Today’s Thought “Given for a light to the Gentile” (June 24)

Coastlands or all of those in far-off lands should come to know that there is Only One True God, Who is also the God Who has chosen Him a people. It is the eternal all-knowing Godhead Who said to Isaiah that he is His servant Israel, in whom He will display His glory. Jehovah God used several servants and Jesus was His most faithful one. That last prophet, approved by God, had been born for a purpose which he understood to be an obligation to fulfil that purpose. He totally gave himself as a servant to his heavenly Father but was largely rejected by his own people; not labouring in vain. The people who would follow that seed of Abraham would themselves be plantings blessed by God, with their children and grandchildren likewise God-blessed.

“ They shall not labor in vain, nor bring forth for calamity; for they are the seed of the blessed of Jehovah, and their offspring with them.” (Isa 65:23 ASV)

“ According to their deeds, accordingly he will repay, wrath to his adversaries, recompense to his enemies; to the islands he will repay recompense.” (Isa 59:18 ASV)

“ holding forth the word of life; that I may have whereof to glory in the day of Christ, that I did not run in vain neither labor in vain.” (Php 2:16 ASV)

Today we also find people trembling in heart, There is a lot of going on which could trouble us. There are people who think they can play for god and decide when and how Jerusalem shall be the capital of Israel. It is not to man to decide such things. It is up to the God of Israel Who will come with vengeance and will come with a recompense. We should trust Him and be not afraid, because He will save His people and all those who love Him as their Father.

“ Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God; he will come and save you.” (Isa 35:4 ASV)

“ According to their deeds, accordingly he will repay, wrath to his adversaries, recompense to his enemies; to the islands he will repay recompense.” (Isa 59:18 ASV)

“ yea, he saith, It is too light a thing that thou shouldest be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel: I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth.” (Isa 49:6 ASV)

From the Sacred Writings, we know Jehovah redeemed Jacob and gave His only begotten beloved son to liberate His people. The Writings also show us that Jehovah never turned away from those who love and worship Him.

The “tribes of Jacob” suggests the preserved of Israel; (Zech 9:9-12;Isa 9:2;Rom 1:16;Gal 3:26-29) and followers of Christ are to be lights also (Matt 5:14-16).

“ I, Jehovah, have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thy hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles;” (Isa 42:6 ASV)

“ A light for revelation to the Gentiles, And the glory of thy people Israel.” (Lu 2:32 ASV)

“14 Ye are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hid. 15 Neither do men light a lamp, and put it under the bushel, but on the stand; and it shineth unto all that are in the house. 16 Even so let your light shine before men; that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” (Mt 5:14-16 ASV)

“46 And Paul and Barnabas spake out boldly, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first be spoken to you. Seeing ye thrust it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles. 47 For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee for a light of the Gentiles, That thou shouldest be for salvation unto the uttermost part of the earth. 48 And as the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of God: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed.” (Ac 13:46-48 ASV)

“ how that the Christ must suffer, and how that he first by the resurrection of the dead should proclaim light both to the people and to the Gentiles.” (Ac 26:23 ASV)

We do know Jesus one day shall enter Jerusalem again and shall come to sit on his throne over there. It is fitting Gods Plan that Jesus shall rule over the kingdom of God from that city, when he returns to earth:

“32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Most High: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: 33 and he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.” (Lu 1:32-33 ASV)

No one will be able to stop that. It is one of the many prophecies that still have to happen, but we may be sure, that like all other prophecies that already happened, this one shall become a reality too.

Jesus we know will come to restore the place where King David ruled from, Jerusalem, over the first kingdom of Israel (see 1 Samuel 24v20 for example).

“ They therefore, when they were come together, asked him, saying, Lord, dost thou at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” (Ac 1:6 ASV)

“ And now, behold, I know that thou shalt surely be king, and that the kingdom of Israel shall be established in thy hand.” (1Sa 24:20 ASV)

We should give an ear to God and know His Words are True.

“ Attend unto me, O my people; and give ear unto me, O my nation: for a law shall go forth from me, and I will establish my justice for a light of the peoples.” (Isa 51:4 ASV)

“ Hear, O my people, and I will speak; O Israel, and I will testify unto thee: I am God, even thy God.” (Ps 50:7 ASV)

“ «Maschil of Asaph.» Give ear, O my people, to my law: Incline your ears to the words of my mouth.” (Ps 78:1 ASV)

God had promised Abraham him being the father of a great nation. Now gentiles may also become members of that great nation of God. All those who have found God, and accept Him as their Father shall be able to be recognised as His children.

All those who may say they are in Christ, can be considered having become under Christ Abraham’s seed and heirs according to the promise – which is this same promise of inheriting the land of Israel. It applies to anyone who is truly Christ’s, which Paul goes on to explain means those who have been baptised and giving themselves to the lord.

“ And if ye are Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, heirs according to promise.” (Ga 3:29 ASV)

With our knowledge that the Bible also prophesies that there will be conflict and trouble in Jerusalem for centuries, it being a “burdensome stone” we should be careful how we look at and how we handle that tinderbox that could go off at any time.

As a follower of Christ, we may live by the hope of Israel. As heirs of that promise given by God we also should love to bring others also to get as much hope as we do. Coming closer to the times where Israel shall be a great nation again, we should spread that Good News of the coming Kingdom of God.

Kings and leaders of nations shall see and arise. Also princes shall worship, because of the Highest God that is faithful, and the Holy One of Israel, he shall choose His nation.

“ Thus saith Jehovah, the Redeemer of Israel, and his Holy One, to him whom man despiseth, to him whom the nation abhorreth, to a servant of rulers: Kings shall see and arise; princes, and they shall worship; because of Jehovah that is faithful, even the Holy One of Israel, who hath chosen thee.” (Isa 49:7 ASV)

Preceding

Today’s thought “The eyes of man are never satisfied” (April 17)

Today’s Thought “The servant, His chosen one, whom God supports and in whom God takes pleasure.” (June 18)

Today’s Thought “Witnessing servants of God” (June 19)

Today’s Thought “You haven’t heard, and you haven’t known; these things have not reached your ears before.” (June 23)

Today’s thought “Word of the Only One God – To be read and listened at” (November 21)

Servant of his Father

Proof of the resurrection of Christ

Memorizing wonderfully 67: Galatians 3:29 Heirs according to promise.

Taking as many opportunities as possible to proclaim the Good News