“Thus says the LORD, ‘As the new wine is found in the cluster, and one says, “Do not destroy it, for there is benefit in it,” so I will act on behalf of My servants in order not to destroy all of them. I will bring forth offspring from Jacob, and an heir of My mountains from Judah; even My chosen ones shall inherit it, and My servants will dwell there.’” (Isaiah 65:8-9)As you read the history of Israel it is easy to loose sight of the greater picture. God’s covenant with Abraham was of a greater purpose than just establishing a nation. God’s purpose was that, through the nation Israel, He might bring forth a savior that would bless all mankind. “By Myself I have sworn, declares the Lord, because you have done this thing and have not withheld your son, your only son, indeed I will greatly bless you, and I will greatly multiply your seed as the stars of the heavens and as the sand which is on the seashore; and your seed shall possess the gate of their enemies. In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice.” (Geneses 22:16-18) Certainly God was going to bless Abraham’s decedents, but God’s greater purpose was to bring forth a “seed”; a “seed” that would bless all the nations. Paul makes it very clear that, in this scripture, God was speaking of Jesus. “Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. He does not say, ‘And to seeds,’ as referring to many, but rather to one, ‘And to your seed,’ that is, Christ.” (Galatians 3:16)
In this scripture, God speaks of a remnant that would be left. God promises not to destroy all of Israel, though she deserved it due to her sins, but God promised to leave a remnant. God’s promise was not based on any inherent righteousness that belonged to the remnant, but that His promise of bringing forth a “seed” may be fulfilled. God was intent that “and heir of My mountains” would come forth from Judah just as He had previously prophesied. I am grateful that God did not allow the sins of Israel to nullify His promise of a savior.
This scripture also speaks of those who would inherit the Promise Land along with His Heir. It would be God’s chosen ones, His servants, which would inherit His mountains. Peter speaks of God’s chosen ones when he writes, “You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; for you once were not a people, but now you are the people of God; you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.” (1 Peter 2:9-10) Peter is not speaking of the nation of Israel but of all who would call upon Jesus and receive His salvation and sanctification. God’s promises were no longer the sole possession of the Jews, but were to be for all who would receive His Son and walk in His ways.
The Israelites had bought into a deception that, just because they were Israelites, God would continue to bless and protect them, even if they refused to walk in His ways. However, they rebelled and rejected God, their husband, so God divorced Israel and determined to give His “promise land” to another. “I say to you that many will come from east and west, and recline at the table with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven; but the sons of the kingdom will be cast out into the outer darkness; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” (Matthew 8:11-12) As Christians, we too can fall into the same deception, but God is clear. It is not enough to simply call ourselves children of God; we must also walk as children of God. Jesus put it this way, “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter.” (Matthew 7:21) It is time to live as the people we really are, the children of God.
David Robison
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