What’s Israel For?

Van Leeuwen offers this superb description of the purpose of Israel among the nations: “In the life, society, state and culture of Israel the Lord the Creator is active in carrying out his purposes. The religious ideas, the mythology, cult and ritual, the social and legal traditions, yes, and even the political structure of the Gentile peoples are incorporated into the life of Israel. The promised land lies right at the centre of the ‘sphere of influence’ of the ancient civilizations; and Israel’s history unfolds itself amidst the history of the neighbouring great powers. In this special situation Israel is called to be a light to the nations and the salt of the earth: she is to be the paradigm of God’s creation . . . .

“Just as God’s Word has gone forth upon the primeval chaos and has delimited it, tamed and subdued it, put it to his service, subjected it to his own sovereign action, so will the Lord do with and through his people Israel. In the life of Israel the Lord purposes to make subject to himself and to use for his own ends the way of life, spiritual and material, of the Gentiles – a way of life which is in itself a totalitarian one. His will is to breach the absolutism of the pagan religions, to break them open and so make room for his creative action.”

Even though Israel’s calling went unfulfilled, Yahweh did not give up: “he persists with it through this creative activity of his, continually repeated – a prolonged struggle between his holy will and the stubborn desire of his people to be like all the nations round about them. The Torah is the story of Israel in the wilderness, en route for the promised land. The prophets look toward the future when the Lord will establish his kingship over his people, make an everlasting covenant with them and settle accounts one and for all with the powers of chaos. But it is beyond even Israel to realize God’s will and to fulfill his purpose. Nevertheless, the Old Testament affords an absolutely unique example of a tenacious struggle, waged over many centuries, between God’s creative power and the primeval forces that dominate the life of the Gentiles.”

Though the struggle is carried out on behalf of the nations, it takes a particular focus: “It is a struggle which takes place entirely within the confines of Israel. The Lord has created this people to represent mankind, has chosen this land as centre and pattern of the world. Here he will show what his purpose is for every nation. In this place is the proof to be given, in the sight of the Gentiles, that the good life is possible on earth, the life lived in harmony and pace, in the community of a people, without raising a tower with its top in heaven.”