communities to avoid being misdirected in their faith or used to endorse causes contrary to their spiritual principles.  By prioritizing devotion to transcendent spiritual truths over temporary earthly alignments, leaders of all faiths can best serve those they are called to shepherd.

It is crucial for religious figures to transcend personal interests and remain faithful to biblical interpretation. Their allegiance should be committed not to the modern political entity of national Israel based on worldly nationalist ambitions or territorial claims, but solely to God. Political Zionism as an ideology is entirely separate from Christianity so it must not be glorified in a manner that could distort the Word of God through manipulation.  Not all Zionist are Jews, and not all Jews are Zionists.

We must vigilantly ensure that deceptive narratives do not take root and grow and lead people to worship any entity other than God alone.  Israel of the Old Testament is earthy, and Israel of the New Testament is spiritual.  Born again Christians should not be supporting the earthly Israel.

“Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.” Matthew 24:35