THE JEWS: Where did they come from?
There are many varied opinions and beliefs about the Jewish people, particularly from my younger friend conversations. Here are a few thoughts you may find helpful.
In the progression of the human story (Genesis 1-11) there are no Jews. Here we learn there are peoples and nations descending from our parents Adam and Eve. In the story of their two sons Cain and Abel we are faced with a sad reality. The garden that was meant to be paradise had become a deathtrap abyss for the souls of all mankind. We multiply (chapter 6) and are corrupted on a supernatural level. God decides to destroy mankind but spares one family to carry on His purposes (7-8). He is not a Jew, but the “father” of all nations. From his sons (Shem, Ham, and Japheth and their wives – the wives not being sons of Noah) the nations were relaunched (how many died in the flood?) (9-10). Mankind continues in our wickedness and constructs the tower of Babel. This is the opposite of God’s intention. He is to be Most High God. Not us. So – God confused the languages (11) and launched mankind into a search to find faith/and life.
Enter Abraham in chapter 12. God calls him out of his home and promises He will make a great nation from his offspring. As the first Jew he would represent faith to the nations through his descendents – the Hebrew/Jewish people. It is common to think that the Jews were chosen because they were special. In fact, they are special because they are chosen by God. Dedicated to His purposes.
The Jewish people are the apple (pupil) of God’s eye. He has His eye upon them. His purposes for them are quite clear. In human history. In the future. God’s plan is great and it is good and – and honors and favors the Author. It is not the religion of the Jews that made them special, it is the connection they bring through the written and living Word of God Jesus. After all, who was Jesus’ major conflict with? Rome – or the Jewish religious leaders?
THE FAITH PROMISE TO ABRAHAM
“I will make of you a great nation, and through you all the nations of the earth will be blessed. Those who bless you I will bless – and those who curse you I will curse.“For when God made the promise to Abraham, since He could swear by no one greater, He swore by Himself, saying, “I will bless you and multiply you.”
Hebrews 6:13,14/Genesis 15:12-21
GOD’S WORDS
You will care for and deliver My unchanging Word to all of humanity. Your blessing is great according to Paul. What advantage does the Jew have? “Great in every respect. First of all, that they were entrusted with the oracles of God.” Romans 3:2
SAVIOR FOR ALL THE NATIONS
You will birth my Messiah into the world. “Through you will come the Deliverer of the nations. ‘In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous Branch of David to spring forth; and He shall execute justice and righteousness on the earth.” Jeremiah 33:15 David was not only a king of the Jewish people, He was in the “father lineage” of Jesus the Nazarene.
THE “PUPIL” OF GOD’S EYE
“For the Lord of hosts says, “After glory He has sent Me against the nations which plunder you, for he who touches you, touches the apple of His eye.” Zechariah 2:8 (also note Psalm 17:8)
This is why we neither worship Israel nor raise our hand against her. She IS the apple of God’s eye because He has chosen to bless us all through the story of the Jews. Written Word. Savior. Kingdom of Heaven.
THE EZEKIEL 16 STORY
“Then I passed by you and saw you, and behold, you were at the time for love; so I spread My skirt over you and covered your nakedness. I also swore to you and entered into a covenant with you so that you became Mine,” declares the Lord GOD. Then I bathed you with water, washed off your blood from you and anointed you with oil.”
“When I passed by you and saw you squirming in your blood, I said to you while you were in your blood, ‘Live!’ Yes, I said to you while you were in your blood, ‘Live!’ I made you numerous like plants of the field. Then you grew up, became tall and reached the age for fine ornaments; your breasts were formed and your hair had grown. Yet you were naked and bare.”
This is the story of ALL the nations, including Israel. Squirming in our blood. Made alive and yet unclothed.
The Jews are an instrument of God to bless all nations. This blessing has come from their care over and deliverance of the written, inspired Word of God and through the birth of the Word of God: The Lord Jesus Christ. Their role will continue in and around Jerusalem throughout the “last days.”
But this is key:
“For those who are circumcised do not even keep the Law themselves, but they desire to have you circumcised so that they may boast in your flesh. But may it never be that I would boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. For neither is circumcision anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. And those who will walk by this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God. – Galatians 6:13-16
“But he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that which is of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter; and his praise is not from men, but from God.” Romans 2:29
“But it is not as though the word of God has failed. For they are not all Israel who are descended from Israel; nor are they all children because they are Abraham’s descendants, but “though Isaac your descendents will be named. That is, it is not the children of the flesh who are children of God, but the children of the promise are regarded as descendants.” Romans 9:6-8
Romans 9-11 Places a covering over this conversation for sure. SO –
I love the Jewish people for their God-role for my soul. I recognize our shared limitations (Jew and Gentile) apart from the mercy of God our King.
Everything you need to answer this question is found here. How are your ears to hear and eyes to see?
THE JEWS: Should I love them or hate them?
Paul the follower of Jesus and Jew among Jews would say…
Dave and Burnadette