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68 Bible verses about Israel
I want to share something powerful with you. God has offered divine forgiveness to Israel. He's redeemed them, forgiven them. Think about that – innocent blood, forgiven. It’s a reminder of the incredible grace available to all of us.
God has exalted Jesus as Prince and Savior, offering repentance and forgiveness of sins. This is a gift, not just for Israel, but for everyone who believes. I encourage you to pray for Israel's salvation. Blessing this holy nation brings blessings in return. God’s grace and favor will become evident in your life when you hold His chosen people close to your heart. They are precious in His sight.
Remember this: never curse Israel. Speaking against them invites judgment and can bring real hardship into your life. Instead, let's lift them up in prayer and show the same love and forgiveness that God has shown us.
The Lord has chosen the people of Jacob to be his own. He has chosen Israel to be his special treasure.
The Lord says, “People of Israel, you are my servants. Family of Jacob, I have chosen you. You are the children of my friend Abraham.I gathered you from one end of the earth to the other. From the farthest places on earth I brought you together. I said, ‘You are my servants.’ I have chosen you. I have not turned my back on you.
Israel, listen to me. The Lord is our God. The Lord is the one and only God.Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul. Love him with all your strength.
“Now then,” said Joshua, “throw away the statues of the gods that are among you. People from other lands serve those gods. Give yourselves completely to the Lord. He is the God of Israel.”
Accept this payment for the sin of your people Israel. Lord, you have set your people free. Don’t hold them guilty for spilling the blood of someone who hasn’t done anything wrong.” That will pay for the death of that person.
Go. Announce this message to the people in the north. Tell them, “ ‘Israel, you have not been faithful,’ announces the Lord. ‘Return to me. Then I will do good things for you again. That’s because I am faithful,’ announces the Lord. ‘I will not be angry with you forever.
Then the man said, “Your name will not be Jacob anymore. Instead, it will be Israel. You have wrestled with God and with people. And you have won.”
“People of Israel, you are my witnesses,” announces the Lord. “I have chosen you to be my servant. I wanted you to know me and believe in me. I wanted you to understand that I am the one and only God. Before me, there was no other god at all. And there will not be any god after me.
“Family of Jacob, listen to me. You are my servant. People of Israel, I have chosen you.People make statues of gods. But those gods can’t do any good.People who do that will be put to shame. Those who make statues of gods are mere human beings. Let all of them come together and state their case. They will be terrified and put to shame.A blacksmith gets his tool. He uses it to shape metal over the burning coals. He uses his hammers to make a statue of a god. He forms it with his powerful arm. He gets hungry and loses his strength. He doesn’t drink any water. He gets weaker and weaker.A carpenter measures a piece of wood with a line. He draws a pattern on it with a marker. He cuts out a statue with sharp tools. He marks it with compasses. He shapes it into the form of a beautiful human being. He does this so he can put it in a temple.He cuts down a cedar tree. Or perhaps he takes a cypress or an oak tree. It might be a tree that grew in the forest. Or it might be a pine tree he planted. And the rain made it grow.A man gets wood from trees to burn. He uses some of it to warm himself. He starts a fire and bakes bread. But he also uses some of it to make a god and worship it. He makes a statue of a god and bows down to it.He burns half of the wood in the fire. He prepares a meal over it. He cooks meat over it. He eats until he is full. He also warms himself. He says, “Good! I’m getting warm. The fire is nice and hot.”From the rest of the wood he makes a statue. It becomes his god. He bows down and worships it. He prays to it. He says, “Save me! You are my god!”People like that don’t even know what they are doing. Their eyes are shut so that they can’t see the truth. Their minds are closed so that they can’t understand it.No one even stops to think about this. No one has any sense or understanding. If anyone did, they would say, “I used half of the wood for fuel. I even baked bread over the fire. I cooked meat. Then I ate it. Should I now make a statue of a god out of the wood that’s left over? Should I bow down to a block of wood? The Lord would hate that.”I made you. I formed you when you were born as a nation. I will help you. So listen to what I am saying. Family of Jacob, do not be afraid. You are my servant. People of Israel, I have chosen you.
Cyrus, I am sending for you by name. I am doing it for the good of the family of Jacob. They are my servant. I am doing it for Israel. They are my chosen people. You do not know anything about me. But I am giving you a title of honor.
Now obey me completely. Keep my covenant. If you do, then out of all the nations you will be my special treasure. The whole earth is mine.But you will be a kingdom of priests to serve me. You will be my holy nation.’ That is what you must tell the Israelites.”
And now, Israel, what is the Lord your God asking you to do? Honor him. Live exactly as he wants you to live. Love him. Serve him with all your heart and with all your soul.Obey the Lord’s commands and rules. I’m giving them to you today for your own good.
You are a holy nation. The Lord your God has set you apart for himself. He has chosen you to be his special treasure. He chose you out of all the nations on the face of the earth to be his people.
‘You have seen for yourselves what I did to Egypt. You saw how I carried you on the wings of eagles and brought you to myself.Now obey me completely. Keep my covenant. If you do, then out of all the nations you will be my special treasure. The whole earth is mine.But you will be a kingdom of priests to serve me. You will be my holy nation.’ That is what you must tell the Israelites.”
The Lord says, “Bethlehem Ephrathah, you might not be an important town in the nation of Judah. But out of you will come for me a ruler over Israel. His family line goes back to the early years of your nation. It goes all the way back to days of long ago.”
Israel, put your hope in the Lord, because the Lord’s love never fails. He sets his people completely free.
I will take you to be my own people. I will be your God. I throw off the load the Egyptians have put on your shoulders. Then you will know that I am the Lord your God.
Now Jesus is Prince and Savior. God has proved this by giving Jesus a place of honor with him. He did it to turn Israel away from their sins and forgive them.
“The days are coming,” announces the Lord. “I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel. I will also make it with the people of Judah.It will not be like the covenant I made with their people of long ago. That was when I took them by the hand. I led them out of Egypt. But they broke my covenant. They did it even though I was like a husband to them,” announces the Lord.“This is the covenant I will make with Israel after that time,” announces the Lord. “I will put my law in their minds. I will write it on their hearts. I will be their God. And they will be my people.They will not need to teach their neighbor anymore. And they will not need to teach one another anymore. They will not need to say, ‘Know the Lord.’ That’s because everyone will know me. From the least important of them to the most important, all of them will know me,” announces the Lord. “I will forgive their evil ways. I will not remember their sins anymore.”
I will wash from its people all the sins they have committed against me. And I will forgive all the sins they committed when they turned away from me.
But he was full of tender love. He forgave their sins and didn’t destroy his people. Time after time he held back his anger. He didn’t let all his burning anger blaze out.
“Out of all the families on earth I have chosen only you. So I will punish you because you have committed so many sins.”
They will not need to teach their neighbor anymore. And they will not need to teach one another anymore. They will not need to say, ‘Know the Lord.’ That’s because everyone will know me. From the least important of them to the most important, all of them will know me,” announces the Lord. “I will forgive their evil ways. I will not remember their sins anymore.”
The Lord our God is near us every time we pray to him. What other nation is great enough to have its gods that close to them?
Family of Jacob, the Lord created you. People of Israel, he formed you. He says, “Do not be afraid. I will set you free. I will send for you by name. You belong to me.
The Lord rules over all. His angel says to Israel, “The Glorious One has sent me to punish the nations that have robbed you of everything. That’s because anyone who hurts you hurts those the Lord loves and guards.
But they make themselves humble in my sight. They pray and look to me. And they turn from their evil ways. Then I will listen to them from heaven. I will forgive their sin. And I will heal their land. After all, they are my people.
“People of Jerusalem, get up. Shine, because your light has come. The glory of the Lord will shine on you.“People from other lands will rebuild your walls. Their kings will serve you. When I was angry with you, I struck you. But now I will show you my tender love.Your gates will always stand open. They will never be shut, day or night. Then people can bring you the wealth of the nations. Their kings will come along with them.The nation or kingdom that will not serve you will be destroyed. It will be completely wiped out.“Lebanon’s glorious trees will be brought to you. Its junipers, firs and cypress trees will be brought. They will be used to make my temple beautiful. And I will bring glory to the place where my throne is.The children of those who crush you will come and bow down to you. All those who hate you will kneel down at your feet. Jerusalem, they will call you the City of the Lord. They will name you Zion, the City of the Holy One of Israel.“You have been deserted and hated. No one even travels through you. But I will make you into something to be proud of forever. You will be a place of joy for all time to come.You will get everything you need from kings and nations. You will be like children who are nursing at their mother’s breasts. Then you will know that I am the one who saves you. I am the Lord. I set you free. I am the Mighty One of Jacob.Instead of bronze I will bring you gold. In place of iron I will give you silver. Instead of wood I will bring you bronze. In place of stones I will give you iron. I will make peace govern you. I will make godliness rule over you.People will no longer harm one another in your land. They will not wipe out or destroy anything inside your borders. You will call your walls Salvation. And you will name your gates Praise.You will not need the light of the sun by day anymore. The bright light of the moon will no longer have to shine on you. I will be your light forever. My glory will shine on you. I am the Lord your God.Darkness covers the earth. Thick darkness spreads over the nations. But I will rise and shine on you. My glory will appear over you.Your sun will never set again. Your moon will never lose its light. I will be your light forever. Your days of sorrow will come to an end.Then all your people will do what is right. The land will belong to them forever. They will be like a young tree I have planted. My hands have created them. They will show how glorious I am.The smallest family among you will become a tribe. The smallest tribe will become a mighty nation. I am the Lord. When it is the right time, I will act quickly.”Nations will come to your light. Kings will come to the brightness of your new day.
A new day is coming,’ ” announces the Lord. “ ‘At that time I will bring my people Israel and Judah back from where they have been taken as prisoners. I will bring them back to this land. I gave it to their people of long ago to have as their own,’ ” says the Lord.
“ ‘ “I will take you out of the nations. I will gather you together from all the countries. I will bring you back into your own land.I will sprinkle pure water on you. Then you will be ‘clean.’ I will make you completely pure and ‘clean.’ I will take all the statues of your gods away from you.I will give you new hearts. I will give you a new spirit that is faithful to me. I will remove your stubborn hearts from you. I will give you hearts that obey me.I will put my Spirit in you. I will make you want to obey my rules. I want you to be careful to keep my laws.Then you will live in the land I gave your people of long ago. You will be my people. And I will be your God.
Be strong and brave. Don’t be afraid of them. Don’t be terrified because of them. The Lord your God will go with you. He will never leave you. He’ll never desert you.”
Here is what the Lord says to me. “It is not enough for you as my servant to bring the tribes of Jacob back to their land. It is not enough for you to bring back the people of Israel I have kept alive. I will also make you a light for the Gentiles. Then you will make it possible for the whole world to be saved.”
So here is what I ask. Did God turn his back on his people? Not at all! I myself belong to Israel. I am one of Abraham’s children. I am from the tribe of Benjamin.Let their eyes grow dark so they can’t see. Let their backs be bent forever.” (Psalm 69:22,23)Again, here is what I ask. The Israelites didn’t trip and fall once and for all time, did they? Not at all! Because Israel sinned, the Gentiles can be saved. That will make Israel jealous of them.Israel’s sin brought riches to the world. Their loss brings riches to the Gentiles. So then what greater riches will come when all Israel turns to God!I am talking to you who are not Jews. I am the apostle to the Gentiles. So I take pride in the work I do for God and others.I hope somehow to stir up my own people to want what you have. Perhaps I can save some of them.When they were not accepted, it became possible for the whole world to be brought back to God. So what will happen when they are accepted? It will be like life from the dead.The first handful of dough that is offered is holy. This makes all of the dough holy. If the root is holy, so are the branches.Some of the natural branches have been broken off. You are a wild olive branch. But you have been joined to the tree with the other branches. Now you enjoy the life-giving sap of the olive tree root.So don’t think you are better than the other branches. Remember, you don’t give life to the root. The root gives life to you.You will say, “Some branches were broken off so that I could be joined to the tree.”God didn’t turn his back on his people. After all, he chose them. Don’t you know what Scripture says about Elijah? He complained to God about Israel.
The Lord had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s family. Go to the land I will show you.At that time there was not enough food in the land. So Abram went down to Egypt to live there for a while.As he was about to enter Egypt, he spoke to his wife Sarai. He said, “I know what a beautiful woman you are.The people of Egypt will see you and say, ‘This is his wife.’ Then they will kill me. But they will let you live.Tell them you are my sister. Then I’ll be treated well and my life will be spared because of you.”Abram arrived in Egypt. The Egyptians saw that Sarai was a very beautiful woman.When Pharaoh’s officials saw her, they told Pharaoh how beautiful she was. So she was taken into his palace.Pharaoh treated Abram well because of her. So Abram gained more sheep and cattle and male and female donkeys. He also gained more male and female servants and some camels.But the Lord sent terrible sicknesses on Pharaoh and everyone in his palace. The Lord did it because of Abram’s wife Sarai.So Pharaoh sent for Abram. “What have you done to me?” he said. “Why didn’t you tell me she was your wife?Why did you say she was your sister? That’s why I took her to be my wife. Now then, here’s your wife. Take her and go!”“I will make you into a great nation. And I will bless you. I will make your name great. You will be a blessing to others.Then Pharaoh gave orders to his men about Abram. They sent him on his way. So he left with his wife and everything he had.I will bless those who bless you. I will put a curse on anyone who puts a curse on you. All nations on earth will be blessed because of you.”
Tell them, ‘The Lord and King says, “I will take the Israelites out of the nations where they have gone. I will gather them together from all around. I will bring them back to their own land.There I will make them one nation. They will live on the mountains of Israel. All of them will have one king. They will never be two nations again. They will never again be separated into two kingdoms.
In those days the people of Judah will join the people of Israel. Together they will come from a land in the north. They will come to the land I gave to your people of long ago. I wanted them to have it as their very own.
The Lord says, “For the good of Zion I will not keep silent. For Jerusalem’s benefit I will not remain quiet. I will not keep silent until what I will do for them shines like the sunrise. I will not remain quiet until they are saved and shine like a blazing torch.
“I will make new heavens and a new earth. And they will last forever,” announces the Lord. “In the same way, your name and your children after you will last forever.
“Comfort my people,” says your God. “Comfort them.The Lord and King is coming with power. He rules with a powerful arm. He has set his people free. He is bringing them back as his reward. He has won the battle over their enemies.He takes care of his flock like a shepherd. He gathers the lambs in his arms. He carries them close to his heart. He gently leads those that have little ones.Who has measured the oceans by using the palm of his hand? Who has used the width of his hand to mark off the sky? Who has measured out the dust of the earth in a basket? Who has weighed the mountains on scales? Who has weighed the hills in a balance?Who can ever understand the Spirit of the Lord? Who can ever give him advice?Did the Lord have to ask anyone to help him understand? Did he have to ask someone to teach him the right way? Who taught him what he knows? Who showed him how to understand?The nations are only a drop in a bucket to him. He considers them as nothing but dust on the scales. He weighs the islands as if they were only fine dust.Lebanon doesn’t have enough trees to keep his altar fires burning. It doesn’t have enough animals to sacrifice as burnt offerings to him.To him, all the nations don’t amount to anything. He considers them to be worthless. In fact, they are less than nothing in his sight.So who will you compare God with? Is there any other god like him?Will you compare him with a statue of a god? Anyone who works with metal can make a statue. Then another worker covers it with gold and makes silver chains for it.Speak tenderly to the people of Jerusalem. Announce to them that their hard labor has been completed. Tell them that their sin has been paid for. Tell them the Lord has punished them enough for all their sins.”
Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion. They will always be secure. They will last forever.Like the mountains around Jerusalem, the Lord is all around his people both now and forever.
The Lord will roar like a lion from Jerusalem. His voice will sound like thunder from Zion. The earth and the heavens will tremble. But the Lord will keep the people of Israel safe. He will be a place of safety for them.
“But now I will bring health and healing to Jerusalem. I will heal my people. I will let them enjoy great peace and security.
Then they will know that I am with them. I am the Lord their God. And the Israelites will know that they are my people,” announces the Lord and King.
People from many nations will go there. They will say, “Come, let us go up to the Lord’s mountain. Let’s go to the temple of Jacob’s God. He will teach us how we should live. Then we will live the way he wants us to.” The law of the Lord will be taught at Zion. His message will go out from Jerusalem.
I made you. I am now your husband. My name is the Lord Who Rules Over All. I am the Holy One of Israel. I have set you free. I am the God of the whole earth.
It’s a land the Lord your God takes care of. His eyes always look on it with favor. He watches over it from the beginning of the year to its end.
Israel, put your hope in the Lord, because the Lord’s love never fails. He sets his people completely free.He himself will set Israel free from all their sins.
The Lord continues, “When Israel was a young nation, I loved them. I chose to bring my son out of Egypt.
They are the people of Israel. They have been adopted as God’s children. God’s glory belongs to them. So do the covenants. They received the law. They were taught to worship in the temple. They were given the promises.The founders of our nation belong to them. The Messiah comes from their family line. He is God over all. May he always be praised! Amen.
“Listen to my message, you nations. Announce it on shores far away. Say, ‘He who scattered Israel will gather them. He will watch over his flock like a shepherd.’
“Tell them, ‘The Lord and King says, “I will gather you from the nations. I will bring you back from the countries where you have been scattered. I will give you back the land of Israel.” ’
He continued, “I will save my people. I will gather them from the countries of the east and the west.I will bring them back to live in Jerusalem. They will be my people. I will be their faithful God. I will keep my promises to them.”
But the Lord will save Israel. He will save them forever. They will never be put to shame or dishonored. That will be true for all time to come.
He has shown his faithful love to the people of Israel. People from one end of the earth to the other have seen that our God has saved us.
Who is like your people Israel? God, we are the one nation on earth you have saved. You have set us free for yourself. Your name has become famous. You have done great and wonderful things. You have driven out nations and their gods to make room for your people. You saved us when you set us free from Egypt.You made Israel your very own people forever. Lord, you have become our God.
Then Moses went up to God. The Lord called out to him from the mountain. He said, “Here is what I want you to say to my people, who belong to Jacob’s family. Tell the Israelites,‘You have seen for yourselves what I did to Egypt. You saw how I carried you on the wings of eagles and brought you to myself.Now obey me completely. Keep my covenant. If you do, then out of all the nations you will be my special treasure. The whole earth is mine.But you will be a kingdom of priests to serve me. You will be my holy nation.’ That is what you must tell the Israelites.”
The Lord will show tender love toward Jacob’s people. Once again he will choose Israel. He’ll give them homes in their own land. Outsiders will join them. They and the people of Jacob will become one people.
But I will make you healthy again. I will heal your wounds,” announces the Lord. “That’s because you have been thrown out. You are called Zion, the one no one cares about.”
The Lord appeared to us in the past. He said, “I have loved you with a love that lasts forever. I have kept on loving you with a kindness that never fails.