Dr. Couch, the Reformed and Covenant Theology teachers often say God is
through with the Jews, and that the church has replaced Israel forever.
How can they do that?
The answer is simple. They come to the Bible, on this issue, with a
philosophy of Replacement, and then conveniently excise the Jews as a
restored theocratic people. They do this by their amillennialism and
allegorical interpretation. I would love to hear what they do with
several passages in the Old Testament that would refute them.
In 1 Kings 14:15-16 the Lord says He will uproot Israel from the land
for their sins, and “He will give up Israel on account of the sins of
Jeroboam … with which he made Israel to sin.” But comparing this with 2
Kings 14:27 we read: “And the Lord did not say that He would blot out
the name of Israel from under heaven, but He saved them by the hand of
Jeroboam the son of Joash.” By the way, this issue has to be kept in the
context of what was happening at the time of Jeroboam, though the point
is well made and can come down even to today!
Israel’s sinfulness, and the punishment that followed, does not mean
God is through with the Jews! See my exegesis on this website on Romans
9-11. The Jews are still beloved at this present time in God’s eyes
though they are for the most part in unbelief. They are beloved because
He made a firm Covenant with their fathers and He will not go against
His promises. “From the standpoint of God’s choice they are beloved for
the sake of the fathers; for the gifts and calling of God are
irrevocable (the Lord will not change His mind about making promises to
the Jews)” (11:28-29).
Thanks for asking,
Dr. Mal Couch
