Who is Israel?

In 2020 the world is full of people attempting to elevate themselves and their race by claiming to be the True Israel. The level of scriptural ignorance among people in general is almost as criminal as people teaching their own ignorance and preying on the more ignorant people. A small amount of African Americans say they are the true Israelites, a small amount of Aryans ‘Christian identity’ groups say they are Israel, Mormons say Native Americans are True Israel, and of course Jews say they are true Israel. Most people believe Jews to be true Israel, however, recent DNA comparrisons between ancient Israeli DNA and the DNA of Jews, does not match. Jewish DNA matches Canaanite DNA.

National Geographic : DNA from the Bible’s Canaanites lives on in modern Arabs and Jews

They all believe ‘Israel’ is a race of people connected by being a descendant of Abraham and Jacob, Jacob being renamed Israel by God. After Jacob, renamed “Israel”, had 12 sons, the nation of Israel was formed. And at that moment it would appear that an Israelite is anyone descended from Jacob/Israel. But as we will see, it was never their relationship to Jacob/Israel that made them an Israelite, it was their obedience to YHWH. Those who are obedient to YHWH are in his Covenant. According to the law a person who was not descended from Jacob could become Israel. And a person who was a descendent of Israel, his soul could be cut off from Israel.

The Ger

The Ger was a convert into the covenant of YHWH. The word Ger is attached directly to the descendent of Jacob/Israel, and the later converts not related to Jacob/Israel. It’s essential that you remember a Ger is not a convert into Judaism, but a convert into YHWH’s covenant. Those in covenant were called “Israel”. A Ger is an Israelite.

The first time Ger is used is of Abraham’s seed:

And he said unto Abram, “Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a Ger in a land that is not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years” – Genesis 15:13 KJV

The Second time Abraham calls himself a Ger:

“I am a Ger and a sojourner with you: give me a possession of a burying place with you, that I may bury my dead out of my sight.” – Genesis 23:4 KJV

After Sinai the word began to mean someone in covenant with YHWH who was not born in Israel. In these passages YHWH through Moses is saying the Ger keeps the same covenant as those who were born in Israel. 

Seven days shall there be no leaven found in your houses: for whosoever eateth that which is leavened, even that soul shall be cut off from the congregation of Israel, whether he be a Ger or born in the land. – Exodus 12:19 KJV


And when a Ger shall sojourn with thee, and will keep the passover to the LORD, let all his males be circumcised, and then let him come near and keep it; and he shall be as one that is born in the land: for no uncircumcised person shall eat thereof. – Exodus 12:48 KJV

One law shall be to him that is homeborn, and unto the Ger that sojourneth among you. – Exodus 12:49 KJV

The people who were born in Israel began to be prejudiced against those who are coming into the land and entering the covenant. The idea started to form that an Israelite is only a person who is descended from Jacob/Israel. So YHWH through Moses reminds them, that at one time they were new in the covenant, and a new person in the covenant is a Ger.

Thou shalt neither vex a Ger, nor oppress him: for ye were Ger in the land of Egypt. – Exodus 22:21
Also thou shalt not oppress a Ger: for ye know the heart of a Ger, seeing ye were Ger in the land of Egypt. – Exodus 23:9

An Israelite’s Soul can be Cut Off from the nation of Israel:

If it is true that an Israelite is simply a descendant of Jacob/Israel, then breaking the Covenant wouldn’t change that. But as we will see, breaking the Covenant, cuts the soul off who was once considered an Israelite. When your soul is cut off, you are no longer in the Nation of Israel. KEY POINT: Your actions cause you to enter Israel, and your actions cause you to be cut off from Israel. You DNA, you family tree, means nothing.

Exodus 12:15 KJV
Seven days shall ye eat unleavened bread; even the first day ye shall put away leaven out of your houses: for whosoever eateth leavened bread from the first day until the seventh day, that soul shall be cut off from Israel.

Exodus 12:19 KJV
Seven days shall there be no leaven found in your houses: for whosoever eateth that which is leavened, even that soul shall be cut off from the congregation of Israel, whether he be a Ger, or born in the land.

Exodus 31:14 KJV
Ye shall keep the sabbath therefore; for it is holy unto you: every one that defileth it shall surely be put to death: for whosoever doeth any work therein, that soul shall be cut off from among his people.

Leviticus 7:27 KJV
Whatsoever soul it be that eateth any manner of blood, even that soul shall be cut off from his people.

Who did Jesus say was Israel? Who was his family?

Jesus came for everyone in Covenant with YHWH. That includes people who were not Jews. One of his Disciples was a Canaanite, Simon the Canaanite. But Simon was in Covenant with YHWH, and Jesus came to him, because Simon is Israel. [Matthew 10.4, Mark 3.18]. Also remember Ruth was a Moabitess.

Matthew 15:24 KJV – But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

 Matthew 12:46-50 KJV – While he yet talked to the people, behold, his mother and his brethren stood without, desiring to speak with him. Then one said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee. But he answered and said unto him that told him, Who is my mother? and who are my brethren? And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren! For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.

John the Baptist & Jesus speak to Abraham’s descendants:

The Pharisees, and many other people over time, used their relation to Jacob/Israel to claim authority over people. It was a matter of pride with them. But John the Baptist, who is Elijah, mocked them:

Luke 3:8 KJV – Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, That God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.

Again, we see what people do and dont do determines whether or not they are in Israel.

Jesus warns them that the Kingdom of God, i.e. The Church, will replace them:

Matthew 21:43 KJV – Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.

And he also tells a Roman soldier that he will be in the Kingdom with Abraham and Jacob, and the sons, but the Children of the Kingdom, will be cast away.

Matthew 8:11-12 KJV – And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven. But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.