KINGDOM FIRST OFFERED TO ISRAEL

KINGDOM FIRST OFFERED TO ISRAEL

 

“These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.” “But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”  Matt. 10:5-7; Matt. 15:24

He offered to the lost sheep of the house of Israel knowing what was said back in Genesis 12:2-3. “And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.”  There could be no blessings flow to the Gentiles as was spoken in the Abrahamic covenant until Israel has experienced it first.

No wonder in 1948 Israel came back into the world picture as a nation. And why all the world’s news has Israel as a player in the daily drama.

Christ clearly understood the contingent nature of that message of the Kingdom. Even though He knew they would reject that offer, it was still genuine. John the Baptist was introduced making the OT prophecy of his offer proof of the genuineness of the offer. It was in the spirit of Elijah, for God knew they would reject him. (Matt. 11:13-15 – cf. 17:10-13).

Christ saw clearly He would be rejected by Israel. Therefore He said things such as “Destroy this temple…” (John 2:19-22) as well as “As Moses lifted up the serpent….” (John 3:14-15). In His hometown of Nazareth, one year after opening His ministry, He was met with opposition from the beginning (Luke 4:28-29).

His popularity with common people was sporadic. One day they would make Him King, but the next they would turn away (John 6:15 with 60-66). From the beginning the rulers questioned His identity and authority (John 2:18).

Instead of repentance they apostatized. And they were confirmed in that unbelief of Who He claimed to be and the offer He made to them. “When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none. Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished. Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation.”  (Matt. 12:43-45)

And so it was: for they grew worse and worse, as if totally abandoned to diabolic influence; till at last the besom of destruction swept them and their privileges, national and religious, utterly away. What a terrible description of a state of apostasy is contained in these verses!

They love the leadership of satan over the Lover of their souls. Still He has plans for their reception of all He has promised. And what they go through to accept that love.