Topical Bible: The Jews: Promises Respecting Made to Themselves

◄ The Jews: Promises Respecting Made to Themselves ►

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The Jewish people, as the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, hold a unique place in biblical history and theology. Throughout the Scriptures, God made numerous promises to the Jews, affirming His covenantal relationship with them and outlining His plans for their future. These promises are foundational to understanding the narrative of the Bible and God's redemptive plan for humanity.

Covenant with Abraham

The promises to the Jews begin with God's covenant with Abraham, the patriarch of the Jewish nation. In Genesis 12:2-3 , God declares to 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 promise establishes the Jews as a chosen people through whom God intends to bless the entire world.

The Land of Canaan

A significant aspect of God's promises to the Jews involves the land of Canaan. In Genesis 17:8 , God promises Abraham, "And to you and your descendants I will give the land of your sojourn—all the land of Canaan—as an eternal possession; and I will be their God." This promise of land is reiterated to Isaac and Jacob, emphasizing its perpetual nature and its centrality to Jewish identity.

The Davidic Covenant

The promises to the Jews are further expanded through the Davidic Covenant. In 2 Samuel 7:12-16 , God promises King David, "When your days are fulfilled and you rest with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, who will come from your own body, and I will establish his kingdom. He will build a house for My Name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever." This covenant assures the Jews of a perpetual dynasty through David, ultimately fulfilled in the Messiah, Jesus Christ.

Restoration and Return

Throughout the prophetic books, God promises the Jews restoration and return from exile. In Jeremiah 29:10-14 , God assures them, "For thus says the LORD: 'When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill My good promise to bring you back to this place. For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, to give you a future and a hope.'" This promise of restoration underscores God's faithfulness to His covenant people despite their disobedience.

The New Covenant

The promise of a New Covenant is a pivotal aspect of God's promises to the Jews. In Jeremiah 31:31-34 , God declares, "Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah. It will not be like the covenant I made with their fathers... I will put My law in their minds and inscribe it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they will be My people." This New Covenant, fulfilled in Jesus Christ, offers a renewed relationship with God based on internal transformation rather than external adherence to the law.

Future Restoration and Blessing

The prophetic literature also speaks of a future restoration and blessing for the Jews. In Ezekiel 36:24-28 , God promises, "For I will take you from among the nations, gather you out of all the countries, and bring you back into your own land. I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean... I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you." This promise anticipates a time of spiritual renewal and national restoration for the Jewish people.

Messianic Hope

Central to the promises made to the Jews is the hope of the Messiah. Isaiah 9:6-7 prophesies, "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government will be upon His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end." The expectation of the Messiah is a cornerstone of Jewish hope, fulfilled in the person and work of Jesus Christ, who brings salvation to both Jews and Gentiles.

These promises, woven throughout the biblical narrative, highlight God's unwavering commitment to the Jewish people and His overarching plan for redemption. They serve as a testament to God's faithfulness and the unfolding of His divine purposes in history.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Exodus 6:7,8
And I will take you to me for a people, and I will be to you a God: and you shall know that I am the LORD your God, which brings you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Exodus 19:5,6
Now therefore, if you will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then you shall be a peculiar treasure to me above all people: for all the earth is mine:
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Deuteronomy 26:18,19
And the LORD has avouched you this day to be his peculiar people, as he has promised you, and that you should keep all his commandments;
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Library

The Promises of the Law and the Gospel Reconciled.
... to the former part of the argument respecting the name. ... 2. For this reason, the promises
offered in the law ... premising that he and the other Jews, aware that "a ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 17 the promises of.htm

Psalm XC.
... for the Faith which the impiety of Jews and Gentiles ... in the Old Testament are thought
high promises by those ... These are the days respecting which it is written ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm xc.htm

The Progress of the Gospel from the Death of Christ to the Death ...
... they claimed some interest in "the promises made unto the ... These Jews must have known
that, in as far ... in some way obtained information respecting his subsequent ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/killen/the ancient church/chapter iv the progress of.htm

The Twelve Minor Prophets.
... far beyond his day, the promise made to him ... relating to the reestablishment of the
Jews in their ... way of duty, adding glorious promises respecting the future ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxiii the twelve minor.htm

Use to be Made of the Doctrine of Providence.
... not know all the things which God does respecting us in ... of God being confirmed by
these promises and examples ... 3:6), expostulated bitterly with the Jews, for not ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 17 use to be.htm

Interpretation of Prophecy.
... But to become absorbed in calculations beforehand respecting its dates ... blessed him
that had the promises, and received ... in the generation of Jews who rejected ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxxviii interpretation of prophecy.htm

Paul and Silas in Thessalonica and Berea.
... Jews, unless their erroneous ideas respecting the Messiah ... foundation of hope, the
spiritual promises, and the ... The Jews who examined their ancient Scriptures ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture xix paul and silas.htm

Development of the Ideas of Jesus Respecting the Kingdom of God.
... DEVELOPMENT OF THE IDEAS OF JESUS RESPECTING THE KINGDOM ... or tempted him with seductive
promises; that afterward ... we have said, already long familiar to the Jews. ...
/.../renan/the life of jesus/chapter vii development of the.htm

Inspiration and the Canon
... the middle wall of partition between Jews and Gentiles. ... sentence what has been said
respecting the apostles ... write without error, the explicit promises of Christ ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter vii inspiration and the.htm

The Progress of the Gospel
... the divine perfections, which God has made known by ... But the fulfilment of the promises
respecting MESSIAH'S Kingdom is ... mean the state of the Jews, who, though ...
//christianbookshelf.org/newton/messiah vol 2/sermon xxxii the progress of.htm