Tookshire

First Fruits - yea, you know me

First - if you haven't read the previous post, you should know that everytime I have a deadline (or promote a self-imposed deadline for blogging) something always happens.  Apologies.

Second - no one answered the little prep brain teaser, so I'm not apologizing that hard.  (I laugh.)

Third - Here's a larf that goes out to the super secret emailers (they haven't asked...I'm just letting them know...and the rest of you know)...that while Easter was being celebrated, so was I...First Fruits in the a.m. was the same day we received the Good News...scratch that, the GREAT News, according to the NT.  This year (2006) they all happened to share the slot on both calendars.  (the holiday actually began the evening prior according to the calendar, but daylight/morning is daylight/morning!!)

Fourth - OK, again, with apologies (see last post) I'll post something up here shortly (likely not today) pertaining to the First Fruits...and while that is super wonderful and everything, the next few days will almost completely be absorbed with preparing you for the last of the spring feasts...any guess on what it is and what significance it plays in your world today? 

Fifth - For those of you easedropping, I'll also start addressing things brought up through Maria's question in the comment section last week.  Oh, and Maria...you said you had others...if you want to email them or leave them here, or whatever...that's cool with me, too.

Sixth - I was so fortunate this morning.  I couldn't sleep (again, last post!!) with all my anxiety and tummy in knots.  Who should appear but my lovely friend, Zoe!  She and I have never been able to talk in "real time" because she is on the other side of the Atlantic...I really enjoyed our talk, hon.  Thanks for taking my mind off things for a while.

Seventh & Last - Computer is acting up...so no spell check for fear I'll loose it all.

This is me, checking in

First...I've blanked on my blogger id's password.  I've sent in for a reminder-email, so I can post on the few I read...but I haven't received notice yet.  I'm reading via bloglines though!

Second...thank you Misty for pointing out spelling/grammatical error in the headlines.  It's been fixed.  I believe I was watching television the night I reformatted my blog...even the layout I have now is just a pre-put-together one from typepad...I wasn't paying close enough attention to make my creation stick.

Third...Maria, I'm not certain I'm clear on what your asking (comment section here).  Let me bullet item what I think you are asking and you can let me know...if I'm hitting on the right thing, and if you'd like a more thought out post on my behalf, I'll take it to some detail in a future post.

• My original statement quoted in the question: "While I don't consider myself an expert, by any stretch of the imagination, I do confess I am one who sees these things (ref: the moedim, Feasts of the Lord) as not only relevant for the believer today, but necessary, alive with purpose and meaning, ordinances still called to be observed, observances requiring protection in our faith from becoming extinct, intellectual, emotional, outdated, and tossed away by the body of the church at large and dismissed and exchanged wholly for man's created Spring holiday traditions, or worse, forgotten, by the individual families in faith." 
• What I mean by this statement (broken down by individual aspect): a) I'm trying not to approach this as "do this or you aren't a believer" or that you are "stoopid" or that I'm receiving special revelation; b) however, I do believe that all of the Feasts of the Lord are still in play today, that these ordinances are, by God's own definition, everlasting, and c) throughout history these have been downplayed to the point of not being addressed at all (ignored if not taught that these are part of the law and that the law was done away with by Messiah) and/or that d) pursuit for some in this endeavor has been to elevate themselves up as holier than thou or to claim some teacher's/prophet's status in the eyes of others; or has been one of purely an intellectual pursuit (requiring no relationship at all), or has been one in which such things have provided an emotional buzz (in other words, is just another in the latest craze of things to do to receive a spiritual-high, emotionally).  Basically, I'm saying that there is a danger of being disingenuous in pursing either the knowledge of and/or participation in the Feasts. Like anything else, your motivation, the heart of the matter does count.  In one of my earlier posts, I provided quotes and links to historical church documents which showed why such things are no longer in place...and the decision was one of bigotry and pride.  Just as the Passover pointed to and disclosed or made clear who the Messiah was and what His purpose was to be, so too, all Feasts are messages to mankind.  Now, we have ample biblical examples of what has happened when the Word of God is substituted, or removed. 
• Specific question addressed, "What do you do with "man's created Spring holiday traditions."
  I'll be honest with you...until my children were old enough to receive deeper education, we celebrated Palm Sunday with a bit more gusto than we do now.  At this point, nothing more is done than any other Sunday (go to church, listen to the sermon), since we cover things (specific teachings) in our own studies during preparation for the Passover season.  We don't celebrate Easter at all.  Without trying to intentionally make myself sound nuts, I do deeply and personally believe that Easter, as we know it, should not be marked.  Again, this is such a deeper post than what I have time for on this side of the season...but I would be more than happy to share, say next week?  In a nutshell, I believe that it's source is not Kosher.  I believe that it's purpose is not Kosher, and I believe it's influence was brought upon by the bigotry and pride mentioned earlier.  The holiday is substitutionary and its purpose, in my eyes, serves to usurp what God has given...which goes back to my original posts concerning Adam and Eve.  It also ties in to what I find to be true about the eschatology (though I've never connected the two beliefs in words...so if you ask for a post, it'll likely be drips here and there over time).  I do however, freely celebrate Christmas...can you figure out why?  And yes, we do the tree and the whole nine-yards.
• Part of the question I'm not understanding, "...since the Resurrection had not happened at the time of the command, is it "kosher" to celebrate both?"  Here I'm not understanding exactly what you're asking.  Are you asking that, this side of the Resurrection, would it be a pure thing to celebrate both Passover and Easter?  Now, you are asking my opinion rather than what the Bible says.  And that can be tricky, because of course I think I'm right or I wouldn't hold this belief, LOL.  In my sincerest, personal, from the gut answer...I would honestly say no, I don't believe it is possible for such a behavior to be kosher.  You see, because here you are asking about convictions...what I have been convicted of would be sin for me to go against.  Do I look at people who, having been raised in the traditional church, with the traditional teachings, and who celebrate Easter and think "christchun?"  No.  It's not a salvation issue. I look at them as people who do not know about their roots, but not as people whom I've a leg up on.  Do I look at people who celebrate Easter and have the deep knowledge of Passover (say they are convinced or convicted) and think "christchun?"  No, but I honestly scratch my head and wonder how can this be.  I say again, this is not a salvation issue; but I would have to admit that I do question if they truly sought after, or were just lumping in something extra historically or intellectually or emotionally or heightening themselves up as something holier than though (see previous bullet item).  Do I look at people who celebrate Easter and who are just learning about the Passover and think "christchun?"  Absolutely no!  I'm excited for them, because I think that once the spark is lit in those who are learning, it is a terribly wonderful thing to see connections where there were no connections before.  It's a combination between finding a long-lost friend and watching someone fall in love.

OK...it's Monday and we have finished almost every room in the house.  Today we are working on the yard...and this evening it is the kitchen's turn (yes, we do the kitchen several times...there's always something else to revisit...sort of like my life). 

The First Passover: His Will Be Done

The first Passover was given to the children of Israel while they yet remained in bondage to Egypt.  (Exodus 12)   Central to this day, was the lamb offered/sacrificed - it's blood put upon the doorposts as a sign of faith.  Passover, as we now recognize it, has historically stood as a memorial, as a reminder of how God brought His captive Israel out from enslavement.  It tells the story of deliverance, freedom and redemption.  More than this, the real Passover focus, then as now, demonstrates our true relationship with God rather than merely physical freedom.

It was, in the first place, declared improper to follow the custom of the Jews in the celebration of this holy festival, because their hands
having been stained with crime, the minds of these wreteched men are necessarily blinded. By rejecting their custom, we establish and hand down to succeeding ages one which is more reasonable, and which has been observed ever since the day of our Lord's sufferings. Let us then have nothing in common with the Jews, who are our adversaries...Let us with one accord walk therein, my much-honoured brethren, studiously avoiding all contact with that evil way."

(Emperor Constantine)

As one of the moedim (Appointed Times), Passover is not a Jewish feast...rather; the Lord has stated that these are HIS.  (Leviticus 23:2)  The Passover festival is but the first (and foundational) of seven festivals.  So important is this feast, God gave it the unique station as the only moedim with an alternate date (Numbers 9:1-14; II Chronicles 30:2, 15) so those members of the community who were unable to participate might have this accommodation.

As we learn about the Passover, however, we do not start with the Jewish nation in bondage.  We return to Adam and Eve (a previous post and a new more complete post).  The handicap is to overburden a simple lesson.  The blessing is to understand an attribute of God...that He not only is always there, but that His Will will always be done on earth as it is in heaven.  To that end, unlike Easter, the Passover celebration is one of the very festivals God provided to point directly to the Messiah...but also to purposely educate believers both before and after the New Testament.  It was the Passover and its competition, for example, that Paul used to illustrate his point to believers in I Corinthians 10:14-22 and in I Corinthians 11:1.  God has declared that "His people" shall keep these appointed times throughout all generations.  (Leviticus 23)  In Messiah, we have liberty under the guidance of the Holy Spirit and are not "ordered" to the feast, but we are graciously invited none-the-less.  Paul and other believers continued to observe the Passover and other feasts with great encouragement and hope form what they had seen...and the double meaning in Passover they now enjoyed.  (Acts 28:17)

When Gentile believers were no longer accepted nor identified themselves as a sect within Judaism, the then largely Gentile Christian government separated the Church from things noticeably Jewish due to pressure from Rome.  The full Passover meal (Seder), among other practices, was at that point removed from common observance.  Culminating with the Church of Nicaea in 325 AD, and the Emperor's declaration that we (believers) should have nothing to do with things Jewish**, those who would continue to follow their faith's Jewish roots, were denounced as judiazers and were seen (and treated: persecution/death) as law breakers and non-believers.  Just as Paul forewarned in his epistles, Gentile believers had become arrogant and puffed up, forgetting that Israel is the root which nourishes.  (Romans 11:18)

Passover has survived and is still practiced, somewhat, within the Church.  (His will be done.)  The meal we share is known by many names:  Holy Eucharist, Communion, The Lord's Supper, or Mass.  All reflect two portions pointing to His death, or rather the purpose of His death.  The admonition to do this as often as ye shall (I Corinthians 11:20-26) tells us that this is an everlasting ordinance.  Paul enforces this to his Corinthian listeners when he states, "you proclaim the Lord's death until He comes" and "...For even Messiah our Passover is sacrificed for us: therefore let us keep the feast..." (I Corinthians 5:7-8)

**{note: for those following the highlighted link, scroll down to chapter 18.  You also might be interested in reading the following church document: http://ccel.org/ccel/schaff/npnf203.iv.viii.i.x.html)

Questions, Answers, and Replies from the Comments (hey, there’s even baptism in here)

I’m nothing if not untimely.  Procrastinating cleaning brings out the desire to blog.  I’m finally responding to a month’s worth of remarks from my comment sections.  So snuggle up, children, this is a long one.

Eye Surgery

First, thanks to everyone who responded in the comment sections of all the eye-posts with encouragement and acknowledgement of prayer for my son. 

I received this comment via email only from Teri and am assuming those who are praying specifics for my son might have had the same question (if the surgery was for the eye or the eye sight):

No, this one isn't about the eye sight.  The eye sight one is the one we are trying to get to, but we have to still fight to keep the eye ball.  You know how people can be blind without having to loose their natural eye?  Well, that isn't the case with Maxwell.  The eye itself was so damaged during the injury and subsequent "healing" processes/time that there was/is a real danger that the eye will not be allowed to remain.  For example, there is a delicate balance of materials within the eye that the body doesn't replenish.  It keeps the eye round, and "fresh."  Without it, the eye is deflated, and not "round shaped"...because of the injury in the middle of the eye, things like optical cords, blood vessels, etc are affected.  I'm not scientific at all, but in the end, the eye could either be just dead - meaning blind and just sitting there, or dead as in it starts to decay and needs to be removed.  At this point, we are trying to get the eye in a healthy state so that we know it will not have to be removed.  Doing this will then obviously allow for the opportunity to then (once we have reached optimum health) work at restoring (or trying to restore) eye sight for my son.  We know that he'll not return to regular eye sight...so to what extent he'll heal, we don't know.  The surgery we are expecting to have in April is basically a tweaking of the surgery we had in February.  The shunt was put into place to help alleviate some of the pressure that was occurring from the eye not being able to drain properly.  (I'm guessing here, but I think that the internal scaring and weakened ability of the eye doesn't allow for it to naturally pass certain things through like it does in your/my eye).  The shunt funnels this extra build up out of the eye itself, and allows the body to then just absorb the material.  At this point, pressure is high, meaning that the shunt or its tubing is not working, or at least blocked somehow.  I'm not clear what the med changes do exactly, but the doctor is asking for a week or two (now on the second week) to see if surgery can be averted.  I suspect success with med changes will better pinpoint the problem (eliminate different problematic possibilities).

Misc. Notes from Baptismal Study: Case for Rebaptism should have been found here

Misty responded to my post with the following:  “Which leads to yet another rabbit trail. Acts 19:5 "And when they heard this they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them and they spake with tongues and prophesied." Are there then, as some people ascertain, TWO baptisms?? One in water, one in the Holy Ghost? I know you are going to LOVE me for that one! LOL!” 

Isn’t she nice, isn’t she sweet?  No, she’s not.  She knows I rabbit trail all over the space…and she’s just tossing hurtles to my goal.  LOL. 

Seriously, I found this comment interesting because she mentioned two baptisms.  I, in all honesty, never knew that the two baptism mindset was not universally accepted.  Of course there are two baptisms, that is scriptural.  So I was scratching my head thinking why would it be questioned?  Ah…not so much a rabbit trail at all (and thus Misty remains on my good side).  It is the purpose and direction which is the real question.  (If I’m understanding correctly).  Is the baptism we are required to have the one of the Spirit (thinking tongues of fire, slain in the spirit and other very dramatic representations) or in the water (dunking, sprinkling, pouring both the young and/or the old).  My understanding, which admittedly is very limited, is that the main stream thought could be that one can not receive the baptism of the Spirit without first having the baptism in water.  But the stipulation is that one must be a believer before one receives the water baptism.  Thus, belief, water baptism and then Holy Spirit reception is the order I understand adult only baptism to be.  Which then begs the question of what hinders the Holy Spirit (if at all).  Dang it all…it is a rabbit trail.  OK, I thought I’d just be able to jot something quickly, but now that idea is all thrown to the wind.  Thanks a lot Misty.

Behind the Scenes: Preparing the House

This was a rather scary post for some.  Remember those chore lists your mother gave you?  They’ve got nothing on this one…and its only high end.  In the past I’ve posted about a few of the Feasts of the Lord and I certainly intend on posting on them again this year (well, cutting and pasting older stuff).  Having felt that I’ve already been there done that, I thought I’d throw up a little of the behind the scene type activities for each this year.  Of course, it was to be in series form…and one that I’ve neglected to continue due to family / medical stuff.  I’m going to brush up on that (so goes my plan) and pre-post a handful of things.  In the last couple of months, however, I’ve had comments and emails from people asking about the feasts themselves…in particular the Passover.  I’ve been giddy to meet a handful of ladies who also observe these things in their home, or are at least interested in learning how/why they might start.  I’ve also had a couple who are just interested in learning the history behind it for purely intellectual reasons.

Here’s a quote from the original article, “Before we hit personal applications I want you to be completely overwhelmed at the task at hand, LOL...there's a purpose which, I hope, will become clearer as we go through the month together…I would warn against those who are … attempting to take this on for the first time without comprehending anything about what you are doing.  This ... is not something you can claim to observe and then leave this step out.  The crux of it all is on this act, and you simply aren't observing if you aren't doing this thing...it's educational and applicable. ” Teri wrote asking for clarity on one of the chores…specifically cleaning books.  She asked if I am merely dusting the books in the book shelves.  The answer would be no.  I’m removing each individual book, dusting the shelves, and then before replacing the books in their positions, I’m cleaning each book.  I’d like to address the idea of levin in more detail (which I think will help illustrate my actions) in a future post.  Remember, I mentioned that there is a purpose for the process.  There is a lesson to be learned.  How often do we, as believers, know something without it truly being anchored in our hearts and minds so that when we have to face something (either a trial, temptation or other hard part in our lives) the knowledge is fleeting?  Trust me…Passover was given to the people of God to be repeated over and over again as a tool for instruction.  The law and the Feasts were given for the children (you and I as well) to instruct and teach.  Teri, during a WAH chat, said she just wanted me to tell her what she needed to know, rather than having to be taught a lesson.  Bless her, isn’t that what we all want?  Trust me…this very basic truth that we all know will take a different root in us if you truly follow the parameters for preparing the home.  Back to books…each and every book is opened, shaken, and cleaned, then dusted and replaced back into it’s shelf.  Very time consuming.  To Teri’s particular question about things in boxes…I’d love to be nice, Teri, but then you’d never learn, LOL. 

{emotional outburst} and Where I've Been

“{emotional outburst}” was a tear soaked February posting about how alone and basically homeless I felt concerning community with fellow believers, and how heartbroken I felt over matters concerning faith, sacraments, etc.  “Where I’ve Been” was an early March posting detailing my absence and accomplishments against wanting to withdraw socially.  Many thanks to Zoë, Teri and CJ  for their cyber hugs.

On the suggestions of how to join an immersion church without an immersion

I still am not certain of proper blogging etiquette...I could respond to commenters via email, with a simple "RYC" on their blogs' comment section, by containing my comments in my own comment section, or by doing this, creating a separate entry.  I think for the future I will comment in my own section, and then a quick email to the person with a copy.  The following are responses left on my Baptism Hodgepodge Alert.

Misty

Thank you so much for your enthusiasm.  Actually your comment was actually great for me to hear pertaining to influences.  I was involved in a conversation among homeschoolers yesterday (IRL) and while it had nothing to do with baptism it had everything to do with us as believers...and it was truly sad at how many people don't read and only know what they were told/taught.  Some even justifying not sharing our faith (at all).  Sigh.

Stacey

You and AJ had the same thought...now, I have to say, that after telling X number of people (including two pastors, and two pastor wives) that the only reason we can't join is because of the baptism thingee...that no one (not a single person)suggested joining on a statement of faith.  I can only presume it is because the statement of faith might include a statement of agreeance with them regarding baptism? I would think otherwise it would be suggested...but I'll look into it on Sunday and let you gals know.  On your other points, I would say that the presumption of baptism seen as the moment of my salvation (or pointing to a recent saving salvation) also bugs me.  And for dreaming of renewing wedding vows...I do understand the romance of it, and even a little more.  However, if you were told that I didn't believe you were married, or that your marriage wasn't completely valid because it wasn't done such and such a way, and the only way I could accept your being married is if the two of you trotted down the church aisle and got married "this way" or "in this manner"...well, it would not have anything to do with the intent or definition of whatever it is you personally and currently are "daydreaming" about.  It would not be about you, or him, or your reunion...it would be for me personally.  See how that would cheapen it?  And if your hubby knew you were only renewing your vows for my sake, or at least, the direction/evolution/prompting/timing was only happening because of me...well...how do you think he would respond?  It is that scenario that I'm being asked to play, and that scenario that brings the cheapness.

AJ

As you know, Stacey also suggested joining via statement of faith.  I have had to explain to so many people (including two pastors and their wives) at this church...and at another Baptist church, and not one time was this suggested.  The only thing I can think of is there must be something in their statement of faith that includes baptism beliefs or something...or it would have been mentioned.  However, I'm going to ask them about this on Sunday, because perhaps it simply didn't come to mind as I would imagine there isn't much call for such a process. 

My husband was also raised Baptist.  He never questioned the mode of Baptist baptism practices either.  I asked him two nights ago if he believes what he knows.  He said yes.  I asked him why he believes it and he said "because that is what I've been taught."  I asked him if he ever saw anything for himself, but he said that he just had never come across a point where he felt he had to look for himself on this particular matter. 

Amy Jo

Amy Jo, Thank you so much for your comment.  You mentioned a term I’m unfamiliar with, “LCMS.”  Could you explain to me what that stands for or is?  The statement of that belief sounds so increadibly harsh, my heart would break as a mother.  Could you do me a favor…because I want to include as much scripture as I possibly can…could you tell me what scriptures they use to form that conclusion? (I’m not asking you to debate or defend…I just can’t imagine those two burdens).  And, since you said that you don’t ascribe to that belief, but are a member of the church…how did you come to the conclusion that in this matter they were wrong?  For the record, I agree, baptism doesn’t save.  When you used the word “potential to save”…what did you mean by that?  I understand you don’t agree with it, but it must be a thought/teaching you’ve been exposed to…I’m wondering if it means something like, only those who have been baptized will be saved?

Why the Jews?

Questions left in Comments...boy...this is easier than thinking up a topic of my own to write, LOL

...why did God choose a people? did He need a nation?
...how did He decide? I mean, before they were Israel, they didn't have the law so He didn't choose them for their righteousness.

Heather, inspired by a recent conversation she held in real life, asked my opinion on the questions to the right. I'm taking liberties to rearrange and tweak the questions, so I might more easily convey my thoughts...wow this is easier than thinking up topics to write myself, LOL.

Why did God choose a people...did He need a nation?

God chose a people as an instrument in His global missionary aim…to bring redemption to the world. (John 4:22) The Jewish nation is distinct from all other nations in history. Their unique position is one that makes obvious God’s faithfulness and His authority over all of history. For the world to recognize their Savior, nothing could be random. The Savior would be made clear, as is the Word of God…we wouldn’t have to be shaken by a barrage of self-proclaimed messiah’s…because given a specific line, with specific fulfillments of prophecy conformed to specific events in Messiah’s life, the field is narrowed considerably. So a specific people were selected for our need of specifically knowing Who. It is awe-inspiring to study the relationship between the Messiah and His Nation of Israel. Just as the spiritual realities to which the feasts clearly point are fulfilled in Messiah so, too, is He identified to God through Israel. Messiah sums up Israel’s role by summing up its life within Himself. The Jews who responded to Him brought the light (Isaiah 42: 1-7) to the world/Gentiles, and were themselves light. This is the most significant reason for choosing a people…as it was through the Jews that He was revealed to all – His person, His glory and His salvation. Genesis 12:2-3, “I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” They are the branch to which we are grafted … through which all nations can experience blessing…as God chose a nation to provide the promised seed (Galatians 3:16; ; Romans 11:11)

Ok, but what made Him choose this specific group (i.e., the Jews)...What qualifications or specs/parameters was He using? What was so attractive about this group that the others were lacking?

Answering the last question, I tried to explain in detail why there had to be A singular group or nation. The promise given to Adam was then narrowed down for all of our sakes…and given to Abraham. We/they knew they didn’t have to look under every rock, or believe every self-professed Messiah…God provided parameters then (just as He does now) to identify the Messiah when He came/comes. Without meeting these parameters exactly, then we have no reason to follow. I’ve tweaked this portion of the question…because I think this is what many are really trying to “get at.” While reading my thoughts on this question, and understanding that the Jews are distinct from the Church (Romans 10:1; Romans 11:1), let us not ours is a contiguous relationship, Romans 9:7-9, ”…the children of the promise are counted as the seed.” I’ll tell you a secret that I firmly believe…there was not really a reason. I don’t believe there was anything attractive about this group…there wasn’t even a group! Abram didn’t have any children when the promise was given to him. If there had been a reason to pick them, rather than a purpose to choose a people, then the Jews wouldn’t truly be the “Chosen” (as we have come to understand it). Had there been a certain impression, then the reason for choosing them would have sooner or later dissipated, causing them to loose their Chosen status…as soon as that “reason” ceased to exist. (Following the “reason” for the “specific choice” of the Nation is how you get “Replacement Theology,” which, as you probably know, runs contrary to scripture.) God used His own Free Will to select a people without using, as far as I know, any of the trappings and influences we people typically are strung along by. I don’t doubt the strong and cherishing love He has for these people. It is easy to see the Fatherly expressions of joy and heartache He carries because of these people. I look at my son now, who is not particularly in my favor today, but remains my son none-the-less. I did not choose him from among other sons. My love for him isn’t because he is brighter, more pleasing to the eye or more trusting than other boys in the world. All these things appear after…but because he is mine I cherish him. I would suspect that this is how the affection has come to God. Because they are His people, He cherishes them (not visa versa). I hope this makes sense. { segue to the next question} Israel was chosen to display His righteousness, to be a nation of priests, a light to the world. Their advantage in being the Chosen was that they had the law before them. Being Chosen and having the Law of God, however, did not benefit them as they relied on obedience to the law.

…they didn’t have the law, so He didn’t choose them for their righteousness.

You’re right…they didn’t have the law when they became the chosen people…further, they weren’t even a people when they received the law…it was just Abram (as mentioned earlier). Perhaps it is my poor understanding of the question; but, to clarify, the Law didn’t bring/give righteousness in any form. So had they had the Law yet, or even when they did receive the Law…it was not the Law (as it was known in either the OT/NT times) which was counted as righteousness. Righteousness was defined as an active faith some 430 years before the Law. (Galatians 3:17; Ephesians 2:8-9) Believers were chosen before the foundation of the world, so the bible states in Ephesians 1:4. You see, God made a covenant with Adam…one in which He would provide an intimate relationship. Now…bear with me here…I haven’t heard this taught in such a manner…my understanding was asked for, and it is that which I’m offering here: We are often taught that the first covenant made with Adam was dependant upon obedience. Adam was not obedient, and therefore sin, the fall, the expulsion and so forth came. We are often taught that a new covenant was made with Abraham…one based on faith. I purport that this simple understanding is not accurate. I believe the covenants to be one and the same…to be the same covenant that we, believers of either Jewish or Gentile descent, are still under. I don’t believe that the first covenant was dependant on obedience. I believe that it was dependant on an active, an exercised faith. If Adam had been active in his faith of God, then he would not have taken the fruit from that which was forbidden. I don’t believe that the covenant was dependant upon basic faith or belief or acknowledgment of Who God is (as I have often heard) for the scriptures also say, “You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe – and tremble!” (James 2:19) I believe Abram stood in the same footsteps as Adam, acknowledging God for who he was…but that Abram had an active faith…one which his actions spoke of his faith. It is an active faith that is counted as righteousness (not following the Law). ”Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin.” (Romans 3:19-20) “…the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith.” (Galatians 3:24) Earlier I mentioned that the advantage of having the law didn’t benefit the Chosen people because they chose obedience over an active faith. As we know, there isn’t a one of us who keeps all the laws…so why then did God give the law, especially with the knowledge that we could not keep it as a whole? God explains in His Word that there are at least two major reasons why He gave this “Covenant of Law” to Israel: first to convict men of their sin, and second to lead them to Messiah/redemption. While God had a chosen people through whom this promise would be fulfilled, the covenant of Grace was not exclusive to Israel, but is made with all people through Israel. Romans 3:1-2, “What advantage then has the Jew, or what is the profit of circumcision? Much in every way! Chiefly because to them were committed the oracles of God.”

What purpose does a Chosen people serve?

OK…so now we’ve settled the why portion of why the Jews in particular and we’ve settled the why did God decide to pick any nation at all rather than BAM here’s your savior out of the blue or Hrmm choose a random individual to leave you without any sign (or vague signs) as to who the savior would be – you gamble and choose…you takes your chances. Here we are specifically asking, now that a Chosen people have been selected to be a conduit of His plan for salvation…what purpose do they serve? I mean, Messiah’s come right? And if we mistake their being chosen simply with identifying the Messiah…well, then their purpose (as discussed above) would then be over, and thus dissolving their purpose, or at least nullifying their status as Chosen. Ah…again…If God selected as we human’s select that would be a true statement. In reality, Israel was given unique practices – such as the practice of the Sabbath and the feasts, so that people (all of us) would be unified by the memory of what God had done in graciously establishing the nation. Israel would also recognize in its cohesiveness, its exclusive purpose in presenting to the world the certainty of Scriptures and the faithfulness of God.