Why Study the History of Israel?

QUESTION: Why Study the History of Israel?

ANSWER:

God chose Abraham from all of the peoples that were on the earth at that time because Abraham said he would follow Him. God made a promise to him that said "Leave your country, your people and your father's household, and go to the land I will show you. I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse, and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you" (Genesis 12:1-3).

Abraham followed God and received these blessings for himself and his descendants who became the nation of Israel. Even through all of their trials of becoming a nation, God kept His promise.

What is so amazing is that though God doesn't change, neither do we. We can look at the history of Israel and see where they made the same mistakes we make today. Circumstances may be different, but the problems are certainly the same. But God leads us to repentance for the sins we have made and forgives us. He loves us and He says 'He will never leave us or forsake us.' That was true in the time of Abraham and it's true in our time today. You see, it's up to us. We have the freedom of choice to follow God or to reject Him. We have the freedom not to sin or the freedom to sin. The only choice you don't have are the consequences.

Why study the history of Israel? So that we can learn from their mistakes as well as ours and know that God's promises are for today, not just for yesterday. It also leads us to a better understanding of the current events in the Middle East. History usually defines the future. God's plans are for tomorrow, for eternal life, and this world is just a shadow of the world to come.