The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my mind and heart in Joel 1:6-7,
"A nation has invaded my land, powerful and without number; it has the teeth of a lion, the fangs of a lioness. It has laid waste my vines and ruined my fig trees."
As the Lord announced the nature of the judgment he had visited upon Israel, he refers to the damage that will be sustained on the land and produce as upon his own: "my land", "my vines", "my fig trees". The Lord so closely identifies himself with his chosen people that damage done to them is damage done to his own.
Most of us are aware that Israel is God's chosen people. As his chosen people they had numerous advantages. Paul enumerates some in Romans 9:4-5, "Theirs is the adoption as sons; theirs the divine glory, the covenants, the receiving of the law, the temple worship and the promises. Theirs are the patriarchs, and from them is traced the human ancestry of Christ, who is God over all, forever praised!"
What seems to escape many folks is why Israel is God's chosen people. Paul makes clear what brought this about in his letter to the church in Rome. He tells us, "As far as the gospel is concerned, they [Israel] are enemies on your account; but as far as election is concerned, they are loved on account of the patriarchs, for God's gifts and his call are irrevocable." Romans 11:28-29. So, what was it about the patriarchs that brought God's choice of them? In Romans 4:3 we read, "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness." The faith of Abraham brought God's choice of him. Because of Abraham's faith, God chose him and his offspring to be his own people.
Paul also tells us it is not the natural children who are God's children, those who will receive his promises. Not simply those who are the physical descendants of Abraham, but those who emulate the faith of Abraham. "For not all who are descended from Israel are Israel. Nor because they are his descendants are they all Abraham's children. On the contrary, 'It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned.' In other words, it is not the natural children who are God's children, but it is the children of the promise who are regarded as Abraham's offspring." Romans 9:6-8. Paul makes clear it is the faith of Abraham that brings God's promises he made to Abraham. When Gentiles embrace God with the faith Abraham manifested in him, they are regarded as children of Abraham.
Nonetheless, Paul makes clear Israel has not lost its status as his chosen nation. You will recall the passage in Romans 11:28-29, "As far as the gospel is concerned, they [Israel] are enemies on your account; but as far as election is concerned, they are loved on account of the patriarchs, for God's gifts and his call are irrevocable." In one sense, due to their rejection of the gospel, they are considered enemies of God. Yet, and here is the truth that says so much about God, the nation of Israel is still loved on account of Abraham and the patriarchs! Why? Because God's gifts and his call (his invitation) are irrevocable!
What this tells me is that once I have secured God's promises, they will never be taken from me. He doesn't give and then take away what he has promised. Yes, he can provide things and then withdraw them. As Job said, "The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away", but when the Lord gives his promise, it is as good as done. He never turns on his promises! The very nature of Abraham's faith was that he was able to see this in God, "Yet he [Abraham] did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised. This is why 'it was credited to him as righteousness.'" Romans 4:20-22.
How certain are the promises of God!
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share your thoughts of worship with us from your Bible reading today. We'd love to hear from you!
Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com
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