tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God. Hebrews 11:9-11
Q11 Although Gideon, David, Samuel and others lived in the promised land what was their true hope?
And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect. Hebrews 11:39,40.
These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country. And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city. Hebrews 11:13-16
Q12 How did these godly men regard their time on the earth?
They confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. Hebrews 11:13
But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: Hebrews 11:16
NOTE: The verses above make it clear that there is more to the promise of the covenant than a small Middle Eastern on this earth. It refers to something lasting and better.
Q13 For what purpose did God choose the people of Israel to be a nation for Him?
And what one nation in the earth is like thy people, even like Israel, whom God went to redeem for a people to himself, and to make him a name, and to do for you great things and terrible, for thy land, before thy people, which thou redeemedst to thee from Egypt, from the nations and their gods? 2 Samuel 7:23
Unto them were committed the oracles of God. Romans 3:2
I will make of thee a great nation … and thou shalt be a blessing. Genesis 12:2
I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgement to the Gentiles.
Isaiah 42 :1
And give thee for a light of the Gentiles. Isaiah 42:6
For mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people. Isaiah 56:7
NOTE: God wished Israel to be a nation giving honour and allegiance and glory to Him. They were to be the guardians of the law of God in the world. They were to be witnesses of the true and living God to all the nations around them. In the midst of the kingdom of evil Israel was to be the place where God had set up a living human witness of His way of life and blessing. The truth about the Creator God was to be kept safe with them so that those who lived around them would be drawn to the true God. Their primary purpose in the world was to make God’s name honourable, a centre where He could demonstrate His goodness and blessing in contrast to the godless religions surrounding them.
Q14 Did Israel recognise or accept Jesus their promised Messiah, when He came?
Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the Scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected the same is become the head of the corner. Matthew 21:42
He came unto His own and His own received Him not John 1:11 |
