Who Are Israel? by John H. Niehaus

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jul 14, 1910

Who Are Israel?

By John H. Niehaus

JOHN H. NIEHAUS

At the time when Jacob wrestled until the breaking of the day for a blessing, the angel said: “Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed.” The rendering in the American Revised Version for the expression, “Hast thou power with God,” reads, “Thou hast striven with God.” Hence Jacob became a soldier for God, which is the true definition of the word Israel; and from that time God’s chosen people were called by that name.

When the subject of circumcision was brought before the leaders at Jerusalem, James said: “Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name.” As stated above, God gave Israel their name, and calls them his people; so if a people are taken out from the Gentiles, they drop that name, and, being adopted into the royal family of God, they assume the name Israel. Peter said: “Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: but in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.” Why God visited the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name, is explained by the prophet Amos: “For, lo, I will command, and I will sift the house of Israel among all nations. . . . All the sinners of my people shall die by the sword. . . . In that day will I raise up the tabernacle of David that is fallen, and close up the breaches thereof; and I will raise up his ruins, and I will build it as in the days of old: that they may possess the remnant of Edom, and of all the heathen, which are called by my name.” In the book of Acts we find the expression, “And all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called.” From these statements it is evident that there was a breach in the house of Israel, and that God calls upon the Gentiles to fill up this breach. “Through their [Israel’s] fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles.” Rom. 11:11.

The Saviour says to his followers, “I am the vine, ye are the branches,” and the office of the branch is to produce fruit. Since Christ is the True Vine, an unbeliever in him — a Gentile — can not work in harmony with him. He has no part in the living Vine; therefore the fruits of the Spirit are not developed in him. So with the unbelieving Jews. They were God’s chosen people; but, on account of their unbelief, they were as branches broken off. Rom. 11:17. The Christian is represented as the wild olive tree, grafted in among the natural branches, to partake of the riches of the vine, and then bear fruit for the Master. “And so all Israel shall be saved.” Rom 11:26.

Thus we become heirs of the kingdom, according to the promise, and partakers of the blessing promised to Abraham; but not through circumcision, for the blessing was promised to Abraham by faith before he was circumcised, the circumcision following as a mark, or sign, that he was walking with God. Rom. 4:11. To the Christian this circumcision is a spiritual purification, and must come from the heart. Rom. 2:28, 29. Then, as one in Israel, the many promises recorded in the Word of God for Israel are ours. A few of these are found in the following texts: Ex. 31:13, 17; 19:3-6; Deut 29:9-15; Rev. 22:14; compare 21:12. “O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out. . . . For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory forever. Amen.”

Fort Wayne, Ind.