Jews, God's witnesses
"Therefore ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, that I am God" (Isa 43:12).
"Though I make a full end of all nations whither I have scattered thee, yet will
I not make a full end of thee" (Jer
30:11).
The Jews, the descendants of Abraham through Isaac and Jacob,
have a special place in the purpose of God with mankind. They were recipients
of, and custodians of, God's written revelation. Through them God raised up His
Son, their Messiah. In their deliverance from Egypt and their subsequent history
they have become witnesses to the truth of God's promises to them, and thus
witnesses to His existence. Their role has not ceased with the first coming of
Jesus, for their regathering in the twentieth century, in fulfillment of Bible
prophecy, is a witness to the nearness of Jesus' second coming, and the focus
for the revelation of Divine power to save them from international aggression.
This will cause God's Name to be known among all nations, and will establish
Jerusalem as the center of the Kingdom of God. Gentile believers are given title
to the promises made to the fathers of Israel through belief of the gospel (also
described as the Hope of Israel) and baptism into Jesus Christ. If faithful they
will be part of the "all Israel [that] shall be saved" (Rom 11:26) when Jesus
comes.
Beloved for the fathers' sakes
The children of Israel were selected as the channel of Divine
revelation because they were the descendants of the faithful fathers, Abraham,
Isaac and Jacob, not for their moral excellence. They were expected to show a
similar faith by believing and obeying God's Law. In this way they would become
an example to the surrounding nations, and fulfil their calling as a kingdom of
priests and a holy nation (Gen 12:2; 13:15,16; 22:16-18; Exo 19:4-6; Deu 4:5-8;
7:6-11; Joh 8:39).
A covenant people
The descendants of Jacob were forged into a distinct nation in
Egypt. Their deliverance was a signal act which showed God as a God of
judgement, power and graciousness. This event is commemorated annually when Jews
keep the Passover to celebrate their redemption from Egypt. At Sinai their
calling was confirmed when they agreed to be obedient to God's law. This
covenant was renewed with the generation that actually entered the Land of
Promise, Canaan, and is the basis of God's treatment of them, as witnessed by
their history: "You only have I known of all the families of the earth:
therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities" (Amos 3:2; Gen 15:13,14;
Exo 1:7; 9:13-16; 12:15,17; 24:7; Deu 4:23,24; Jos 24:21-25; Rom
3:1,2).
Scattering and regathering
Israel were offered prosperity and blessing in return for
obedience, but deprivation and cursing if disobedient. Continued disobedience
would result in removal from the land and scattering among the nations, where
they would be oppressed and become a proverb. Both outcomes have been
experienced by the nation. Blessings were abundant in the reigns of David and
Solomon and other faithful kings; trouble and captivity came following continued
disobedience, culminating in the deportation of the ten tribes to Assyria and
the two tribes to Babylon.
Following the national rejection of Jesus as their Messiah,
the nation was scattered throughout the world for nearly two millennia, and
Jerusalem became subject to Gentile control. Yet their national identity has
been preserved, a witness that God keeps His word.
God's promises also allowed for their return and
re-establishment as a nation in the Land of Promise. This became a reality in
1948, and the whole of Jerusalem came under Jewish control in 1967. However, the
prophets tell us that this situation will be opposed by other nations, resulting
in an international attack that will require the nation to be saved by Divine
intervention on Jesus' return (Deu 28; Lev 26; Joel 3:1,2,9-17,20,21; Zec 14;
Luk 21:20-27).
Not cast off
Some contend that Israel's persistent disobedience,
culminating in the murder of their Messiah, means that the nation has been cast
off and its place taken by believers in Jesus Christ. Paul specifically refutes
this idea. The Jews are still the basis of God's work of salvation, but Gentiles
can, by faith, share the promises, which will be fulfilled at the return of
Jesus when "all Israel shall be saved" (Rom 11:26).
