I wish I could share with every Jew in the world the
wonderful promises of Zechariah 8:1-5 when a simple trip to the grocery store
could cost them their lives, “Then the
word of the Lords of hosts came, saying, ”Thus says the Lord, I will return to Zion and
will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem.
Then Jerusalem will be called the city of Truth and the Mountain of the
Lord of Hosts will be called the Holy Mountain.” Thus says the Lord of hosts, “Old men and old
women will again sit in the streets of Jerusalem, each man with his staff in
his hand because of age. And the streets of the city will be filled
with boys and girls playing in its streets”.
Hey Gang: A research-type
person recently did a sortie through several college campuses asking one simple
question, “What is your opinion of Jews?’
Since the average college student does not have even the remotest
comprehension of what a Jew is or what they believe or what they stand for, the
answers were predictable, the prevailing attitude of the media – I hate Jews
and would punch them in the nose if I came in contact with them.
His real intent was to move to question number two with the
haters: “Have you ever met a Jew and would you know one if you fell over him or
her?” Again the answers were
predictable: “No” I have never meet a Jew” and “I would not know one if I fell
over them.” When asked, “Then why do you
hate Jews, if you have never met one and you would not know one if you ran in
to one? Let me add here, there were
exceptions; some knew a Jew and even a very small minority admitted they had a
friend who was a Jew.
The hierarchy of the Presbyterian Church has bought in the
BDS (Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions) movement. I forgive them for that only because God has
told me throughout His word that He will forgive me in the same measure that I
forgive others.) Now I admit I have a
hard time with that in that I cannot understand how a ‘person of the cloth’ can
chose the world’s hype over the proven word of God.
But I have the same problem with those who selling the trash-bucket
teachings that God no longer loves His chosen land and people. I wonder what rational might run through
their brains to justify that opinion; it certainly is not based on the writings
of Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel and the Minor Prophets.
While you are re-reading the Scripture of the day, slip down
a few verses to verse 21 and notice these words, “Let us go at once to entreat the favor of the Lord, and to seek the
Lord of hosts; I will also go.” So
many peoples and mighty nations will come seek the Lord of host in Jerusalem
and to entreat the favor of the Lord.”
Now check this out folks! “Thus says the Lord of Hosts, in those days
ten men from all the nations will grasp the garment of a Jew saying, ‘Let us go
with you, for we have heard that God is with you’”. Hey, would that not be neat to have someone
lock onto your arm and say “Let me go with you because I see the Lord in you”.
Isaiah also had something to say about this Replacement-Theology
blasphemy when he wrote, “The sons of
those who afflicted you will come bowing to you and all those who despised you
will bow themselves at the soles of your feet; and they will call you the city
of the Lord, the Zion of the Holy One of Israel” (Isaiah 60:14).
But, haven’t the Jews been in a rebellious state for
thousands of years? I mean how patient
can God be? Good question to which I
would respond, “When I look into the mirror each day I am reminded that Jesus
died for the person staring back at me.
He did not have to. He could have
called a massive army of angels and snuffed out the whole rebellious gang but
He was sent to die for you and me. Wow,
thank you Lord.
So why has His patience
not run out? We might say it wavered a bit
when God said’ “It is not for your sake,
O house of Israel, that I am about to act, but for My holy name, which you have
profaned among the nations where you went.
I will vindicate the holiness of My great name which has been profaned
among the nations, which you have profaned in their midst” (Ezek.36:22b-23a).
Soooo, I sometimes,
oh, often even, get a wee bit upset when I hear brothers and sisters in Christ
say they believe God no longer loves Israel, the apple of His eye, because of
their sin and rebellion. But keep in mind that person staring back at you’ while
brushing your teeth in the morning’ has the same malady the Jews have had –
they are sinners, just like you and me.
The difference – we are saved by His wondrous grace. I close this epistle with a suggestion: if you are a wee-bit testy on whether God
still loves Israel, Paul wrote a one liner that clears it up: “…and so all Israel will be saved; just as it
is written.” (Rom. 12:26). That means He never gives up. Wow, is that not awesome!
Blessings,
Gramps
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