Israel, in the Hebrew language, literally means “Champion of God” (From the Book, ‘Wisdom of Israel’). Israel was the name given to Jacob when he ‘prevailed with God’ at Penuel in the wilderness. Jacob (Israel) was the son of Isaac who was the son of the great Abraham. Israel had twelve sons who eventually became known as the ‘twelve tribes of Israel.’ God promised them the land, known then, as Canaan where they later lived for centuries.
During Old and New Testament times, there are references to things that early Israelites considered to be ‘Unclean.’ In Old Testament times it primarily had to do with the processing of food and various health related issues, while in New Testament times it also had to do with a person’s heritage. Both the people of Samara and those who were not descended from the tribes of Israel were referred to as Gentiles, and considered to be unclean. Israelites had a great deal of pride in their heritage. They were “God’s children.” In Old Testament times, the Great Jehovah led them and protected them when they were righteous and punished them when disobedient. He spoke to their prophets and led them to the promised land. We have inherited many good and even great things from them, for example, they gave us the Holy Bible, the most widely distributed, read and quoted book in the history of mankind. Their greatest gift to us was the Saviour, Jesus Christ, Himself, for he descended from Israel’s son, Judah.
The Jews, in Christ’s time, rejected Him and because of that and certain of their customs they, too, have been a rejected people wherever they go. Members of the tribes of Israel, in our day, are all referred to as Jews or Jewish. In a few nations they have been severely persecuted (Nazi Germany) for example, and almost annihilated. In many parts of the world, even today, they are often avoided and/or boycotted.
Even so! Is there a reason that someone, in our day, would want to be known as an Israelite (Jew)? I can think of one very important reason. That reason is because of that historic and prophetic blessing given to Abraham by God Himself and passed on to Isaac, Jacob, Joseph and Joseph’s two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh. It is the greatest blessing ever pronounced on man by God, a blessing that you and I can qualify for and become partakers of. But it will mean nothing to us unless we first understand it. In section 2 of the Doctrine and Covenants, the Angel Moroni declared: “Behold, I will reveal unto you the Priesthood, by the hand of Elijah the prophet, before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord. And he shall plant in the hearts of the children the promises made to the fathers, and the hearts of the children shall turn to their fathers. If it were not so, the whole earth would be utterly wasted at his coming.”
Elijah did come shortly thereafter, and he did restore the Priesthood, but, for some reason, he has had difficulty in planting those promises (blessings) made to Abraham into our hearts, the hearts of his children.
The blessing included the following promises:
1. His posterity would be numerous.
2. His seed, or descendants, would receive the gospel and bear the priesthood.
3. Through the ministry of his seed, “all the families of the earth [would] be blessed, even with the blessings of the Gospel, which are the blessings of salvation, even of life eternal.”
4. As many as receive this Gospel shall be called after thy name, (Abraham/Israel) and shall be accounted thy seed, and shall rise up and bless thee, as their father. (see Genesis 17:5-6; Abraham 2:9;3:14, 2:10, 11).
That blessing is later referred to in (Malachi 4:6) and more clearly in (D&C2) stating that Elijah will“…plant in the hearts of the children the promises made to the fathers and the hearts of the children shall turn to their fathers. If it were not so the whole earth would be wasted at his coming.” Those important promises have been planted in many hearts and are beginning to sprout throughout the church and around the world. As a result, the hearts of our children are beginning to turn to their fathers through family history and Temple ordinance work. If you have received the Gospel you are an Israelite for: “As many as receive this Gospel shall be called after thy name, and shall be accounted thy seed.” That is the name of ‘Israel.’ Why might you want to have that name? Because the work and the glory of the Father is, “…to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.” (Moses 1:39) The fulfillment of that promise was assigned to none other than Israel, “Thou art my servant, O Israel, in whom I will be glorified.” (Isaiah 49:3) The Father added; “I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my Salvation unto the end of the earth.” (Isaiah 49:6) If you have received this gospel you are an ‘Israelite,’ the seed of Abraham, and God has called you to the work. The field is white already to harvest. Remember: faith, hope, charity and love, with an eye single to the Glory of God, qualify us for the work. (D&C 4) Let us all roll up our sleeves.