The Jews, Our Elder Brothers

Do we realize, in the Church, what a great debt we owe the Jews? For through them God has given the Covenants, the Law, the Priesthood, the Prophets, the Savior and the Apostles, and, finally, no small thing, the Bible as we know it.

Even in their opposition to the Church, largely attributable to the Church’s historic and, in some circumstances, continuing persecution of the Jews, they serve to sharpen the “witness” of the church.  In this, they will not be persuaded of the truth of the Gospel except they see it radically lived out in the lives of those who would preach to them.  The Apostle Paul put it this way, “I say then, have they stumbled that they should fall?  Certainly not!  But through their fall to provoke them to jealousy, salvation has come to the Gentiles” (Romans 11:11).

The awesome fact, and one almost beyond human comprehension, is that God has “elected” to let “hardness of heart” come to the Jews in order that salvation may come to the Gentiles (non-Jews).  See the Book of Romans in the New Testament, chapters 9-11, and specifically Romans 11:25.

Yet God has not forgotten the Jews as is evidenced by the partial restoration of their homeland—never mind that the world seems bent on taking it away from them.  Further, the final issues of this age will be played out with the Jews on center stage, not to their delight, for they will experience unimaginable trial and persecution—all on the way to the “restoration of the promises of God” to this people.  In this, the whole earth will be blessed.

Paul, through the eye of faith, sees His people, the Jews, being restored and puts it this way, “For if their being cast away is the reconciling of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead” (Romans 11:15)?  When they come to embrace Yeshua as their Messiah; first, there will be inconsolable weeping for, “then they will look on Me whom they have pierced; they will mourn for Him as one mourns for his only son, and grieve for Him as one grieves for a firstborn” (Zechariah 12:10b); next, in close proximity to this event, whether immediately preceding (most likely), concurrent, or, immediately following will be the resurrection of the righteous dead and then a glorious battle.

That battle, the Battle of Armageddon, will see Yeshua triumphing over all His enemies and the enemies of Israel—ushering in the “Millennium”.  What a glorious day that will be—but only for those who are on the right side of it.