“You are agreeing today that Adonai is your God and that you will follow his ways; observe his laws, mitzvot and rulings; and do what he says. In turn Adonai is agreeing today that you are his own unique treasure, as he promised you; that you are to observe all his mitzvot; and that he will raise you high above all the nations he has made, in praise, reputation and glory; and that, as he said, you will be a holy people for Adonai your God.”-Deuteronomy 26:17-19
Do you know what I find amazing?
I find it amazing that in spite of God’s promises to Israel repeated countless times in the Tanach (aka the “Old” Testament), there are still a lot of folks out there who sincerely believe the Lord has somehow abandoned His chosen people Israel in favor of the gentile church.
For those who would dare to harbor this damnable heresy otherwise known as “Replacement Theology”, here are a couple of points I want you to consider.
FIRST, to think that the Lord would abandon Israel goes against the Lord’s unchanging nature.
We worship a God who keeps His promises no matter what…even if thousands of years may pass.
And the very fact that the Jewish people have returned to their homeland is surefire evidence the Lord never changes nor does He ever forget.
SECOND, if the Lord has abandoned His treasure Israel, what in the world makes you think He wouldn’t abandon the church at some point?
Chew on that thought for a sec.
If we can find some excuse for the Lord to permanently abandon Israel, seriously, whose to say the same thing couldn’t happen to the church?
The church will argue that their Jesus has promised them he’ll never forsake nor forget them.
Well, I’ve got news for you.
The Father made the exact same promise to Israel and it’s recorded in numerous places throughout the Scriptures.
The truth is the Lord will NEVER abandon Israel no matter how much they much falter and fail.
Onward, let’s finish off Deuteronomy Chapter 26 today with the two key takeaways I want you to get from this chapter.
When you read Deuteronomy Chapter 26, you will notice that the entire tone and context of the chapter demonstrates that what the Lord is seeking is a PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP with His people.
And what is the Lord’s prescribed method for us to be able to enter into this personal relationship with Him?
It is obeying His instructions and commandments.
However, at the same time, understand that obeying the Lord’s commandments was never a means to achieve righteousness or “get saved” to use Christian speak.
Let me make this crystal clear.
Only when one seeks to obey the Lord in all sincerity and faith AND…
…we surrender to Him in love and trust does obeying the commandments have any value all.
Let’s never forget this one profound thing.
Israel was saved by God BEFORE the Law or Torah was given to them.
Got it?
The Lord didn’t say to Israel…
“Let me give you the law and
then I’ll see how you do.
If you perform up to my standard,
then I’ll save you.”
It doesn’t work that way folks.
In fact, it has never worked that way.
The pattern AS ESTABLISHED IN TORAH has always been salvation first and obedience to the commandments second (in response to the salvation the Lord has given you).
That’s the way it was in the “Old” Testament and the way it is in the New Testament.
In fact, that’s the way it’s gonna be for all eternity.
NEXT TIME WE BEGIN DEUTERONOMY CHAPTER 27
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