‘Moreover the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah, saying, “Have you not considered what these people have spoken, saying, ‘The two families which the Lord has chosen, He has also cast them off’? Thus they have despised My people, as if they should no more be a nation before them.’
Jeremiah 33:23-24
Introduction: In Jeremiah 33:23-24, we read about those who mock and despise God’s people, questioning His faithfulness to Israel. Some interpretations suggest that “these people” may refer to despairing Jews within Judah who doubted God’s promises during their time of suffering, while others see “these people” as Israel’s enemies. Regardless, the core issue is the same: doubt in God’s faithfulness to His chosen people. This mirrors a prevalent belief today within much of Christendom: Replacement Theology. This belief—that God has forsaken Israel and transferred His promises to the Church—not only distorts Scripture but also mocks God’s sovereignty and character.
The Unchanging Promises of God Scripture is clear that God’s covenant with Israel is eternal and irrevocable. In Jeremiah 33:25-26, God affirms:
“Thus says the Lord: ‘If My covenant is not with day and night, and if I have not appointed the ordinances of heaven and earth, then I will cast away the descendants of Jacob and David My servant, so that I will not take any of his descendants to be rulers over the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. For I will cause their captives to return, and will have mercy on them.’”
God ties His faithfulness to Israel to the very order of creation, underscoring the impossibility of breaking His promises.
Paul echoes this truth in Romans 11:1-2:
“I say then, has God cast away His people? Certainly not! For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. God has not cast away His people whom He foreknew.”
Yet, Replacement Theology persists, claiming that the Church has taken Israel’s place in God’s plan. This view directly contradicts God’s Word and diminishes His faithfulness.
The Flawed Assumptions of Replacement Theology Replacement Theology rests on a few critical errors:
- Denial of God’s Covenant: By claiming that Israel has been abandoned, this theology disregards the unconditional nature of God’s promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob:
“Now the Lord had said to Abram: ‘Get out of your country, from your family and from your father’s house, to a land that I will show you. I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.’” (Genesis 12:1-3)
“And I will establish My covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you in their generations, for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and your descendants after you. Also I give to you and your descendants after you the land in which you are a stranger, all the land of Canaan, as an everlasting possession; and I will be their God.” (Genesis 17:7-8)
- Making God a Liar: If God were to forsake Israel, He would contradict His own declarations of faithfulness. Malachi 3:6 reminds us: “For I am the Lord, I do not change.”
- Misinterpretation of Scripture: Replacement Theology often misapplies prophetic passages, interpreting promises to Israel as fulfilled in the Church while ignoring clear distinctions between the two.
- Fostering Pride and Antisemitism: Historically, this man-generated theory has fueled antisemitism, as it portrays the Jewish people as cursed or forsaken by God. This is a tragic distortion of the gospel’s message of love and reconciliation.
- The Mystery Revealed to Paul: A critical passage that underscores God’s ongoing plan for Israel is Romans 11:25:
“For I do not desire, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you should be wise in your own opinion, that blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in.”
This mystery, revealed uniquely to Paul, highlights two key truths:
- The Temporary Blinding of Israel: Israel’s rejection of their Messiah was neither unexpected nor permanent. God, in His sovereignty, preordained all of it, in His foreknowledge He knew what Israel would do. Even so He does not abandon His chosen people, but instead does something so mind boggling that only Scripture can describe it, ‘For I do not desire, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you should be wise in your own opinion, that blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in.’ Romans 11:25 What does God do? He committed all of Israel to disobedience, temporarily blinding them because their unbelief, so that He could open up the timeline and pour out His grace on all (both Jew and Gentile) apart from Israel, the law, works, and temple worship (Romans 11:32). Romans chapter 11 makes it so clear that there was no Gentile salvation until Paul who is the apostle to the Gentiles (Romans 11:13). From Abraham up until the apostle Paul there was no provision for Gentile salvation apart from becoming a proselyte to Judaism. Romans chapter 11 clearly explains what God had already pre-planned, culminating in verse 32 & 33; ‘For God has committed them all to disobedience, that He might have mercy on all. Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out!’ Romans 11:32-33.
- The Church Age: This period, referred to the apostle Paul as the dispensation of grace of God (Ephesians 3:1,2), is a distinct break in the Old Testament timeline. God’s dealings with the Gentiles apart from Israel, the law, and temple worship were previously hidden but are now (40 AD) revealed only through Paul’s writings.
Temporary means temporary. The blindness will last only “until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in,” signaling the completion of the Church, the Body of Christ. After this, God will resume His prophetic program with Israel.
Israel and the Church: Distinct but Unified in God’s Plan The Bible reveals that Israel and the Church are distinct yet interconnected in God’s redemptive plan. Israel remains God’s chosen nation (Romans 11:28-29), through whom the Messiah came. Meanwhile, the Church, composed of Jews and Gentiles united by faith alone in the death, burial, and resurrection, partakes (not given) in the blessings of God’s covenant with Israel (Romans 11:17-18).
‘And if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive tree, were grafted in among them, and with them became a partaker of the root and fatness of the olive tree, do not boast against the branches. But if you do boast, remember that you do not support the root, but the root supports you.’
God’s faithfulness to Israel is a testimony of His faithfulness to all His promises. If He were to abandon Israel, how could we trust Him to keep His promises to the Church? Thankfully, God’s character is unchanging, and His Word is true.
The Tragic Consequences of Replacement Theology
- Distortion of God’s Word: Replacement Theology leads to the misinterpretation of large portions of Scripture, especially prophetic passages.
- There is NO Scriptural Support for Replacement Theology: This theory was a fantasy made up by early Church fathers, fueled by a hatred for the Jewish people (the Christ-killers) and a lack of faith in God’s Word. They just could not take God at His word; that He would fulfill His promises.
- Undermining God’s Sovereignty: By denying Israel’s future restoration, this belief questions God’s ability to fulfill His Word.
- Fueling Antisemitism: Historically, Replacement Theology has justified persecution of the Jewish people, directly contradicting God’s warning in Romans 11:16-22.
‘For if the firstfruit is holy, the lump is also holy; and if the root (Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob) is holy, so are the branches (the Jewish people). And if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive tree, were grafted in among them, and with them became a partaker (not given ) of (what was promised and given to Israel) the root and fatness of the olive tree, do not boast against the branches. But if you do boast, remember that you (Gentiles) do not support the root, but the root (which is Israel that) supports you. You will say then, “Branches were broken off that I might be grafted in.” Well said. Because of unbelief they were broken off, and you stand (or partake and are saved Galatians 5:1) by faith (alone). Here’s the warning that 98% of Christendom ignores. Do not be haughty, but fear. For if God did not spare the natural branches, He may not spare you either. Therefore consider the goodness and severity of God: on those who fell, severity; but toward you, goodness, if you continue in His goodness. Otherwise you also will be cut off.’
Warning to grace age believers is clear! Do not be “high minded” filled with pride toward the Jewish people because they are the root and Church must be grateful that God has allowed us to be partakers of what He promised Israel. As believers, we must reject Replacement Theology and affirm the truth of God’s unchanging promises. The restoration of Israel—both spiritually and physically—is a cornerstone of all biblical prophecy (Ezekiel 37, Zechariah 12:10, Romans 11:26). By standing with Israel, we align ourselves with God’s redemptive plan and exercise our faith by believing that He will fulfill what He promised.
Conclusion The attitude of “these people” in Jeremiah’s time, whether it was despairing Jews within Judah or Israel’s enemies mocking God’s faithfulness, is no different from the anti-Christ-spirit behind Replacement Theology today. Today, there is an open hatred for the Jewish people and the nation of Israel. Both deny the truth of God’s Word and seek to undermine His character. But God remains faithful. His covenant with Israel is as secure as the rising and setting of the sun. Let us stand firm in proclaiming this truth, defending God’s faithfulness, and awaiting the fulfillment of His glorious promises to both the body of Christ and the nation of Israel.
