Specifically, a lesson on the history of Israel found in the Bible. To understand prophecy properly, we need to accurately understand Old Testament history. 

We must be aware of four major events in the story of God’s people.

1. The Exodus and the Possession of Canaan. The land had been promised to Abraham and his descendants. After years of slavery in Egypt, they finally left to take possession of the land. Because of their lack of faith, it takes forty years before Joshua leads the people into the land, and it becomes theirs, fulfilling the promise made to their forefathers.

2. The Captivity of Israel. God had told the people that his protection of them was conditional based on their obedience to the law. They did not keep it and were eventually taken captive, destroying Jerusalem. First, they were taken to Babylon, and then Medo-Persia captured it. The people of Israel would spend 70 years away from the land of their inheritance. Jeremiah sat and wept (Lamentations) as all this happened.

3. Return and Restoration. Eventually, the people would return to reestablish their kingdom and Jerusalem. They rebuilt a temple and started trying to follow the Old Testament and its laws again. This story is recorded in the books of Ezra and Nehemiah.

4. The Coming of the Messiah. While this part of the story continues onto the pages of the New Testament, the Messiah lives under the law until it is fulfilled in his death and resurrection. This action fulfilled the work of physical Israel (Acts 13:32; 28:20).

The purpose of the nation of Israel was to lead God’s people to the Messiah and establish a new spiritual kingdom of Israel. In this kingdom, the law is fulfilled, the veil has been torn in two, the people are the temple of God, there is no longer any separation between Jews and Gentiles, the people have their hearts circumcised (Rom. 2:28-29), and they live together as a “chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, and God’s special possession.” (1 Peter 2:9)

The followers of Jesus live in a special time today. We are no longer connected to a land but are bound to God in Jesus Christ. 

I thank God for the nation of Israel and pray that their people come to know Jesus as their Savior. He is their only hope … and ours.