Bless His Chosen People
Last week I was watching a DVD where the preacher was speaking about doing things according to the “pattern” that God gave in Scripture. Moses had to build the tabernacle according to the “pattern” given. He followed all the details perfectly. The preacher went on to say that Jesus came first to the Jew. When He sent out the twelve disciples to preach and minister, Jesus said: “Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans. Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel…” (Matthew 10:5, 6)
Even Jesus’ final statement shows this order of Jews first: “You will be witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and Samaria and to the ends of the earth…” (Acts 1:8)
Paul followed the “pattern” of evangelizing first to the Jew, then to the non-Jew (Gentile) (Acts 18: 6, 7)
As the preacher on the DVD continued in this topic, one woman in the audience was dramatically healed by the power of God. She had serious neck and back injuries from a car accident and enthusiastically and joyfully demonstrated how her body was now fully functional and pain free. Multiple conditions were restored perfectly. No one had prayed for the woman, God simply extended His mercy and healing hand.
As I considered this a few days later, my daily Bible reading was from Paul’s letter to the Romans: “…if the Gentiles have shared in the Jews’ spiritual blessings, they owe it to the Jews to share with them their material blessings.” (Romans 15:27)
Paul was speaking of what was going on around him at that time, but this Scripture still impacts us today. How awesome it is that the Jews have preserved the Old Testament for all these years! The Gospel writers and Paul were Jews.
I have to ask myself, “Have I helped those who bless the Jews? Am I following God’s pattern?”
Today, many Jews are being called, drawn by the Lord to move to Israel. Many need financial help to go. There are many reputable Christian organizations helping in this relocation. I believe blessing will follow as we share financially with those who have blessed us spiritually.
For those without extra finances to bless, prayer is another way of recognizing and honoring God’s first chosen peoples. His covenant with His chosen people of old is for a thousand generations– it is everlasting. (Psalm 105: 8-15) When the time comes that all Israel will be saved how glorious that will be! (Romans 11:13-29)
“For Zion’s sake I will not keep silent, for Jerusalem’s sake I will not remain quiet, till her righteousness shines out like the dawn, her salvation like a blazing torch. The nations will see your righteousness, and all kings your glory; you will be called by a new name that the mouth of the Lord will bestow. You will be a crown of splendor in the Lord’s hand, a royal diadem in the hand of your God. No longer will they call you Deserted, or name your land Desolate. But you will be called Hephzibah (my delight is in her), and your land Beulah (married); for the Lord will take delight in you, and your land will be married. As a young man marries a maiden, so will your sons marry you; as a bridegroom rejoices over his bride, so will your God rejoice over you. I have posted watchmen on your walls, O Jerusalem; they will never be silent day or night. You who call on the Lord, give yourselves no rest, and give Him no rest until He establishes Jerusalem and makes her the praise of the earth.” (Isaiah 62:1-7)
