We’re on a roll, Israel lovers, so let’s pick up where we left off and dive right in!

We have established that God uniquely called a pagan Gentile to be the one through whom He would bless all the families of the earth.  That is a tall order!  But with God as his Commander-in-Chief, Abraham and his descendants have what they need to fulfill the call!

The call of God upon Abraham was incredibly unique and was 3-fold:

• A Birthing Call
• A Suffering Call
• A Priestly Call

Today, let’s focus on the birthing call.  What did God mean when He told Abram in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed?  What is the blessing and how is it accomplished?

Let’s begin in Romans 9:1-5. 

Study tips:

• According to verses 4-5, what things pertain to the Jews?
• Add John 4:22 to that mix. What else pertains to the Jews?

In modern-day theology, some churches and pastors teach that all God’s promises and gifts to the Jewish people now belong to the church (body of Christ) because the Jews did not recognize and accept the Messiah.  That is known as Replacement Theology and it is false doctrine, originating from the pits of hell.  There are other similar “theologies” floating around. Be very leery of any religious doctrine that eliminates the Jewish people from their unique relationship with God. As we shall continue to see, God made a covenant with Abraham that is everlasting.  If you’re ambitious, search “everlasting covenant” in a Bible app and learn the depths of commitment of God to His uniquely-called people.  Do not be deceived by false teaching!

Romans 9 assures us that God entrusted the Word of God, the prophets of God, the apostles of God, the great teachers of the Word, Jesus the Messiah, and even our (Gentile) adoption as children of God to the Jews!  Even salvation is from the Jews, and none of that will ever change.  In fact, those things are the fulfillment of God’s promise to bless all the families of the earth through the descendants of Abraham! Those are the blessings!

Devotional moments:

• According to Romans 3:1-2, to whom did God entrust the oracles of God?
• How is Jesus characterized in Matthew 2:2, Matthew 27:11, Matthew 27:28-29, and Matthew 27:37?
• Based on those passages, what “belongs” to the Gentiles?  Yet, what have we (Gentiles) gained through the blessing passed through Abraham’s descendants?
• Given our reliance as Christians on the Word of God, and our salvation through the Jewish Messiah, what are your thoughts regarding God’s promise to bless all the families of the earth through Abraham’s descendants?

Prayer point:

• Why not take a few moments to express gratitude to God for the birthing call given to Abraham.  He birthed salvation through Jesus, King of the Jews, and we have been blessed, indeed!

To close out our time today, consider this: The church did not bring Jesus into the world. Israel brought Jesus into the world.  Jesus, a Jew, brought the church into the world!

God has been ON MISSION from the beginning, and He uniquely called the Jews to birth the opportunity for Gentiles to gain salvation through the Jewish Messiah!

Stick with it!  Tomorrow we’ll consider the Suffering Call of Abraham and his descendants.