The Israel of God: Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow

by O. Palmer Robertson

A noted Old Testament scholar offers this vivid look at Israel — its land, people, worship, lifestyles, and future — with special attention to questions about the current and future Israeli state.

Genres: Theology, Christianity, Biblical Studies, Christian, Israel, Religion, Nonfiction

216 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2000

About the author

Owen Palmer Robertson (born August 31, 1937) is an American Christian theologian and biblical scholar. He taught at Reformed Theological Seminary, Westminster Theological Seminary, Covenant Theological Seminary, Knox Theological Seminary as well as at the African Bible Colleges of Malawi and Uganda. He also served as principal of the latter institution.

Robertson is perhaps best known for his book The Christ of the Covenants. His definition of a biblical covenant being "a bond in blood, sovereignly administered" has been widely discussed.

In 2008, a Festschrift was published in his honor. The Hope Fulfilled: Essays in Honor of O. Palmer Robertson included contributions by Bruce Waltke, Richard Gaffin, Robert L. Reymond and George W. Knight III.

Reviews

[Adam T. Calvert · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a terrific look on the Biblical concept of Israel and what that term means throughout Scripture. While I wasn't overly impressed with Robertson's amillennial views that came out pretty strong in certain chapters, it was still a very powerful presentation of what the Israel of God means in the New Covenant age. His exposition of Romans Chapter 11 was worth the price of the book.

I highly recommend it for anyone looking for instruction on whether or not the Scriptures make a dispensational distinction between "Israel" and the "Church" (regardless of what position you hold going into it).

[Bob Hayton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like most any American evangelical, how the Bible views the modern state of Israel is a topic that interests me. I've grown in my understanding of this issue, even as I've evaluated competing theological systems such as dispensationalism and covenant theology. For me, the Bible is most important, as I don't feel compelled to be loyal to any particular theological system.

Perhaps that is why O. Palmer Robertson's writings have been so helpful to me. I greatly appreciated his Biblical treatment of the various covenants of Scripture in The Christ of the Covenants (see my review). In The Israel of God: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow, Robertson far exceeded my expectations.

Robertson doesn't have to convince anyone that interpretations concerning the Bible's view of Israel are varied and extremely influential. In his book, though, he manages to bring the focus to where it should be: on what Scripture actually says concerning the topic.

And this is where he excels. He doesn't settle for a few proof texts. Rather he carefully traces out a Biblical theology of the land, the people Israel, their worship and lifestyle, and the Kingdom as it relates to Israel. He offers a careful exposition of Galatians 6:16, Hebrews 7, and Romans 11. All the while, he examines Scripture's entire testimony on these subjects letting all of Scripture weigh in on this issue.

The book shows how the essence of the land promise was spiritual fellowship with God. This is enjoyed by the church today (Matt. 5:5, Rom. 4:13, Eph. 6:3). It argues that the worship and lifestyle of Israel is radically altered with Christ's provision of a better covenant (Heb. 7). It goes on to examine how Scripture defines the people of Israel, and it details how Gentile believers in the church are Abraham's children and heirs, true Jews, yes, even the Israel of God (Gal. 3:26-29, 6:16; Rom. 2:28-29, 4:11-12; Eph. 2:14, 19).

One may well disagree with Robertson's conclusions. But anyone who cares about Scripture will appreciate his emphasis on letting Scripture speak for itself. I would hope those differing with Robertson would at least give his Biblical presentation fair consideration. His exposition of Romans 11 in particular has the potential of changing the mind of many on this subject. Not because it is novel, but because he shows how clearly the chapter as a whole argues for a present-day focus in Paul's concern.

I won't explain all of Robertson's arguments for you. I encourage you to pick up a copy of the book yourself. Its a fairly quick read (196 pages), which will definitely keep your interest. I'm sure you'll be glad you gave this book a hearing.

[Brian Collins · Rating 2 out of 5]

I've greatly benefited from O. Palmer Robertson's work in the past, especially his The Christ of the Prophets. I am frequently refreshed by his forthright rejection of critical theories that stand at odds with Scripture's testimony to itself. I therefore picked up The Israel of God in the hope that it would provide me with the best argumentation for the position that the Israel of God in the New Testament are the elect Jews and Gentiles who have been brought together in the church (with the implication that there is no future role for the people of Israel in God's redemptive plan).

While there are some helpful sections (e.g., a critique of Childs' canonical criticism; a study of Melchizedek; a study of the wilderness theme), I was disappointed by the level of argumentation for the book's primary thesis. Sometimes Robertson simply asserts things that he ought to argue for (e.g., that the land of Israel is a type and only a type). Most significantly, his treatment of Galatians 6:16, a foundational text for his thesis, contains little interaction with opposing views, leading to an overconfidence in his position. He states that taking the kai as epexegetical (so that "the Israel of God" is equated with "all those who walk according to this canon") is the "only explanation of Paul's phrase . . . that satisfies the context as well as the grammar of the passage." But S. Lewis Johnson demonstrated that it is possible for the "Israel of God" to be a subset of "all those who walk according to this canon," a view that Robertson never considers.*

As a result of the overconfidence that "Israel of God" must refer to elect Jews and Gentiles alike, the much of the rest of the exegesis seems forced. I had the same feeling that I get when I read some dispensationalists who argue that the kingdom is not currently present in any form. They can get the passages to conform to their theology through exegesis that is possible. But it doesn't seem to be the most probable reading of the texts. This is especially the case for Robertson when seeks to prove that the salvation "all Israel" in Romans 11 refers to the salvation of Jews and Gentiles throughout the present age. He can get the exegesis to work, but his readings are not the most likely.

*S. Lewis Johnson, Jr., "Paul and the "Israel of God: An Exegetical and Eschatological Case-Study," in Essays in Honor of J. Dwight Pentecost (Chicago: Moody, 1986), 184, n. 22, 187-88. (This essay is also reprinted in The Master's Seminary Journal [Spring 2009]: 41-55).

[David Carraway · Rating 3 out of 5]

The main focus of the book is to identify who the Israel of God is, has always been, and will continue to be. Mr. Robertson explores this from many different angles including the Israel of God as they relate to The Land, Its People, Its Worship and Its Lifestyle. This he does remarkably well.

Mr. Robertson spends a good portion of one chapter exegeting Hebrews 7 of which I enjoyed reading very much. He does the same for Romans 11 later in the book.

One of his longest chapters is focused on the Israel of God and the Kingdom promised to Israel. This chapter was rather heart breaking to read as Mr. Robertson sees the Kingdom promised to Israel as having come while he asserts that any expectations of Christ's kingdom occurring in this age are false. There is only one Kingdom promised in all of Scripture and if any of it has come, it has all come. There is no twofold comings of the Kingdom taught in Scripture nor any teaching that it comes in stages.

This is further saddening because he believes that even though we are in the new covenant that we are still in the same age that Jesus lived in which is the same age the Apostles wrote their Gospels and Epistles in. That age being referred to in the New Testament as "this age" which is the age of the old covenant and the Law of Moses. We cannot be in "this age" and in the new covenant. The new covenant is "the age to come" that the first century Christians and Apostles greatly hoped for. Mr. Robertson, however, is still looking for the age to come.

Mr. Robertson also states that even though we have received better things as a part of the new covenant, that we should expect to live no better than Israel did when Moses lead them through the wilderness. He says we are just wanderers in the desert. I wonder then from this perspective how it is that we have received better things.

Overall the book served its purpose. I could only hope that Mr. Robertson will take more seriously the time statements attached to the kingdom coming passages as well as the personal pronouns and to whom the promise of the consummated kingdom were given. Namely the 1st century Christians.

We now live in the Kingdom of God which came without observation and is inside of us. We now enjoy that which was so greatly hoped for by the 1st century Christians. Namely salvation, justification, sanctification, eternal life and so many other things.

Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

[Mikeandamy Galdamez · Rating 5 out of 5]

O. Palmer Robertson provides great insight into what the Bible says about the Israel of God. The exegesis found in the final two chapters is worth the price of the book - some engaging and enlightening exegesis in regard to the millennial issue in chapter 5 and to the issue of Paul's phrase "all Israel shall be saved" in chapter 6. The final chapter caused me to question my own position of an ingathering of ethnic Israelites toward the end of the age. The exegesis was quite convincing that God will save both Jew and Gentile during the present gospel era while the phrase "all Israel shall be saved" refers to the total ingathering of God's elect consisting of both Jew and Gentile. This final chapter has given me the desire in the near future to take up Romans 11 and do my own exegesis in order to nail down my view.

[Paul Barth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Five stars for chapters 1, 5, and 6 (The Israel of God: Its Land, The Israel of God and the Coming of the Kingdom, The Israel of God in Romans 11), and three stars for chapters 2 and 4 (The Israel of God: Its People, The Israel of God: Its Lifestyle), four stars for chapters 3 and 7 (The Israel of God: Its Worship, Concluding Propositions). Chapters 1, 5, and 6 deal a mortal blow to Dispensationalism and its obsession with modern Israel. I didn't mind the Amillenial direction of the book even though I am Post-Millennial.

[Chris Butler · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an extremely clear, logical and irrefutable biblical exploration of God’s redemptive purposes for His church and the role of ‘Israel’
Strongly commend this fine book to anyone confused by Romans 11 or wants to possess a fulsome biblical view of this issue.

[Edwin Ramirez · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did not agree with everything, but this was a helpful book overall.

[Faith Key · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 clear & helpful BT of Israel as the people of God and the promise of the land. helpful examination and argument against a dispy view. romans 11 section = very good. food for further thought.

[Sally · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clear and helpful explication of "Israel" in the Bible. I especially liked the chapter on Romans 11. This book is extremely valuable in today's world.

[Leandro Dutra · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book tries to crack many nuts in a few pages, but it has several issues. To be sure I agree with most of its conclusions and arguments, but I do think it needs to be redone.

First, the less important stuff: it is badly typeset. The type used seem to vibrate optically, making for much a tiring and even irritating reading experience. So from the start I cannot claim to be impartial in my evaluation.

A much more irritating issue is some quite out of line quotes from Israeli personages and mentions of Israeli history, trying to prove Israel is not anything special. Taken all out of context and without any effort at evaluation, they seem more like a piece of antisemitic propaganda; coming early in the book, they predispose people sympathetic to Israel (as I count myself to be) to discount claims by the author. Also, they are irrelevant to the author’s argument, so they end up opening the whole book under suspicion instead of strengthening its argument.

The main thesis is that the Christian church is the Israel of God, and thus the current State of Israel has no special place in God’s kingdom. As such, it sounds like a book for recovering Judaizers or Dispensationalists, but its tone and approach will probably alienate all but the already convinced. I have nothing against its main thrust, which I believe to be true from the general tenor of Scripture; personally, I have little use for its text-proofing approach, while I do indeed appreciate some of its translation insights.

There are a few non-sequiturs, specially in the concluding propositions; in general, I think that while the main thesis is indeed true, the author tries to wring more from Scripture than can be exegetically sound and logically tenable. While I am in general theologically aligned with the author (and Jean-Marc Berthoud, for instance), in this issue I am more sympathetic with Jacques Ellul (which I consider mainly a heretic, but a very interesting one) than with them.

[Charles Adkinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was exceptionally helpful in clarifying my understanding on several of the major issues related to the question of who, precisely speaking, constitutes the "Israel of God" according to the totality of Scriptural evidence.

Is there a future plan for ethnic Israel? Or is God going to continue to save as He always has, by keeping a faithful remnant? Are there land promises left unfulfilled? Or does the hope of a "promised land" find its realization in the renewal of the whole creation? Ultimately, are there two distinct peoples of God? Or has the Gentile church replaced the nation Israel? (Or is there perhaps a third way to view the people of God which more closely aligns with Paul's assertion that there is now one new man in Christ?) Robertson offers solid, Scriptural conclusions to all of these questions and more.

As others have noted, this book is worth a read for the author's careful and fair exegesis of Hebrews 7 and Romans 11 alone, but there is so much else here. I would recommend this to anyone who has any interest in Biblical eschatology.

[Neil Kruger · Rating 4 out of 5]

2021 reads: #30
Rating: 4 Stars

Despite numerous theological disagreements this is still a thought-provoking book.

Robertson's commitment to Covenant Theology is obvious in how he deals with the land, flattens out the relationship between the biblical covenants, and employs texts selectively to support his thesis of the 'Israel of God' as the new covenant community.

Despite these drawbacks, some of the sections are terrific. His exegesis of Hebrews 7 is masterful and he helpfully explores the theme of wilderness in the Bible.

This book is very readable with a helpful summary of propositions defended throughout. He provides defensible arguments for handling Galatians 6:16 and Romans 11 from the perspective of his definition for the 'Israel of God'. Even though I am persuaded that there are better ways to handle these and other texts, this book still proved valuable to sharpen my thinking, helped by being written in an irenic spirit.

[David Dunlap · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very thorough discussion of the meaning of Israel -- spiritual/ethnic/national -- and its role(s) -- if any -- in biblical end times. I occasionally found the book tough going, but that is more a reflection of the reader than the author. Dr. Robertson's arguments that national Israel does *not* figure in biblical prophecies were, to my mind, a convincing antidote to the premillennial dispensationalism that seems so rampant in this day and age. The chapters on Hebrews 7 and Romans 11 especially rewarded careful reading, and the author's 'Concluding Propositions' were a helpful and clear summary of all that had preceded.

[Joseph Kingma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Robertson lays an especially convincing case, both biblically and logically, for the covenantal understanding of the “Israel of God” against the dispensationalists. Using the analogy of faith, he walks through passages and themes in Hebrews, Romans, Revelation, and John, developing his arguments thoroughly and engaging opposing views. I would highly recommend this to anyone interested in what the Bible has to say about the people of God.

[Samuel Kropp · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book on analyzing the typology of Israel and dealing with some of the key issues of dealing with Israel and the church. However, it didn't cover some of the more salient passages like Galatians 3 and 4 which was a little disappointing. Also, it worth noting that the author's amillennialism does come out strong in chapter 5 which isn't particularly bothersome to a postmillennialist, but it isn't particularly helpful either.

[Timothy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very clearly written and argued from Scripture.
Robertson's exegesis explanation of Romans 11 needs to be taken seriously, even though his view is the vast minority.

[Matt Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

A helpful discourse on helping Christians think through the concept of "Israel" throughout the Scriptures, and engaging with contemporary ideas on the issue. Though written over two decades ago, the landscape of contemporary views is broadly similar, theologically speaking, and so the book doesn't feel hugely dated.

The book lands very well in the first two chapters (looking at the "land promises" in respect to Israel in chapter 1, at the constitution of "the people of Israel" in chapter 2), and the last two chapters (looking at the "Israel of God" from Romans 11 in chapter 6, and 12 summary propositions in chapter 7). The last of these is particularly useful in summarising the main arguments of the book in easily digestible form.

In particular, Robertson's exegesis of Romans 11 is especially helpful. Specifically, his thinking around Romans 11:25-26, arguing against the view of a mass conversation of those who identify (ethnically or, perhaps, otherwise) as Jews is the high point of the book. Indeed, this paragraph from p. 185 forced me to put the book down because I was laughing so hard:

"But if it is nonetheless true that all those identified with Judaism will one day be saved, should the Christian's perspective on evangelism be changed? If a person rejects the Christian gospel, should he then be encouraged to consider Judaism as an alternative? If a person could be persuaded to convert to Judaism, would he not be assured of eternal salvation if he should be alive at the time when the mighty working of salvation among "all Israel" begins? Since that time appears to many to be close at hand, should not Christians be encouraging as many Gentiles as possible to become Jews if they are unwilling to become Christians? The absurdity of such a suggestion should be obvious."

In light of particular events in the modern state of Israel, and its ongoing conflict with Hamas, this book served as a helpful resource on how to theologically approach the concept of Israel Biblically.
In short: pray for Israel, but don't become a dispensationalist in the process.

[Caleb Watson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Robertson makes a very persuasive case for a more covenantal view of the role of Israel in redemptive history, whether you ultimately agree with his conclusions or not. This book will no doubt challenge the majority evangelical point of view.

[Brandon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good examination of Dispensationalism from a Reformed perspective.

The book studies: the land promise, the identity of the people of God, Israel's worship, it's lifestyle as a wilderness people, the kingdom of God, and Romans 11.

Recommended.

[Cale Fauver · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chapters 1, 5, and 6 carry the entire book. I think I’ve misread Romans 11 until now (ch.6)

While I’m not a dispensationalist, Romans 11 was usually somewhat daunting for me; now, it makes much more sense of who “all Israel” is.

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book that challenged my thinking on Romans 11.

[Tania Bingham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent explanation of the role of Israel in redemptive history and its significance today.

[Josh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Most of the chapters are sterling silver three star material, but chapter 5, the longest by far, is 24K gold.

[Matthew Rawlings · Rating 5 out of 5]

Should be required reading for all dispensationalists!

[Mike Viccary · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very goid book onbthe subject of Israel from a biblical perspective - I heartily recommend it.

[Evan]

Good

[James Dilmore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read, was recommended by a friend after discussion on what is the biblical Israel and does it relate to the modern nation state (it’s doesn’t).

[Dylan Sullivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The chapter on Romans 11 was super helpful.

[Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dr. Robertson does a wonderful job explaining what Israel both the people and the state mean in today's context. He does a masterful job doing a deep dive into Romans 11. Buy the book.