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 Romans 3:1-2,
"What advantage, then, is there in being a Jew, or what value is there in circumcision? Much in every way! First of all, the Jews have been entrusted with the very words of God."
As Paul explores the nature of the relationship Jews had versus Gentiles to the gospel of faith, he observes a tremendous advantage the Jews had: they have been entrusted with God's communication to mankind. God raised up prophets from among the Jews who wrote the Scriptures - the very words of God!
Peter makes an observation about this that is well worth looking at, "Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet's own interpretation of things. For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit." 2 Peter 1:20-21. These were all Jews with the exception of Luke who wrote his gospel and the book of Acts.
As a nation, the Jews had a tremendous advantage over the Gentiles. Later in this letter, Paul explores some more of the advantages the Jews had, "Theirs [the people of Israel] is the adoption to sonship; 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 the Messiah, who is God over all, forever praised! Amen." Romans 9:4-5.
However, it is the revelation God made of himself, his intentions, his will, his redemption of mankind, within the pages of Scripture that captures my heart this morning. Our lofty God who stoops down to interact with sinful and fallen mankind decided to speak to us as he pursued his redemptive purposes among us.
I simply find it astonishing! I also find every motivation to pursue what he has provided us in the Scriptures by reading it - often. He had his prophets write it with the intention we read it so we can know what he is doing!
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.
"What advantage, then, is there in being a Jew, or what value is there in circumcision? Much in every way! First of all, the Jews have been entrusted with the very words of God."
As Paul explores the nature of the relationship Jews had versus Gentiles to the gospel of faith, he observes a tremendous advantage the Jews had: they have been entrusted with God's communication to mankind. God raised up prophets from among the Jews who wrote the Scriptures - the very words of God!
Peter makes an observation about this that is well worth looking at, "Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet's own interpretation of things. For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit." 2 Peter 1:20-21. These were all Jews with the exception of Luke who wrote his gospel and the book of Acts.
As a nation, the Jews had a tremendous advantage over the Gentiles. Later in this letter, Paul explores some more of the advantages the Jews had, "Theirs [the people of Israel] is the adoption to sonship; 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 the Messiah, who is God over all, forever praised! Amen." Romans 9:4-5.
However, it is the revelation God made of himself, his intentions, his will, his redemption of mankind, within the pages of Scripture that captures my heart this morning. Our lofty God who stoops down to interact with sinful and fallen mankind decided to speak to us as he pursued his redemptive purposes among us.
I simply find it astonishing! I also find every motivation to pursue what he has provided us in the Scriptures by reading it - often. He had his prophets write it with the intention we read it so we can know what he is doing!
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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