2S5-3: The True Meaning Of The Term ‘Israel’ – Part Three

Let’s jump right back into our little study of the true meaning of “Israel.”

So, when David first assumed the throne, he only ruled over a small area called Judah.

He wasn’t the king of Israel yet—not in the eyes of the 12 tribes anyway.

Before David, Saul had tried to rule over all the tribes, but only the northern tribes really accepted him as their king.

During this period, Judah cooperated with King Saul’s government.

But only to a limited degree…

Mostly to gain some benefits and avoid direct conflict with the North.

There was always a lot of tension between Israel and Judah, sometimes leading to military conflict.

Of course, the people of Judah (and the tribe of Simeon) knew they shared Jacob as a common ancestor, with the northern tribes.

But their common heritage took a back seat to the political differences that divided them at the time.

So keep this in mind, as we dive into our text study of Chapter Five.

When the northern tribes decided to make David their king – it was like a new state joining the USA.

Judah and Israel (meaning the ten tribes) had been separate groups…

But now they were about to be joined together under ONE king.

Since they’d been separate for centuries, this coming together was revolutionary!

And the truth be told, not everyone was thrilled about it.

The tribe of Benjamin hated the idea the most.

They were proud the first two kings of Israel had come from their tribe.

It would’ve been one thing to turn over Israel’s kingship to another northern tribe…

But the idea of accepting rulership under Judah would’ve been a bitter pill to swallow.  

So here’s what I want you to be aware of as we move forward.

As we begin our text study of chapter 5, it can get a bit tricky to know when the word “Israel” refers to just the northern tribes…

Or when it’s talking about all the tribes coming together under David as one unified entity.

Ya feel me?

Confusion arises because sometimes “Israel” refers to all the twelve tribes…

Other times it possesses a strictly geographic meaning – referring only to the LAND where the 12 tribes lived.

I’ll do my best to point out which is which as we move forward.

So today, instead of a takeaway, I’d like to close with a question.

I’d really like to get your opinion on this.

Fast forward thousands of years to the time of the first messianic group of believers…

When the Apostle Paul spoke of all “Israel” being saved…

What do you think he really meant?

Was he referring to simply all believers in Messiah only?

Or was he referring to the current secular state of Israel and that somehow they’re gonna come to faith in Messiah?

Possibly a combination of both?

I’ll let you know my thoughts the next time we meet.

Blessings!

CONNECTING THIS TEACHING TO THE NEW TESTAMENT

“For, brothers, I want you to understand
this truth which God formerly concealed
but has now revealed, so that you won’t
imagine you know more than you actually do.
It is that stoniness, to a degree, has come
upon Israel, until the Gentile world
enters in its fullness;
and that it is in this way that
all Israel will be saved.”
-Romans 11:25-26