Light to lighten

4th December 2013, mgh

This Article: (2 Pages)

1) Grafted into the Fig Tree

In Romans 11, Paul explains the relationship of Jews and Gentiles, their interdependence and the one hope by which they are bound. Although Paul was the apostle to the Gentiles, he begins this chapter by saying that the nation of Israel had not been forsaken. Paul records that at the time of Elijah, when Elijah felt so alone in his dealings with Israel, Yahweh declared that there were seven thousand faithful of the nation who were not worshipping Baal.

I say then, Has God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. God has not cast away his people which he foreknew. Wot ye not what the scripture said of Elias? how he made intercession to God against Israel, saying, Lord, they have killed thy prophets, and digged down thine altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life.

But what said the answer of God unto him? I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal. (Romans 11:1-4)

It may have been assumed that the Jews had been totally abandoned, and replaced by the Gentiles. Paul however states that some Israelites were faithful and among those of the 'election of grace', that is, of those who believed in the Messiah, Y'shua (Jesus) and had accepted him as the Saviour of Israel. The first Christians were Jews. The Apostles were Jews. The failing of the nation of Israel had opened the door of salvation formally to the Gentiles. Paul also shows in the following verses that David had seen that this would happen.

What then? Israel has not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election has obtained it, and the rest were blinded (According as it is written, God has given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day.

And David (Psalm 69) said, Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, and a stumblingblock, and a recompence unto them: Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, and bow down their back always. I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy. ( Romans 11:7-11)

Paul then explains that he would do what he could to bring as many of his fellow Israelites to an understanding of the hope of salvation. The promises had been made to the Patriarchs of Israel and the hope of salvation had its “roots” in those promises. The promises and hope of Israel remained the way of salvation. Paul was an Israelite and wanted to save some of his nation if it was possible.

If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are my flesh, and might save some of them. For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead? For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches (Romans 11: 14-16)

Paul now shows the Gentiles that they have been grafted into the olive tree, the symbol of Israel. They were not to be exalted in their minds and thinking that they were of more importance but had to take heed as they were as branches that were grafted into the tree from a wild olive tree. They were warned to take care that they were not cut off, as the Jews had been.

In fact those natural branches, the Jews, could be grafted in again. We have then a vision of the tree bearing the two types of branches, Jew and Gentile.

Paul's comment about when the “fullness of the Gentiles be come in,” is explained in the gospel of Luke, which clearly states when this time will occur. Luke 21:24 states “And they(ie Israel) shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.” Paul continues to develop the symbol of grafting in relation to the interdependence of Jews and Gentiles and the hope of salvation.

Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shall be cut off. And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be grafted in: for God is able to graft them in again.

For if thou were cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and were grafted contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree? For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles be come in. (Romans 11:22-25)

As shown in Luke 21:24 above, “Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.” In 1967 Jerusalem was once again a Jewish city and the time of the Gentiles was “fulfilled”. From 1967 onwards there has been a continual and ever increasing eroding of Christian principles. The basic ten commandments and standards of morality of the Bible are now longer respected or obeyed and in fact in many cases repudiated.

We would expect now that many Israelites will turn again to Yahweh Elohim, search their scriptures and their prophets and seek the coming of their Messiah. There is evidence on the mountains of Israel that this is now happening. The apostle Paul continues and states that the Deliverer, that is the Messiah, “shall come out of Zion”. The reason is also given. A covenant, the promises to the Patriarchs of Israel, must be fulfilled. This Messiah is the same deliverer and saviour of the faithful Christian. Paul concludes this chapter with the blessing that is promised to the faithful of both Jew and Gentile.

And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Zion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins... For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief: Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy. For God has concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all.

O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgements, and his ways past finding out! (Romans 26-27, 30-33)

2) Light to lighten the Gentiles

Again the Old Testament reveals itself as a book for the Gentiles. We have seen Paul's explanation of the relationship that exists between Jews and Gentiles in the hope and promise of salvation and the Messiah who is the saviour of the faithful of both Jews and Gentile. From the New Testament a few quotations give evidence to support that statement.

When Y'shua (Jesus) was born, a faithful old man rejoiced to hold the infant and from the information and prophecies of the Old Testament was able to say to Mary and Joseph what the future would hold for this child. Through knowledge of the writings of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms, Simeon had an understanding of his times, the weakness of Israel's leaders and the future of the nation. Luke creates an inspiring image of Simeon and the infant Y'shua,

And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Spirit, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ (Yahweh's Anointed).

And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Y'shua (Jesus), to do for him after the custom of the law, Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, Lord, now let thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel. (Luke 2:25-32)

Paul and Barnabas spoke to both Jews and Gentiles in Antioch and the leaders of Israel strongly rejected the hope of redemption offered through the sacrifice of Y'shua (Jesus). At that time it was many of the Gentiles who welcomed the message that Paul and Barnabas brought to them.

And the next sabbath day came almost the whole city together to hear the word of God. But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy, and spoke against those things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming.

Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles. For so has the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou should be for salvation unto the ends of the earth.

And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed. (Acts 13:44-48)

When Paul stood accused by the Jews before Agrippa, he explains that he spoke openly, from the writings of the Prophets and Moses, to the Jews and also to the Gentiles. His knowledge came from what we know as the Old Testament. He knew he had to bring “light unto the people(of Israel), and to the Gentiles”.

Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come: That Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should show light unto the people, and to the Gentiles. (Acts 26:22-23)

Y'shua brought light to Israel but most Israelites failed to respond to the message of the coming kingdom. There were Jews who were baptised and recognised Y'shua as the anointed and Messiah of Israel, but many Gentiles were also to understand accept the hope offered to Israel. Isaiah spoke of this event,

And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and his rest shall be glorious (Isaiah 11:10)

The apostles continued the Messiah's work and taught Jews and also the Gentiles of the marvellous hope of salvation. Isaiah declares that the light of the gospel and the message of salvation would ultimately go out to all the world. The urgency of this appeal is captured by Isaiah in Isaiah 62.

For Zion's sake will I not hold my peace, and for Jerusalem's sake I will not rest, until the righteousness thereof go forth as brightness, and the salvation thereof as a lamp that burns. And the Gentiles shall see thy righteousness, and all kings thy glory: and you shall be called by a new name, which the mouth of Yahweh shall name. (Isaiah 62:1:-2)

Isaiah also develops the work of the Messiah in chapter 42. The result of his ministry would result in faithful followers continuing to send forth the light and promise of salvation throughout the world. For two millenia that light has gone forth, mostly in difficult conditions, opposition and persecution. The light would spread to the islands and to the Gentiles and there would finally be judgement in the earth.

Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delights; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgement to the Gentiles. He shall not cry, nor lift up, nor cause his voice to be heard in the street. A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench: he shall bring forth judgement unto truth.

He shall not fail nor be discouraged, till he have set judgement in the earth: and the isles shall wait for his law. Thus said Yahweh, he that created the heavens, and stretched them out; he that spread forth the earth, and that which cometh out of it; he that gives breath unto the people upon it, and spirit to them that walk therein:

I Yahweh have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles; To open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house. (Isaiah 42:1-7)

The following quotation from Isaiah 49 again details the work of the Messiah, Yahweh's Holy One, who showed the will and character of his Father. Yahweh would be glorified eventually through the work of the Messiah and the apostles. Israel at first had revealed that light in the faithful Patriarchs and even today the revived nation of Israel is a witness to that light of promise and hope.

The quotation commences with a plea to the islands and the “people from far”. Y'shua taught of the Kingdom to come and faithful Jews spread the hope to the Gentiles. Israel today remains a sign that the promise of salvation is established.

Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; Yahweh has called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother has he made mention of my name. And he has made my mouth like a sharp sword; in the shadow of his hand has he hid me, and made me a polished shaft; in his quiver has he hid me;

And said unto me, Thou art my servant, O Israel, in whom I will be glorified. Then I said, I have laboured in vain, I have spent my strength for nought, and in vain: yet surely my judgement is with Yahweh, and my work with my Elohim. And now, said Yahweh that formed me from the womb to be his servant, to bring Jacob again to him, Though Israel be not gathered, yet shall I be glorious in the eyes of Yahweh, and my Elohim shall be my strength. And he said, It is a light thing that thou should 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 may be my salvation unto the end of the earth.

Thus said Yahweh, the Redeemer of Israel, and his Holy One, to him whom man despises, to him whom the nation abhors, to a servant of rulers, Kings shall see and arise, princes also shall worship, because of Yahweh that is faithful, and the Holy One of Israel, and he shall choose thee.(Isaiah 49:1-7)

We in the 21^st Century know of the destruction of the Nation of Israel, its people scattered throughout the nations, the persecution of the people and the re-establishment of the nation of Israel in 1948. We also know that Israel has few friends in this world and many enemies who would have the nation carved up and destroyed. The following prophecy from Isaiah clearly shows a dramatic change that we yet will see.

Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Yahweh is risen upon thee. For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but Yahweh shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee.

And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising. Lift up thine eyes round about, and see: all they gather themselves together, they come to thee: thy sons shall come from far, and thy daughters shall be nursed at thy side.

Then you shall see, and flow together, and thine heart shall fear, and be enlarged; because the abundance of the sea shall be converted unto thee, the forces of the Gentiles shall come unto thee. (Isaiah 60:1-5)

The culmination is in our Lord the king, of whom it is said,