As a believer in Christ I believe every word of the Old Testament and God's dealing with His people, the Jews. We diverge from the Jews at the point where Christ enters the scene in the gospels. Jesus teaches that God has temporarily set aside the Kingdom of Israel (But not Jews as individuals.) and is currently calling out to the world,
"Whosoever will may come."
He is, today, making Himself known to the world through believers in Christ the Messiah. But millions of believers are being unfaithful to God just as so many Jews were. God tells us believers of every lineage and race not to be arrogant but humble because He will only call so long, then turn back to the Jewish Kingdom. I found this poem today and thought it was right on.
Remember Romans 3:1?
Rom 3:1-2 Then what advantage has the Jew? Or what is the benefit of circumcision? 2 Great in every respect. First of all, that they were entrusted with the oracles of God. NASU
THE JEW
Scattered by God's avenging hand.
Forsaken and alone.
Sad wanderers from their pleasant land,
Do Judah's children mourn:
And e'en in Christian countries, few
Breathe thoughts of pity for the Jew.
Yet listen, Gentiles, do you love
The Bible's precious page?
Then let your heart with kindness move
To Israel's heritage:
Who traced those lines of love for you?
Each sacred writer was a Jew.
And then as years and ages passed,
And nations rose and fell,
Though clouds and darkness oft were cast
O're captive Israel
The Oracles of God for you
Were kept in safety by the Jew
And when the great Messiah came
For guilty man to bleed,
He did not take an angel's name.
No - born of Abraham's seed-
Jesus, who gave His life for you,
The gentle Savior was a Jew.
And though His own received Him not,
And turned in pride away.
Whence is the Gentile's happier lot?
Are you more just than they?
No; God in pity turned to you -
Have you no pity for the Jew?
Go, and bend your knee to pray
For Israel's ancient race;
Ask the dear Savior every day
To call them by His grace;
Go, for a debt of love is due
From Christian Gentiles to the Jew.
Author unknown
Series on Romans for new or non Christians but all are welcome
Definitions 1 http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.jsp?articleId=281474977428907&nav=MyGather
Definitions 2 http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.jsp?articleId=281474977429295&nav=MyGather
Definitions 3 http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.jsp?articleId=281474977429344&nav=MyGather
Romans 1 http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.jsp?memberId=485292&articleId=281474977445120&nav=MyGather
Romans 2 http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.jsp?memberId=485292&articleId=281474977449148&nav=MyGather
Romans 3 http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.jsp?memberId=485292&articleId=281474977453939&nav=MyGather
Romans Pre 4 http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.jsp?memberId=485292&articleId=281474977459826&nav=MyGather
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Comments: 57
Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
Glome, I was "radicalized" (I guess) by a former pastor of mine, a Methodist, an unassuming older guy in a suit that was shiny with age, who, during a period when I was over my head as lay leader to my congregation, said to me, "First, you are a Jew. Then, a Christian."
After he told me that, I thought about it--and the dicey relationship between Christians and Jews over the past 2,000 years--and eventually came to accept his teaching. Jesus was a Jew, and lived with and worked with and preached to Jews. He had to emphasize that his teaching and invitation was also offered to non-Jews. That non-Christian Jews have yet to "come to Jesus" doesn't affect those facts at all, even 2,000 years later.
A very interesting poem- that depicts a lot of thoughts I have struggled with in the past several years. I was born a Hindu (I guess that makes me a Gentile? - Thai is a question for you) in India came to know Christ in a Pentecostal Church - I left the Church because I thought the pastor was indulging in false teachings - I became a serious student of the Bible - self study but with the help of a lot of Bible scholars especially Macarthur among many. I too believe a lot in the Old Testament writings. I must admit that I do not comprehend quite a bit of the Old Testament especially the Prophetic books like Ezekiel and Isaiah.
I appreciate your honest writings and sharing your thoughts - I find them very refreshingly honest and humble. THANKS for being YOU - Glome ;)) where did you come up with that name reminds me of Golem in The Lord Of the Rings - the pastor try to convince the Church that this movie was inspired by the Devil and forbid the congregation from seeing the movie. I was labeled a rebel. I liked the movie.
Also, in this teaching in Romans, I've been pointing out that 'Christian' is just a tag put on believers in (I forgot which town) the Bible but it can also be confusing. A Jew that accepts the Lord doesn't quit being a Jew. They are a Jew that has come a believer. We can call them Christian but they are still Jews. Some took on the name Messianic Jews. You can see why that would be more fulfilling to them. They are Jews who have received their Messiah :)
I was thinking about this earlier today. I was reading that one of the books considered to be holy by some says that it would be indiscreet (or something like that) for God to have Fathered a child in any way with a human. But then I thought that God refers to Israel as 'His wife'. The importance of that title jumped out at me. The Holy Spirit of God Himself place the seed in the womb of His wife. Then I saw why it was so important also, that He choose a people. A people to be His wife. To carry His Son.
And it was His divine choice to choose Abraham for His own purposes.
Actually, the Jews were to represent God to the world ... they were to be servants in that way just as Believers are to reveal Him today. All of us using the Word of God that had been given to the Jew. :)
Thanks for bringing out those insightful analogies -- well thought out. I never saw it quite that way before. Thanks again.
Thanks for your comment. My statement about Jesus being God was taken from my understanding of several scriptures in the bible, one of them being the book of John chapter one.
You have an excellent writing ability..........and I love the Star of David you have at the top!
I worry so much, so often, about Israel, as it seems the world is turning against them.......I truly feel the land should be returned to Israel.........it seems at times that there will never be peace over there.
Humility is a very, very important part of being a Christian........I read my Bible, pray a lot, share my faith with others, and try to live a good Christian life.......sometimes it seems so difficult, and it seems like I'm always praying for forgiveness for something from God!
Oh, I also wanted to let you know, I just love your name........so unusual and really neat!
God bless!
Anyway, I've avoided anything that takes much thought because my mind has been so foggy getting up with Mom sometimes 10 x a night when she can't sleep. Twice this month skipped a whole night sleep.
We're getting a hospital bed with bars and an alarm so I can relax and sleep. I already have a monitor in her room. And also the means to strap her in her chair if necessary. I'm on a 2nd round of strong antibiotic and at the 3rd pill of the 2nd round finally can feel a difference. Yaaaaaaaaa. Sometimes I just stare at an article or a face and can't think what to say so I just close your tab :) Please no comments necessary. Just wanted you all to know why I've changed so much in the last couple of months & so unfaithful in responding and posting to my Romans series. BUT ... I'm coming back :) Enough said. On to other things.
Thank you for the love and sacrifice you obviously show here on Gather. Please find comfort in knowing that God appreciates what you do, and we all do. Don't feel bad about taking a lighter load upon yourself and finding rest and peace in Him. My prayers are with you.
Yes, you surely are a Gentile :)
I spent the first 22 yrs of my life scared to death of God. If you didn't live up to the standards of my religion you went to hell. I knew that's where I was going. Actually, I wasn't even a bad child. I obeyed, loved my siblings etc ... but even when I went to confession & tried to tell everything I'd done, when I came out I felt like a liar. I hadn't told him the whole truth. It wasn't until after I had accepted Christ I understood. I knew, when I left the confessional that I had left the impression I was nicer than I really was. I was ashamed of what I WAS. Not just what I did. And that is what Christ died for ... He died for what I am. And then gave me a whole new 'I am' :):) A new spirit with a new character. I was born into heaven that night & as soon as I get out of this old cocoon I'm outa here.
It's good you were in at least a couple of different Chrisitan religions. It's too easy to get locked into a system. I loved MacArthur. I also did a lot of reading & Bible study. It's addictive isn't it?
Glome is a city in the book Till We Have Faces by CS Lewis. (If you haven't read him, get his books of essay's. His most popular book is Mere Christianity. I read it the year after I found Christ. His logic is amazing. I always have a small book of his essay's in my purse)
Anyway ... the people of glome were under the influence of a sad, empty, scary religion. A terrible thing happened to the sister of the main female charachter, Uriel. But in the end . . . :) I made up a poem when someone asked me what glome was :)
Glome is the home
Of the lost without faces
As they march through the dark
In blind slowly paces
But piercing the dark
Light opens their eyes
Their faces enlightened
Their old nature dies
The light fills their being
Truth rings in the air
Glome no longer dreary
But joyous and fair
Inspired by TILL WE HAD FACES by CS Lewis
"So help me me" Haha Thanks for coming by :)
But ... somehow or other ... this is best. Giving us a part in the whole thing. Yep, it's interesting.
From Christian Gentiles to the Jew."
Yes, and yes, and yes! ;-) Only I object just a little bit against the word "debt" here. I think that for a Christian... no, for EVERY true spiritual person, to love should be just as natural as to breathe... You don't think that to breathe is your "debt" before someone, right? ;-) You don't even notice it, but you simply can't live without it. The same is correct in regard to love. I hope and pray that the day will come when love and compassion would heal the wounds that the people who called themselves "Christians" once caused to Jews... probably more than to any other people in the world.
And, even though I belong to the church which is, in general, notoriously antisemitic, it would require an article to describe how much I'm "indebted" (in the best sense of the word) to our wonderful Russian Jews and what a huge positive difference they have made in our life and culture.
Blessings and best wishes - S.
Your icon picture is so cute, but I notice you have a bandaid on the upper right of your face. Poor baby.
I wrote something about my name a few comments up to Jai. Thanks for likeing it.
I will come to visit you & see your site.
Maybe it isn't hard to be a Christian in Russia any more. But I know there has been much suffering over the years. You are the victory that is encouraging to hear.
I'll come and see if you have any part of an autobiography in the past on your articles.
I understand what you mean by the word debt ... love has to be given willingly, not by force. I assume the author means it is due them whether we have the tenderness of heart to realize it or not.
Thanks for your encouragement.
Thanks for coming by your highness.
Don't you just wonder how people that don't know the Lord get through life? He is the pillow behind my head every night when I lie down cradled in His care. I know you understand exactly what I mean.
Now, what you said about the other nations; I heard that one other time but don't know where the info came from. Is it mentioned in the Bible? I can't remember anything that could be taken to mean that but I'm getting old??? :):)
I know there has to be strain for Jews to hear believers in Christ take such liberty with Jewish scriptures and beliefs and add their own thoughts. I'm aware of it when I'm typing and often hate to say one thing or the other ... but have to since I believe as I do.
I will say any Jews that have responded have been more than kind and helpful. I'll go reread and see what was said that might have referred to color.
Go, and bend your knee to pray
For Israel's ancient race;
Ask the dear Savior every day
To call them by His grace;
Is that what you were referring to? It's hard to know what a race is. Everybody came from Noah's boys. & yet they seemed to isolate themselves in groups and became separate enough and different enough to be called races.
I know it is hard to define the Jews because they are simply Abrahams children. Since Jewishness is carried by the woman I understand why they are so varied. It would be the same if carried by only the man also but ... Anyway ... what do you think about calling them a race. Of course they are a religious group also. Or a social group. But since religion doesn't play as big a part as it used to it seems race is a better word.
What is your suggestion. How do the Jews refer to themselves as a group?
Glome, I wish you strength to deal with your MOM, you must upkeep your own health. May God lighten your load.
I think you two are probably right but I wouldn't feel free to change it since someone else wrote the poem :)
But ... I'm just thinking... maybe it can be used in other ways. Maybe literally is isn't quite right, but doesn't common usage allow for it to somewhat refer to gratitude. We say to people for a variety of reasons, "Oh thank you, I am indebted to you." when they do something that helped us. It's a good thing to think over. Thanks ladies.
Thanks Chana. Those 12 tribes really get around :)
Main articles: Demographics of Israel Wickipedia
According to Israel's Central Bureau of Statistics, as of May 2006, of Israel's 7 million people, 77% were Jews of any background, 18.5% non-Jewish Arabs, and 4.3% "others".[1] Among Jews, 68% were Sabras (Israeli-born), mostly second- or third-generation Israelis, and the rest are olim (Jewish immigrants to Israel) — 22% from Europe and the Americas, and 10% from Asia and Africa, including the Arab countries. [2] Nearly half of all Israeli Jews are of European descent, while around the same number come from Arab Countries, Iran, and Turkey, also, several hundred thousand are descended from Ethiopia, Indian, and Chinese Jews as well.[citation needed]
That put such a barrier up for the Jews. What a great day when Jews who had accepted to Christ as their Messiah rose up and said no. We are not Christians but believers in Christ as the Messiah. We shall be call Messianic Jews. It put a whole new truth into the name.
Christ Himself didn't give a name for His followers. The earliest believers were Jews. I don't know what they called themslves. The name 'Christian' was started in a town in Bible times and reported in the Bible but at some time became a hindrance. Guess I need to look up the history of the name. It would be interesting.
Israel-Russia
I'll come over and meet you :)
Thanks for coming by.