Posted on 03/18/2015 3:37:05 PM PDT by pastorbillrandles
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!
For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor?
Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again?
For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.Romans 11:33-36
Israel was chosen by God to bring into the world the Scriptures, the true worship, and the Messiah. She was created by a miracle birth, protected and preserved amidst much opposition, human and Satanic. All of the other nations had forgotten God, so God created Israel.
But she apostasized. She would not remain in faith, she departed from her husband, the LORD. In spite of all of His mercies and kindnesses, Israel rejected his love and went into a long suspension. The nation has died, but has been kept in state. All of this was predicted of course, by Moses and the Prophets.
Israel’s temporary suspension has been gain to we gentiles. God told Israel He would make her jealous by a “non people”, to prove to her that she was not indispensable and to draw her to Himself.
Jesus told a parable with the following punchline, “If the invited guests won’t come into the feast, go out into the highways and hedges, and round-up the poor, halt and lame ones!”.
Hey beggar! You, Blind man, and you lame over there! Do you want to come to the King’s feast?
Who, ME? I have never been invited to any feast let alone the King’s feast?
Come on in, the table is set and the main guests are hesitant to come, hurry up and enter, the food is free and the King is handing out robes to replace your rags!
I can picture the King walking through the banquet hall, as a people who don’t know a salad fork from a spout spoon, heartily enjoy a table such as they have never known!
He says, to one former beggar, How do you like the food my friend ?
The beggar says, heartily and with gusto- “This is the best food, the best music and the most beautiful party I have ever been to!”
I get what Paul is saying, in his burst of praise. As we say, “You can’t make this stuff up, it is so beautiful and rich”! The chief guests refrained from the party so the Master did the unthinkable, he opened the doors to the rabble!
But there is a wistful sadness about it all. I look at Israel and mourn, “You were the ones who the table was originally set for, You are the prince, the ‘best player on the team’, when will you take the filed again? I read your book, I wear your robes, I name my children after your prophets and sages, I worship your God, usually singing Zion’s songs! God, please save Israel!
Paul assures us that if Israel repents of her unbelief, she will indeed be restored, but then warns we gentiles, that if the church imitates the apostasy of Israel, we too will be cut off!
What a God! What a beautiful plan! No man could devise it, and the telling of it is all but inadequate. Words fail me as I ponder the Love and Justice, Truth and Peace, yea,goodness and severity that have met together and kissed in the gospel.
Who could tell God what to do, or that there is a better way? Who? People hate the Jews because they don’t think it right and fair, but their problem is with Grace and Mercy. Didn’t God say in another parable,“Is your eye evil because I am good?“.
Who can ever put God in debt to themselves. He who gives us all things, owes no man anything! Why does an employer go out one hour before sundown to hire a worker, and then pay him a full days wages?
Not because He needed us, but because we need Him!
May God bless and restore Israel to Himself!
Churches may be cut off as they degenerate into the mess that will become the One-World-Church, but those who have been saved and redeemed in Him will not.
I can't figure out why this post hasn't elicited many comments - I found it to be perfect in its terseness and in making a salient point about how those who considered themselves to be elite were replaced by those who were never going to get anywhere...
God is Good!
Thanks Trebb-
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