WE SHALL NOT DIE - Reading With the People of God #17নমুনা

The Covenant Keeping God

In Isaiah 30, Judah sees Babylonian doom clouds amassing on the horizon and turns to the new Pharaoh in Egypt for alliance and military support. They are turning to their old slave masters rather than turning to the Lord who brought them into the Promised Land. Through Isaiah, God expresses His frustration with the rejection of His people.

In this chapter, we see God, who created an entire nation of people for Himself, exposing His heart and His hurt at being summarily rejected by His people - a people He still must save and preserve to keep His covenant promises.

In Acts 18, we see God’s covenant promises fulfilled. Jesus, Israel’s Messiah, has come, fulfilling at least one hundred of Isaiah’s prophesies regarding Him and His ministry. Paul, now a missionary to the Gentiles by God’s will, is in Corinth, Greece, bringing the good news to the Jews first. As in days of old, God is rejected by His people, now through the rejection of His Son, Jesus. Romans 11:11 says that the rejection of Jesus by the Jews opened the door for the salvation of the Gentiles, but promises that recovery for Jews is still possible. Paul’s commission is to bring the saving message of redemption in Christ to all, the Gentiles as well as the Jews. The Gentiles became increasingly receptive, allowing Christian churches to be established throughout the Roman Empire. Isaiah 49:6 and 60:3 prophesy the salvation of the Gentiles.

From the Old Covenant to the New, we see continuity in God’s plan, purpose, and promises. Ephesians 3:2-6 speaks of the mystery of God revealed. God has come to man in Jesus, received the punishment for His people Himself, extended salvation to those who may receive this by faith, and created a chosen people for Himself from both Jew and Gentile, the church.

Primer contributed by Jinet Troost