Topical Encyclopedia
The Scriptures contain numerous promises regarding the role of the Jewish people in the divine plan of salvation, particularly concerning the blessing that their conversion would bring to the Gentiles. This theme is woven throughout both the Old and New Testaments, highlighting the integral part the Jews play in God's redemptive purposes for all nations.
Old Testament PromisesThe promise of blessing to the Gentiles through the Jews is rooted in the Abrahamic Covenant. God declared to Abraham, "And through your offspring all nations of the earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice" (
Genesis 22:18). This covenant established the Jewish people as a conduit of blessing to the entire world, a promise that finds its ultimate fulfillment in the coming of the Messiah, a descendant of Abraham.
The prophet Isaiah also speaks to this promise, envisioning a time when the Jewish people would be a light to the nations.
Isaiah 49:6 states, "I will also make you a light for the nations, to bring My salvation to the ends of the earth" . This prophetic vision underscores the role of Israel in bringing the knowledge of God to the Gentiles.
New Testament FulfillmentThe New Testament further elaborates on these promises, particularly through the ministry of Jesus Christ and the apostolic mission. The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Romans, discusses the mystery of Israel's partial hardening and the eventual inclusion of the Gentiles. He writes, "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" (
Romans 11:25).
Paul continues to express the hope of Israel's future conversion and the resulting blessing for the world: "For if their rejection is the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead?" (
Romans 11:15). This passage suggests that the conversion of the Jewish people will bring about a profound spiritual renewal and blessing for all humanity.
Theological ImplicationsThe conversion of the Jews and the subsequent blessing to the Gentiles is a testament to God's faithfulness and the unfolding of His redemptive plan. It highlights the interconnectedness of Jews and Gentiles in the divine economy of salvation. The promises respecting the Jews serve as a reminder of God's unchanging covenantal love and His desire for all people to come to the knowledge of the truth.
The expectation of Jewish conversion and its impact on the Gentiles is a theme that continues to inspire hope and anticipation within the Christian community. It reflects the ultimate unity and reconciliation that God intends for His creation, as envisioned in the prophetic and apostolic writings.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Isaiah 2:1-5The word that Isaiah the son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem.
Torrey's Topical TextbookIsaiah 60:5
Then you shall see, and flow together, and your heart shall fear, and be enlarged; because the abundance of the sea shall be converted to you, the forces of the Gentiles shall come to you.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Isaiah 66:19
And I will set a sign among them, and I will send those that escape of them to the nations, to Tarshish, Pul, and Lud, that draw the bow, to Tubal, and Javan, to the isles afar off, that have not heard my fame, neither have seen my glory; and they shall declare my glory among the Gentiles.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Romans 11:12,15
Now if the fall of them be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fullness?
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Library
The Blessing of Jacob Upon Judah. (Gen. Xlix. 8-10. )
... in it, the depositaries of the divine promises, the channels ... With the Jews, it was
because they were driven to ... 2.regulations are laid down respecting the order ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/the blessing of jacob upon.htm
Rom. xv. 25-27
... he says, "thank them." And yet they were of the Jews. ... world in her seed and in the
promises, she had ... The joyful hopes of Paul respecting his journey to Rome ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily xxx rom xv 25-27.htm
The Mission of Paul and Silas to Macedonia.
... could give them no information respecting the true ... one of those oratories, which
the Jews erected for ... the credulous multitude with liberal promises of future ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture xvii the mission of.htm
The Kingdom Given to the Saints at the Resurrection of the Just.
... same import is the prophecy of Daniel, respecting the time ... faith of Abraham will
participate in the same promises. ... So the Saviour said to the Jews: "Many shall ...
/.../bliss/a brief commentary on the apocalypse/the kingdom given to the.htm
Subject Index
... waited for the promises of God, [28]561. ... rejected by the Jews, [1013]262, [1014]267. ...
Isaiah, his prophecy respecting the virgin conceiving, vindicated against ...
/.../irenaeus/fragments from the lost writings of irenaeus/subject index.htm
The Founder of Christianity.
... He chose twelve apostles for the Jews and seventy ... inseparable from his own express
testimony respecting himself, as ... men to follow him, and promises peace and ...
/.../schaff/history of the christian church volume i/section 15 the founder of.htm
Against Heresies
... more difficult than that of the Jews; the labours ... all that the prophets have declared
respecting Christ and ... same proposition, drawn from the promises made by ...
//christianbookshelf.org/irenaeus/against heresies/
Index of Subjects.
... Jews, the, typified by Cain, [446]186-[447]188; their ... his kingdom of light,
[530]135; promises knowledge, [531 ... 245; did he change his opinions respecting Christ ...
/.../writings in connection with the donatist controversy /index of subjects.htm
Christian Devotedness, Etc.
... to Jerusalem, or to obey the command respecting the observance ... which a simple trust
in His promises is the ... preachers of righteousness would these Jews have been ...
/.../groves/christian devotedness/christian devotedness etc.htm
The Dispensation of the Divine Favours Reconciled with the ...
... ninth chapter, is "the rejection of the Jews, and the ... loss of the birthright blessing
and promises on the ... we judge, or form any opinion respecting the equity ...
/.../a theodicy or vindication of the divine glory/chapter v the dispensation of.htm
Resources
Why do Jews and Arabs / Muslims hate each other? | GotQuestions.orgWhy didn't all the Jews want to return to Jerusalem (Ezra 1:5-6)? | GotQuestions.orgJewish Questions - questions from Jews and about Judaism | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
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