Topical Bible: The Jews: Beloved for Their Father's Sake

◄ The Jews: Beloved for Their Father's Sake ►

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The Jewish people hold a unique and enduring place in the biblical narrative and the unfolding plan of God. This special status is rooted in the covenants and promises made by God to the patriarchs—Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—and is affirmed throughout Scripture. The phrase "beloved for their father's sake" encapsulates the enduring love and commitment God has for the Jewish people, despite their historical challenges and periods of disobedience.

Covenantal Promises

The foundation of the Jewish people's beloved status is found in the Abrahamic Covenant. In Genesis 12:1-3, God calls Abram (later Abraham) and promises to make him a great nation, bless him, and make his name great. This covenant is reiterated and expanded in Genesis 15 and 17, where God promises Abraham descendants as numerous as the stars and the land of Canaan as an everlasting possession. The covenant is unconditional, based solely on God's faithfulness.

Isaac and Jacob, Abraham's son and grandson, respectively, are also recipients of God's promises. In Genesis 26:3-4, God reaffirms the covenant to Isaac, and in Genesis 28:13-15, He extends it to Jacob. These patriarchal promises establish the Jewish people as God's chosen nation, set apart for His purposes.

The Mosaic Covenant and the Law

The Mosaic Covenant, given at Mount Sinai, further defines the relationship between God and the Israelites. While the Abrahamic Covenant is unconditional, the Mosaic Covenant is conditional, requiring obedience to the Law. In Exodus 19:5-6, God declares Israel to be His treasured possession and a kingdom of priests. The Law serves as a guide for living in a way that reflects God's holiness and justice.

Prophetic Affirmations

Throughout the prophetic writings, God's enduring love for Israel is affirmed, even in the face of judgment. The prophets often call Israel back to faithfulness, reminding them of God's promises. In Jeremiah 31:3, God declares, "I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have drawn you with loving devotion." This everlasting love underscores the unbreakable bond between God and His people.

The New Testament Perspective

In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul addresses the status of the Jewish people in God's redemptive plan. In Romans 11:28-29 , Paul writes, "Regarding the gospel, they are enemies on your account; but regarding election, they are loved on account of the patriarchs. For God’s gifts and His call are irrevocable." Here, Paul acknowledges the tension between Israel's current unbelief and their irrevocable election due to the patriarchal promises.

Paul further emphasizes that God's plan includes a future restoration of Israel. In Romans 11:25-26 , he states, "I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers, so that you will not be conceited: A hardening in part has come to Israel until the full number of the Gentiles has come in. And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: 'The Deliverer will come from Zion, He will remove godlessness from Jacob.'"

Theological Implications

The phrase "beloved for their father's sake" highlights the continuity of God's covenantal faithfulness. It serves as a reminder of the unchanging nature of God's promises and His sovereign plan for both Jews and Gentiles. The Jewish people's unique role in salvation history underscores the importance of understanding God's dealings with Israel as integral to the broader narrative of redemption.

In summary, the Jewish people are beloved for the sake of the patriarchs, a testament to God's unwavering commitment to His promises. This enduring love is a central theme in Scripture, reflecting God's faithfulness and the unfolding of His redemptive purposes through history.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Deuteronomy 4:37
And because he loved your fathers, therefore he chose their seed after them, and brought you out in his sight with his mighty power out of Egypt;
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Deuteronomy 10:15
Only the LORD had a delight in your fathers to love them, and he chose their seed after them, even you above all people, as it is this day.
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Romans 11:28
As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the father's sakes.
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Library

It is in the Power of Evil Men to Sin; but to do this or that by ...
... hand and counsel predestinated such things to be done by the hostile Jews as were ...
"But as concerning the election, they are beloved for their fathers' sakes ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 33 it is in the.htm

The Leafless Tree
... so that he might not even look upon his beloved city ... He will come to be king of the
Jews, and to ... I will show kindness unto them for their father's sake, and for ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 3 1857/the leafless tree.htm

Mason -- Messiah's Throne
... from the recovery of the rejected Jews to the ... their Messiah, without the hope of
their believing ancestors ... They are still "beloved for the father's sake." When ...
/.../kleiser/the worlds great sermons volume 3/mason messiahs throne.htm

Matt. xvii. 10
... person only, lest He should confound the man, but also at all the Jews. ... pursuit,
but to unsettle him that is more approved and more beloved by their ruler. ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily lvii matt xvii 10.htm

The Transfiguration
... John, who was our Lord's beloved friend, who seems to have ... again, how when he did
tell the Jews who he ... powers of thought and memory, much more their power of ...
/.../kingsley/town and country sermons/sermon iii the transfiguration.htm

Matt. Ii. 16
... As touching the election, they are beloved for the ... faith, and exalting themselves
against the Jews, and so ... whilst they enrolled him as their father, the rule ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily ix matt ii 16.htm

On the Feast of the Epiphany, vi.
... we wish to see how their threefold kind of ... These comparisons, dearly-beloved, being
thoughtfully considered, we ... in the persons of the Jews, lies treacherously ...
/.../leo/writings of leo the great/sermon xxxvi on the feast.htm

The Name Jesus and Also the Name Christ were Known from the ...
... were honored by the ancient prophets beloved of God. ... their death was the disposition
of their followers such ... nor pre-eminence among the Jews, nevertheless was ...
/.../pamphilius/church history/chapter iii the name jesus and.htm

Oh, How He Loves!
... of your love to Jesus what the Jews said of ... Behold how these Christians love Jesus
Christ their Lord and ... Yet, beloved, remember that, when our love has reached ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 56 1910/oh how he loves.htm

Book ii. Believers have Always Found their Satisfaction in that ...
... twice, but often repeated, This is My beloved Son, in ... the answer which He gave the
Jews, Believe My ... If our answer displease them, their displeasure must also ...
/.../book ii believers have always.htm