The Call
In their endeavours to map a course to secure a workable peace for future generations, the community of nations has chosen policies that run contrary to God’s calling upon His people, Israel. Danger looms and should the nations continue on this course they will not achieve peace. Furthermore, they will be judged by the God of heaven and earth, the Creator, the Redeemer of Israel for their mistreatment of Israel.
The Jewish people are chosen. God has set them apart to be a light to the nations. In the days to come, Israel will be a kingdom of priests, a holy nation.
The nations especially have dismissed this truth as myth. Neither do the nations receive counsel from the Hebrew Prophets, or from the promises of God, but have allowed themselves to be guided by their own understanding and intellect.
“There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.” (Proverbs 16:25)
The nations would argue that God has forsaken Israel. According to their understanding, since Israel has been scattered throughout the nations for centuries, they are no longer chosen or called. Yet the nations continue to overlook the great things which God has done for His people, and indeed what He is doing in this generation.
The people of Israel have returned en masse to the Promised Land, home of the Patriarchs Abraham, Isaac and Israel, the Land to whom it was promised, and to their descendants forever as an inheritance. Entire Jewish communities have been uprooted from the nations, and have been planted in Israel. And the return of Jewish people continues today with thousands flocking to Israel each year from the lands of their dispersion. All this has happened exactly as the Hebrew prophets foretold.
It is the call … God is calling His people, and they are coming home.
“For your Maker is your husband, the LORD of hosts is His Name; and your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel; He is called the God of the whole earth. For the LORD has called you …” (Isaiah 54:5-6)
Inescapable is the call. Something is happening, beyond what we can see with our eyes. Deep within the heart of the Jewish community beats a longing to return to the land of their forefathers.
The enormity of what is taking place is quite spectacular. The transformation can be likened to a young woman, a princess-in-waiting, who is finally freed of an overbearing step-mother and her oppressive daughters:
“For the LORD has called you like a woman forsaken and grieved in spirit, like a youthful wife when you were refused, says your God.” (Isaiah 54:6) Nothing like this has happened to any other nation.
Observe how the many different cultures and languages that have returned and gathered to the State of Israel, a small portion of land today, and yet have survived — no small feat. Today, by world standards, the average family struggles to remain together. It is more common today for parents to get a divorce, and the siblings to stay well away from each other.
But look at Israel. The nation of multi-national families is staying together, and this in spite of the added pressures and difficulties brought with the various cultures and languages. This is not to say Israel is perfect. But it does have everything to do with the call.
For many of the Jewish people returning to the Promised Land is more than just coming home … it’s connecting with a past that has never been forgotten. It’s sitting with generations who have survived the long, dark ages of dispersion. It’s holding hope in your arms, the future generation, in the Land where the promise of redemption began.
It’s the call … But there is something deeper still, the foundations of which are more valuable than precious stones.
As a light to the nations, the people of Israel are called in righteousness. They are not presently righteous, therefore they must return to God’s righteousness. For this reason, they are being called in righteousness.
“I, the LORD, have called you in righteousness, and will hold your hand; I will keep you and give you as a covenant to the people, as a light to the Gentiles … In righteousness you shall be established ...” (Isaiah 42:6 and 54:14)
The call in righteousness is altogether quite different from what the nations can offer or provide. Righteousness will not be achieved by walking in the ways of the nations. Clearly, the only One who can establish Israel in righteousness is the Lord, because He alone is righteous.
For this reason, Israel must return to God and walk after Him, and keep His commandments.
“The LORD commanded us to observe all these statutes, to fear the LORD our God, for our good always, that He might preserve us alive, as it is this day. Then it will be righteousness for us, if we are careful to observe all these commandments before the LORD our God, as He has commanded us.” (Deuteronomy 6:24-25)
The path that the community of nations is currently pursuing will not make the Jewish people righteous, but is contrary to what God has designed for them. The call in righteousness is like the garments which the High Priests wore. Only Aaron and his sons could wear them. So too, only the Jewish people can wear the garment of righteousness which God has prepared for them.
When the Messiah came He affirmed the endurability of God’s commandments, the instructions to live righteously.
“Do not think that I came to destroy the Torah or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfil. For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or tittle will by no means pass from the Torah till all is fulfilled.” (Matthew 5:17-18)
The Jewish people were then as they are now, needing to return to God. Consistent with the prophets before Him, the Messiah taught, “Seek you first the kingdom of God and His righteousness …” (Matthew 6:33) The call to righteousness has always been the same for Israel. And it is the same today as it was in the days of the Messiah.
Messiah Yeshua also pointed to Himself as the Sent One, the One appointed to bear the righteousness of God’s kingdom, like one who carries a yoke. “Come to Me, all you who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)
The nations are working contrary to God’s call for the Jewish people. In spite of the various international demands and pressures imposed on them, Israel will return and be established in righteousness, and be a holy nation. Messiah Yeshua, son of David, will indeed reign as King in Jerusalem as the prophet declared:
“‘Behold, the days are coming,’ says the LORD, ‘that I will raise to David a Branch of righteousness; a King shall reign and prosper, and execute judgement and righteousness in the earth. In His days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell safely; now this is His Name by which He will be called: THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.’” (Jeremiah 23:5-6)
Mark Warren