GOD IS NOT FINISHED WITH ISRAEL
The apostle Paul asked the question, “Has God rejected His people?” He immediately answered, “Absolutely not!” (Rom. 11:1). He reminded his readers that he himself was Jewish and so was an elect remnant of Israel that had believed. Yet it was true that the vast majority of Jews had rejected Jesus as Messiah. Did this mean that God was finished with Israel because they had “stumbled” by not believing? Paul had used this same turn of phrase in his first letter to the Corinthians, saying that the preaching of Christ’s crucifixion was “a stumbling block to the Jews” (1 Cor. 1:23).
So was God finished with Israel? Were they destined to ultimately “fall” by not recognizing their promised Messiah? Again Paul responded, “Absolutely not!” He revealed how their “stumbling” had actually opened the way for the Gentiles to believe in Jesus. And how the salvation of Gentile believers would one day make Israel jealous to believe in Jesus too.
Perhaps that day has come. There are reports of a great awakening among many people in Israel and Jewish people around the world today. Let us therefore do our part to celebrate our salvation in Jesus, making Israel “jealous” to join in our worship of Him as Lord and Savior.
PRAYER: Dear Father, we are amazed at Your plans for us. You have saved us and sent us to declare Your gospel to the world. Help us not to forget Israel in our prayers and proclamation. For You are not finished with Israel. Today, we pray for a great spiritual awakening among the Jewish people and not only them, but the whole world. In Jesus’ name, amen.