“For God has not rejected His people whom He foreknew.” — Romans 11:2
One of my greatest responsibilities as a pastor is helping people build their faith on the Word of God rather than on the opinions, headlines, or traditions that surround us. This is especially important when we speak about Israel, because there is so much confusion, misunderstanding, and even hostility surrounding God’s purposes for His people today.
Living here in Israel, these questions are not simply theological discussions. They are part of our daily lives. Every day we see new headlines, strong opinions, and competing narratives. Yet as followers of Yeshua, we must never allow current events to shape our theology. Instead, we must allow Scripture to shape how we understand current events. That is why, over the past several weeks, we have been studying Romans chapters 9 through 11 together as a congregation.
These chapters reveal something beautiful about the heart and character of God. They remind us that He is a covenant-keeping God whose promises are rooted in His faithfulness rather than in man’s performance.
Paul writes with deep love for his own people, calling them “my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh.” Although many had not yet recognized Yeshua as the promised Messiah, Paul never concluded that God had rejected them. Instead, he asks one of the most important questions in the New Testament:
“Has God rejected His people?”
His answer is immediate and unmistakable:
“By no means! For God has not rejected His people whom He foreknew.” (Romans 11:1–2)
Those words leave little room for confusion. God’s covenant with Israel has not been canceled, replaced, or forgotten. His faithfulness remains exactly as He declared throughout the Scriptures.
As we continue reading, we discover that God has always preserved a faithful remnant according to His grace, and that His redemptive plan continues to unfold exactly as He promised. Paul explains that after “the fullness of the Gentiles has come in,” God will continue His work among His covenant people according to His sovereign purposes.
When Paul reaches the end of this remarkable section, he no longer argues theology—he worships:
“Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways beyond tracing out!” (Romans 11:33)
What a beautiful reminder that even when we cannot fully understand God’s ways, we can completely trust His heart. His plans are always wiser than ours, and His faithfulness never fails.
Today, Israel remains at the center of world attention. Opinions are everywhere, but as followers of Yeshua, we must always begin with Scripture. Like every nation, Israel has its challenges, weaknesses, and imperfections. Yet God’s covenant has never depended on human perfection. It has always rested on His unchanging character. His promises remain because He is faithful, even when people are not.
One of the illustrations that has always spoken deeply to my heart is the parable of the prodigal son. We often focus on the younger son returning home, but the story ends with an unanswered question about the older brother. Will he come inside and rejoice with the father, or will he remain outside?
Jesus intentionally leaves the ending open because it challenges every generation. Will we rejoice in what God is doing, even when it doesn’t fit our expectations? Will we embrace the Father’s heart and celebrate the fulfillment of His promises?
As an Arab believer serving the Lord here in Israel, this truth has become deeply personal to me. Embracing God’s covenant with Israel does not diminish His love for the nations. On the contrary, it magnifies it. The same God who chose Israel also opened the door of salvation to every nation through Messiah. His plan has always been one of redemption, reconciliation, and blessing for the whole world.
That is why our ministry remains committed to building bridges of reconciliation between Jews and Arabs. We believe reconciliation begins with truth. When we allow God’s Word to shape our hearts, we become free to love people without prejudice, stand firmly on biblical conviction, and demonstrate the compassion of Messiah to everyone He places in our path.
I believe we are living in a remarkable generation. We are witnessing the restoration of the Jewish people to their homeland, just as the prophets foretold centuries ago. At the same time, we are seeing God draw both Jews and Arabs to Himself through the Gospel. What a privilege it is to witness His faithfulness unfolding before our eyes and to take our place in His work—not as spectators, but as people who pray, serve, build bridges, and proclaim the hope of Yeshua.
As we continue this journey through Romans together, my prayer is that our hearts will become more aligned with God’s heart. May we love what He loves, trust what He has spoken, and rejoice in His unchanging faithfulness. The God who keeps His covenant with Israel is the same faithful God who keeps every promise He has made. His plans have not changed, His covenant still stands, and His faithfulness endures forever.
Thank you for praying for us and for faithfully standing alongside our ministry here in Nazareth. Your partnership enables us to continue sharing God’s Word, serving our community, and building bridges of reconciliation between Jews and Arabs through the love of Messiah. Together, let us remain faithful to the Scriptures, steadfast in love, and committed to proclaiming the hope of Yeshua until He comes.
Blessings from Nazareth,
Pastor Saleem Shalash