Category: Israel

When This is That: I Will Put My Spirit in You

On By TimIn Ezekiel 36, Holy Spirit, Israel1 Comment

Moreover the word of the Lord came to me, saying: Son of man, when the house of Israel lived in their own land, they defiled it by their ways and their deeds. Their way was before Me as the uncleanness of a woman in her impurity. Therefore I poured My fury upon them for the blood that they had shed upon the land and for their idols with which they had polluted it. And I scattered them among the nations, and they were dispersed throughout the countries. According to their ways and according to their deeds, I judged them. (Ezekiel 36:16–19, MEV)

Here is Ezekiel providing God’s word to Israel during the Babylonian captivity. The Kingdom has already been divided between the 10 northern tribes, usually called Israel who were overtaken by the Assyrians. There were also the southern tribes Judah and Levi, collectively called Judah. Ezekiel is a prophet speaking God’s truth to—Israel.

The northern kingdom had already been dispersed in judgment at the time. It consisted of ten tribes, which some call the lost tribes. These people became integrated among the Gentile nations. At the time of Jesus’ first advent, the name ascribed to those people was Samaritans.

Judah was also scattered into Babylon. After 70 years of captivity, those people returned to rebuild Jerusalem and the temple. They resettled the land. This was the Israel present during the physical lifetime of Jesus Christ.

In his speaking for God, Ezekiel uses some very strong language to demonstrate the detestable nature of the practices of the Israelis. Ones that brought the judgment of the Most High. He did not eradicate His people. Instead, He scattered them into the nations of the world. Where they have remained until modern times.

When they entered the nations, where they went, they profaned My holy name, because they said of them, “These are the people of the Lord and have gone forth out of His land.” But I had pity for My holy name, which the house of Israel had profaned among the nations where they went.  (Ezekiel 36:20–21, MEV)

This is the trouble with sin. It always has a penchant for suppressing the knowledge of God. When God judged His people and dispersed them from the land, it caused more damage to be done to His name in the minds of the Gentiles.

This may lack some context, as it reflects a common conception in the Ancient Near East. It is basically the connection between a god, his nation, and the people of that nation. These all possessed the land. When the land’s inhabitants were removed from it, the prevailing wisdom was that the god of that land dispossessed his people. They were driven away because their god abandoned them.

God had a different plan. He never intended to abandon His people.

Therefore say to the house of Israel, Thus says the Lord God: I do not do this for your sake, O house of Israel, but for My holy name’s sake which you have profaned among the nations where you went. I will vindicate the sanctity of My great name which was profaned among the nations, which you have profaned in their midst. Then the nations shall know that I am the Lord, says the Lord God, when I shall be sanctified among you before their eyes.  (Ezekiel 36:22–23, MEV)

God’s plan from the beginning included the salvation of all the people of all nations. I know this text doesn’t say that, per se. Yet, the entirety of the Bible proclaims that the death of Jesus is for the whole world, and that anyone who wants eternal life needs only believe to receive it. This is why Abram and his descendants were chosen as a blessing to the whole world. This is not just the promise of the Messiah; it is to be their testimony to share this message with all people in all nations.

I will make of you a great nation;
I will bless you
and make your name great,
so that you will be a blessing.
I will bless them who bless you
and curse him who curses you,
and in you all families of the earth
will be blessed.” Genesis 12:2–3

The Most High is protecting His Name among the other nations. If He abandoned His people, He could not keep His promises to them. When the Bible declares the hope that the nations shall know that I am Lord, it is not that they would acknowledge Him as that. It’s that they all might believe!

That was the primary mission of the whole nation of Israel. They were not chosen as His people to be saved, but to make Him, and salvation, known to the world. This is the hope that all the people of the world might be saved. They failed miserably at that mission and compounded that failure by rejecting their King. That’s for another time.

For I will take you from among the nations and gather you out of all countries and will bring you into your own land. (Ezekiel 36:24, MEV)

God promises to bring back the lost tribes into the land He gave to Abram, as a possession. God made the covenant with Himself. It has no conditions or contingencies attached to it, and it certainly does not expire. When both the 10 Israeli tribes are regathered with Judah and Levi into the Land, this would be the ultimate fulfillment of the promise made to Abram. It would also be the catalyst for restoring His Name among the nations of the world.

Though Judah and part of Levi returned to Jerusalem and settled the Land, this particular promise of regathering the lost northern tribes has never happened in history. With the birth of the modern nation of Israel, it seems as if those of us alive today are eyewitnesses to God making this happen. Jewish people are being drawn to return to Israel.

The contemporary cultural zeitgeist blames the nation of Israel for the world’s problems. Anti-Zionism is increasing. That factor doesn’t surprise me. Jesus said it would happen as the end of the age approaches.

Then I will sprinkle clean water upon you, and you shall be clean. From all your filthiness and from all your idols, I will cleanse you. Also, I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them. You will dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers. And you will be My people, and I will be your God. (Ezekiel 36:25–28, MEV)

It cannot be overstated, and it must be understood. This promise is made to Israel. It was not made for the church or even Gentiles. Some in Christian circles have usurped this and other Scriptures to claim that the church is the new Israel. That is not true, but it is an understandable thing, what with the absence of Israel for almost 2,000 years. How would anything the Bible says about the future of Israel make sense?

May 14, 1948, became an impetus for changing minds and increasing Bible study, and that quickly. I mean, how can a nation be born in a day?

The promise God made to maintain His reputation was given to the nation of Israel. God was going to remove the sin. All of it. They would be given a new heart and spirit that wouldn’t be so indifferent. The Holy Spirit would live in them, causing them to walk in the right ways. They would finally dwell in the Land God gave them as an inheritance.

Now, I know this may seem controversial. But none of those things are promised to any Gentile in Ezekiel 36. Yet the modern-day New Testament believer is gifted all of that (except for living in the Land.) The church is not some continuation of Israel, nor did it supersede or replace Israel.

Then, how is it that Christians have these things?

In a single parable, Jesus explains the situation. It is found in Matthew 21. Before Jesus concluded His account, He confirmed the answer the crowd gave to His question to them. When the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those vinedressers?”

“Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a nation bearing its fruits.  (Matthew 21:43, MEV)

Those present that day understood Jesus, and they tried to arrest Him. They were actually acting out the very words of the parable they had just heard. They proved Jesus to be right.

So the Kingdom of God was given to another. Paul tells us what that means…

For I could wish that I myself were accursed from Christ for my brothers, my kinsmen by race, who are Israelites, to whom belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the service of God, and the promises, to whom belong the patriarchs, and from whom, according to the flesh, is Christ, who is over all, God forever blessed. Amen.  (Romans 9:3–5, MEV)

What it was to be an Israelite, that is, the adoption, glory, covenants, promises, and the service of God, is given to another nation. Collectively, that is the body of Christ, the body of believers today that began on Pentecost. What some refer to as the church, as in the universal church.

But before we get full of ourselves… The transfer would be temporary.

I say then, has God rejected His people? God forbid! For I also am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. God has not rejected His people whom He foreknew. Do you not know what the Scripture says of Elijah? How he pleads with God against Israel, saying, “Lord, they have killed Your prophets and destroyed Your altars. I alone am left, and they seek my life”? But what is the divine reply to him? “I have kept for Myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to Baal.” So then at this present time there is a remnant according to the election of grace. (Romans 11:1–5, MEV)

I encourage you to continue reading Romans 11. But for the purposes here, there is always a believing remnant.

As an aside, there are words in Christianese that are loaded with baggage. One is election. Most think election is for and to salvation. It’s not. It’s about service to God. Which is clear in this case.

The church body is a hybrid consisting of both Israelites and Gentiles. It benefits from all those promises and privileges given to Israel by being grafted into the Root. It is an agrarian reference. One that speaks of the privilege of service to bear fruit. Paul explains it.

But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive shoot, were grafted in among them and became a partaker with them of the root and richness of the olive tree, do not boast against the branches. If you boast, remember you do not sustain the root, but the root sustains you. You will say then, “The branches were broken off, so that I might be grafted in.” This is correct. They were broken off because of unbelief, but you stand by faith. Do not be arrogant, but fear. For if God did not spare the natural branches, neither will He spare you.  (Romans 11:17–21, MEV)

When a horticulturist grafts a branch into a solid root, the goal is better fruit. Therefore, this passage is about bearing fruit, and connected with the earlier parable cited when Jesus spoke of the vineyard workers; today’s believers can bear the fruit God wants.

Again, as an aside, this passage is sometimes used to support a false teaching. That is, that salvation can be lost. That simply is not true. This is about working for the kingdom of God and bearing fruit. Yes, doing even that requires faith!

Most of those things Ezekiel wrote of are true for New Testament believers—Christians. When we believe, we are washed clean.

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for it, that He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, and that He might present to Himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing, but that it should be holy and without blemish. (Ephesians 5:25–27, MEV)

We are also given a new heart and spirit. Basically, we become a new creation where old things pass away and we are made new.

Therefore, if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature. Old things have passed away. Look, all things have become new. (2 Corinthians 5:17, MEV)

Not really last, and certainly never least is the Spirit of God that indwells us believers.

You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. Now if any man does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him. And if Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is alive because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead lives in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit that lives in you.  (Romans 8:9–11, MEV)

You see, this is that!

What I mean is all of those things Ezekiel promised to the Israelites are still for them. But New Testament Christians have some of them now. If we were to manifest these gifts the right way, and the Jewish people of today were somewhat familiar with their Tanakh, wonderful things could happen.

Perhaps they would recognize that the gifts promised to them are at work today in the body of Christ. Maybe that would be the impetus to provoke them to jealousy.

That’s not a bad thing. That’s how it is to be done.

I say then, have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid! But through their transgression salvation has come to the Gentiles, to make them jealous. Now if their transgression means riches for the world, and their failure means riches for the Gentiles, how much more will their fullness mean?  (Romans 11:11–12, MEV)

As I think about that. I have some of the promises and privileges given to Israel. These are mine today.

If you are Jewish… Wouldn’t you want them today?

Why Did God Take His People Out of Egypt?

On By TimIn Exodus 29, Holy Spirit, Israel1 Comment

That’s a question that reveals much more than one thinks.

I will dwell among the children of Israel and will be their God. Then they will know that I am the Lord their God who brought them out of the land of Egypt, so that I may dwell among them. I am the Lord their God.

Exodus 29:45–46

God took His people out of Egypt because He could not dwell with them there. This was revealed to Moses as he was given instructions for the people to build the tabernacle. That tent would be the place where the presence of God dwelt among the people.

As Israel wandered in the wilderness, God did dwell with them. When they crossed into the Promised Land, God dwelt with them there. When Solomon built the Temple, God’s presence dwelt in Jerusalem among the people of Israel.

Knowing the Tanakh, it is clear Israel as a nation stumbled much. The struggles Israel had with sin eventually made it impossible for God to dwell among them. It’s not so much that He couldn’t or wouldn’t… It’s that their sin made them forget about Him.

I’m not saying they forgot He was there or even Who He is, they forgot to maintain that intentional relationship with Him. As even we are prone to do today, even with His presence inside of us. The corrupting influence of sin is real. It suppresses the Truth.

The wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth through unrighteousness.

Romans 1:18

Unrighteousness has a dangerous way of interference. With it we tend to forget about the goodness of God. In the place of that comes the reminder of the wrath of God. That knowledge can become burdensome if left to fester. As I said before, this can and does happen to believers today. We become caught in things, forgetting to maintain that relationship, and then procrastinate. The enemy uses it to shame us.

But… There is always a quick cure. Stop and fix it. Run to Him and confess your sins. Keep the tally sheet blank.

The patterns associated with this had some real consequences for the Israeli people. When the advent of their expected King came, they didn’t even know the time of visitation.

When He came near, He beheld the city and wept over it, saying, “If you, even you, had known even today what things would bring you peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes.

Luke 19:41–42

Eventually they were given over to their blindness. Just as the Temple and Jerusalem were sacked and the people taken captive to Assyria and Babylon, it would happen again just as foretold in Daniel.

Though Israel’s lament would eventually become a blessing to the entire world. In the day of her expected visitation, Jesus taught a parable of the vineyard and vinedressers. He used it to show how the leaders of Israel were actively plotting to kill Him. They clearly understood what He said. The relationship between the vineyard owner and the vinedressers was broken, despite all that the owner had done for them. With that in mind, Jesus followed was this declaration to them.

“Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a nation bearing its fruits.

Matthew 21:43

What did Jesus mean by that?

Well, just as God called His people out of Egypt, He is calling another people out of the nations of the world. All of the privileges of Israel would be taken away and given to another. Paul addressed this.

I am speaking the truth in Christ, I am not lying; my conscience testifies with me in the Holy Spirit, that I have great sorrow and continual anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were accursed from Christ for my brothers, my kinsmen by race, who are Israelites, to whom belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the service of God, and the promises, to whom belong the patriarchs, and from whom, according to the flesh, is Christ, who is over all, God forever blessed. Amen.

Romans 9:1–5

One of those privileges is that God dwelt among the people. Another was that they had the privilege to share God with the whole world. The early church in Jerusalem knew this.

God, who knows the heart, approved of them, giving them the Holy Spirit just as He did to us, and made no distinction between them and us, and purified their hearts by faith.

Acts 15:8–9

But unlike in Israel of before the death of Jesus where the presence of God dwelt in a physical place, the presence of God would now be in the individual believer. Each of us is now the temple of the Living God.

He calls all of us out of the world. Egypt is idiomatic of the world. He does that so that He may dwell with us. The Holy Spirit is ours forever. Jesus said it.

I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Counselor, that He may be with you forever: the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, for it does not see Him, neither does it know Him. But you know Him, for He lives with you, and will be in you.

John 14:16–17

But 2,000 Years?

On By TimIn Hosea 05, Hosea 06, Israel, Return of Jesus1 Comment

I will again return to My place until they acknowledge their offense and seek My face. In their affliction they will earnestly seek Me.

Hosea 5:15

How often does one read the minor prophets, let alone Hosea?

Well, for a clear overview of the relationship between God and Israel (both kingdoms,) read the book of Hosea. In a sense, Hosea is a high-level view of Israel and God’s relationship with her. God reveals His relationship with Israel in the relationship Hosea has with his own wife. It is a rather striking and beautiful account of redemption.

In this part of Hosea, God is withdrawing from Israel and Judah. He is going away until Israel acknowledges her offense and seeks Him. It is this affliction that comes with the drawing back of God that takes them to the point of earnestly seeking Him.

I am prone to think that occurred in AD 32 with the national rejection of the Messiah. Soon after, Jerusalem was besieged and disappeared from the role of nations. It had been like that for almost 2,000 years. As will be seen, this absence causes some to scoff at what the Bible teaches.

Affliction from the Lord’s Withdrawal

It is this absence that brings affliction. History is replete with them. One can clearly perceive the affliction in the history of antisemitism. It seems to ramp up on a bell curve. The Holocaust during World War II is not going to be the ultimate affliction. The one coming will be far worse. Jesus gave warning about that, with stern instructions.

“So when you see the ‘abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. Let him who is on the housetop not go down to take anything out of his house. Let him who is in the field not return to take his clothes.

Matthew 24:15–18

It’s going to be really bad. Far worse than anything ever experienced. Don’t believe me, believe what Jesus said.

Woe to those who are with child and to those who nurse in those days! Pray that your escape will not be in the winter or on the Sabbath. For then will be great tribulation, such as has not happened since the beginning of the world until now, no, nor ever shall be.
“Unless those days were shortened, no one would be saved. But for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened.

Matthew 24:19–22

It is these things that demonstrate the affliction that will bring repentance. That change of heart is written about by another prophet. When reading, pay attention to Who is speaking and what it is He is going to do. Remember that.

The oracle of the word of the Lord against Israel.
Thus says the Lord, the One who stretches out the heavens and establishes the earth and forms the spirit of man within him: I am going to make Jerusalem a cup of reeling before all the surrounding nations. And when there is a siege against Judah, it is also against Jerusalem. And it will be on that day that I will set Jerusalem as a weighty stone to all the peoples. All who carry it will surely gash themselves, and all the nations of the land will be gathered against it. On that day I will strike every horse with confusion and its rider with madness, but for the house of Judah I will keep My eyes open although I will strike with blindness every horse of the peoples. Then the clans of Judah will say in their hearts, “There is strength for us with those residing in Jerusalem by the Lord of Hosts, their God.”
On that day I will set Judah like a fiery pot among wood and as a flaming torch among cut grain. And they will devour to the right and left all the surrounding peoples, while Jerusalem will still reside in her place, the place of Jerusalem.
The Lord will deliver the tents of Judah as before, so that the glory of the house of David and the glory of those dwelling in Jerusalem will not eclipse Judah. On that day the Lord will defend those residing in Jerusalem; and even the one who stumbles among them will be as David on that day. And the house of David will be like God, like the angel of the Lord going out before them. On that day I will seek to destroy all the nations who come out against Jerusalem.

Zechariah 12:1–9

On that day, the proverbial lights come on in the hearts and minds of Israelis. They will perceive the hand of God moving for them even in their affliction. Then there is a sudden change of heart by those towards God.

And I will pour out on the house of David and over those dwelling in Jerusalem a spirit of favor and supplication so that they look to Me, whom they have pierced through. And they will mourn over him as one mourns for an only child and weep bitterly over him as a firstborn.

Zechariah 12:10

As an Israeli, the question I would ask is when did we pierce God?

The Lord Ends His Withdrawal

We see an end to the withdrawal of the Lord. After some 2,000 years of languishing, He again showers Jerusalem and Israel with favor. Thats the promised time for Israel, and a cleansing of the land.

That’s God’s perspective, but what about the people?

Come, let us return to the Lord, for He has torn, and He will heal us. He has struck, and He will bind us up.

Hosea 6:1

The people themselves… They come to their senses. They turn and start to seek the Lord. It is the affliction that comes with the withdrawal that leads them to repent. They know He will bind them up, healing the wounds of affliction.

That is not the only thing that happens.

After two days He will revive us. On the third day, He will raise us up, that we may live before Him.

Hosea 6:2

Think hard about what is being said. Why would the Israelis think that the affliction would only be two days with healing oncoming after, and seeking peace on the third day?

Could there be another idea lurking just under the surface here?

Israel left the Lord. After two days, they will be revived and raised up. On the third day they will live before God.

I detect some messianic hints here.

But 2,000 Years

I have had that very objection raised quite a bit in the last two weeks. The latest came with a dose of mockery toward God. It came with the usual insistence of “that generation,” “at hand,” and “soon.” As if the events of the last days would have to happen in the first century and there was no other explanation. He said, “heaven doesn’t know how to tell time.”

Peter wrote something about that, which seems to bear on the discussion.

Know this first, that there shall come scoffers in the last days who walk after their own lusts, and say, “Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things have continued as they were since the beginning of the creation.” For they willingly ignore that, by the word of God the heavens existed long ago, and the earth was formed standing out of the water and in the water, by which the world that then existed was flooded with water and perished. But by the same word, the heavens and the earth that now exist are being reserved for fire, kept for the Day of Judgment and destruction of the ungodly.

2 Peter 3:3–7

Providentially, this portion also provides an answer to the mockery.

But, beloved, do not be ignorant of this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slow concerning His promise, as some count slowness. But He is patient with us, because He does not want any to perish, but all to come to repentance.

2 Peter 3:8–9

Wait. Did Peter connect a thousand years with mockery in the end times?

The passage of a thousand years is like a day in heaven. It is like saying the passage of linear time on earth is not the same as in heaven. This directly speaks to those who claim that God is slow in keeping His word. Particularly as it applies to those things about the latter days.

After two days… Or really… After 2,000 years, He will revive us. On the third day they are raised up. Is that resurrection language?

Those Israelis live before Him. The third day would also be 1,000 years. Is that a reference to the Millennial Reign of Jesus?

It seems to fit well with other things in the Bible. Especially when considering what Paul wrote about resurrection in 1 Corinthians 15. I have a long article concerning resurrection and futurism.

And about the third day being the Millennium…

Let us know, let us press on to know the Lord. His appearance is as sure as the dawn. He will come to us like the rain;
like the spring rains He will water the earth.

Hosea 6:3

His appearance is as sure as the dawn. All of the third day imagery also seems to align with this post on the Morning Star.

Concluding Thoughts

It sounds an awful lot like 2,000 years of affliction will be given to Israel. Since the rejection of the Messiah, they’ve been abandoned. Now as we witness some semblance of returning to seek after the Lord, it points to the soon return of Jesus.

As indicated in this recent post, we seem to be living in the last of the last days. Considering the weeks of years, and how the Bible teaches the new week begins on Nisan 10. Let’s do some more math.

If Jesus was crucified in the year AD 32. 2,000 years after that, ends up at 2032. 2032 would seem to be the year of resurrection and reconciliation of Israel, as well as the beginning of the Millennium. If so, there are seven years of terrible affliction before that… Which gives us the year 2025.

Take it for what it’s worth. It’s not date setting. It is pointing to seasons and times to which we have much written.

The Contract with Abraham

On By TimIn Genesis 12, Israel, SalvationLeave a comment

Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country, your family, and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. I will make of you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless them who bless you and curse him who curses you, and in you all families of the earth will be blessed.”

Genesis 12:1–3

This is the covenant made with Abram. It is God calling Abram to leave all that he knows. He is to go to the place that God shows to him. This covenant, or to understand better contract, comes with all sorts of stipulations. We could bullet point them.

  • Made a great nation
  • Receive blessing
  • Have a well-known reputation
  • For you to be a blessing

Of course, Abraham believed God and went as he was asked. This is plainly evident in the next verse, “So Abram departed.” He had no proof of anything other than what God told Him would happen. God said “Go.” And Abram left with no discernible delay.

Looking toward the New Testament and the great Hall of Faith in Hebrews 11, we read the retrospect.

By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out into a place which he would later receive as an inheritance. He went out not knowing where he was going.

Hebrews 11:8

By faith Abram obeyed. His faith was not part of the contract. His obedience was not part of the contract. God’s promises were His alone to keep. And Abram believed God would indeed keep them.

Abram took Sarai his wife, Lot his brother’s son, and all their possessions that they had accumulated, and the people that they had acquired in Harran, and they set out for the land of Canaan. They came to the land of Canaan.

Genesis 12:5

He took all of what he had and set out to the place God wanted him to go.

The Land Promised

The Lord appeared to Abram and said, “To your descendants I will give this land.” So he built an altar to the Lord, who had appeared to him.

Genesis 12:7

In addition to the promises detailed at first, God will give to Abram the land to which he was sent.

Now, I know in today’s political climate there is much controversy over this land. Some say it doesn’t belong to Israel, but to Palestinians. But does it really?

Drawing up the Contract

After this the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision, saying,
“Do not fear, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward.”
But Abram said, “Lord God, what will You give me, seeing I am childless and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?” Abram said, “Since You have not given me any children, my heir is a servant born in my house.”
Then the word of the Lord came to him, saying, “This man will not be your heir, but a son that is from your own body will be your heir.” He brought him outside and said, “Look up toward heaven and count the stars, if you are able to count them.” And He said to him, “So will your descendants be.”
Abram believed the Lord, and He credited it to him as righteousness.

Genesis 15:1–6

I think with this text, we can get a sense of the business acumen of Abram. His negotiating skills are proficient. It might give us a hint as to what his family and business were like in Ur.

That aside, God promised a blessing, many descendants… meaning Abram would have heirs. The negotiations continue:

He also said to him, “I am the Lord who brought you out of Ur of the Chaldeans to give you this land to possess it.”
But Abram said, “Lord God, how may I know that I will possess it?”

Genesis 15:7–8

The terms are given. And they’re pretty one-sided… I would say… Exclusively one-sided.

Establishing the Contract

So He said to him, “Bring Me a three-year-old heifer, a three-year-old female goat, a three-year-old ram, a turtledove, and a young pigeon.”
Then Abram brought all of these to Him and cut them in two and laid each piece opposite the other, but he did not cut the birds in half. When the birds of prey came down on the carcasses, Abram drove them away.

Genesis 15:9–11

As it was in those ancient days, this is how a contract was made. The Hebrew word for covenant is karath, which means to cut. Animals were cut in half and lain upon the sides of a small ravine. The blood from the animals would drain into the ravine, and the parties to the contract would walk through the collected blood to signify the effectiveness of the contract. The terms for breech… Let this blood be on the one who breeches to contract.

So what did Abram do?

As the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell on Abram, and terror and a great darkness fell on him.

Genesis 15:12

Well, he did nothing. He went to sleep. The word terror doesn’t describe a feeling Abram had. It is used to describe the darkness of the deep sleep. There is no way Abram could have awakened to be privy to what would happen. It’s a subtle, yet important emphasis that applies today.

Then He said to Abram, “Know for certain that your descendants will live as strangers in a land that is not theirs, and they will be enslaved and mistreated for four hundred years. But I will judge the nation that they serve, and afterward they will come out with great possessions. As for you, you will go to your fathers in peace and you will be buried at a good old age. In the fourth generation, your descendants will return here, for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet complete.”

Genesis 15:13–16

It’s fascinating to consider that Abram was oblivious to this bit of prophecy. It is recorded for his posterity.

Now, this is important to understand.

When the sun went down and it was dark, a smoking fire pot with a flaming torch passed between these pieces. On that same day the Lord made a covenant with Abram, saying, “To your descendants I have given this land, from the river of Egypt to the great Euphrates River—the land of the Kenites, the Kenizzites, the Kadmonites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Rephaites, the Amorites, the Canaanites, the Girgashites, and the Jebusites.”

Genesis 15:17–21

It was God alone Who walked amidst the blood of covenant. He alone made the land contract. The terms to honor it are all agreed to by God alone. Abram is asleep.

The Ramifications

If Abram did nothing to ratify the contract. He can do nothing to nullify or void the contract.

This is an important thing to understand. God alone promised the land to Abram. God alone promised an inheritance to Abram. God alone promised blessings to Abram. God alone promised a great name to Abram. God also promised Abram would be a blessing to the world.

We know Abram’s name was changed to Abraham. We know Abraham had an heir of his own bloodline with Sarah. (She was included in that blessing.) We know the blessing to the world came from Abraham… Jesus.

But, Abraham’s descendants took possession of some of the land promised.

God Keeps His Promises

Again the word of the Lord came to me, saying: Son of man, look, the house of Israel says, “The vision that he sees is for many days to come, and he prophesies of the times that are far off.”
Therefore say to them, Thus says the Lord God: There shall none of My words be prolonged anymore, but the word which I have spoken shall be done, says the Lord God.

Ezekiel 12:26–28

God will do what He says He will do. But it happens in His timing, not ours nor when we expect it. We got a glimpse into that in the word spoken by God to Abram while he slept deeply.

Abram wasn’t privy to the struggles of the future. He believed God, and that God would do as He said, working it all out.

It’s this simple fact that God keeps His promises that led Paul to say this:

I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Jesus Christ.

Philippians 1:6

You Know the Way

“Let not your heart be troubled. You believe in God. Believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many dwelling places. If it were not so, I would have told you. I am going to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, you may be also. You know where I am going, and you know the way.”

John 14:1–4

As Jesus spoke to His disciples, He promised them He would return. He promised them a place. He gives a blessing that you share it with others.

Partakers of the Root

But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive shoot, were grafted in among them and became a partaker with them of the root and richness of the olive tree,

Romans 11:17

The Bible teaches us in Romans 11 that we believers are grafted into the Root, Jesus. It says we believers take part in all the promises given to Abram. The same things promised to Abraham are ours and serve as a template or pattern to what God gives the believer.

That’s why you can believe what Jesus says. Our God keeps His Word!

Do You Hear?

Look at how the promises made to Abraham are the template for the promises given to believers by the Risen Savior Jesus.

“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give permission to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.

Revelation 2:7

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death.

Revelation 2:11

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give the hidden manna to eat. And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written, which no one knows except he who receives it.

Revelation 2:17

“To him who overcomes and keeps My works to the end, I will give authority over the nations—
He ‘shall rule them with a rod of iron; like the vessels of a potter they shall be broken in pieces’— even as I myself have received authority from My Father. And I will give him the morning star. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

Revelation 2:26–29

He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments. I will not blot his name out of the Book of Life, but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

Revelation 3:5–6

He who overcomes will I make a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God, and My own new name. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

Revelation 3:12–13

“To him who overcomes will I grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”

Revelation 3:21–22

Abram had an ear to listen. He heard and did as God asked. He believed. His faith led to obedience to what God asked. Yet it wasn’t his obedience that was counted for righteousness. It was his faith.

I will say that if you are saved, God will never not keep His promises to you. Even if you think in some moment of weakness or rebellion… You might walk away… But really?

In Him you also, after hearing the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and after believing in Him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.

Ephesians 1:13–14

It’s that indwelling Spirit that is His promise to us. He cannot be taken away.

If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself.

2 Timothy 2:13

Like Israel gets the land, and it is theirs by promise He is going to fulfill, your salvation is yours, by the promise He is going to fulfill.

The Covenant You Shall Keep

On By TimIn Genesis 17, Israel2 Comments

Then God said to Abraham, “As for you, you shall keep My covenant, you and your descendants after you throughout their generations. This is My covenant, which you shall keep, between Me and you and your descendants after you; every male among you shall be circumcised. You shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskins, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between Me and you. Every male throughout every generation that is eight days old shall be circumcised, whether born in your household or bought with money from a foreigner who is not your descendant. He who is born in your house and he who is bought with your money must be circumcised. My covenant shall be in your flesh as an everlasting covenant.

Genesis 17:9–13 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Sometimes things are too important to just glide over. This is one of those things.

In all of what God said before to Abraham of His covenant, God alone took complete responsibility for keeping it. Up until now, nothing was given to Abraham to do.

Abraham’s part in this covenant is to bear the sign of the covenant, circumcision. It is not that the Israelis keep or perform the covenant, or even that the covenant is conditioned on anything that they do or don’t. They make the sign of the covenant. This means circumcision points to God keeping His Word, just as the rainbow pointed to God keeping His covenant with Noah.

God said that this was for Abraham and his descendants throughout their generations. Like God making an everlasting covenant, one He intended to keep… Abraham’s portion was also eternal. It would be this way throughout the generations of Israelis until ultimately coming to the Descendant who would be named Jesus.

Jesus was circumcised.

When eight days had passed and the Child was circumcised, He was named JESUS, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb.

Luke 2:21 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Here is how my mind works: Jesus bears this particular mark eternally. Just as He bears the other marks received in His flesh as a sign of God keeping His word. This one is no different.

I can imagine what the thoughts are. Israelis didn’t parade the sign publicly. The sign was covered.

This is an eternal covenant for Abraham and his descendants to keep. What is mind-boggling is that this covenant is all God. Meaning all of the responsibility is His to keep, even Abraham’s.

If this was part of a condition to the covenant that Abraham had to fulfill (I don’t think it was,) it is ultimately completed forever by Jesus! Yet it is never presented as conditional. God gives multitudes as descendants and the land of Canaan. Think about that. Jesus is the end of the law, not that it ever went away. But it is complete forever in Him!

By tradition, some church teachings liken infant baptism as an extension or allegory to circumcision. I don’t think it applies that way. Baptism is like circumcision in a wholly different way.

Self-professed believers are plunged underwater, buried beneath it signifying death. They are suddenly pulled up from it pointing right to the resurrection. Believers will be resurrected by the promise of God. They are pointing their own faith to and in a God Who keeps His own covenant promises. Baptism is a sign pointing to a promise from God.

Abraham didn’t have to wait on God in order to believe and trust God to keep His word. In the same way, Abraham didn’t have to fear not continually keeping a condition for God to keep His promises.

And neither do you.

Homeborn Servants and Sons

On By TimIn Israel, Jesus, John 08, The ServantLeave a comment

Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. Now a slave does not remain in the house forever, but a son remains forever.

John 8:34–35 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Not having a full understanding of the Torah hinders us Gentiles. We want to understand the things Jesus says, and we do in a shallow sense. There are deeper things we need to be diligent in searching out.

It would not occur to me to understand what Jesus is saying in light of the Torah. In this case, Jesus is referring to some of the first things about an elect people God will call His servants and the origins of that.

Therefore she said to Abraham, “Throw out this slave woman and her son, for the son of this slave woman shall not be heir with my son, Isaac.”

Genesis 21:10 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

We know that Isaac was the chosen heir. But there is an important distinction being made between servants and heirs. There is also an apparent distinction inherent among servants. There are those bought with money and there are those homeborn.

Is Israel a servant? Is he a homeborn slave?
Why has he been plundered?

Jeremiah 2:14 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

I understand that these texts will have layers of meanings. The first question asked here lends itself to be prophetic in nature as it speaks of Jesus. It also encompasses the entire nation of Israel. While it causes us to remember the son of Isaac, Jacob.

The Homeborn Servant.

But Abram said, “Lord God, what will You give me, seeing I am childless and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?” Abram said, “Since You have not given me any children, my heir is a servant born in my house.”

Genesis 15:2–3 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

We get a tiny glimpse into the realities of life in those times. To a childless couple, the first homeborn servant is heir apparent. It was no different for Abram and Sarai.

In their haste to work God’s promises for themselves, Sarai’s servant Hagar was given to Abram. The homeborn son is named Ishmael.

As Ishmael had the distinction of being fathered by Abram with the servant Hagar, he was now heir-apparent. This by the distinction of not being bought, but homeborn. More important is the fact that he is the firstborn son.

When the promise of God came after Abraham and Sarah’s names were changed, Isaac was born. Isaac is not firstborn and not heir-apparent. Therefore, the servant-child had to be driven out. Even though Isaac was a son, he was also a servant.

Though Ishmael benefits of the promise made to Abraham, the promise was on Isaac, not Ishmael. Isaac was the son of promise. God would also establish a covenant with Isaac.

The Lord appeared to him that same night and said, “I am the God of Abraham your father. Do not fear, for I am with you. I will bless you and multiply your descendants for the sake of My servant Abraham.”

Genesis 26:24 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

It is my contention that Abraham typifies the bought servant, while Isaac, the homeborn. Genetic heritage does not change, and the people descended from Abraham through the homeborn slave-son Ishmael and the son Isaac are innumerable. The son of bondage heir apparent had to be removed.

This hints as to the work of the cross. When Jesus died, the son of bondage was driven out. It made room for the son of promise. In other words, death was removed that life could be received.

Jacob is Born.

Now Isaac pleaded with the Lord for his wife, because she was barren; and the Lord granted his plea, and Rebekah his wife conceived. But the children struggled together within her, and she said, “If all is well, why am I like this?” So she went to inquire of the Lord. Then the Lord said to her,
“Two nations are in your womb,
and two peoples will be separated from your body;
one people will be stronger than the other,
and the older will serve the younger.”

Genesis 25:21–23 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Paralleling the plight of his parents, Isaac and Rebekah were also barren. The promises of God entail countless progeny. In these times people waited years for the promises of God to come. It is not that He is slack or slow, but all things happen in due time.

When Isaac and Rebekah conceived, two babies would be born. This provides another important distinction. The older shall serve the younger. The covenant promise will be to the younger.

We follow that covenant promise. Just as Isaac was chosen and the slave driven away. The younger would be chosen as the conveyance of God’s promise.

We know the account of how Jacob bought the birthright with a pot of red lentils. We also know how Rebekah and Jacob connived to obtain the blessing of Isaac. It teaches us another important lesson, a birthright can be bought (I will leave that to you to figure out how that points to Jesus.)

Then the man said, “Your name will no more be called Jacob, but Israel. For you have fought with God and with men, and have prevailed.”

Genesis 32:28 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

It is this Jacob that serves as a further typification of Jesus in many ways. God’s covenant comes to Jacob, and his name is changed. The way the Bible weaves together the names of Israel, Jacob, and Jesus provide an easily accessible entree to a deeper truth.

Jacob prevailed. I think this to be prophetic in nature as it foreshadows Jesus.

But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look in it. I began to weep loudly, because no one was found worthy to open and read the scroll, or to look in it. Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep. Look! The Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and to loose its seven seals.”

Revelation 5:3–5 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Jesus has prevailed. But what of this fought with God?

The Hebrew word behind the English fought is from the same root of Jacob’s grandmother’s name Sarah. It doesn’t mean physical fighting, but more like persistence and perseverance. As an aside, Sarah had to persist and persevere with Abraham! Yet something else about Jesus comes to mind…

Let us look to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and your hearts give up.

Hebrews 12:2–3 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Jacob my Servant.

Here is My servant, whom I uphold,
My chosen one, in whom My soul delights.
I have put My Spirit upon him;
he shall bring forth justice to the nations.

Isaiah 42:1 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

You are My witnesses, says the Lord,
and My servant whom I have chosen
that you may know and believe Me,
and understand that I am He.
Before Me there was no God formed,
nor shall there be after Me.

Isaiah 43:10 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Yet now listen, O Jacob, My servant,
and Israel, whom I have chosen.

Isaiah 44:1 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Remember these things, O Jacob,
and Israel, for you are My servant;
I have formed you; you are My servant;
O Israel, you shall not be forgotten by Me.

Isaiah 44:21 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

There are many witnesses to attest to the fact that Israelis are servants. The texts also have prophetic implications. They show us plainly that the names Jacob, Israel, and my servant all point to Jesus.

A Son is Forever.

In the Tanakh, we see Israel presented as a servant. Since Abraham, these would be the homeborn servants. But as clearly seen, there is a better relationship. That is to be a son (or child of God.) Jesus said a son remains forever.

A physical birthright doesn’t convey salvation. Salvation comes by promise. With all of this, what Paul writes to the Galatians is clear.

Sons by Faith.

You are all sons of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, and there is neither male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

Galatians 3:26–29 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Homeborn servants are not necessarily sons of promise. Salvation isn’t conferred by election or birthright. It comes by faith.

No Longer a Servant, but a Son and Heir.

Now I say that as long as the heir is a child, he does not differ from a servant though he is lord of all. But he is under tutors and governors until the time appointed by the father. So when we were children, we were in bondage to the elements of the world. But when the fullness of time came, God sent forth His Son, born from a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent forth into our hearts the Spirit of His Son, crying, “Abba, Father!” Therefore you are no longer a servant, but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ

Galatians 4:1–7 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Adam sold his birthright for some food just like Esau. Jesus bought that birthright by obedience. He bought it to give it back to you as children of God received by faith.

They Shall Come Into the Land Restored from the Sword

On By TimIn Ezekiel 38, Israel, Last Days, ProphecyLeave a comment

And the word of the Lord came to me, saying: Son of man, set your face against Gog of the land of Magog, the prince of Rosh, Meshek and Tubal, and prophesy against him, and say: Thus says the Lord God: I am against you, O Gog, the prince of Rosh, Meshek and Tubal.

Ezekiel 38:1–3 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Ezekiel is prophesying against the nations around Israel. This particular passage, it comes as a stark contrast to what comes before. That is speaking of the restoration of Israel. I would think that the timeliness of that could also be considered prophetic. That restoration reads specifically as both Judah and Israel being gathered together as one nation. That assembly is happening today.

It comes as the backdrop for the set-up for what most scholars agree is something yet future. I contend that yet future is almost now.

The term Gog refers to an unidentifiable person some think it is even a supernatural entity. The other names in the text are geographical in nature. These places are named in what is referred to as the Table of Nations in genesis 10. Magog refers to part of Asia. Josephus identified Magog as the land of the Scythians. It is said by some the Great Wall of China was called the Ramparts of Magog. This most likely identifies the area around and including Ukraine and Russia.

The entire area is marked by three names, Rosh, Meshek, and Tubal. These would include the area directly north of Israel. This would fit with many of the prophetic warnings to Israel and Judah that were recorded at the same time. The invasion would come from the north (mentioned later in the text.) As it happened with Babylon.

And I will turn you back and put hooks into your jaws, and I will bring you out, and all your army, horses, and horsemen, all of them clothed with all sorts of armor, even a great company with buckler and shield, all of them handling swords.

Ezekiel 38:4 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

There are words here that are noteworthy. “I will turn you back.” God is saying that to these nations, He will make them turn back. It sounds like a reverse course, at least that is what seems to be said. Perhaps it is an about-face on a peripheral approval of peace accords.

It looks as like something is being used as bait to draw them. That fits with what is spoken of later in this. Some speculate that it is the massive gas deposits Israel has recently discovered. But I will leave that for the reader to discover.

This will be a vast military invasion of Israel. The text states horses will be used. Could that be literal?

What is intriguing to me is what is missing. In the other prophetic warnings of invasion recorded by Ezekiel and other prophets, the machines of warfare are mentioned… Camps and siege works along with a prolonged period of time. These are not mentioned here, which lends itself to happening that are more sophisticated and short-lived.

Persia, Ethiopia, and Put with them, all of them with shield and helmet.

Ezekiel 38:5 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Roughly… Iran, Ethiopia, and Libya would help with the invasion.

I will do so to Gomer and all its troops, Beth Togarmah of the north quarters and all its troops, and many peoples with you.

Ezekiel 38:6 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

This names what is the modern area of Turkey. It will also join the coalition. All of these nations would be allies in an invasion of Israel.

Be prepared and prepare yourself, you and all your companies that are assembled to you, and be a guard to them. After many days you shall be called. In the latter years you shall come into the land that is restored from the sword, whose inhabitants have been gathered out of many peoples, against the mountains of Israel which had been always a waste. But its people were brought out of the nations, and they, all of them, are dwelling safely.

Ezekiel 38:7–8 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

As God speaks to this confederation of invaders, He establishes some specific markers with a precision that seems to fit the current situation. I mean that they fit right into events of late.

This invasion is prophesied to be in the latter years. That is where we are… In what the Bible calls the last days. It is the latter years of the last days.

They shall come into the land restored from the sword.

This is huge! That is exactly what we are seeing today. Unprecedented peace agreements are being made between Israel and some of her age-old enemies. The land is being restored from the sword… And the centuries of warfare over it.

The modern-day inhabitants of Israel are gathered out of many places. They have returned to Israel and settled. They have restored the mountains of Israel which have always been a waste. The mountainsides are now terraced and homes are built on them.

And all of these people were brought from other lands to the wasteland. They’ve trained it. They’ve made it alive again. It’s happening right before our eyes. And soon, Israel will be dwelling safely.

You shall ascend and come like a storm; you shall be like a cloud to cover the land, you and all your troops, and many peoples with you.

Ezekiel 38:9 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

It will be a sight to see…

You Are the Children of the Living God

On By TimIn Hosea 01, Israel, Jesus, Redemption, Sovereign, The FatherLeave a comment

Yet the number of the children of Israel will be as the sand of the sea, which cannot be measured nor numbered. And in the place where it was said to them, “You are not My people,” there it will be said to them, “You are the children of the living God.” Then will the Judahites and the children of Israel be gathered together, and appoint themselves one head, and they will come up out of the land, for great will be the day of Jezreel.

Hosea 1:10–11 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

The things that are hidden just below the surface reading of the text are amazing. In reading tonight there were many things to see. This one stands out.

The prophet Hosea took a wife by the command of God. Not just any wife, but he was told to take a wife of harlotry. In the entire account of Hosea, there is much to learn about relationships with people and to forgive them their foibles as we have our own, too. Most importantly, the book shows us God’s love for His people.

The union of Hosea and Gomer produced children. The first born was Ammi meaning my people. The second was Lo-Ruhamah meaning not pitied. The third was Lo-Ammi meaning not my people. Already one can perceive a story is written in the meanings of the names. It is in this account of the third which leads to the discovery at hand.

Here is God saying to those who are His people that you aren’t pitied and are not His people. Those who aren’t His people are to be His people. The overt meaning is that Gentiles would be called His people. This is the mystery hidden in the text. Part of which Paul wrote of about a body that consisted of Gentiles being called His people.

Being the people of God isn’t a birthright thing. This is part of what kept Israelites from believing Jesus when He came to them. They thought they had a physical birthright to the Father. And they did. But that alone didn’t make them His people.

Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly I say to you, unless a man is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

John 3:3 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

This is God saying that any person could be His people.

Then… That word then imposes itself in the text. This adds a timey-wimey element to the discussion. In this case after when those “not His people” become His people something else happens. That something else is what we are eyewitnesses of today.

Of course, the translation I used says the Judahites and the children of Israel will come up out of the land… But is better understood that the whole of Israelites will be gathered together as one in the land.

Oh, I know there was a previous regathering of Israelis from the diaspora but that was limited to Judah and part of another tribe as they returned from Babylon. Throughout the prophets, there is a second exile that isn’t quite explained as a second exile. Maybe it was a continuation of the first. But the twelve tribes have not been regathered into the land until recent times.

Jesus as Stones

On By TimIn 1 Peter 02, Israel, JesusLeave a comment

Coming to Him as to a living stone who is rejected by men, but chosen by God and precious, you also, as living stones, are being built up into a spiritual house as a holy priesthood to offer up spiritual sacrifices that are acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

1 Peter 2:4–5 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Peter presents Jesus in a metaphor using a series of stones. Beginning here, the worth of Jesus is going to be portrayed solidly (pun intended.) It will be in relation to some Old Testament passages he has in mind.

For also it is contained in the Scripture, “Look! I lay in Zion a chief cornerstone, elect, precious, and he who believes in Him shall never be put to shame.”
Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious. But to those who are disobedient, “The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,” and, “A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense.”
They stumble because they are disobedient to the word, to which also they were appointed.

1 Peter 2:6–8 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

This is cited from Isaiah.

Therefore, thus says the Lord God: See, I lay in Zion a stone, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone, firmly placed; he who believes shall not act hastily.

Isaiah 28:16 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)
Jesus is the living stone.

I lay in Zion a stone. Zion is the mountain where Jesus stands in Revelation 14 with the 144,000. But we must understand the importance of the usage of Zion. The contrast is not addressed directly by Peter. It is an underlying tension for sure.

But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels; to the general assembly and church of the firstborn, who are enrolled in heaven; to God, the Judge of all; and to the spirits of the righteous ones made perfect; and to Jesus, the Mediator of a new covenant; and to the sprinkled blood that speaks better than that of Abel.

Hebrews 12:22–24 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Coming to Mount Zion is in contrast of coming to another mountain, Sinai.

These things are an allegory, for these are the two covenants. The one is from Mount Sinai, which gives birth to bondage; she is Hagar. Now this Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia, and represents the present Jerusalem, and is in bondage with her children. But the Jerusalem which is above is free, which is our mother.

Galatians 4:24–26 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

A stone lain in Zion must be living. It is this Living Stone, Jesus. He is the unmoving and unchanging Mediator of a new covenant. This is in sharp contrast to the other mountain of the old covenant, Sinai. That is the mountain that gave birth to bondage. The Living Stone in Zion sets us free by sprinkled blood. (Remember How Peter used that term previously.)

Jesus is the tested Stone. He is the One Who did as God asked all the way to the cross, enduring its shame for the joy set before Him.

Jesus is the corner stone.

No builder erects a structure without a cornerstone. It’s the same thought as the Hebrews passage alludes to, the church of the firstborn. The firstborn is Jesus He is the Creator of all. Without Him, nothing exists. Every living creature owes fealty to Him just for drawing breath.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were created through Him, and without Him nothing was created that was created. In Him was life, and the life was the light of mankind.

John 1:2–4 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

He is worthy. He is precious.

Jesus is the rejected stone.

This idea comes from this passage.

The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.

Psalm 118:22 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

The psalmist is saying that a stone purposed for a particular purpose can become unwanted. In this case, the Jewish leaders rejected Jesus as their King. The Jewish people were chosen as God’s heritage. They were the ones purposed in the old covenant to make salvation known to the whole world. In that essence, these were the builders of the kingdom of God.

God chose Him for that purpose of being the foundation for salvation. Jesus was firmly placed as attested to us in the Scriptures. He is unmovable and He could not be conquered by rejection. In this case, death. This is a continuing theme from the first chapter.

Jesus is the stumbling stone.

Peter also cites this passage.

He shall become a sanctuary, but a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense to both the houses of Israel, and a trap and a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem.

Isaiah 8:4 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Take the time to consider the truths of the Bible, that is to study its claims and test them. God says He will be found by those who seek Him. In that sense, the Stone lain becomes a sanctuary for those who take the time to seek Him.

But for the hasty, and the others who have ulterior motives, Jesus becomes a rock of offense. It is precisely because of Who He is that exposes such nefarious evil for what it is.

Though the people these Scriptures are taking to task were also appointed to the same word all are. They were to consider the revelation of the Jewish Scriptures carefully and expected to know Jesus when He came. In so doing, to believe in His mercies and be saved.

Mature by coming to Jesus.

He is the Living Stone of New Jerusalem, the firmly placed Cornerstone. For us who desire the pure milk of the word and to be like Him, He is a sanctuary. He is a place of rest from work.

To the builders, the ones working to make something for themselves, He is hastily rejected.

The Olivet Discourse: 02 – The Destruction of the Temple Foretold

On By TimIn Israel, Last Days, Luke 21, Mark 13, Matthew 24, Olivet Discourse2 Comments

Continuing from the previous post, there are things to keep in mind. The first is the perspective of the author and the ideas he chooses to convey. Here is the foundation text beginning with the account in Matthew.

Jesus departed from the temple and was leaving when His disciples came to show Him the temple buildings.
Jesus answered them, “Do you not see all these things? Truly I say to you, not one stone shall be left here upon another that shall not be thrown down.”

Matthew 24:1–2 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

As Matthew starts, he relates the impetus for the conversation, the temple is mentioned, but no attention is given to describing it. The group was leaving the temple, and the disciples wanted to show Him the buildings. Imagine the change in the conversation. One moment it was about the temple; The next, destruction is foretold. This conversation was probably still in public, as the group had not yet come to the Mount of Olives. There may have been others privy to this part of the conversation.

Let’s examine the other synoptic accounts.

As He went out of the temple, one of His disciples said to Him, “Teacher, see what great stones and what great buildings are here.”
Jesus answered him, “Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone shall be left upon another that shall not be thrown down.”

Mark 13:1–2 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Already one can discern some differences. Mark doesn’t just relate the gist of the conversation. He relates what is said. That is the action that is occurring. We also see the usage of the title Teacher.

Look at the mention of the great stones. Though the temple wasn’t yet complete, the stones they were looking at were 10 to 12 feet long. It was Herod’s goal for the temple mount to be a massive 1600 by 900 feet edifice soaring to nine stories in height. The walls were to be up to 16 feet thick. All this still wouldn’t match the glory of Solomon’s temple, had it been finished. Its destiny was to be toppled.

We come to Luke.

As some spoke of how the temple was adorned with beautiful stones and gifts, He said, “As for these things which you see, the days will come when not one stone shall be left on another that will not be thrown down.”

Luke 21:5–6 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Like Matthew, Luke relates the impetus of the conversation. He too points out the stones. He also mentions the gifts. These are the decorative items donated by others to adorn the temple. Herod gave a golden vine that had bunches of grapes that were as tall as a human.

All three accounts, though differing, are conveying the same basic information. The temple’s beauty would come to be ruined.

The stylistic differences also become apparent in how the content is conveyed. Matthew draws attention to the temple building as if the reader is already familiar with it. Mark’s style is about title and action. He gives a bit of detail, perhaps as his audience may need help to understand how great the stones are, as if such are unfamiliar with it. Luke points to the ornate decorations and gifts. It’s a bit of humanity, and the artistry is of great interest to a Greek.

This is also a perfect example of what not to see. The disciples were concerned with the outward beauty of the temple. Absent from the conversation is what went on inside it. The temple was certainly the focal point of life in Jerusalem at the time. Its beauty was certainly something to admire.

Considering the words here, perhaps there is an underlying message to keep a light touch on the things of this world, as they will fade away. Perhaps to keep what is inside of the temple kosher instead of fixating on the outward appearances.