Restoring Israel
The Restoration of Israel: God's Unfailing Promise
In the grand tapestry of God's plan for humanity, few threads are as intriguing and significant as His ongoing relationship with Israel. Many have questioned whether God has abandoned His chosen people, but a closer look at Scripture reveals a profound truth: God is not done with Israel. In fact, He is actively working to restore them according to the promises made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
The apostle Paul, in his letter to the Romans, provides compelling evidence that God's turning away from Israel is only temporary. He emphatically states, "Has God cast away His people? Certainly not!" Paul himself, a "100% stock Hebrew Christian," stands as living proof that God has not rejected all of Israel. Furthermore, he reminds us of the story of Elijah, who thought he was the only faithful one left in Israel. God's response? "I have reserved for myself 7,000 men who have not bowed the knee to Baal." This powerful reminder teaches us that God always preserves a faithful remnant among His people.
But why has Israel, as a nation, seemingly been set aside? The answer lies in their rejection of Jesus as the Messiah. Yet, in God's infinite wisdom, He has used this rejection to bring salvation to the Gentiles. Paul explains that through Israel's fall, "salvation has come to the Gentiles, to provoke them to jealousy." This divine strategy serves a dual purpose: to offer salvation to all nations and to stir Israel to recognition of their Messiah.
The metaphor of the olive tree beautifully illustrates this concept. Israel is portrayed as a cultivated olive tree, with some branches (unbelieving Jews) broken off. In their place, wild olive branches (Gentile believers) have been grafted in. This grafting process is contrary to nature, emphasizing the miraculous nature of Gentile inclusion in God's covenant promises.
However, Paul issues a stern warning to Gentile believers: do not become arrogant or boastful against the natural branches. Our inclusion in God's family is solely by His grace, and we stand only by faith. If God did not spare the natural branches due to unbelief, He will certainly not spare us if we fall into the same trap. This sobering reminder calls us to walk in humility and reverence before God.
The good news is that God's plan for Israel is not finished. Paul declares, "And they also, if they do not continue in unbelief, will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again." This promise points to a future restoration of Israel, a time when they will recognize Jesus as their long-awaited Messiah.
As we consider God's dealings with Israel, we are reminded of the depth of His wisdom and the inscrutability of His ways. The apostle Paul exclaims, "Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out!" We stand in awe of a God who weaves the threads of human history into a tapestry of redemption that spans millennia.
What does this mean for us today?
As we look at the world around us, particularly the events unfolding in and around Israel, let us not be filled with fear but with faith. God's plan is unfolding exactly as He intends. The final act of history is upon us, and the curtain is rising. How will we respond? Will we be found faithfully abiding in Christ, eagerly awaiting His return?
Let us echo the early church's cry of "Maranatha!" – Come, Lord Jesus! And as we wait, may we be about our Father's business, sharing the good news of salvation with both Jew and Gentile alike. For in Christ, there is neither Jew nor Greek, but one new humanity reconciled to God through the cross.
The story of Israel's restoration is not just about one nation – it's a testament to God's faithfulness, a call to persevering faith, and an invitation to participate in His grand redemptive plan. May we have eyes to see, ears to hear, and hearts ready to respond to the God who is still at work, restoring Israel and calling all people to Himself.
God Bless!
Pastor Mark Bofill
In the grand tapestry of God's plan for humanity, few threads are as intriguing and significant as His ongoing relationship with Israel. Many have questioned whether God has abandoned His chosen people, but a closer look at Scripture reveals a profound truth: God is not done with Israel. In fact, He is actively working to restore them according to the promises made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
The apostle Paul, in his letter to the Romans, provides compelling evidence that God's turning away from Israel is only temporary. He emphatically states, "Has God cast away His people? Certainly not!" Paul himself, a "100% stock Hebrew Christian," stands as living proof that God has not rejected all of Israel. Furthermore, he reminds us of the story of Elijah, who thought he was the only faithful one left in Israel. God's response? "I have reserved for myself 7,000 men who have not bowed the knee to Baal." This powerful reminder teaches us that God always preserves a faithful remnant among His people.
But why has Israel, as a nation, seemingly been set aside? The answer lies in their rejection of Jesus as the Messiah. Yet, in God's infinite wisdom, He has used this rejection to bring salvation to the Gentiles. Paul explains that through Israel's fall, "salvation has come to the Gentiles, to provoke them to jealousy." This divine strategy serves a dual purpose: to offer salvation to all nations and to stir Israel to recognition of their Messiah.
The metaphor of the olive tree beautifully illustrates this concept. Israel is portrayed as a cultivated olive tree, with some branches (unbelieving Jews) broken off. In their place, wild olive branches (Gentile believers) have been grafted in. This grafting process is contrary to nature, emphasizing the miraculous nature of Gentile inclusion in God's covenant promises.
However, Paul issues a stern warning to Gentile believers: do not become arrogant or boastful against the natural branches. Our inclusion in God's family is solely by His grace, and we stand only by faith. If God did not spare the natural branches due to unbelief, He will certainly not spare us if we fall into the same trap. This sobering reminder calls us to walk in humility and reverence before God.
The good news is that God's plan for Israel is not finished. Paul declares, "And they also, if they do not continue in unbelief, will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again." This promise points to a future restoration of Israel, a time when they will recognize Jesus as their long-awaited Messiah.
The prophet Zechariah provides a glimpse of this future moment: "And I will pour on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace and supplication; then they will look on Me whom they pierced. Yes, they will mourn for Him as one mourns for his only son, and grieve for Him as one grieves for a firstborn." This poignant prophecy speaks of a national awakening, a moment of profound recognition and repentance.
As we consider God's dealings with Israel, we are reminded of the depth of His wisdom and the inscrutability of His ways. The apostle Paul exclaims, "Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out!" We stand in awe of a God who weaves the threads of human history into a tapestry of redemption that spans millennia.
What does this mean for us today?
- First, it calls us to pray for the peace of Jerusalem and for the salvation of the Jewish people. We are witnessing remarkable events in our time – the rebirth of Israel as a nation in 1948, the recapturing of Jerusalem in 1967 – that align with biblical prophecies about the last days. These events should awaken us to the reality that God's prophetic clock is ticking.
- Secondly, it reminds us of the importance of perseverance in faith. The warning that branches can be broken off due to unbelief applies to us as well. We are called to "continue in His goodness," to abide in Christ, and to walk in genuine faith that perseveres to the end.
- Lastly, this understanding of God's ongoing work with Israel should fill us with hope and anticipation. If God is faithful to His promises to Israel, we can trust that He will be faithful to every promise He has made to us in Christ. As Jesus said, "With God, nothing will be impossible."
As we look at the world around us, particularly the events unfolding in and around Israel, let us not be filled with fear but with faith. God's plan is unfolding exactly as He intends. The final act of history is upon us, and the curtain is rising. How will we respond? Will we be found faithfully abiding in Christ, eagerly awaiting His return?
Let us echo the early church's cry of "Maranatha!" – Come, Lord Jesus! And as we wait, may we be about our Father's business, sharing the good news of salvation with both Jew and Gentile alike. For in Christ, there is neither Jew nor Greek, but one new humanity reconciled to God through the cross.
The story of Israel's restoration is not just about one nation – it's a testament to God's faithfulness, a call to persevering faith, and an invitation to participate in His grand redemptive plan. May we have eyes to see, ears to hear, and hearts ready to respond to the God who is still at work, restoring Israel and calling all people to Himself.
God Bless!
Pastor Mark Bofill
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