The apostle Paul reassures both Jews and Gentiles that Papa has not forsaken Israel, despite her current rejection of Jesus as the Messiah. At the end of this age, the Jewish people as a whole WILL embrace Jesus as their deliverer. Thus consummating the Mount Sinai covenant.
Paul encourages both Jews and Gentiles to accept and support Papa’s plan for Israel’s redemption. Even if it sounds counter intuitive.
My brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be in the dark about this mystery. I am going to let you in on the plan so that you will not think too highly of yourselves.
A part of Israel has been hardened to the good news until the full number of those outside the Jewish family have entered in. This is the way that all of Israel will be saved as it was written, so it also stands.
The Deliverer will come from Zion. He will drive away wickedness from Jacob. This is My covenant promise to them. On the day when I take away their sins.
It may seem strange when it comes to the work of the Gospel. The fact that they oppose it is actually for your benefit. But when you factor in God’s election. They are truly loved because they descended from faithful forefathers.
You see, when God gives a grace gift and issues a call to a people. He does not change His mind and take it back.
There was a time when you outsiders were disobedient to God and at odds with His purpose. But now you have experienced mercy as a result of their disobedience. In the same way, their disobedience now will make a way for them to receive mercy as a result of the mercy shown to you. Romans 11:25-31
Although Israel’s sin will be judged. Papa will ultimately restore her to fellowship with Him as Ezekiel prophesied.
I will plant a new heart and new spirit inside of you. I will take out your stubborn, stony heart and give you a willing, tender heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit inside of you and inspire you to live by My statutes and follow My laws.
Then you will live in the same land I gave your ancestors. You will be My people, and I will be your God.
I will rescue you from your impurity. I will summon the grain to produce large harvests and never bring a famine upon you again. I will increase your harvests of fruit and grain. So that you will never have to face the disgrace of famine again among the nations. Ezekiel 36:26-30
Of all the nations in the world, why did Papa choose Israel to be His beloved? Knowing her inhabitants’ stubborn, stony hearts— disobedience would continually require His discipline. Knowing her spiritual disobedience— rebellion would keep her imprisoned in a vicious cycle of idolatry, sin and oppression, proceeded by repentance, deliverance and temporary peace.
Why?
So that Israel would showcase Papa’s glory and superiority. He alone…
Reigns over all of creation.
Establishes the rules of conduct in His kingdom.
IS THE GOD OF ALL gods!
Despite Israel’s apostasy, Papa has remained faithful to the covenant He initiated with Abraham. His anointed prophets warned the Jewish people of impending judgment if they didn’t turn from their wicked ways and repent.
Israel in eighth century B.C. was an economic, political and military giant. Misjudging the reason for her prosperity, the nation’s inhabitants were wantonly disobedient. Angered by ;her unrighteousness, Papa sent the prophet Amos to warn the nation of pending judgment.
No longer would the unrepentant observance of feast days, sacred assemblies or religious rituals be ignored. Unless the Hebrews repented and lived righteously, they would be disciplined.
Nevertheless, Papa’s counsel fell upon deaf ears. Which in retrospect isn’t surprising. Historically, the positive impact of Papa’s discipline was temporary at best. Despite drought, disease, military defeats and foreign oppression, Israel was incapable of righteous living on an ongoing basis.
Foolishly forgetting that Papa is a jealous and avenging God. Protecting and demanding what is rightfully and uniquely His. The Lord avenges, and He is full of wrath. The Lord takes vengeance on His adversaries, and He reserves wrath for His enemies.
The Lord is slow to anger and great in power. He will by no means leave the guilty unpunished. Nahum 1:2-3
He has His eyes on every man and woman. He doesn’t miss a trick. There is no night dark enough, no shadow deep enough, to hide those who do evil.
God doesn’t need to gather any more evidence. Their sin is an open and shut case. He deposes the so called high and mighty without asking questions and replaces them at once with others. Nobody gets by with anything. Overnight, judgment is signed, sealed and delivered. He punishes the wicked for their wickedness out in the open where everyone can see it, Because they quit following Him, no longer even thought about Him or His ways. Their apostasy was announced by the cry of the poor. The cry of the afflicted got God’s attention. Job 34:21-28
The Hebrews’ insatiable appetite for self-gratification had replaced their duty to live righteously so that their lives honored the God of Israel. They…
No longer obeyed Papa’s commandment to love the poor and the foreigners living in their land.
Defiling themselves by participating in worship services at the shrines of foreign idols.
Embraced adulterous relationships and promiscuity.
Endorsed slander, usury and bribery as fundamental business practices.
The Hebrews were children of the God of Israel in name only.
Despite Papa’s prophetic warning, Israel didn’t repent and sealed their fate. A fate no one anticipated.
Look, the eyes of the Lord God are on the sinful kingdom, and I will destroy it from the face of the earth. However, I will not totally destroy the house of Jacob. This is the Lord’s declaration. For I am about to give the command, and I will shake the house of Israel among all the nations, as one shakes a sieve, but not a pebble will fall to the ground. All the sinners among My people who say: “Disaster will never overtake or confront us,” will die by the sword. Amos 9:6-10
This sifting began approximately thirty years later when the Assyrians conquered Israel. The first of a succession of foreign nations that would govern Israel until her independence in May of 1948.
Although a remnant of Jews continually resided in Israel during the centuries of foreign occupation. Many Jews were deported to Roman colonies following the fall of Jerusalem in 70 A.D. This deportation— the Diaspora, relocated Jews to Roman settlements on the coasts of the Black Sea, the Mediterranean Sea and the Greek Islands. Jews also fled to northern Europe and eastward.
Thankfully for the nation of Israel, Papa included in the prophecy a promise of His unfailing love and mercy:
“In that day I will restore the fallen house of David. I will repair its damaged walls. From the ruins I will rebuild it and restore its former glory. Israel will possess what is left of Edom and all the nations I have called to be Mine.”
The Lord has spoken, and He will do these things.
“The time will come,” says the Lord, “when the grain and grapes will grow faster than they can be harvested.
Then the terraced vineyards on the hills of Israel will drip with sweet wine. ! will bring My exiled people of Israel back from distant lands, and they will rebuild their ruined cities and live in them again. They will plant vineyards and gardens. They will eat their crops and drink their wine. I will firmly plant them there in their own land. They will never again be uprooted from the land I have given them,” says the Lord your God. Amos 9:11-15
Yes, the day is quickly approaching when the entirety of the prophecy will be fulfilled.
letsloveothers 