March 10: UNINTERRUPTED CONSISTENCY
The LORD did not set His love on you nor choose you because you were more in number than any other people, for you were the least of all peoples. Deuteronomy 7:7
The history of the children of Israel is a showcase for the patience and longsuffering of God, for He is the transcendent Lord of history. Notwithstanding the stumblings and failures of the least of all peoples, He entrusted them with all of the particulars of the plan of salvation, the living oracles (Acts 7:38), for the benefit of the entire world. Yes, the remnant message was given for the world. Regardless of who I am or how my life has rocked along, I can be saved in only one way: God’s appointed way.
Even though the children of Israel forfeited many blessings by their disobedience (for the LORD does not violate anyone’s freedom to choose), those who would humble themselves and admit their sin returned to Him in repentance and faith to receive His forgiveness and cleansing. Thus, a distinction was made even among those chosen as stewards of His word. For they are not all Israel [overcomers] who are [called] Israel (Romans 9:6b).
Of course, God knew there would be the unrepentant among those who were called. The Lord knows those who are His (2 Timothy 2:19). When the majority of the Jews rejected Jesus, the continuation of Israel, which translated means prevailer with God, was nonetheless uninterrupted. Paul made this clear when he stated, “he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit, not in the letter; whose praise is not from men but from God (Romans 3:29). Those of non-Jewish background are grafted in (Romans 11:19), as is consistent with God’s word. They (we!) are spiritual Jews, spiritual Israel.
We know what we worship, for salvation is of the Jews. John 4:22b
Also the sons of the foreigner who join themselves to the LORD, to serve Him, and to love the name of the LORD, to be His servants—Everyone who keeps from defiling the Sabbath, and holds fast My covenant—Even them I will bring . . . . For My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations. Isaiah 56:6-7