Uploaded April 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 days ago
Does the modern state of Israel have any real connection to biblical Israel?
In this episode of The Bible Sojourner, Peter Goeman works through that question by interacting with an article by Dr. Mike Vlach on the relationship between modern Israel and Israel in Scripture. The discussion addresses a major issue in current theology and culture: when people claim that modern Israel has no meaningful connection to biblical Israel, does that claim actually fit with the Bible’s own storyline?
This episode walks through key biblical categories for understanding Israel as an ethnic, national, and territorial people. It also explains the purpose of Israel’s election, the importance of the faithful remnant, the covenant pattern of rebellion, exile, and restoration, and why passages like Leviticus 26, Deuteronomy 28–30, Jeremiah 31, Ezekiel 20, Matthew 19, Acts 3, and Romans 11 are so important in this discussion.
Peter also makes an important clarification: the establishment of the modern state of Israel in 1948 did not create Israel as a people, nor does it automatically equal the fulfillment of every prophetic promise. At the same time, the continued existence of the Jewish people and their presence in the land does matter and should not be dismissed lightly.
Topics discussed include:
- Is Israel in the Bible primarily ethnic, national, territorial, or spiritual?
- What is the purpose of Israel in God’s redemptive plan?
- How should Christians think about the remnant within Israel?
- Does exile mean Israel lost its national identity?
- What does the modern state of Israel mean, and what does it not mean?
- At what point, if ever, would Israel cease to be a nation in God’s plan?
If you enjoy biblical theology, eschatology, and careful engagement with Scripture, this episode will help you think more clearly about one of the most debated issues of our time.
Links mentioned in this episode include Dr. Mike Vlach’s article and books on the Bible’s storyline and Israel’s place within it.
1. Vlach's Article: michaeljvlach.com/blog/modern-israel-and-israel-in-the-bible-clarifying-the-relationship
2. Vlach's Bible Storyline Book: amazon.com/Bible-Storyline-Unstoppable-Creation-Establish/dp/0979853982
3. Vlach's Israel in God's Storyline Book: amazon.com/Israel-Bibles-Storyline-Genesis-Revelation/dp/B0GSZJGV9Z
4. Video that contains discussion on Jewish DNA issue: youtu.be/KofqCqKqeGw?t=3743
Chapter titles
00:00 — Does Modern Israel Connect to Biblical Israel?
00:27 — Why This Question Matters Right Now
01:41 — Mike Vlach’s Article and Why It Helps
03:19 — Two Helpful Books on the Bible’s Storyline
05:24 — Start with Scripture, Not Red Herrings
07:39 — Israel as an Ethnic, National, and Territorial People
13:06 — Why God Chose Israel in the First Place
18:21 — Israel as a Transgenerational People
21:26 — God’s Promise That Israel Will Endure
24:13 — The Remnant Within Israel
28:55 — The Covenant Pattern: Sin, Exile, Restoration
40:23 — So How Does This Relate to Modern Israel?
41:12 — Why 1948 Matters, and Why It Is Not Everything
48:33 — Key Features of the Modern State of Israel
51:10 — Is Modern Israel Connected to Biblical Israel?
54:07 — The Big Challenge to “Replacement” or “Fulfillment” Claims
57:25 — Final Thoughts on Israel, Prophecy, and the Future
Shepherds Theological Seminary (where Peter Goeman teaches): https://shepherds.edu/
The Bible Sojourner Audio podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-bible-sojourner
More About The Bible Sojourner Host, Peter Goeman: petergoeman.com
Does the modern state of Israel have any real connection to biblical Israel?
In this episode of The Bible Sojourner, Peter Goeman works through that question by interacting with an article by Dr. Mike Vlach on the relationship between modern Israel and Israel in Scripture. The discussion addresses a major issue in current theology and culture: when people claim that modern Israel has no meaningful connection to biblical Israel, does that claim actually fit with the Bible’s own storyline?
This episode walks through key biblical categories for understanding Israel as an ethnic, national, and territorial people. It also explains the purpose of Israel’s election, the importance of the faithful remnant, the covenant pattern of rebellion, exile, and restoration, and why passages like Leviticus 26, Deuteronomy 28–30, Jeremiah 31, Ezekiel 20, Matthew 19, Acts 3, and Romans 11 are so important in this discussion.
Peter also makes an important clarification: the establishment of the modern state of Israel in 1948 did not create Israel as a people, nor does it automatically equal the fulfillment of every prophetic promise. At the same time, the continued existence of the Jewish people and their presence in the land does matter and should not be dismissed lightly.
Topics discussed include:
- Is Israel in the Bible primarily ethnic, national, territorial, or spiritual?
- What is the purpose of Israel in God’s redemptive plan?
- How should Christians think about the remnant within Israel?
- Does exile mean Israel lost its national identity?
- What does the modern state of Israel mean, and what does it not mean?
- At what point, if ever, would Israel cease to be a nation in God’s plan?
If you enjoy biblical theology, eschatology, and careful engagement with Scripture, this episode will help you think more clearly about one of the most debated issues of our time.
Links mentioned in this episode include Dr. Mike Vlach’s article and books on the Bible’s storyline and Israel’s place within it.
1. Vlach's Article: michaeljvlach.com/blog/modern-israel-and-israel-in-the-bible-clarifying-the-relationship
2. Vlach's Bible Storyline Book: amazon.com/Bible-Storyline-Unstoppable-Creation-Establish/dp/0979853982
3. Vlach's Israel in God's Storyline Book: amazon.com/Israel-Bibles-Storyline-Genesis-Revelation/dp/B0GSZJGV9Z
4. Video that contains discussion on Jewish DNA issue: youtu.be/KofqCqKqeGw?t=3743
Chapter titles
00:00 — Does Modern Israel Connect to Biblical Israel?
00:27 — Why This Question Matters Right Now
01:41 — Mike Vlach’s Article and Why It Helps
03:19 — Two Helpful Books on the Bible’s Storyline
05:24 — Start with Scripture, Not Red Herrings
07:39 — Israel as an Ethnic, National, and Territorial People
13:06 — Why God Chose Israel in the First Place
18:21 — Israel as a Transgenerational People
21:26 — God’s Promise That Israel Will Endure
24:13 — The Remnant Within Israel
28:55 — The Covenant Pattern: Sin, Exile, Restoration
40:23 — So How Does This Relate to Modern Israel?
41:12 — Why 1948 Matters, and Why It Is Not Everything
48:33 — Key Features of the Modern State of Israel
51:10 — Is Modern Israel Connected to Biblical Israel?
54:07 — The Big Challenge to “Replacement” or “Fulfillment” Claims
57:25 — Final Thoughts on Israel, Prophecy, and the Future
Shepherds Theological Seminary (where Peter Goeman teaches): https://shepherds.edu/
The Bible Sojourner Audio podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-bible-sojourner
More About The Bible Sojourner Host, Peter Goeman: petergoeman.com
