ISRAEL'S RISING AND FALLING -
By Joel Finck
Scripture Reading: Isaiah 60:3; Romans 11:11
God has always desired the salvation of the Gentiles. Yet throughout history, He has chosen different methods to bring this about. Before the time of Abraham, God dealt directly with the nations, manifesting His glory "by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead ... " (Romans 1:20); butthe nations responded only with wickedness and rebellion. This rebellion was manifested in the building of the city and tower of Babel, and their proclamation, "let us make us a name" (Genesis 11:4).
God's response was to scatter the Gentiles and choose a family to be a witness to the rest of the earth. Abraham was told, "I will make of thee a great nation ... and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed" (Genesis 12:2, 3). God's design was to bless this nation (Israel) beyond measure to attract the interest of the nations around them. Therefore Isaiah wrote, "And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising" (Isaiah 60:3).
Unfortunately, as time went by, Israel failed to be the light to the nations. God tried to reach her through the prophets, through sending His own Son, and finally through the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost. Israel would not repent. Therefore, God allowed her to fall; but here is where we see God's great wisdom and grace. God is not mocked and His plans are not thwarted. Paul writes, "I say then, Have they (Israel) stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come to the Gentiles ... " (Romans 11:11).
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