— to the Israel of God.
Summary: In today’s passage, Paul drops a clue to his views on the true nature of Israel.
At first glance, today’s passage might seem out of place. Paul’s sentence reads, “Peace and mercy to all who follow this rule—to the Israel of God.” What does he mean by “the Israel of God?”
There are clues to Paul’s meaning in his letter to the Galatians.
When he writes about the law, he is talking about the law of the Israelites. In a way, “the law” is synonymous with “Israel.”
When Paul says we are “not justified by works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ” (Galatians 2:16), he echoes what he wrote in his letter to the church in Rome.
In Paul’s letter to the church in Rome, he writes, “For not all who are descended from Israel are Israel.” (Romans 9:6) He then explains that the people who are Israel are people of faith. In Old Testament times, people put their faith in the God of Abraham and the God of Moses. In New Testament times, people put their faith in Jesus Christ.
To validate his statement that we who have faith in Jesus are Israel, Paul quotes Hosea speaking for God and saying:
“I will call them ‘my people’ who are not my people … “ (Romans 9:25)
The “Israel of God” is, I believe, something Paul sees through the lens of faith. As we look back through the history of Israel recorded in the Old Testament, we see a record of dysfunctional people unable to keep faith with their God.
Eventually, things get so bad that Israel is forced to leave the land of milk and honey that God had given them. They are driven from the land and exiled to foreign places. Jerusalem and the Temple are destroyed.
History shows that God does not show favor to people simply because they are descendants of Abraham. Yet God made a covenant with Abraham that was an “everlasting covenant” (Genesis 17:7). God promised to be Abraham’s God and the “God of your descendants after you” (ibid).
Who are Abraham’s descendants?
Paul tells us who again and again.
“Understand, then, that those who have faith are children of Abraham.” (Galatians 3:7, see also 3:8-9, and 3:14)
And who is Israel?
Simply put, the children of Abraham.
Application: Rejoice in knowing that we Gentiles are a legitimate part of God’s family through faith in Jesus.
Food for Thought: When God looks at Jews and Gentiles, who does he see as his rightful children?
When God looks at Jews and Gentiles, who does he see as his rightful children?
Those that practice righteousness.
1 John 3:10 By this the children of God and the children of the devil are obvious: anyone who does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor the one who does not love his brother.
Those that are led by His Spirit.
Romans 8:14 For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.
Those that place their faith in Christ.
Galatians 3:26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.
Those that receive Christ.
John 1:11-13 He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of man, but of God.
Something that struck me as I thought about today’s meditation and question. When we receive Christ (abide in Him), he lives In us (abides in us). He is the vine, we are the fruit. The vine gives the fruit life. The two are connected. The life of the vine becomes the life of the fruit. We are children of God because Christ lives within us and it is His life that gives us life.
John 15:4-11 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. 7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. 9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. 11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.
Thank you, Chris!
I love reading your descriptions of how you engage with God’s Word.
Well Done CH!
When God looks at Jews and Gentiles, who does he see as his rightful children?
God’s children are all who have received spirituall birth through faith in Jesus Christ. This would include those who looked forward to His coming, received Him while He walked and ministered on earth, or by the power of the Holy Spirit, live by faith today, as we experience the reality of His presence in our lives.
Ephesians 3:6-7, And this is God’s plan: Both Gentiles and Jews who believe the Good News share equally in the riches inherited by God’s children. Both are part of the same body, and both enjoy the promise of blessings because they belong to Christ Jesus. 7 By God’s grace and mighty power, I have been given the privilege of serving him by spreading this Good News.
Thanks, Ron!
I am glad you pointed us to our spiritual rebirth in Jesus. We are actually born into God’s family as new spiritual beings through the power of God’s Son, Jesus Christ.