Hebrews, Jews, and Israelites
“They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the temple service, and the promises.”
“But it is not as though the word of God has failed. For not all who are descended from Israel are Israel.”
We have three words to describe the people whom God used throughout the Old Testament, Hebrews, Jews, and Israelites. The term Jew has been more associated with the religion of those who believe in God but have not believed in Jesus as the Messiah. The Jewish religion has been high-jacked and a few no longer serve the God of the Bible but rather the father of lies, the Devil, just as some “Christian” denominations do.
The second term of Israelite is typically someone who lives in Israel. This would be people who are Jews, Christians, Islam followers, atheists, white, American, middle eastern, and so on. It is just people who reside in Israel and hold some form of Israeli citizenship.
The last term is Hebrew. These for me are the true Jewish Israelites. They are true followers of God who still hold fast to their Israel ancestors.
“For we are the circumcision, the ones who serve by the Spirit of God, boast in Christ Jesus, and do not put confidence in the flesh — although I once also had confidence in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he has grounds for confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised the eighth day; of the nation of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew born of Hebrews; regarding the law, a Pharisee; regarding zeal, persecuting the church; regarding the righteousness that is in the law, blameless.”
Philippians 3:3-6 HCSB
Paul considered himself a Hebrew of Hebrew meaning that he kept the Law as best as he could, but he also gave it up to be a follower of Jesus. He thought he had it all figured out until Jesus met him on the road to Damascus.
“As I was traveling and near Damascus, about noon an intense light from heaven suddenly flashed around me. I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me? ’
“I answered, ‘Who are You, Lord? ’
“He said to me, ‘I am Jesus the Nazarene, the One you are persecuting! ’”
Now there are major divisions between people who are Israelites and Jews, as we have already stated, but I think God is the only one who can declare someone to be Hebrew.
“On the contrary, a person is a Jew who is one inwardly, and circumcision is of the heart — by the Spirit, not the letter. That man’s praise is not from men but from God.”
An Israelite who is circumcised of the heart I would consider to be a Hebrew.
Where do non-Israeli Christians fit? We have been grafted into the root of Jesus to be considered a part of the Hebrew people.
“And even they, if they do not remain in unbelief, will be grafted in, because God has the power to graft them in again. For if you were cut off from your native wild olive and against nature were grafted into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these — the natural branches — be grafted into their own olive tree?”
Romans 11:23-24 HCSB
There is coming a day when the Israeli Jews will hear of their true messiah and chase after Him, but for now, they may be chasing a false messiah.
“Then if anyone tells you, ‘Look, here is the Messiah! Look — there! ’ do not believe it! For false messiahs and false prophets will rise up and will perform signs and wonders to lead astray, if possible, the elect. And you must watch! I have told you everything in advance.”
Mark 13:21-23 HCSB
“Then I will pour out a spirit of grace and prayer on the house of David and the residents of Jerusalem, and they will look at Me whom they pierced. They will mourn for Him as one mourns for an only child and weep bitterly for Him as one weeps for a firstborn.”
Zechariah 12:10 HCSB
“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: “May those who love you prosper;”
I think God is getting ready to graft in the old vine that He cut off and once again have fellowship with the Jews, Israelites, and Hebrews, maybe because the United States Government has rejected Him as Lord.
“Happy is the nation whose God is Yahweh — the people He has chosen to be His own possession!”
But remember that we, Christians, are a holy nation who seeks Jesus as our Lord, and therefore God is our Lord.
“But even if you should suffer for righteousness, you are blessed. Do not fear what they fear or be disturbed, but honor the Messiah as Lord in your hearts. Always be ready to give a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you.”
1 Peter 3:14-15 HCSB
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