Book: All Eyes on Israel

The question of what is dispensationalism is best answered by going right back to Abraham’s time and investigating the question from a Biblical perspective.

: The meaning of Israel is a big question in many people’s minds – or at least it should be. Many people (eg. Hal Lindsey) are looking in the wrong place to see God’s purpose for Israel fulfilled.

Abraham and Sarah (Abram and Sarai) and their wait for the promised son. At first it looked like it would be Abraham and Ishmael.

Abraham and Isaac. Genesis 16. Their names and the names of all involved reflect the character and actions.

The meaning of Jacob, the name, tells us what he was like and makes the later change in his character and the meaning of Israel all the more dramatic.

The ‘heel grabber’ described Jacob’s actions at birth but also his character traits and the character traits of another prominent figure.

A supplanter is one who takes or attempts to take the rightful place of another. Jacob was a supplanter but one who eventually was willing to entirely submit to God’s will.

The deceiver, Jacob, showed this trait in his life. Do we all have some of this character trait?

Jacob and Esau made peace with each other after Jacob’s experience and after Jacob became an overcomer.

As Jacob Wrestles With God, he is again asked the question

The name Israel, originally used in a special way for one man, was meant to apply, in the same way, for a whole nation.

The seed of Abraham in the Old Testament is considered the source of literal Israel but what is the source of spiritual Israel? Is there a significant difference?