The term "Jews" refers to the descendants of the patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and more specifically, the people of the tribe of Judah and the southern kingdom of Judah. Throughout biblical history, the Jews have been recognized as God's chosen people, set apart to fulfill His divine purposes. This entry explores the spiritual significance of the Jews as a perpetual seed of true believers, as evidenced in Scripture.

Covenantal Promises and Identity

The identity of the Jews as God's chosen people is rooted in the covenantal promises made to Abraham. In Genesis 12:2-3 , God promises Abraham, "I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you; and all the families of the earth will be blessed through you." This covenant establishes the Jews as a people through whom God would bring blessings to the entire world.

The Remnant of Believers

Throughout the Old Testament, the concept of a faithful remnant among the Jews is a recurring theme. Despite periods of widespread apostasy and rebellion, God consistently preserves a remnant of true believers. In 1 Kings 19:18 , God assures Elijah, "Yet I have reserved seven thousand in Israel—all whose knees have not bowed to Baal and whose mouths have not kissed him." This remnant serves as a testament to God's faithfulness in maintaining a spiritual seed among His people.

The Role of the Jews in Salvation History

The Jews play a pivotal role in the unfolding of salvation history. Through them, the Law was given, and the prophets were sent to guide and correct the people. The ultimate fulfillment of God's promise to bless all nations through Abraham's seed is realized in Jesus Christ, a Jew from the line of David. As stated in Romans 9:4-5 , "Theirs is the adoption as sons; theirs the divine glory and the covenants; theirs the giving of the Law, the temple worship, and the promises. Theirs are the patriarchs, and from them proceeds the human descent of Christ, who is God over all, forever worthy of praise! Amen."

The Spiritual Seed in the New Covenant

In the New Testament, the concept of the Jews as a spiritual seed is expanded to include all who have faith in Christ, both Jew and Gentile. Galatians 3:7-9 states, "Understand, then, that those who have faith are sons of Abraham. The Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and foretold the gospel to Abraham: 'All nations will be blessed through you.' So those who have faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith." This passage highlights the continuity of the spiritual seed, transcending ethnic boundaries and uniting all believers in Christ.

The Future of Israel

The Apostle Paul addresses the future of Israel in Romans 11, emphasizing that God has not rejected His people. Romans 11:5 declares, "So too, at the present time there is a remnant chosen by grace." Paul further explains that the hardening of Israel is partial and temporary, allowing for the inclusion of the Gentiles, but ultimately, "all Israel will be saved" (Romans 11:26). This eschatological hope underscores the enduring significance of the Jews as a spiritual seed within God's redemptive plan.

Conclusion

The Jews, as a spiritual seed of true believers, have played and continue to play a crucial role in God's redemptive history. From the patriarchs to the prophets, and ultimately through Jesus Christ, the Jewish people have been instrumental in the unfolding of God's plan for humanity. The faithful remnant among them serves as a testament to God's unwavering commitment to His promises, ensuring that a spiritual seed of true believers remains always among them.1 Kings 19:18
Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth which has not kissed him.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Isaiah 6:13
But yet in it shall be a tenth, and it shall return, and shall be eaten: as a teil tree, and as an oak, whose substance is in them, when they cast their leaves: so the holy seed shall be the substance thereof.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Romans 9:6,7
Not as though the word of God has taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Romans 11:1,5
I say then, Has God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Christ Clothed with the True Substance of Human Nature.
... of his body as heavenly, but of the spiritual life which ... the flesh, he was descended
from the Jews." Again if he ... all taint, and was begotten of the seed of Mary ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 13 christ clothed with.htm

Consecration to God --Illustrated by Abraham's Circumcision
... the Lord Jesus Christ, whether they be Jews or Gentiles ... more or less, every one of
Abraham's seed has a ... children or adults, are of the spiritual seed of Abraham ...
/.../spurgeons sermons volume 14 1868/consecration to godillustrated by abrahams.htm

Three Things Briefly to be Regarded in Christ --viz. His Offices ...
... random presumption which had entered the minds of the Jews. ... the reader that its nature
is spiritual; because it ... His seed shall endure for ever, and his throne ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 15 three things briefly.htm

The Resemblance Between the Old Testament and the New.
... were not only communicated to the Jews, but also ... Christ and the Apostles, that the
spiritual covenant was ... true, that it is an incorruptible seed, "which liveth ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 10 the resemblance between.htm

Christ the Conqueror of Satan
... Herod, and Pilate, and Caiaphas, and the Jews, and the ... were, the first birth brought
us no spiritual life, for ... birth, must place himself among the seed of the ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 22 1876/christ the conqueror of satan.htm

Witnessing Better than Knowing the Future
... can remove despair, and every form of spiritual distress. ... The blood of the missionary
becomes the seed of the ... feel bound to labor always among the Jews, but he ...
/.../spurgeons sermons volume 39 1893/witnessing better than knowing the.htm

Apollos at Corinth
... from house to house, "he mightily convinced the Jews, . ... would contradict the reality
of the spiritual and immortal ... not cause the growth of the seed; they work ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 26 apollos at corinth.htm

Of the True Church. Duty of Cultivating Unity with Her, as the ...
... in such a way as to make their knowledge spiritual. ... his worship,"a profanation into
which the Jews also fell ... we are begotten again of incorruptible seed (1:Pet ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 1 of the true.htm

Sharing Christ's Life
... is a life which springs from incorruptible seed, and which ... The barbarous cruelty
of the Jews could not effect that ... which was the type of his spiritual body, he ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 60 1914/sharing christs life.htm

God Justified, Though Man Believes Not
... Yet so many Jews did not believe, that, as a ... the outward symbols, and never understood
their spiritual meaning ... being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 38 1892/god justified though man believes.htm

Why do most Jews reject Jesus as the Messiah? | GotQuestions.org

What are Khazar Jews / Khazars? | GotQuestions.org

Are Jews saved because they are God's chosen people? Will Jews go to Heaven even if they do not trust in Jesus? | GotQuestions.org

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