Christianity has it's roots in Judaism, and therefore in the country of Israel. The start of it outside of creation was when God directly spoke to Abraham, telling Abraham that one day he would be father of so many that no one would know how many he was father of. Abraham then had a son, and consequently many descendants who make up the Jewish people today.

The Old Testament has much to do with Israel's history as a nation. I and II Samuel, I and II Kings, and I and II Chronicles, the first five books of the Bible, as well as the the smaller books of Esther and Daniel, talk about the history of Israel. The other books were all written by Jewish people.

So, why is Israel given emphasis in the Bible? God said that Israel would be blessed for two reasons. The first was that God had revealed to them certain things and they promised that they and their descendants would follow them as long as they lived in Israel. If one reads the laws of Israel, they will see that the standards are quite high.

The second reason, and probably the more important of the two, was that they would bring the Messiah into the world. God had chosen Israel to bring Jesus Christ into the world to die for our sins. He set apart a people, knowing what they would do to Jesus and chose them. For doing this, and essentially saving all mankind, God has blessed them.

Because of this, God promises to bless all that bless Israel and curse those that curse it.

Numbers 24:9 - He couched, he lay down as a lion, and as a great lion: who shall stir him up? Blessed is he that blesseth thee, and cursed is he that curseth thee.

And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.

Israel is still important to God today. The people of Israel were drive out by force from their land by the Roman empire and scattered across the world, as was prophesied in Hosea. God promised thought hat one day, they would be a nation again, as they are now.

Hosea 3:4-5 For the children of Israel shall abide many days without a king, and without a prince, and without a sacrifice, and without an image, and without an ephod, and without teraphim: Afterward shall the children of Israel return, and seek the LORD their God, and David their king; and shall fear the LORD and his goodness in the latter days.

Should we still respect the nation of Israel today? God says that Christians are not to disregard it, for God still has plans for it and keeps the covenant with them. Jewish people can still be saved, and God still regards Israel as a nation in their own right.

Romans 11:1 - I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.

Ezekiel 39:27-28 - When I have brought them again from the people, and gathered them out of their enemies' lands, and am sanctified in them in the sight of many nations;Then shall they know that I am the Lord their God, which caused them to be led into captivity among the heathen: but I have gathered them unto their own land, and have left none of them any more there.

Zephaniah 3:20 -At that time will I bring you again, even in the time that I gather you: for I will make you a name and a praise among all people of the earth, when I turn back your captivity before your eyes, saith the Lord.