A Life in Exile

Many who are parents struggle with the reality that one of their children has turned his or her back on their family, their upbringing, or the faith of their parents. The wayward child is rejecting the love of the parent. It’s heartbreaking, as it’s one of the greatest hurts a parent can experience because a choice has been made by the one they brought into this world, nurtured, and loved.

God felt this way about Israel.

Moses was standing before Pharaoh, pleading the case on behalf of the Lord for his chosen people to be released from the bonds of slavery and allowed to worship the God of their fathers. This is how he referred to his people. “This is what the Lord says: Israel is my firstborn son” (Exodus 4:22, CSB).

From the moment he called to a man named Abram, God had set aside a nation as his own. They were the apple of his eye (Zechariah 2:8), watched over and cared for. Yet, this firstborn among the nations would turn from the God of their fathers, while those outside the line of the son of promise would seek him. This is the focus of today’s Old Testament passage:

“I was sought by those who did not ask; I was found by those who did not seek me. I said, ‘Here I am, here I am,’ to a nation that did not call on my name. I spread out my hands all day long to a rebellious people who walk in the path that is not good, following their own thoughts. (Isaiah 65:1-2)

The God who chose Israel to bring him glory and be a light to the nations, would reject him and fail in their mission, choosing instead to go after the worthless gods of the peoples around them.

I cannot imagine the heartbreak of God.

Paul felt his pain.

Saved out of his own pharisaical prison, Paul never lost sight for his people, the Jews. He hurt for those who thought they found righteousness in religious adherence and also for those who completely rejected Jehovah God. I have always loved the tenth chapter of Paul’s letter to believers in Rome because, during my years of working among Muslims, I saw many of the same tendencies in a people striving for righteousness by works alone. It’s painful to watch someone who thinks they are “good enough” for God to save them. It’s also painful to watch someone completely reject God’s love and salvation. Romans 10 conveys both sentiments and draws on several Old Testament passages. Here’s how it begins, as he’s writing about the Jews:

Brothers and sisters, my heart’s desire and prayer to God concerning them is for their salvation. I can testify about them that they have zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. Since they are ignorant of the righteousness of God and attempted to establish their own righteousness, they have not submitted to God’s righteousness. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes. (Romans 10:1-4)

He then refers to Deuteronomy 30:14, when he brings the simplicity of the gospel:

The message is near you, in your mouth and in your heart. This is the message of faith that we proclaim: If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. (Romans 10:8-9)

Paul experienced first-hand the rejection of the Jews to the gospel.

His personal experience with Christ on the road to Damascus had brought a sea change in the life of Paul, formerly known as Saul of Tarsus, persecutor of the Way. He was sent out by Christ to proclaim the good news to the Gentiles. Still, he never avoided sharing with his own people, the Jews. His practice in every city to which he traveled was to first enter the synagogue. Unfortunately, he was often thrown out by his people, leaving him no option but to turn to the Gentiles, who were more receptive to his message.

In this letter, he asks the question, knowing that for his people to come to faith, they must hear the message preached. This is when he refers to several more Old Testament references in giving his answer:

The prodigal son.

If we stopped our reading there with the end of chapter ten of Romans, we might think there is no hope for the nation of Israel. We can also look to other prophecies in Scripture to know that in the last days Israel’s unbelief will intensify and grow. It doesn’t look good for the chosen people.

Thankfully, we can turn the page in Paul’s letter and read chapter eleven. For brevity’s sake, I’m only going to give you a few verses:

I ask, then, has God rejected his people? Absolutely not! For I too am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, from the tribe of Benjamin. God has not rejected his people whom he foreknew.

I don’t want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers and sisters, so that you will not be conceited: A partial hardening has come upon Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. And in this way all Israel will be saved, as it is written, The Deliverer will come from Zion; he will turn godlessness away from Jacob. And this will be my covenant with them when I take away their sins. (Romans 11:1, 25-27)

The Father is watching and waiting for the prodigal son to return. That time is near. Pray for the people of Israel to turn from their wayward ways and back to the God of their fathers.

Grace and Peace

If you missed the last Learning from the Past post, click HERE, or start the series from the BEGINNING.