Ah, sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, offspring of evildoers, children who deal corruptly! They have forsaken the LORD, they have despised the Holy One of Israel, they are utterly estranged. (Isaiah 1:4; ESV)
The Bible is primarily the story of God. We learn the story of God through the life experiences of a particular people group: the nation of Israel. While the purpose of the Bible is to make the true God known to all peoples, he is revealed for the most part through this one people. This is summed up in the first book of the Torah, where God says to Abram, "...in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed" (Bereshit / Genesis 12:3; ESV).
As the story of the Scriptures unfolds, there are many wonderful accounts of God's magnificence demonstrated through ancient Israel: Moses standing before the world power of his day to lead his people out of slavery; Joshua leading the nation in conquest of the Promised Land; David defeating the giant; Elijah calling down fire from heaven. But these and other shining moments are actually the exception rather than the rule. For the most part, Israel failed in its mission to be God's light to the nations. Isaiah's words that I began with don't only apply to the time in which he spoke. They are rather a reflection of much of Israel's experience right through the Scriptures.
This doesn't mean that Israel did not fulfill its purpose to which it was called. Even though Israel did fail to live up to the standards God set for them, God revealed through them one of the most important truths that we as human beings must learn in order to know God - that on our own we cannot live up to his standards. Hundreds of years after Isaiah indicted Israel for its failure to follow God, another member of the nation of Israel wrote, "Now we know that whatever the law says it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be stopped, and the whole world may be held accountable to God (Romans 3:19; ESV).
Israel was indeed chosen to reveal God to the world, but a component of that was to make it clear that all people, whatever our background, cannot, on our own, be what we were intended to be. Israel's failure to live up to God's standards is no reason for other nations to point their finger at Israel as if they could have done better. Israel was chosen to demonstrate what we all really are - sinners in need of God's forgiveness and grace.
God's purpose in choosing Israel is only truly fulfilled as we recognize this need. It is when we stop pretending that we are better than we are and accept our dismal human state that we will be in a position to know God. Later in this week's Haftarah, Isaiah says, "'Come now, let us reason together,' says the LORD: 'though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool'" (Isaiah 1:18; ESV). God desires to change us, but unless we recognize our sinful condition, we will never avail ourselves of his offer to do so.
In a day when self focus is expected, self fulfillment is encouraged, self improvement is assumed possible, and personal autonomy is viewed as a right, it is difficult to see ourselves reflected in the failure of ancient Israel. But our refusal to do so doesn't change reality. Until we humble ourselves to accept that we, like Israel of old are "laden with iniquity, offspring of evildoers, children who deal corruptly", then that is exactly what we will be.
4 comments:
Very true indeed. And this is precisely why.. YHWH will yet choose Israel! He knows that all have fallen short... ALL.
How beautiful is His faithfulness?
Alan: Once again you strike a note of profound Truth, which speaks to the essential dilemma of humanity. Many centuries of anti-semitism were promulgated by proud Christian churchmen who supposed that Israel had lost the blessing bestowed by God on Abram and his (eternal) descendants leading to all sorts of pernicious variations of replacement theology. However; as you point out, the failure of the Israelites is precisely the failure of the Goyim. But now my hope grows as I see unprecendented numbers of the sons of Abraham coming to repentance and recognition of Yeshua ha Meshiach, as their long awaited redeemer. I also see a growing repentance and recognition among some gentile Christians who now understand the imperative that the Gentile and Jewish branches of the church embrace and love one another. I am astounded by the genius of God's redemptive plan, particularly as Paul explained it in Romans 11:11-15:
"11(A)I say then, they did not stumble so as to fall, did they? (B)May it never be! But by their transgression (C)salvation has come to the Gentiles, to (D)make them jealous.
12Now if their transgression is riches for the world and their failure is riches for the Gentiles, how much more will their (E)fulfillment be!
13But I am speaking to you who are Gentiles. Inasmuch then as (F)I am an apostle of Gentiles, I magnify my ministry,
14if somehow I might (G)move to jealousy (H)my fellow countrymen and (I)save some of them.
15For if their rejection is the (J)reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance be but (K)life from the dead?"
To me this is what makes it so exciting to be part of a Messianic congregation that is led by the Holy Spirit. I am witnessing the fulfillment Paul's words as the children of Abraham embrace Yeshua as their Meshiach, and as the gentile brethren embrace their Jewish brethren in a spirit of repentance. Their are times when the tears just flow in our congregation and we couldn't turn it off if we wanted to. Isn't God and His plan for our redemption just breathtakingly awesome!
Alan; I appreciate how God uses you to encourage us, brother. Your insightful commentaries always remind me of what is true and holy before our God. Shalom blessings to you and your family. Brian Reid, Lantana TX
Dear Allen
Adinamic message keepit up preachit speakit out Like Noah hunderedyears weather the people listen or not
God bless Samuel
Hi, Alan, Your message, "Chosen to Fail" is so poignant, so "right-on" for today's generation of Americans and the world at large.
I echo what Brian Reed, of Lantana, TX said in his comments here.
God bless you and yours, Alan. Please keep on preaching and teaching the Word. You are such a terrific blessing to me.
Cyndie
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