Pastor John:
I have never really stopped and thought about all the benefits given to the Israelites through God’s law, and what it did for them. I have always thought of it only as a shadow and preparation for His Son. It really makes you think about everything it added to them and why, even with the Spirit, some clung so tightly to it.
God was blessing them and preparing them for His Son, and look at the mess that happened when they became proud of their blessing!
That is wonderful and terrifying to think about.
Deuteronomy 4
5. Behold, I have taught you statutes and judgments, as Jehovah my God commanded me, to do in the land which you are entering in to possess.
6. And you shall keep them and do them, for that will be your wisdom and your understanding in the eyes of the nations which hear all these statutes. And they will say, “Surely, this great nation is a wise and understanding people!”
From your Jerusalem Council book:
Beth D.
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Hi Beth.
Amen! Your email reminded me of what Paul said about his beloved nation, Israel:
Romans 9
3. There have been times I prayed to be accursed from Christ for my brothers, my kinsmen according to the flesh,
4. who are the Israelites, whose are the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises,
5. whose are the fathers, and from whom, according to the flesh, came Christ, who is above all. God be blessed forever. Amen.
And this:
Romans 3
1. What, then, is the advantage of the Jew? Or what is the value of circumcision?
2. Much in every way, but principally because they were entrusted with the oracles of God.
Pastor John