17/02/2024
*ARE THE JEWS THE MOST IMPORTANT NATION ON EARTH?*
*If so, why so?* The war-problem between Israel and Palestine should actually force some people to stretch their minds...
Often New Testament Believers of today would *quote Bible verses* saying that the 'Jews are still God's chosen people of today' and that 'they are like the Apple of His eye...' In the *Old Testament* we see God calling a people group together to worship Him and in return to be blessed by Him. The Germans killed so many of them and all over the world, for ages now, they are being mocked, belittled and persecuted, *regardless* of their achievements and successes...
And yes, the Bible talks about all of their calamaties - all of this for *'His Name's Sake.'*
When the Lord made a covenant with Abraham, *promising* to give to his descendants a specific land, seed, and blessing forever, He had the *power* to make the *promise* and *to keep it.*
*God’s holiness* and integrity, in fact, require that He do so. *Why?*
*"For My own sake, for My own sake, I will do it; for how should My name be profaned?”* (Isa. 48:11).
Many people seem to *misunderstand God’s motives...* God often acts to *protect* His holy name. He has promised to restore Israel’s kingdom, *not due to any merit on Israel’s part* but, rather, *for His name’s sake.*
It brings *glory* to Him to *keep* His promises. If He *ever* failed to keep a promise, He would be a liar or a weakling. He is neither. “God is not a man, that He should lie” (Num. 23:19). “Indeed I have spoken it; I will also bring it to pass. I have purposed it; I will also do it” (Isa. 46:11).
God has concern for *how His name is represented among the peoples* of the earth. When Israel dishonored His name, God scattered them among the nations:
And they were *dispersed throughout the countries;* I judged them according to their ways and their deeds. When they came to the nations, wherever they went, *they profaned My holy name* - when they said of them, “These are the people of the Lord, and yet they have gone out of His land.” But *I had concern for My holy name,* which the *house of Israel had profaned among the nations* wherever they went. (Ezek. 36:19–21)
He was *concerned* because the *Gentiles* were supposed to *learn about* the *true and living God* by observing Israel’s righteous behavior. In fact, when King Solomon dedicated the first Temple, he announced Israel’s mission: “that all *the peoples of the earth* may know that the Lord is God; *there is no other”* (1 Kings 8:60).
Instead, Israel’s unrighteous, corrupt, immoral behavior *produced a false picture of God* and profaned His name, dishonoring His character...
*Until* the final return of Christ, God will _always_ *expect* His followers to *'do things'* for *'His Name's Sake'* ... If people *ignore this,* it means that the New Testament Church could ultemately be wiped out and what God started with Abraham would have been all in vain. But *that will never happen* because God works with *faithful disciples* who are all part of the 'Apple of His eye'... 😇
So, are the Jews to this day *more import* than Christians? It seems Christians are 'not as special' because people always tend to quote Old Testament Scripture about the Jews... "Pray for the Jews, pray for Jerusalem" - but why? For His Name's Sake! Do people understand this?
Are the *Christians* therefore *not* 'the Apple of God's eye?' Why do Jews have 'special favour' from God and not Christians, it seems... Didn't Jesus eventually die on the Cross for *ALL* people?
Read the Bible in context...
The answer lies in 1 Peter 2:9...
"But you are a *chosen generation,* a *royal priesthood,* a *holy nation,* His *own special people,* that you may proclaim the praises of Him who *called you out of darkness* into *His marvelous light."*
Peter writes to the Churches of Asia Minor... They too are a *chosen people* because they have been caused to be *born again* by the God and Father of their Lord Jesus Christ (1:3) by means of *imperishable seed* which is the enduring and living Word of God (1:23).
So, there is a *new dispensation* called the *New Covenant* which officialy came into effect on the day of Pentecost and henceforth *applies* to *all people* who *accept Jesus Christ* as their Saviour.
Therefore, to become part of the *'chosen people of today'* one must clearly understand the meaning of *John 14:6* - *"Jesus* said to him, 'I am the *way* , and the *truth,* and the *life.* *No one comes to the Father except through me"* (John 14:6).
We are all *'equally special'* in God's eyes, whether *Jews or Gentiles* - we have equal opportunities to receive equal protection from Him, regardless of our nationality or ethnic group.
*Christianity* is the parameter that counts today and that is obvious what *makes you part* of the Apple of His eye...
Galatians 3:28 says: "There is *neither* Jew *nor* Greek, there is *neither* slave *nor* free, there is *neither* male *nor* female; for *you are all one in Christ Jesus."*
*Pray for, and reach out* to the *Jews to be saved* and likewise for all other people who follow a religion where Jesus Christ is *not* acknowledged as 'God the Saviour'...
Remember, to be a follower of Him is all about 'His Name's Sake'... 🙌🏻
*Put Jesus Christ first* and you will indeed be the 'apple of His eye'... He did it all, for all...😉 Hallelujah!
✝️
