God Loves Israel

 

King David reflects on the goodness of the one true God who loves the people of Israel.

1Ch 17:20  O LORD, there is none like thee, neither is there any God beside thee, according to all that we have heard with our ears.
1Ch 17:21  And what one nation in the earth is like thy people Israel, whom God went to redeem to be his own people, to make thee a name of greatness and terribleness, by driving out nations from before thy people, whom thou hast redeemed out of Egypt?
1Ch 17:22  For thy people Israel didst thou make thine own people for ever; and thou, LORD, becamest their God.
1Ch 17:23  Therefore now, LORD, let the thing that thou hast spoken concerning thy servant and concerning his house be established for ever, and do as thou hast said.
1Ch 17:24  Let it even be established, that thy name may be magnified for ever, saying, The LORD of hosts is the God of Israel, even a God to Israel: and let the house of David thy servant be established before thee.

 

The God of Israel is the Almighty God. He chose Israel as his people, through which an eternal king would be born from the house and lineage of King David. The other nations have their gods and their prophets, but only the God of Israel is the true God and creator of all. The good news is this one true God loves you and wants to give you eternal life through faith in the only begotten Son of God, the Lord Jesus Christ.

 

John 1:9  That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.
John 1:10  He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.
John 1:11  He came unto his own, and his own received him not.
Jonh 1:12  But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
John 1:13  Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
John 1:14  And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

Put away all of your gods and come to the only true God who loves you and will give you eternal life. If your god hates Israel, then he is not the one true God, because the God of Israel loves Israel and has given all nations the hope of salvation through faith in their Messiah, Jesus Christ. I love the God of Israel.

A meal with God

The Covenant of Laws

Exo 24:1 Then the LORD instructed Moses: "Come up here to me, and bring along Aaron, Nadab, Abihu, and seventy of Israel's leaders. All of them must worship at a distance.

2 You alone, Moses, are allowed to come near to the LORD. The others must not come too close. And remember, none of the other people are allowed to climb on the mountain at all."

3 When Moses had announced to the people all the teachings and regulations the LORD had given him, they answered in unison, "We will do everything the LORD has told us to do."

4 Then Moses carefully wrote down all the LORD's instructions. Early the next morning he built an altar at the foot of the mountain. He also set up twelve pillars around the altar, one for each of the twelve tribes of Israel.

5 Then he sent some of the young men to sacrifice young bulls as burnt offerings and peace offerings to the LORD.

6 Moses took half the blood from these animals and drew it off into basins. The other half he splashed against the altar.

7 Then he took the Book of the Covenant and read it to the people. They all responded again, "We will do everything the LORD has commanded. We will obey."

Exo 24:8 Then Moses sprinkled the blood from the basins over the people and said, "This blood confirms the covenant the LORD has made with you in giving you these laws."

9 Then Moses, Aaron, Nadab, Abihu, and seventy of the leaders of Israel went up the mountain.

10 There they saw the God of Israel. Under his feet there seemed to be a pavement of brilliant sapphire, as clear as the heavens.

11 And though Israel's leaders saw God, he did not destroy them. In fact, they shared a meal together in God's presence!

12 And the LORD said to Moses, "Come up to me on the mountain. Stay there while I give you the tablets of stone that I have inscribed with my instructions and commands. Then you will teach the people from them."

13 So Moses and his assistant Joshua climbed up the mountain of God. (NLT)

Heb 9:19 For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people,
Heb 9:20 Saying, This is the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined unto you.

The Covenant of Moses with the laws was preceded by a dinner with the one who spoke as God. This was the same voice who spoke from the burning bush. It is believed that the angel of the LORD was an appearance of Jesus, the Living Word, before he came in a fleshly body. He appeared before them and ate with them.

Act 7:37 This is that Moses, which said unto the children of Israel, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear.
Act 7:38 This is he, that was in the church in the wilderness with the angel which spake to him in the mount Sina, and with our fathers: who received the lively oracles to give unto us:

They shared a meal together as they received the old covenant. Another meal would be shared at the threshold of the New Covenant. More blood would be shed, this time the blood of the New Covenant.

A new covenant of grace

Luk 22:19 And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.
Luk 22:20 Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.

Jeremiah spoke of a new covenant

Jer 31:31 Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah:
Jer 31:32 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD:
Jer 31:33 But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.
Jer 31:34 And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.

Rev 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
Rev 3:21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.
Rev 3:22 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

It is a great honor to sup with Jesus. He desires our fellowship, being one with God through the blood of the Lamb. We shall dine together again at the marriage supper of the Lamb.

Rev 19:5  And a voice came out of the throne, saying, Praise our God, all ye his servants, and ye that fear him, both small and great. 

Rev 19:6  And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth. 

Rev 19:7  Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. 

Rev 19:8  And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. 

Rev 19:9  And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God. 

God Gave the Increase

1Co 3:6 I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.
1Co 3:7 So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.
1Co 3:8 Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour.
1Co 3:9 For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building.

I see three metaphors describing our work for the LORD. The first is that we are laborers together in the LORD's husbandry; a ploughed field. The word of God is planted in the garden by one. Another comes along and waters the seed with the water of the word, perhaps further explaining the gospel of Jesus Christ. One may be better at explaining the word and his words flow like living water to water the seed of the word.The field is the heart that receives the word of God. God prepares the heart to receive. Often it may take several plantings and watering's before the seed takes root. It is important that we labor together. If one plants the true word and another comes along and pours bitter water on the seed by unbelief, speaking another gospel, or explaining away the word by some denominational difference, then the seed is crowded out by unbelief and confusion. It is important that we labor together with the same message of truth. We each shall receive a reward according to our labor. Salvation is by faith in Jesus Christ, his grace we receive, but rewards come from our working for his purpose.

Mat 9:37 Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few;
Mat 9:38 Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.

The second metaphor is that we are God's building.

1Co 3:10 According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.
1Co 3:11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
1Co 3:12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;
1Co 3:13 Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.
1Co 3:14 If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.
1Co 3:15 If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.

The foundation is Jesus Christ. Upon this foundation there is the ministry of the apostles. The building is the church, the body of believers. We do not add to the word of God, but we add to the church building new saved saints, through the preaching of the gospel and the work we do for him. We are living stones and Jesus Christ is the Chief cornerstone.

1Pe 2:4 To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious,
1Pe 2:5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.
1Pe 2:6 Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.
1Pe 2:7 Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,

We are a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices. Sacrifices tried by fire, so that all that is not of God shall be burned away. The fire shall try every mans work to show what kind it is. May we be received as living sacrifices, holy and acceptable to God. (Rom !2:1,2)

The third metaphor is that we are temples of God.

1Co 3:16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?

Men are always building new church buildings, but does God dwell in the hearts of those who go into the buildings? A building can be a place of entertainment and games, or a place of growing in the word of God. Joy and fellowship along with labor for the kingdom of God. A Holy priesthood, the people are the priests of God. A people of faith in God and the whole word of God. A people who labor together in the truth of God's word coming together in Christ, preaching the cross and his blood shed for sins. Spirit filled people of God, praying and laboring to bring in an increase to the LORD's harvest. We labor in the fields to bring people to salvation adding them as living stones to the building of God. Together we are the temple of God for his spirit dwells within us; a holy people working together, praying, worshipping together by the true faith in the God of Israel; redeemed by his Son, filled with His Holy Spirit.

We labor together to build a spiritual house, temples of the Holy Spirit to bring glory to our Father, the God of Israel who loves us by sending his son to reconcile us to himself.

2Co 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
2Co 5:18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
2Co 5:19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.

Israel my firstborn son

Hos 11:1 When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt.

The Lord calls the nation of Israel, his son that he loved with tender affection. Moses was called to deliver Israel from Egyptian bondage.

Exo 4:22 And thou shalt say unto Pharaoh, Thus saith the LORD, Israel is my son, even my firstborn:
Exo 4:23 And I say unto thee, Let my son go, that he may serve me: and if thou refuse to let him go, behold, I will slay thy son, even thy firstborn.

The LORD calls Israel his firstborn and gives Pharaoh a warning that he would slay his firstborn son if he did not let His people go. The death angel killed all the firstborn, even of the animals. Only those who applied the blood of a lamb around their entry doors were spared. The death angel passed over the homes of God'sfirstborn children. This is the Passover that the Jews remember and celebrate every year since. Does the LORD still call Israel his firstborn now that his only begotten son was born from the descendants of king David? Or was he calling Israel his firstborn because Jesus would come from them? Israel the nation is the firstborn son of God. Jesus the messiah is the only begotten son, the firstborn of a new spiritual creation.

Col 1:12 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:
Col 1:13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:
Col 1:14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:
Col 1:15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:

Hos 11:2 As they called them, so they went from them: they sacrificed unto Baalim, and burned incense to graven images.

Moses and Aaron representing the law and the priesthood of Israel and also the prophets called Israel to repentance, but they would not hear them for they worshipped the gods of the nations around them. As I see our time, these things are still happening, idolatry and blindness to God's word. I do see how the Bible grows more and more holy and sacred as the evil increases in the land. I also see that often the church is caught up into entertainment and programs instead of the whole word of God.

Amo 8:11 Behold, the days come, saith the Lord GOD, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD:

Hos 11:3 I taught Ephraim also to go, taking them by their arms; but they knew not that I healed them.
Hos 11:4 I drew them with cords of a man, with bands of love: and I was to them as they that take off the yoke on their jaws, and I laid meat unto them.

The LORD was good to Ephraim (Israel) , he healed them and blessed them with every need.

"Cords of man - With such kindness as best fits and most prevails with a man. I was to them - As a careful husband - man in due season takes the yoke from his labouring oxen, and takes off the muzzle with which they were kept from eating, when at work. I laid meat unto them - Brought them provision in their wants." (Wesley)

Hos 11:5 He shall not return into the land of Egypt, but the Assyrian shall be his king, because they refused to return.
Hos 11:6 And the sword shall abide on his cities, and shall consume his branches, and devour them, because of their own counsels.
Hos 11:7 And my people are bent to backsliding from me: though they called them to the most High, none at all would exalt him.

Assyria will come as punishment to a wicked and rebellious people. Although the prophets called the nation to God, they were hell bent on backsliding. They would be made slaves in foreign lands.

Hos 11:8 How shall I give thee up, Ephraim? how shall I deliver thee, Israel? how shall I make thee as Admah? how shall I set thee as Zeboim? mine heart is turned within me, my repentings are kindled together.

These were cities of Sodom that God had the angels to destroy by fire.

Gen 10:19 And the border of the Canaanites was from Sidon, as thou comest to Gerar, unto Gaza; as thou goest, unto Sodom, and Gomorrah, and Admah, and Zeboim, even unto Lasha.

Hos 11:9 I will not execute the fierceness of mine anger, I will not return to destroy Ephraim: for I am God, and not man; the Holy One in the midst of thee: and I will not enter into the city.

God will not personally enter their city to chastise with anger this sinful people God does not dwell in sin.He will not destroy their cities, Instead he will send the Assyrians to do the work of capturing and looting them.

Hos 11:10 They shall walk after the LORD: he shall roar like a lion: when he shall roar, then the children shall tremble from the west.
Hos 11:11 They shall tremble as a bird out of Egypt, and as a dove out of the land of Assyria: and I will place them in their houses, saith the LORD.

This a prophecy looking to the return of Jesus. The roar of the Lion is the roar of the Lion of Judah. Those who hear him and come to him will be restored to their land.

Hos 11:12 Ephraim compasseth me about with lies, and the house of Israel with deceit: but Judah yet ruleth with God, and is faithful with the saints.

The southern tribe of Judah still served the LORD and were faithful with the saints. Sinful Israel, although in their sins would be redeemed by the blood of the Lamb. The promise of restoration is for Israel, in spite of the sin that they had.

Rom 5:6 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.
Rom 5:7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die.
Rom 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
Rom 5:9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.

Returning to verse 11:1.

"When Israel was a child..."

Sometimes we grow older , but not wiser. Come back home to your heavenly father who loves you, you backsliders, come to Jesus your Messiah.

1Co 13:11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
1Co 13:12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.
1Co 13:13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.

We are not to be backslidden, rebellious sons of God. Come to Jesus, get to know him, face to face; as Moses knew God face to face. Grow in his grace, and study his word. If the LORD punished his rebellious firstborn son, Israel, will he not punish our sinful nation?

Catching Up

Rom 11:25 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.
Rom 11:26 And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:
Rom 11:27 For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.
Rom 11:28 As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers' sakes.
Rom 11:29 For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.

Israel's salvation has largely been put on hold until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in to the church, these are the peoples of the non Jewish nations. We are in the age of grace through faith in the finished work of Jesus. A time will come when the nations will no more come to Jesus. I believe what will follow is the Lord catching up his church to be with him. This has been called the rapture of the church. The name "rapture" is not in the Bible."Rapture" is an English noun derived from the Latin verb rapiō, with a literal meaning of "I catch up" "or "I snatch". (Wikepedia) The word was first used by a nineteenth century commentator, referring to this Bible text:

1Th 4:16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
1Th 4:17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

Following this will come a time of persecution, especially towards Israel, where a great number will be killed. There will also be a time of tribulation, the wrath of God sent to the unbelieving nations. The LORD will do a work in the hearts of the Jews and they will be saved at the second coming of Christ. All the Jews who remain shall be saved at this time. At every time there has been a remnant of the Jews who were saved by faith in the promises of God and this is by faith in the Messiah, Jesus Christ.

Rom 11:32 For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all.
Rom 11:33 O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!
Rom 11:34 For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor?
Rom 11:35 Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again?
Rom 11:36 For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.

May we be aware of these coming events and not be caught up in the things of this world.

Eph 2:13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.
Eph 2:14 For he is our peace, who hath made both (Jew and Gentile) one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;

Eph 2:18 For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.

Be Strong in the LORD

Jos 23:8 But cleave unto the LORD your God, as ye have done unto this day.
Jos 23:9 For the LORD hath driven out from before you great nations and strong: but as for you, no man hath been able to stand before you unto this day.
Jos 23:10 One man of you shall chase a thousand: for the LORD your God, he it is that fighteth for you, as he hath promised you.
Jos 23:11 Take good heed therefore unto yourselves, that ye love the LORD your God.

Osama Bin Laden is dead. He was killed by special forces of the US military. It is a victory for our nation against a terrorist leader. There is a show of patriotism with the waving of flags and the shouting voices, but is this enough? Does a president receive the glory? The U.S. military? or is it favor from the God of Abraham Isaac and Jacob?

The LORD spoke to the armies of Israel and the people that they are to cleave unto the LORD your God. The LORD drives out great nations before them. I think of Israel now, a tiny nation in the promise land surrounded be Ishmaelites. They hate Israel, but the God of Joshua is the God of Israel. In proportion Israel is as one man in a thousand. "One man of you shall chase a thousand: for the LORD your God fighteth for you." Israel, take heed to Love the LORD thy God. Christian America take heed, to love the LORD thy God, for we as a nation have gone after the gods of this world.

2Ch 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.