The Purpose of Israel

And it shall come to pass
That just as you were a curse among the nations,
O house of Judah and house of Israel,
So I will save you, and you shall be a blessing.
Do not fear,
Let your hands be strong.' Zechariah 8:13 NKJV

Why create a nation?

• Preserve a culture, way of life (the law), and history
• Allow for specific prophecy concerning the Messiah

Bible verses tracing "the Seed"

• Genesis 3:15 (Prophesy)
• Genesis 4:25 (Seth)
• Genesis 21:12 (Isaac)
• Genesis 22:18; 26:4 (blessing the nations)
• Acts 3:25
• Acts 13:23 (Jesus)
• Romans 1:3
• Romans 9
• Galatians 3:16,19,29
• 1 John 3:9

Significance of the Seed
In the episode, I discus the fact that this Seed is a reference to the Messiah, Who brings salvation to the world. However, there is a deeper layer that I did not get a chance to cover. Seed represents reproduction. Not only is the Messiah a descendant of Eve, as prophesied, but He sent the Holy Spirit to reproduce His character in us. We are in turn supposed to sow seed in His image. Wee see this metaphor of seed continuing in The Parable of the Sower (Matthew 13).

Indeed He says,
‘It is too small a thing that You should be My Servant
To raise up the tribes of Jacob,
And to restore the preserved ones of Israel;
I will also give You as a light to the Gentiles,
That You should be My salvation to the ends of the earth.’ Isaiah 49:6 NKJV