“I ask, then, has God rejected his people? By no means! For I myself am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, a member of the tribe of Benjamin.” Romans 11:1
October 18, 2023
Is it not amazing that Israel, after God calling her into existence over 3000 years ago, occupies the world’s attention? How does one explain the Jewish nation? Think about it. Most of the Old Testament is about Israel. Jesus was a Jew. His twelve disciples were Jews. The apostle Paul was a converted Jew. The early church started as mostly Jewish. Israel knew that the whole earth was to be blessed through her according to the Abrahamic covenant (Gen. 12:1-3). Yet Israel’s rejection of her Messiah was a puzzle. But this was no surprise to God. Is God through with the Jew? Absolutely not. The setting aside of Israel and the building of the church does not mean that the rejection of the Jews was either total or final. This is the theme of Romans 11. There is going to be an Israelite recovery in the future, which will itself lead to blessing for the whole world. One witness to this fact is the existence of a believing remnant of Jews (Rom. 11:1-6). The gospel is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, “to the Jew first and also to the Greek (Gentiles)” (Rom. 1:16). Do you know personally any Jews? It may be your doctor or some well known person. Pray for them that they will come to know Jesus Christ as their Messiah. How do we know God’s purposes for Israel have not failed? The remnant! Have you seen grace lately? Paul is one example, Acts 9:1-18.
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“O God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, I pray for the nation of Israel and Jewish people everywhere. Protect Israel from those who are trying to destroy her.”