"It seems in your opinion Emile, that God made a mistake when He chose the Jews as His people."
Not at all! The problem lies with your interpretation of who are the Jews in the New Testament (New Covenant) and who are the Jews in the Old.
What identifies a Jew in the Old Testament, genetics or faith? If you say genetics, then Ismael, the sons of Keturah and Esau are equal heirs in the promises of Abraham. But we know from the scriptures that it wasn't genetics because Ismael, the sons of Keturah, and Esau were all rejected as heirs of the promise.
So if it was not genetics, what was it that made a person a true son and heir of Abraham? It was the faith of Abraham, the same faith that caused God to chose Abraham as a chosen vessel in the first place.
Genesis 15
"5": And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be.
"6": And he believed in the LORD(Abraham had faith); and he counted it to him for righteousness.
God chose Abraham's faith, not his genetics!
Now if you think I am simply making this up to support some weird theology, turn to:
Galatians 3
"6": Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.
"7": Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.
Now turn to:
Galatians 3
"16": Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many;(Did you get that? Not to genetics but to the childen of faith) but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.
"17": And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect.
The children of Abraham are not the children of the law, or the children of genetics, but rather the children of FAITH!
And against turn to:
Galatians 3
"18": For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise.
Now let's put it all in context by turning to:
Romans 2:
"28": For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh:
"29": But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God
And finally back to:
Galatians 3
"27": For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
"28": There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
"29": And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.
I hope an pray that this little study has helped you understand the Gospel of Christ and the glory of God's salvation in Christ.
Emile |
