Israel still important to God
Iranian President, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, called for the complete annihilation of the nation of Israel: “Very soon, this stain of disgrace [Israel] will be purged from the center of the Islamic world.” The ruling party in the Palestinian government, Hamas (official name: the Islamic Resistance Movement), recently reiterated their position which does not recognize Israel’s right to exist. These comments are not totally shocking. Israel’s location was ruled by Muslims for centuries. They intend to regain control and see Israel’s current position in the Middle East as temporary. But despite some men’s efforts to destroy Israel, she still has a very important part to play in God’s redemptive plan and will be protected.
Salvation (of the entire world) “is of the Jews” (John 4:22), which Jesus fulfilled. In Romans 11:25, Paul writes, “that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles be come in.” Gentiles refer to every non-Jewish person in the world. Once the Gentiles have “come in”, “Israel will be saved.” Regarding the task of taking the gospel to the world, Jesus made it abundantly clear to his disciples: Jews first, then the Gentiles (Acts 1:8).
The Jews who reject the gospel will be inexcusable. But the Jews’ rejection of Jesus is also part of the plan (I am puzzled at this, but not entirely surprised. It is one of the reasons I believe Christianity, it is not something man could have invented). Concerning the unbelieving Jews, Paul writes, “I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy (Romans 11:11).” The salvation of the Gentiles will “provoke Israel to jealousy”. They (Jews) will want what we (Gentiles) have and so “be grafted in again (Romans 11:23).”
The perfect plan, from a perfect God. No wonder Paul wrote, “O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counselor? (Romans 11:33-34)”
Salvation (of the entire world) “is of the Jews” (John 4:22), which Jesus fulfilled. In Romans 11:25, Paul writes, “that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles be come in.” Gentiles refer to every non-Jewish person in the world. Once the Gentiles have “come in”, “Israel will be saved.” Regarding the task of taking the gospel to the world, Jesus made it abundantly clear to his disciples: Jews first, then the Gentiles (Acts 1:8).
The Jews who reject the gospel will be inexcusable. But the Jews’ rejection of Jesus is also part of the plan (I am puzzled at this, but not entirely surprised. It is one of the reasons I believe Christianity, it is not something man could have invented). Concerning the unbelieving Jews, Paul writes, “I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy (Romans 11:11).” The salvation of the Gentiles will “provoke Israel to jealousy”. They (Jews) will want what we (Gentiles) have and so “be grafted in again (Romans 11:23).”
The perfect plan, from a perfect God. No wonder Paul wrote, “O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counselor? (Romans 11:33-34)”
