Why Israel is Important – Part 3
“God chooses, We Believe”
Romans 10:14-21
1.
As we continue in our study of Romans, we
continue to look at the nation of Israel as a backdrop on Paul’s teaching on
righteousness through faith in Christ alone
2.
And as we look at Israel, we see that they are a
uniquely blessed people:
a.
Adoption as God’s people
b.
Covenants, the promises given to Abraham
c.
The Promised Land
d.
Law, the oracles of God
e.
Temple Service,
f.
The presence of the Glory of the Lord
g.
Finally, they were the chosen people to bring
into this world the Messiah
3.
Clearly God has placed upon this people the
greatest of blessings ever given to any nation, t
a.
To which one might wonder, “Why? Are they really that awesome? “
b.
No, actually as we’ll see, the Israelites were
quite stubborn, disobedient, and contrary!
c.
Showing us that God’s choice was based on His sovereignty,
His will, and His purposes,
d.
some of which we can understand:
Four Reasons God
chose Israel (Scripture gives us four reasons)
4.
Reason #1 was to reveal Himself to the nations
(click below to read the entire post)
Sing to the Lord, bless His name; Proclaim the good
news of His salvation from day to day. Declare His glory among the nations, His
wonders among all peoples. Ps 96:2-3
5.
Reason #2 was to reveal that the God of Israel
is the one True God.
a.
The world worships many deities, many gods, but God
called out one people to affirm to the world that there is only one God.
I am the Lord, and there is no other; There is no God
besides Me. Is 45:5
6.
Reason #3 Israel was chosen to preserve and
transmit the Scripture,
a.
Moses was given the law on Mt Sinai, as well as
the laws and practices given to the Jews in Leviticus and Deuteronomy.
… to them were committed the oracles of God. Rom 3:2
7.
Reason #4, Israel was the chosen nation through
which God would bring forth the Savior of the world.
“For my eyes have seen Your salvation which You have
prepared before the face of all peoples, a light to bring revelation to the
Gentiles, and the glory of Your people Israel.”
Luke 2:30-32 (Simeon’s blessing)
a.
Surely there are many other aspects to God’s
choice, things that perhaps will become clear when we get to heaven!
b.
But we can see that the Israelites are a
tremendously privileged people...greatly blessed,
8.
Yet the sad reality is that, because of their
sin and rebellion, by the time Jesus was born, the presence of the Lord had
departed from Israel.
The Departure of
the Glory of the Lord
9.
When the temple was dedicated by Solomon (approx.
900 BC)
a.
During that ceremony, the glory of the Lord
filled the Temple, and fire came down from heaven and consumed the offering (2
Chron 7) as a confirmation that God’s presence was at work in their midst.
b.
Yet some 400 years later, things had gone
downhill spiritually (read through 2 Chronicles!), that by the time Ezekiel
came on the scene, not only the people, but even the priests were deeply
involved in idolatry.
c.
In 592 BC (Ez notes the date!), the Lord allowed
the prophet Ezekiel to see into the spiritual realm, and Ezekiel witnessed the
depth of sin and idolatry that was being committed inside the Temple. (Ezek 8-10)
10. This
section of the bible is probably most famous for Ezekiel’s description of the cherubim and the angelic
beings,
a.
But the real story is found in chapter 9-11,
where Ezekiel witnesses the glory of the Lord departing from the temple.
Now the glory of the God of Israel had gone up from
the cherub, where it had been, to the threshold of the temple. Ezek 9:3
Then the glory of the Lord departed from the threshold
of the temple and stood over the cherubim. And the cherubim lifted their wings
and mounted up from the earth in my sight. When they went out, the wheels were
beside them; and they stood at the door of the east gate of the Lord’s house,
and the glory of the God of Israel was above them. Ezekiel 10:18-19
So the cherubim lifted up their wings, with the wheels
beside them, and the glory of the God of Israel was high above them. And the
glory of the Lord went up from the midst of the city and stood on the mountain,
which is on the east side of the city. Ezek 11:22-23
b.
He is witnessing, in the spiritual realm, the
presense of God, departing from Israel.
11. Six
years later, the Babylonian’s came, just as the Lord said they would, and destroyed
the city and the temple, and carried the remaining Israelites into captivity.
a.
Ezekiel was crushed by all of this, even asking
the Lord “is this it? Are we done as a
people?”
12. But
the beauty of this book is that it not only chronicles judgment of God,
a.
But starting in chapter 11 Ezekiel is shown the
restoration of Israel, the re-gathering of the Jewish people to Israel,
b.
And starting in chapter 40 he’s given a vision
of the Millennial Kingdom
c.
(After the 7 year tribulation, the bible tells
there will be a 1000 year reign of Christ here on earth)
13. Now
when the captives returned to the land after the Babylonian captivity (Ezra and
Nehemiah), the temple was repaired, and Temple worship was restored,
a.
But the glory of the Lord never again appeared
in the House of God, it had departed.
b.
The last prophet to speak for the Lord was
Malachi, written during the time of return of the captives, speaking to a
broken but still disobedient people, warning them to return to the Lord, and
warning of the coming “Day of the Lord
14. This
helps us understand Jesus words when He entered Jerusalem:
“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the
prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather
your children together, as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, but you
were not willing! See! Your house is left to you desolate. Luke 13:34-35
15. And
we can see from history that the Jewish nation has indeed been desolate, scattered,
not a people, not a nation,
16. It’s
almost like watching a TV series, watching a plot unfold, watching world event
falling in line with the prophecies that given to concerning the end times and
the imminent return of Christ.
Tie in to Romans
17. All
of this ties into this letter, because Paul is presenting the truth of justification
(with God) by grace (a gift) through faith (not works)
a.
Yes, God may have chosen Israel, extended His
grace towards them, but there must be a point of belief in order for the blessings
of God to be realized.
14 How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not
believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And
how shall they hear without a preacher? 15 And how shall they preach unless
they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who
preach the gospel of peace,
Who bring glad tidings of good things!”
18. We
touched on this last week, that the call today is the same call that existed back
in the time of the prophets day – call on the Lord!
a.
God’s desire was that Israel would declare the
Lord to all nations,
b.
It's the same call today – Go and make
disciples!
19. Of
course, not everyone will respond:
16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says,
“Lord, who has believed our report?” (Is 53:1) 17 So then faith comes by
hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
20. After
writing about the importance of sharing the gospel, Paul now calls out the
Jewish people for not acting on the gospel.
a.
See the problem of people disregarding what God
has said goes all the back to the early prophets, as referenced by Paul’s wuote
from Isaiah, “Lord, no one believes me!”
b.
You can go all the way back to Abraham, even to
Genesis, and see that God has been consistent with His promise to send a Messiah
to bring salvation to the Jew and the Gentile alike…
c.
Paul’s making the point that people have heard,
some have simply chosen to toss it aside – “I don’t need God”
The Word – Application
to the Unsaved & Saved
21. Unsaved:
Interesting statement Paul makes – “faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the
word of God.”
a.
See if we know the word of God, our bible, we
can show people “The Lord said this, and here you see it happened. The Lord promised that, and here you see it
came to pass.”
b.
All of the things we’ve bee discussing regarding
the nation of Israel, I suggest that you don't view it as “interesting prophecy
teaching,”
c.
Rather USE IT as proof that God is real, and that
what He says, will come to pass.
22. See
the person who is open to the truth will say “wow, I see that” and there are
only two responses to the reality that God is who He says He is:
a.
You call on Him for salvation, or you reject
Him.
The Word – to the
Saved
23. Now
what’s beautiful about this verse is that while it does have a negative sense
that some might hear and disregard,
a.
To those who believe, there is a blessing; If you want to grow in your faith, READ THE
WORD OF GOD!
24. As
a pastor I meet with a lot of people, people come to me struggling in one area
of another, and when I ask them “are you in the word,” the response is often,
“yes…I do this devo” or “I listen to this pastor…” etc
a.
They’re reading and listening, but not actually
IN the bible.
b.
Now, these things, devotionals, books,
teachings, videos, they’re fine, but they aren’t the same as being IN the word.
c.
(like Krispy Kreme donuts! Men’s Breakfast)
d.
They’ll encourage you, but they will not change
you!
25. IF
you want to grow in your faith, READ YOUR BIBLE!
a.
What happens:
The word of God, truth, goes into your mind, and it’s activated by the
Spirit of God that lives in you, and it changes you.
b.
It also imbeds God’s truth and promises into
your heart, so when you come into a challenge, or a trial, or a decision, they
living truth of God’s word is what guides your actions and your decisions.
All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is
profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in
righteousness, that the man (or woman) of God may be complete, thoroughly
equipped for every good work. 2 Tim 3:16-17
18 But I say, have they not heard? Yes indeed: “Their sound
has gone out to all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world.” 19
But I say, did Israel not know? First Moses says: “I will provoke you to
jealousy by those who are not a nation, I will move you to anger by a foolish
nation.”
26. This
is an interesting doctrine, in that Paul is telling us that God wants Israel to
come to Him, yet they refuse, so He will provoke them to jealousy by other
nations worshiping Him!
a.
Paul is quoting from Deut 32: What’s referred to as “The Song of Moses” it
is an incredible prophetic section towards Israel,
b.
What God has done for them, how they will turn
from Him, what His response will be, and how He will judge the nations, and How
He will bring atonement, ending with this glorious statement:
“Rejoice, O Gentiles, with His people; For He will
avenge the blood of His servants, and render vengeance to His adversaries; He
will provide atonement for His land and His people.” Deut 32:43
27. And
this is exactly what happened, as we can see in Acts 13:
(Paul & Barnabus in Antioch)
42 So when the Jews went out of the synagogue, the
Gentiles begged that these words might be preached to them the next Sabbath. 43
Now when the congregation had broken up, many of the Jews and devout proselytes
followed Paul and Barnabas, who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue
in the grace of God.
44 On the next Sabbath almost the whole city came
together to hear the word of God. 45 But
when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy; and contradicting
and blaspheming, they opposed the things spoken by Paul. 46 Then Paul and
Barnabas grew bold and said, “It was necessary that the word of God should be
spoken to you first; but since you reject it, and judge yourselves unworthy of
everlasting life, behold, we turn to the Gentiles. 47 For so the Lord has
commanded us:
‘I have set you as a light to the Gentiles, that you
should be for salvation to the ends of the earth.’” (Is 49:6)
48 Now when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad
and glorified the word of the Lord. And as many as had been appointed to
eternal life believed. Acts 13
28. So
God promises way back in the days of Moses, some 3500 years ago, that Israel
would be blessed by God, yet she would “become fat and rebellious”
a.
And the Lord would provoke them to jealousy by a
foolish nation.
b.
Hate to break it to you guys, but we’re the
foolish nation!
c.
Not only are we the foolish nation, we weren’t
even looking for God:
20 But Isaiah is very bold and says: “I was found by those
who did not seek Me; I was made manifest to those who did not ask for Me.” (Is
65:1)
29. I
don't know if you’re aware of this, but we didn’t find God; He found us!
a.
How do we know that God found us?
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; Before
you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations.” Jer 1:5
You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed
you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain...
John 15:16
b.
in fact He knew us before we were even born, He
knew us before He created the universe.
He chose us in Him before the foundation of the
world... Eph 1:4-6
30. I
don't know if you can see it or not, but there is an incredible parallel with
the Nation of Israel, and US:
a.
God would be declared by us…
But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a
holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him
who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a
people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have
obtained mercy 1 Peter 2:9-10
b.
Law fulfilled IN us…
…that the righteous requirement of the law might be
fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the
Spirit. Rom 8:4
c.
That Christ would be revealed to the world
through us…
To them [the saints] God willed to make known what are
the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which[a] is Christ
in you, the hope of glory. Col 1:27
d.
Just like Israel, we can be chosen, God can
extend His grace and blessings towards us, but if we are to be redeemed to God,
we too must choose to believe the Word of God.
Copyright © 2014 Clay Ritter.
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