The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in Deuteronomy 32:21,
"They made me jealous by what is no god
and angered me with their worthless idols.
I will make them envious by those who are not a people;
I will make them angry by a nation that has no understanding."
This verse comes from the song the Lord gave Moses to teach to the Israelites. He foresaw how the Israelites would abandon him and the song was to be a witness for the Lord against Israel. One day the Lord would make Israel envious and angry by "those who are not a people" and "a nation that has no understanding."
Paul quotes this verse in Romans 10:19. The larger passage is as follows, "But not all the Israelites accepted the good news. For Isaiah says, 'Lord, who has believed our message?' Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ. But I ask: Did they not hear? Of course they did: 'Their voice has gone out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world.' Again I ask: Did Israel not understand? First, Moses says, 'I will make you envious by those who are not a nation; I will make you angry by a nation that has no understanding.' And Isaiah boldly says, 'I was found by those who did not seek me; I revealed myself to those who did not ask for me.' But concerning Israel he says, 'All day long I have held out my hands to a disobedient and obstinate people.'" Romans 10:16-21.
Paul's point is that Israel had all she needed to embrace Jesus Christ in faith. As we can see that God anticipated Israel's unfaithfulness prior to entering the promised land, so she did when Jesus Christ came to her. They did not respond to the gospel ("the word about Christ"). This they did when they had ample opportunity.
"They made me jealous by what is no god
and angered me with their worthless idols.
I will make them envious by those who are not a people;
I will make them angry by a nation that has no understanding."
This verse comes from the song the Lord gave Moses to teach to the Israelites. He foresaw how the Israelites would abandon him and the song was to be a witness for the Lord against Israel. One day the Lord would make Israel envious and angry by "those who are not a people" and "a nation that has no understanding."
Paul quotes this verse in Romans 10:19. The larger passage is as follows, "But not all the Israelites accepted the good news. For Isaiah says, 'Lord, who has believed our message?' Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ. But I ask: Did they not hear? Of course they did: 'Their voice has gone out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world.' Again I ask: Did Israel not understand? First, Moses says, 'I will make you envious by those who are not a nation; I will make you angry by a nation that has no understanding.' And Isaiah boldly says, 'I was found by those who did not seek me; I revealed myself to those who did not ask for me.' But concerning Israel he says, 'All day long I have held out my hands to a disobedient and obstinate people.'" Romans 10:16-21.
Paul's point is that Israel had all she needed to embrace Jesus Christ in faith. As we can see that God anticipated Israel's unfaithfulness prior to entering the promised land, so she did when Jesus Christ came to her. They did not respond to the gospel ("the word about Christ"). This they did when they had ample opportunity.
The Israelites made their choice in the days they entered the promised land and they made their choice when Jesus Christ came. Both horrific choices. They could have embraced the Lord and they chose not to.
God's choice is that he wants all those who will embrace him in faith. This is God's choice and God's election. The elect of God are all those who have chosen him, who have embraced him in faith.
Choose wisely! He has invited us all!
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.
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