Following Christ-Rediscovering the Jewish Faith of JesusSample

Day 6: Israel Not Rejected

It has been thought by many that Israel has been rejected as God’s chosen people and replaced by those who believe in Jesus. Could that be possible? No! The Bible denies it in no uncertain terms.

The prophet Jeremiah is especially emphatic about this. He writes of a “new covenant” that God will make with Israel and Judah in the last days. This covenant involves putting His law in their minds and hearts, and being their God in such a way that they all will know Him and have their sins forgiven.

He follows this description of the new covenant by insisting that as long as the sun shines during the day and the stars shine at night, Israel will be His people,and God will not reject them. So, is the sun still rising every day? Can you still see the stars in the evening? Well, yes, but Jeremiah wasn’t done yet.

This is what the Lord says: ‘If I have not made my covenant with day and night and established the laws of heaven and earth, then I will reject the descendants of Jacob and David my servant and will not choose one of his sons to rule over the descendants of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. For I will restore their fortunes and have compassion on them’” (Jeremiah 33:25-26).

Isn’t it wonderful how God keeps His promises? Throughout history, many nations have tried to destroy Israel, but they remain strong, and now rule a sovereign nation in the very land God promised from the beginning.

If God is so faithful in keeping His promises to the descendants of Israel, we can be sure that He will be just as faithful in keeping His promises to those who follow Jesus, and accept His death as payment for their sin.

Reflection

We can trust God to be faithful to the covenant He made with us through the blood of Christ Jesus, Messiah, His Son. Whether we are Jew or Gentile, we are alike grateful for this. Name one way you have changed since knowing Jesus as your Savior.

As we have learned, covenants were God’s idea and He upholds them. In our lives, the covenant that most resembles God’s is the marriage covenant. Married or not, everyone knows marriage is work. Therefore, it’s interesting that for us to keep God’s covenant, we simply have to believe in Him, and let Him into our lives. Just like in the marriage covenant, that’s where the transforming work begins. You just identified one way you changed since knowing Jesus. Next, journal about something you are working on changing with His help.