In biblical times, the captain of Israel’s army was God. However, some of us argue that Christ Jesus never led Israel in any battle so he could not be the captain of Israel’s army. In our discussions, we intend to explore what Israel stands for; why God chose Israel among nations; and why Christ Jesus is the captain of Israel. Let us allow the Holy Spirit to continue to be our teacher.
What does Israel stand for?
Israel refers to God’s chosen nation and his chosen people. They did not choose God but rather God chose them not on merit but by God’s grace. In affirming God’s right of choice, Jesus said to his people in John 15: 16, you did not choose me but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask him in my name.
God chose Israel through Abraham. God told Abram (Abraham) in Genesis 12: 1-3, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and I the one who curses you I will curse; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” God chose Israel because of Abraham’s heart of obedience to him.
God’s purpose for choosing Israel is echoed in Exodus 19: 5-6, if you obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession out of all the peoples. This is affirmed in Deuteronomy 7: 6; 14: 2. We cannot reject God’s choice simply because we do not like it. The bible says in 2 Chronicles 13:12, says O Israelites, do not fight against the LORD, the God of your ancestors; for you cannot succeed.” Jesus also said to Saul (later called Paul) in Acts 26: 14, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It hurts you to kick against the goads.” We are all chosen by God’s grace for a reason. What we need to do is to ask God for the reason and to live it, not to condemn others.
Is there any other Israel?
There are two of them, the physical Israel which God promised to Abraham, and the spiritual Israel which we will discuss here. As said earlier Israel came to existence because of Abraham’s obedience to God’s covenant with him. Upon disobedience to God, Israel will not find God’s favour as he promised unless they repent and return to God. This made Israel to be not only a physical nation but a spiritual nation whose head and owner is the Lord God Almighty.
The Spiritual Israel is therefore God’s people all over the world who are faithful to his word with humility. All who are called by God and have washed their robes in the blood of Jesus Christ are citizens of Spiritual Israel. Paul said in Romans 10: 12, for there is no distinction between Jews and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all and is generous to all who call on him. He repeated in 1 Corinthians 12: 13, for in the one Spirit we were all baptized into one body– Jews or Greeks, slaves or free–and we were all made to drink of one Spirit. Citizenship of Spiritual Israel is by the blood of Christ Jesus by faith.
Peter said in Acts 15: 9 and in cleansing their hearts by faith he (Christ Jesus) has made no distinction between them and us. Read also what Paul said in Galatians 3: 28; Colossians 3: 11. If anyone lives in Christ, he or she shares the identity of Christ Jesus which is common to all believers without any distinction. Paul said in 2 Corinthians 5: 17, so if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation; everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new! New creation makes for new citizenship.
What battle(s) did Jesus captain?
Christ Jesus was with God since the creation of the world and together created all things, visible and invisible. John 1: 3 says all things came into being through him (Jesus), and without him not one thing came into being. So, all conquest of Israel was not without him. Aside this, the bible says in Matthew 28: 18, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Conquests and defeat therefore come from Christ Jesus so his role is not in doubt.
Jesus continues to lead in battle till his second coming. His battles are however spiritual battles which must be fought only spiritually. Paul said in Ephesians 6: 12 for our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Our greatest battles are spiritual battles and Christ Jesus is the captain of our army.
The Apostle Paul rightly said in Colossians 2: 15, he disarmed the rulers and authorities triumphing over them. John wrote in Revelation 12: 11, but they have conquered him (Satan) by the blood of the Lamb (Christ Jesus) and by the word of their testimony, for they did not cling to life even in the face of death. in Luke 4: 18, Christ Jesus died on the cross to set spiritual captives free in a fierce battle for the soul. Will we invite him to set us free from the spiritual shackles and darkness in which we are?
What battle(s) did Jesus conquer?
Jesus has conquered and will conquer every battle that is waged against God’s interest and purpose. Paul’s battles were Jesus’ battles so Paul said in Romans 8: 36-37, for your sake we are being killed all day long; we are accounted as sheep to be slaughtered. No, in all these we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. The unbelievers fought against Paul physically but he won spiritually. Christ Jesus gave Paul the grace to withstand Satan’s lethal aggression against the church.
Christ Jesus is quoted in 2 Corinthians 12: 9, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.” This shows that we cannot fight alone except by the grace of God through the blood of Christ Jesus. This is what enabled Paul to finish the fight and run a good race to the finish to receive a awaiting crown. We pray we all be able to invite the power of Christ to enable us to win our battles.
What battle(s) do we face in this life? Who is our captain in battle? May Christ Jesus be our eternal captain for he will never fail? No matter the circumstances, let us turn to Jesus. Jesus is ready to set us free as spiritual captives from Satan. 1 Peter 5: 7 says cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you. Jesus won the greatest battle for our souls. It is written in 1 Corinthians 15: 54-55, “Death has been swallowed up in victory.” “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” Let us thank God who has given us victory through Christ Jesus.
Prayer
Dear Lord Jesus, you remain the unfailing captain of our lives’ battles. We call on you to rescue our souls from perishing in sin. Prepare our hearts so we may be victorious in you and reign with you in eternity when you come. Keep us washing our robes in your blood by grace. By your conquest, make us faithful to the cross on which you died and rose again in glory and honour. Thou captain of our souls, hear us in your holy name, Amen!!
