The deadly attack on Rafah by Israel, which killed 45 displaced refugees, including children, has sparked global outrage. Millions of people, including influential personalities, have taken to social media with the viral phrase “All eyes on Rafah,” which has become a rallying cry to condemn Israel’s actions in the name of self-defense and to stand in solidarity with the affected Palestinian refugees.

Countless innocent lives have been affected and suffered injustice under the pretext of ending Hamas for the purpose of self-defense. It is easy to support Israel when it is oppressed by other nations, but how do we reconcile this support when Israel is strong or even possibly the cause of affliction? Do we overlook the reality of Israel’s actions that have caused many to suffer injustice just because they are considered God’s people? Is there a biblical perspective we need to hold in tension, one that only God can resolve to bring salvation and deliverance when Jesus returns?

The aim of this article is to provide clarity and perspective from the scriptures, not a geo-political one. God has set in motion a trajectory that Israel must go through, which will ultimately bring about the culmination of deliverance and salvation for the nations.

UNDERSTANDING THE MODERN STATE OF ISRAEL

Firstly, we must understand that the formation of the modern state of Israel, after the scattering following the destruction of the temple in AD 70, is a miracle in itself. Never before in human history has any empire or nation been completely destroyed for hundreds or thousands of years and then re-established, except for Israel. Remarkably, this happened not once, but twice, including the (Exile in Babylon between 597BCE — 517BCE).

The reason for Israel’s exile and scattering is attributed to their failure to keep their covenant with God (Leviticus 26). In fact, the land rested during Israel’s dispersion (Leviticus 26:34–35), but it became a place of tension and controversy upon their return. This is because Israel has not yet found rest in their covenant with God.

To put it plainly, the modern state of Israel is not the full representation of God’s Israel as depicted in scripture. The re-gathering of Israel into their land is not the complete fulfilment of scripture, but rather a setup for her future salvation and deliverance, as spoken of in Zechariah 14.

Therefore, we cannot overlook the affliction and pain that Israel has caused. We must call out the injustices and urge Israel to return to a place of repentance. They need the gospel as much as the rest of the unreached nations and people.

ISRAEL TEMPORAL RISE IN POWER IS A SIGN OF THE TIMES

Secondly, we must realize that Israel will rise in power and affluence before facing the troubles spoken of by Jeremiah (Jeremiah 30:4–7) and Jesus (Matthew 24:15–22).

John saw a vision of a woman (harlot) in the wilderness sitting on a scarlet beast (Revelations 17), adorned with gold, jewels, and pearls, engaging in all kinds of abominations and immorality. Influenced by the spirit of Babylon, she will commit harlotry with Babylon, drink the blood of saints and martyrs of Jesus, and make war on the Lamb (Revelations 17:4–6).

The imagery of Israel as a harlot is familiar to the Jewish people. It is the language God used to confront the unfaithfulness of a covenanted people who chose to indulge in the idolatry of the nations.

The “woman in the wilderness” refers to Hosea 2, where God confronts Israel’s unfaithfulness and promises to allure her back to Himself (Hosea 2:14–20), coming out from the wilderness leaning on her Beloved (Song of Songs 8:5). John clearly distinguishes the woman on the beast from the nations in Revelations 17:15, indicating that this woman is a picture of Israel in the end times.

Israel will gain power and prosperity, enabling her to form alliances and forge temporary peace with surrounding nations to rebuild the temple and reinstitute temple sacrifices. However, these actions will ultimately be used against her, as foreseen by Daniel and Jesus (Daniel 10:14, Daniel 11:31–32).

From a place of great power and prosperity, Israel will enter a time of trouble in the final 3–1/2 years (Daniel 12:11–13). The scarlet beast (the nations with whom Israel has made alliances) will suddenly turn against her, devouring her flesh and making her desolate that causes her to flee into the wilderness (Revelations 12:5–6, Matthew 24:15–16). This narrative is consistent with the prophets’ accounts of Jacob’s trouble and the abomination that leads to desolation spoken of by Daniel.

Before Jacob becomes Israel, she must go through a wrestle with God (Genesis 32:24–30). This final 3–1/2 years of Jacob’s wrestle will ultimately produce a permanent dependence on God, transforming her into the Israel that will serve as a blessing to the nations.

THE CONTROVERSY OF ISRAEL IS A TEST FOR THE NATIONS

Thirdly, God uses His sovereign election of Israel to test the nations. This can be likened to the choice in the Garden of Eden: choosing to live by His word and eat from the Tree of Life versus the desire to be like God by eating from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, which promised to make one wise.

Scripture clearly states that the election of Israel was not because of her merit, but because of God’s divine affection for her despite her being the least among the nations (Deuteronomy 7:7). God chose the weakest and most undeserving group of people to reveal Himself to the nations. This is why the Bible contains largely prophetic writings of God’s discipline and promises over Israel — because of His enduring love for her as a covenanted people despite her brokenness.

The core issue of the controversy surrounding Israel and her election is ultimately about the knowledge of God. God’s sovereign election of Israel confronts human pride and self-righteousness. We must embrace the reality that, apart from God, there is no righteousness. We must fully submit ourselves to His leadership and will in faith, trusting that His perfect leadership and power will make every wrong right in His appointed time. All that is required of us is to live by His word, stand in agreement with who He says He is, and live in wholehearted obedience to align with and accomplish His will.

The Apostle Paul warned the Gentile church not to be wise in their own sight and not to be ignorant of the mystery of Israel’s salvation (Romans 11:25–32). God uses the election of Israel to humble the nations, and He humbles Israel by filling the Gentiles (including Arabs) with His fullness to bring about her salvation. A lack of understanding of God’s redemptive plan for Israel can lead to arrogance and pride among the Gentiles. Conversely, understanding this mystery should lead us to worship God rather than idolize and sentimentally elevate Israel as a chosen people.

The same way the Apostle Paul was awestruck by the wisdom and ways of God, leading him to worship (Romans 11:33–36), will be the reality for all who grasp this mystery at the end of the age. All flesh will see the glory of God through the leadership of the Son of Man (Daniel 7:13–14), and He will be loved and worshipped by all nations.

THE INVITATION INTO JESUS’S INTERCESSION

How, then, should we align with God's purposes for an Israel that is causing much affliction and injustice?

I believe the Isaiah 62 Fast on May 7, 2023, served as a precursor and invitation that God extended to the Church worldwide. For the first time in history, millions across the globe responded to the word of the Lord from a specific chapter of scripture, standing united as a global church to stand as watchmen for Israel.

Isaiah 62 provides the clearest insight into God's heart and affections for Israel and Jerusalem (Isaiah 62:1–5), despite their brokenness. God's unwavering commitment is to see Israel shine with righteousness and transform Jerusalem from a place of controversy and warfare to a praise on the earth (Isaiah 62:6–7). This will be accomplished by setting watchmen on her walls who will engage in intercession, akin to the intercession of Moses (Exodus 32:31–32) for Israel while she was in sin. From intercession, it will culminate in a time of global proclamation (Isaiah 62:10–12, Isaiah 40:9–10), bringing comfort to Israel in times of her great trouble (Isaiah 40:1–2).

CONCLUSION

True justice cannot be executed by man alone; it requires a perfect Judge. Jesus is the only One whose judgment is flawless because He is completely aligned with the Father's will (John 5:30). Fixating on Rafah signifies focusing on the flawed response of humanity, which lacks the power to enact true justice. Our hope lies in the enduring promises of God (Isaiah 40:6–8). He who began a good work is faithful to complete it. The turmoil in the Middle East among the descendants of Abraham will ultimately be reconciled by Jesus for His purpose and glory in His appointed time Isaiah 19:23–24, Amos 9:11–12, Ephesians 2:11–22).

Just as Isaiah called upon the nations from the ends of the earth to place their expectation in the God of Israel, who will bring justice and salvation by beholding Him (Isaiah 40:9–10), we can be assured that justice will prevail if we fix our eyes on Jesus, our Righteous Judge (Luke 18:1–8). We can trust Jesus to bring forth justice for every injustice we witness and to redeem all that was lost (Revelations 21:4).

Instead of setting our “eyes on Rafah”, let us fix our gaze on Jesus and join in His intercession for Jerusalem until her righteousness goes forth as brightness, and her salvation as a burning torch.