This article was written in obedience to Divine instructions. As I slept on the night of March 10, 2018, these words floated before my eyes “How the blood of Yeshua joins us to the commonwealth of Israel.” In addition to seeing the words, I saw a picture of the flag of Israel as well as the platform on which I was to share this article. I thank the Anointed Writer for allowing her platform to be used by the Lord in this way…
“Therefore remember that you, once Gentiles in the flesh—who are called Uncircumcision by what is called the Circumcision made in the flesh by hands – that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ… Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household…” (Eph. 2:11-13, 19)
As was the case with all the churches, the assembly in Ephesus consisted of both Jews and Gentiles. However, in his letter to them, the Apostle Paul was addressing Gentile believers specifically. His aim was to broaden their understanding of God’s eternal purpose and how He had reconciled man to Himself and to each other. The Apostle highlighted that while God had made special covenants with Israel, His love extended to all people. It is because of His love that He made provisions that foreigners (Gentiles) who were spiritually separated from Him and physically separated from the covenant blessings of Israel could be “brought near.” In other words both Jews and Gentiles had equal access to the Father through the shedding of Yeshua’s blood and Gentiles were now partakers of the blessing God promised to the Jewish people.
The idea that Gentile believers are now “spiritual Israel” and has replaced natural Israel is not taught in Scripture. When God called Abraham, He made an unconditional covenant with him. He said “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you… I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” (Gen.12:1-3). God’s covenant with Abraham would later be confirmed through Isaac then Jacob and through his descendants.
When God delivered Israel out of Egypt, as a newly redeemed people God made a covenant with them. This covenant was conditional and came with blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience. Although the people responded “we will do all that the Lord says” (Exodus 19:8) they did not keep their end of the agreement. What did God do? He punished them for their sins and all the curses that were associated with breaking the covenant came upon them. They lost their land and were dispersed among the nations. So with the covenant broken, would God now reject them as His people? Absolutely not! Instead God made a New Covenant with them.
The New Covenant
In Jeremiah 31:31 we read “Behold the days are coming says the Lord when I will make a new covenant with the house of Judah and the house of Israel” God was very specific that this covenant would not be like the one that was made with the forefathers when he took them out of Egypt. Instead of being written on tablets of stones, this new covenant would be written on hearts; making it impossible for them to break. In addition to writing His Torah on their hearts, God said “I will be their God and they shall be my people. I will forgive their iniquity and their sin I will remember no more” (Jer. 31:34). This new covenant was to be ratified (made valid) in the blood of Yeshua.
At the last supper with his disciples, having taken the cup of redemption, Yeshua said “for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” (Matt. 26:28) The promises associated with this new covenant would not only be for the Jewish people but it would also include all who would come to faith in Messiah. Yes! It would bring those who were afar off, near!
God has not rejected Israel
Presently, majority of the Jewish people have not accepted Yeshua as Messiah however Scripture teaches of a time when there will be national repentance and Israel will be restored; “And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourns for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn…”(Zechariah 12:10) Yes, the entire nation of Israel will repent. At that time, as God has promised under the new covenant “I will take away their sins and remember them no more” (Jer.31:34, Romans 11:27, Heb. 8:12). Yes, that which has been considered to be dry bones will live again! (Ezekiel 37:1-14)
The cultivated olive tree
In Romans 11:17-24 the Apostle Paul describes Israel by using a metaphor of a cultivated olive tree. According to him some of the natural branches (unbelieving Israel) have been broken off because of unbelief and a wild olive branch (Gentiles) has been grafted in. You see the gifts and calling of God are irrevocable. God has chosen Israel as His people and that cannot be revoked…. BUT through the blood of Messiah Gentiles “are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of His household…”
Amein!
About the Author:
Apostle Racquel Jones answered God’s call to full-time ministry in 2011 and is the Founder of Greater Works Apostolic Center. She has a mandate to teach and equip the members of the Body of Christ with specific focus on the Hebraic roots of the Christian faith. She also has a mandate to raise up leaders to fulfill their God-given purpose. She ministers in hospitals, schools, corporate entities and serves with the Chaplaincy Unit of the Jamaica Constabulary Force as a Volunteer Chaplain.
Background
Since 2007, she has been a Freelancer with the RJR Communications Group where she serves as TVJ’s Morning News Anchor and host of the Sunday gospel programme Beautiful Day aired on FAME FM at 5am. Apostle Jones is a trained Public Relations Practitioner, International Speaker and Personal Development Consultant and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Theology (First Class Honours) from the Jamaica Theological Seminary.
Purpose
She is driven by a passion to see persons function at their fullest potential, and as such she provides training in areas such as public speaking, voice and speech, customer service, as well as in grooming and deportment. Apostle Jones is committed to fulfilling the call upon her life “not by might nor by power but by the Spirit of the living God”
Connect With the Author
Amoy is intent on fulfilling God’s will and purpose for her life. She is a celebrity publicist, a proud Jamaican, a writer, an international speaker, a media practitioner and a published author. She loves all things luxury and is on a mission to become one of the wealthiest women from her island and in the world. 40 under 40, is that you?