#DailyDevotion God’s Promises Apply Only To The True Israel-All Those Who Trust In Jesus
November 15th
Read Jer 30:1–24
Jer 30:18-24 “Thus says the LORD: Behold, I will restore the fortunes of the tents of Jacob and have compassion on his dwellings; the city shall be rebuilt on its mound, and the palace shall stand where it used to be. (19) Out of them shall come songs of thanksgiving, and the voices of those who celebrate. I will multiply them, and they shall not be few; I will make them honored, and they shall not be small. (20) Their children shall be as they were of old, and their congregation shall be established before me, and I will punish all who oppress them. (21) Their prince shall be one of themselves; their ruler shall come out from their midst; I will make him draw near, and he shall approach me, for who would dare of himself to approach me? declares the LORD. (22) And you shall be my people, and I will be your God.” (23) Behold the storm of the LORD! Wrath has gone forth, a whirling tempest; it will burst upon the head of the wicked. (24) The fierce anger of the LORD will not turn back until he has executed and accomplished the intentions of his mind. In the latter days you will understand this.
A little good news finally for this rebellious house whom the Lord is sending into exile. He does not excuse their sins against him. They shall indeed be punished. They shall be punished by the world whose ways they have adopted. But those nations whom the Lord uses to punish Israel shall also have to answer for it. The Lord used their sinfulness to accomplish his good purpose.
We have these nice end times promises from the Lord. But first we must understand that a lot of this is not just dealing with Israel according to the flesh. As St. Paul teaches us, not all who are Israel are Israel. Only those who have the faith of Abraham are the Lord’s Israel, and that includes not only faithful Jews according to the flesh but also those non-Jews according to the flesh who have been grafted into Christ also through holy baptism.
The Prince who comes from themselves and draws near to God is no one else other than Jesus, the messiah, of the house of David. Jesus is the David who sits on his father’s throne. But Jesus is also the true king of Israel, the Lord, who called Abraham out from the nations.
We have this promise which is continued in the next chapter, “you shall be my people and I will be your God.” This happens in the new covenant which is made with the blood of Jesus and his blessed sacrifice and his innocent suffering and death. It is the true Israel that trust in him that these promises of restoration apply.
Heavenly Father, grant us faith in your David, Jesus of Nazareth, that we may be partakers of your restoration of Israel. Amen.