Topical Bible: The Jews: Privileges of

◄ The Jews: Privileges of ►

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The Jewish people, as the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, hold a unique place in biblical history and theology. Their privileges are deeply rooted in the covenants and promises made by God throughout the Scriptures. These privileges are not only historical but also spiritual, reflecting God's enduring relationship with His chosen people.

1. Chosen People: The Jews are often referred to as God's chosen people. This designation is rooted in God's covenant with Abraham, where He promised to make Abraham's descendants a great nation (Genesis 12:2-3). This election is reiterated in Deuteronomy 7:6 : "For you are a people holy to the LORD your God. The LORD your God has chosen you to be a people for His prized possession, above all peoples on the face of the earth."

2. Recipients of the Law: The Jews were given the Law through Moses, which set them apart as a nation dedicated to God. Romans 9:4 highlights this privilege: "Theirs is the adoption as sons; theirs the divine glory, the covenants, the giving of the Law, the temple worship, and the promises."

3. Covenants: The Jewish people are the recipients of several covenants, including the Abrahamic, Mosaic, and Davidic covenants. These covenants established a special relationship between God and Israel, promising land, blessing, and a future kingdom. The Davidic covenant, for instance, promised an everlasting kingdom through David's lineage (2 Samuel 7:12-16).

4. Temple Worship: The privilege of temple worship was unique to the Jews, as they were given specific instructions on how to worship God in the tabernacle and later in the temple. This is noted in Romans 9:4 , which mentions "the temple worship" as one of the privileges of the Jewish people.

5. Promises: The Jews were the recipients of numerous promises from God, including the promise of a Messiah who would come from their lineage. These promises are central to the hope and expectation found throughout the Old Testament.

6. Custodians of the Scriptures: The Jewish people were entrusted with the oracles of God, as stated in Romans 3:2 : "Much in every way. First of all, they have been entrusted with the very words of God." This privilege underscores their role in preserving and transmitting the Scriptures.

7. Lineage of the Messiah: The Messiah, Jesus Christ, was born into the Jewish nation, fulfilling the prophecies and promises made to their forefathers. This is a significant privilege, as it places the Jews at the center of God's redemptive plan for humanity.

8. Witness to the Nations: The Jews were called to be a light to the nations, demonstrating God's holiness and righteousness. Isaiah 49:6 states, "I will also make you a light for the nations, to bring My salvation to the ends of the earth."

These privileges highlight the special role of the Jewish people in God's plan, serving as a testament to His faithfulness and the unfolding of His redemptive purposes throughout history.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 76:1,2
In Judah is God known: his name is great in Israel.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Romans 3:1,2
What advantage then has the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision?
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Romans 9:4,5
Who are Israelites; to whom pertains the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises;
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

How Claudius Restored to Agrippa his Grandfathers Kingdoms and ...
... religious worship of their country, and call him a god: I will therefore that the
nation of the Jews be not deprived of their rights and privileges, on account ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 5 how claudius restored.htm

Concerning the Sabbatic River which Titus Saw as He was Journeying ...
... their first request, made him a second; for they desired that he would order those
tables of brass to be removed on which the Jews' privileges were engraven. ...
/.../chapter v concerning the sabbatic.htm

How the Kings of Asia Honored the Nation of the Jews and Made them ...
... who were the inhabitants, insomuch that these privileges continue to this very day:
an argument for which you have in this, that whereas the Jews do not make ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 3 how the kings.htm

Political and Religious Life of the Jewish Dispersion in the West ...
... privilege. [327] The Seleucidic rulers of Syria had previously bestowed
kindred privileges on the Jews in many places. Thus, they ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter vi political and religious.htm

The Honors that were Paid the Jews; and the Leagues that were Made ...
... which are in the great plain, which Hyrcanus and his forefathers formerly possessed,
Hyrcanus and the Jews have them with the same privileges with which they ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 10 the honors that.htm

Of the Advent of Jesus; of the Fortunes of the Jews, and their ...
... The idea appears to be that Christians from the Gentiles, having succeeded to
the privileges of the Jews, are, as it were, their posterity. ...
/.../lactantius/the divine institutes/chap x of the advent of.htm

Jews.
... Casimir the Great, of Poland, in the 14th century, received the Jews as refugees
into his kingdom, and granted them extensive privileges; and from that time to ...
//christianbookshelf.org/hayward/the book of religions/jews.htm

How Titus Upon the Celebration of his Brothers and Fathers ...
... donations that were made of brass to the Jews of Antioch, and dedicated them to
their synagogue, and granted them the enjoyment of equal privileges of citizens ...
/.../chapter 3 how titus upon.htm

Jews' Missionary Society.
... Three or four thousand Jews have been converted, by this and other instrumentalities,
within a few years. ... A considerable number have enjoyed its privileges. ...
/.../hayward/the book of religions/jews missionary society.htm

Jews and Gentiles in "The Land"
... Although endowed by its founder with many privileges, such as houses and lands ... Caesarea
was an essentially heathen city, though inhabited by many Jews; and one ...
/.../edersheim/sketches of jewish social life/chapter 2 jews and gentiles.htm