Conversion and the History of Israel

Almost everyone today emphasizes that in the Bible we have a story, and that is absolutely true. This story is often characterized as the story of Creation, the Fall, Redemption, and the New Creation. It moves from creation to new creation.

How does conversion fit into this story? It belongs to the part that deals with redemption.

Of course, conversion is not the central theme of this story—the purpose for which a person is converted is central, as is the purpose for which we were created. As the Westminster Confession states, we were created «to glorify God and enjoy him forever.» The new world is coming, and there we will reign with Christ forever, and we will see his face (Rev. 22:4).

At the same time, conversion is fundamental to this story, for without it we will not be part of God’s new creation. And it is quite clear from the biblical narrative that we will forever praise God in the heavenly city for having redeemed us, for having saved us from the power of darkness and brought us into the Kingdom of His beloved Son. We will never forget the decisive, saving action of God in our lives through the cross and resurrection of Christ. This will always be central to our praise.

Since the story of Israel occupies most of the Bible's plot, I want to provide a brief outline that demonstrates why conversion is fundamental to this story.

Conversion and the History of Israel

The history of Israel actually begins with Adam. Adam and Eve were created to bring glory to God by ruling the world for Him (Gen. 1:26-28). They were to be His viceregents. But they rebelled against God’s rulership, worshipping themselves as creatures instead of praising and thanking the Creator. As a result of their disobedience, they died (Gen. 2:17). They were separated from God from the moment of their sin and were guaranteed eternal death unless they repented.

After their sin, Adam and Eve’s primary need was repentance. They could not rule the world for God and spread His blessings on the earth unless they were in right relationship with Him.

God, however, promised that the seed of the woman would overcome the serpent (Gen. 3:15). The early stages of human history demonstrate the radical evil of humans. All humans come into the world as sons and daughters of Adam (Rom. 5:12-19) and descendants of the serpent (Matt. 13:37-38). Only those who experience God’s saving grace will be delivered from Satan’s power. For example, Cain showed which side he was on by murdering righteous Abel (Gen. 4:1-16).

How strong were the forces of evil? In Noah’s day there were only eight righteous people left in the world! People were radically evil, and Genesis 6:5 shows the prevalence of sin. The dispersion and judgment of mankind at Babel (Gen. 11:1-9) shows that a new creation was not on the horizon. A new creation could not come about without a new heart.

The scattering and judgment of mankind at Babel was contrasted with the calling of Abraham (Gen. 12:1-3). Again, one man appeared in an evil world, called by God and promised blessing. Canaan was to be the new Eden, and Abraham was the new Adam. Abraham's children were to become children of God, and the blessing given to Abraham was to eventually extend to the whole world.

The books of Exodus and Deuteronomy continue the story, describing Israel’s deliverance from Egyptian slavery. The Lord delivered them from Egypt to bring them into a kind of new Eden, the land of Canaan. But the generation that came out of Egypt never entered that land (Num. 14:20-38). They refused to trust God’s promise. Most of the Israelites who were saved from Egypt proved stubborn and disobedient (cf. 1 Cor. 10:1-12; Heb. 3:7-4:11). Their hearts needed circumcision—conversion—so that they could love and fear the Lord (Deut. 30:6).

The children who came after a generation in the wilderness succeeded where the previous generation had failed. Joshua and Israel trusted and obeyed the Lord, inheriting the land of Canaan (Joshua 21:45). But the submission was short-lived. According to the book of Judges, Israel did not become a blessing to the nations, but instead imitated them. They returned to pagan customs.

What was Israel to do? Israel desired a king (1 Sam. 8:5). When Saul was appointed king, he, like Adam, rebelled against the Lord and was removed from the throne. God then anointed David, who was a man after God’s own heart. However, David’s adultery with Bathsheba demonstrated that he would not be that mediator (2 Sam. 11). When Solomon ascended the throne, it seemed that the paradise of the new creation was about to come, but he turned away from the Lord and turned to idolatry (1 Sam. 11). As a result, the nation was divided and eventually exiled: Israel by the Assyrians (722 B.C.E.) and Judah by the Babylonians (586 B.C.E.).

Why was Israel exiled? The prophets repeat that Israel was exiled because of its sins (e.g., Isa. 42:24-25). In the book of Isaiah, the Lord promises a new exodus and a new creation. But the new exodus and the new creation can only come through the forgiveness of sins (Isa. 43:25; 44:22), and this forgiveness will become a reality through the death of the Servant of the Lord (Isa. 52:13-53:12).

Jeremiah prophesies that a New Covenant will come, in which the Lord will write His law on the hearts of His people, enabling them to obey Him (Jer. 31:31-34). Similarly, the book of Ezekiel looks forward to the day when the Lord will cleanse His people from sin, take away their stony hearts, and give them a heart of flesh (Ezek. 36:25-27). Their changed hearts will be the result of the work of the Holy Spirit.

Israel returned from exile in 536 BC, but the great promises found in the prophets had not been fully realized. The promised work of the Spirit had not yet taken place. They were waiting for a King. They were waiting for the coming of a new creation.

There is no blessing for Israel and the world without conversion.

The history of Israel shows that the new creation and the new exodus cannot be experienced without the forgiveness of sins and a circumcised heart. The promises made to Abraham were not realized because of Israel's sin and rebellion. Israel was in dire need of the forgiveness of their sins (through the Sufferer) and the supernatural work of the Holy Spirit for salvation.

Conversion is a fundamental element of Israel's history, as the blessings promised to Israel and the entire world will never be theirs without conversion.