…of the people of Israel…
Summary: Israel is a people with nothing to hide – because all of their ‘dirty laundry’ has been written down in a book that millions of people have read.
One of the reasons I believe the Bible is from God is because of the “people of Israel.” Not because the people of Israel are intrinsically good, but because they aren’t. It is because only God could make a race of people write down all of their mistakes and then make it their mission in life to preserve the book they wrote.
In the history of the human race, the people of Israel stand alone, even today, as completely unique.
No other tradition on earth has a history of genealogical records covering as many centuries with as much written detail as the Jews.
Israel is unique in how its written texts have been maintained over time. The same holds true for its laws, traditions, and practices. When you add in the fact that these people have survived a diaspora and been reconstituted as a nation, their uniqueness stands out even more.
No other human race or people group has a history of interactions with God spanning centuries and multiple writers, all speaking with a consistent narrative and teachings.
All these things are true, unique to the people of Israel, and worthy of respect. But the one that is set apart in my mind is the brutal honesty of Israel’s written record when it comes to their human failings.
When people write their own autobiographies, they generally want to portray themselves in the best light possible. Obviously, people do write “tell all” books and include salacious details about themselves to sell books, but the Tanakh, what we call the Old Testament, was not written to be a best seller.
The entire history of the people of Israel is littered with human failings. Beginning with Adam and Eve’s “original sin,” everything goes downhill from there (Genesis 3).
Their first son, Cain, kills their second son, Abel (Genesis 4:8).
Abraham passes off his wife, Sarai, as his sister to save his own skin, revealing not only poor judgment by our standards, but a lack of faith in his God (Genesis 12:10–20).
Then he does it again! (Genesis 20:1–18)
Then his son does the same thing!! (Genesis 26:6–11)
Jacob (a.k.a. “Israel”) is famous for having conned his brother out of his birthright and stolen his blessing (Genesis 25:29–34, Genesis 27). When he starts having kids of his own, the trouble really starts. The oldest, Rueben, sleeps with one of Jacob’s wives (not his mother!). The rest of them hate the youngest and nearly kill him, instead selling him into slavery (Genesis 35:22, Genesis 37:18–28).
I could go on. In fact, we are barely scratching the surface. This is embarrassing stuff!! Who keeps a record of all their dirty laundry?
The people of Israel, that’s who. They don’t do it because they want to; they do it because God requires them to so that we can know he is a merciful God.
When Paul says he is “of the people of Israel,” he is saying something!
Application: Realize that God knows everything about us.
Food for Thought: How would the world be different if the Bible did not record the failings of the people of Israel?
Thanks for your devotion this morning brother. I found it very interesting.
How would the world be different if it didn’t include the dirty laundry of Israel in God’s word?
For one thing, if it didn’t include all the failings, God’s word would be a lot less relatable. We can relate to these failures and we see God’s grace and mercy as a result. We understand something about the character of God as He remains faithful even when His people fail. We see a God who keeps His unconditional covenants to Abraham and David. In short, we see a faithful God that remains faithful to His promises to us. We have a lot to be thankful for in the character of a holy God who is just and righteous but who is also loving, merciful and kind.
Thank you, Rich!
Exactly! The portrait of God we see in the Bible would look very different!
Well said Rich!
How would the world be different if the Bible did not record the failings of the people of Israel?
Romans 3:23, For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
Ephesians 2:8, For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God.
Romans 5:8, But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
The Bible is has been inspired and preserved by the power of God, and accurately records His great love and enduring patience toward His creation, “mankind”. Israel is known as His chosen people not because of their perfect walk with God against who they rebelled on many occasions, but is an example the nature of all mankind and His love for all.
God has given all mankind freewill and showers His love upon His rebellious created beings as He calls all to turn from their evil ways. The choices to continue in rebellion or submit to His will over our own, are ours, and each will receive the rewards of suffer the eternal consequences of our personal choices.
Matthew 11:28, Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Titus 3:5, He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit,
Philippians 4:13, I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
Thank you, Ron!
The Bible truly is a record of God’s great love!! ❤️
How would the world be different if the Bible did not record the failings of the people of Israel?
Good devotion today and very good answers.
If we read the Old Testament there are some truths that become clear and evident: the rebellious and destructive nature of sin, God’s mercy and patience, and our need for grace.
The rebellious and destructive nature of sin:
Ecclesiastes 7:20 Surely there is not a righteous man on earth who does good and never sins.
Galatians 5:19-21 Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Isaiah 64:6 We have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment. We all fade like a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away.
Mark 7:23 All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.
God’s mercy and patience:
2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.
Romans 2:4 Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?
1 Timothy 1:16 But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life.
Joel 2:13 And rend your hearts and not your garments. Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and he relents over disaster.
Our need for grace:
Ephesians 2:4-5 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved.
Titus 2:11-12 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age.
Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
Isaiah 30:18
Therefore the Lord waits to be gracious to you,
and therefore he exalts himself to show mercy to you.
For the Lord is a God of justice;
blessed are all those who wait for him.
I look at these three and I can ascertain that God loves us, and wants a heart that strives to obey Him, because His way is righteous. I can look at the failings of the people of Israel and see that God doesn’t require us to be perfect, just consistent. His grace has covered our imperfection through Christ’s perfection. All He wants is for us to consistently trust Him, walk with Him, and allow His Spirit to transform us to the likeness of Christ. The lessons learned from the failings of the people of Israel serve as a testimony to this. I think that is the greater lesson of the Old Testament. That we don’t need to “hide” from God, we just need to repent, be forgiven, and then walk with Him.
John 8:10-11 Jesus stood up and said to her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.”
Thanks, Chris!
Well said. We don’t need to hide anymore…
(I’m picturing Adam and Eve in the garden…)
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