1. God's dealings with Israel reveal the nature and attributes of God (Rom. 9–11; cf. Rom. 11:22 – "behold the kindness and severity of God").
   
   
2. God's dealings with Israel form a basis from which God communicated His will to all men at all times.
   
   
3. God's dealings with Israel illustrate the sinfulness of man and divine grace (in Israel as well as in the nations).
   
   
4. God's dealings with Israel reveal the depths of His wisdom (Ro. 11:33–35).
   
   
5. Judgment and salvation (deliverance). These motifs run continuously throughout Israel's history.
   
   

ITEM FOR REFLECTION: Do things that apply to nations apply to individuals? Can we take God's promises and warnings to Israel or the nations and apply them to ourselves or others?

This is a difficult matter and would be worthy of a dissertation. On the whole, I believe it is best not to apply national promises and warnings to individuals. Example: the term "backsliding" is used exclusively to apostate Israel and never to individuals. On the other hand, God's promises and warnings may indeed be valid illustrations of God's dealings with individuals insofar as they are coupled with verses dealing with personal promises or warnings.