Do We Benefit from God’s Promises to Israel?
Do We Benefit from God’s Promises to Israel?
Many, myself included, teach that at least some of God’s promises to Israel also apply to those of us who are not ethnic Jews. At the same time, there are many who would disagree. Though there are many promises (and even the book of Hebrews) I could include, in this study, I want to focus primarily upon the promise found in Ezekiel 36:25–27. I have selected this one because it is one promise that helps give us a clear understanding of what Jesus did for us at the cross. Nevertheless, keep in mind that much of what I will say can be applied to other promises and to the book of Hebrews.
Here is the text from Ezekiel 36. “25 Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols. 26 “Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. 27 “I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will be careful to observe My ordinances.” (NASB95)
This is part of a larger prophetic promise. That larger context includes things like a promise to gather the Israelites from the nations into which they had been scattered, and a promise that they would be taken into the land of promise. On their face, many, if not all, of the promises in the larger context appear to accrue only to the Jewish people. I would certainly agree that these promises are for the Israelites. I also believe that at least some are for Gentiles as well and specifically for us who live after the cross.
In Galatians 3:28–29 Paul, a Jew, and a highly trained Pharisee said “28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s descendants, heirs according to promise.” (NASB95) Similarly, in Colossians 3:11, he said, “there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and freeman, but Christ is all, and in all. (NASB95)
He explained to the Ephesians that they were once separate from God, excluded from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise. He went on to say that in Christ Jesus these Gentiles (and by extension, us) had been brought near to God. Jesus did this, according to Paul, by making the two groups into one—and to be sure he is clear, he said it twice. He clarified the statement further by saying that Jesus had reconciled them both to God in one body through the cross. This made it so that we both (Jews and Gentiles) have access to the Father in one Spirit and that we Gentiles are no longer strangers and aliens. Instead, he says that we have been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets with Jesus Christ as the cornerstone we are fellow citizens, members of God’s household. (see Ephesians 2:11–22)
In Romans 9:6–8 we find, “6 But it is not as though the word of God has failed. For they are not all Israel who are descended from Israel; 7 nor are they all children because they are Abraham’s descendants, but: “THROUGH ISAAC YOUR DESCENDANTS WILL BE NAMED.” 8 That is, it is not the children of the flesh who are children of God, but the children of the promise are regarded as descendants.” (NASB95)
A similar statement is found in Romans 2:28–29 “28 For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh. 29 But he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that which is of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter; and his praise is not from men, but from God.” (NASB95)
Here we find the same message said in different words. Through God’s promise to Abraham and in Jesus Christ, all who believe God inherit the blessing and become heirs of promise.
Finally, no Bible teacher would argue that Jesus Christ died only for the ethnic Jews or that He provides salvation only for them only. Jesus came to earth as a Jew, and He claimed that He was sent to the Jewish people. (see Matthew 15:24) Nevertheless we all agree that Jesus is the only way to obtain righteousness and eternal life.
Many of the prophesies and promises in the Old Testament were given to the nation of Israel and accrued to them in their time in history. Even so, many also promise salvation through the Anointed One, the Messiah, the Christ—Jesus, God in flesh, Himself. If the book of Hebrews teaches anything it teaches the superiority of Jesus over the prophets and Hebrew priests. It teaches the superiority of the New Covenant over the old and obsolete covenant.
2 Corinthians 1:20 “20For as many as are the promises of God, in Him they are yes; therefore also through Him is our Amen to the glory of God through us.” (NASB95)
All God’s promises are yes and amen in Christ Jesus because, “There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all. Ephesians 4:4–6 (NASB95)
