Topical Bible: The Jews: The Only People Who had Knowledge of God

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The Jewish people hold a unique place in biblical history as the only nation to whom God revealed Himself directly and entrusted His divine laws and covenants. This special relationship is foundational to understanding the narrative of the Bible and the unfolding of God's redemptive plan for humanity.

Divine Election and Covenant

The election of the Jews as God's chosen people is rooted in the covenant made with Abraham. In Genesis 12:1-3 , God calls Abram, promising to make him a great nation and to bless all the families of the earth through him. This covenant is reiterated and expanded in Genesis 17, where God establishes an everlasting covenant with Abraham and his descendants, marking them as His chosen people through the sign of circumcision.

The covenantal relationship is further solidified with the giving of the Law to Moses at Mount Sinai. In Exodus 19:5-6 , God declares, "Now if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, you will be My treasured possession out of all the nations—for the whole earth is Mine. And unto Me you shall be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation." This establishes the Jews as a people set apart to serve and worship the one true God.

Revelation of God's Law

The Jews were uniquely privileged to receive the Law, which revealed God's character and His standards for righteousness. The Law, given through Moses, encompassed moral, ceremonial, and civil precepts that governed every aspect of Jewish life. As stated in Deuteronomy 4:7-8 , "For what nation is great enough to have a god as near to them as the LORD our God is to us whenever we call on Him? And what nation is great enough to have righteous statutes and ordinances like this entire law I set before you today?"

The Law served as a tutor, guiding the Jewish people in their relationship with God and setting them apart from the surrounding nations. It was through the Law that the Jews had a clear understanding of God's holiness, justice, and mercy.

Prophetic Revelation

In addition to the Law, God communicated with the Jewish people through His prophets. These prophets were chosen to deliver God's messages, calling the nation to repentance and foretelling future events. Amos 3:7 states, "Surely the Lord GOD does nothing without revealing His plan to His servants the prophets." The prophetic tradition provided the Jews with insight into God's will and His unfolding plan for salvation.

The prophets also spoke of a coming Messiah, a central figure in Jewish expectation, who would bring redemption not only to Israel but to all nations. Isaiah 9:6 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."

Preservation of Scripture

The Jews were entrusted with the oracles of God, preserving the Scriptures that form the Old Testament. Romans 3:1-2 highlights this privilege: "What, then, is the advantage of being a Jew? Or what is the value of circumcision? Much in every way. First of all, they have been entrusted with the very words of God." Through meticulous care and reverence for the sacred texts, the Jewish people ensured the transmission of God's revelation to future generations.

Role in Redemptive History

The Jewish people played a pivotal role in God's redemptive history, serving as the conduit through which the Savior of the world would come. Jesus Christ, born of the tribe of Judah, fulfilled the Messianic prophecies and established a new covenant through His death and resurrection. As stated in John 4:22 , "You worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews."

In summary, the Jews were the only people who had direct knowledge of God through His covenants, laws, and prophetic revelations. Their unique relationship with God set the stage for the coming of the Messiah and the extension of God's salvation to all nations.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

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

1 Thessalonians 4:5
Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 48:3
God is known in her palaces for a refuge.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Romans 1:28
And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Christ, Though Known to the Jews under the Law, yet Only ...
... prophetical doctrine was useless to the ancient people, or unavailing ... 1:1, 2). Hence,
although this only begotten Son ... was formerly made known to the Jews, as we ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 9 christ though known.htm

The Greeks had Some Knowledge of the True God.
... I think, he showed that the one and only God was known ... the Greeks in a Gentile way,
by the Jews Judaically, and ... into the one race of the saved people those who ...
/.../clement/the stromata or miscellanies/chapter v the greeks had some.htm

The Chosen People
... God's purpose could be wrought out only through continued ... The Jews looked upon Jerusalem
as their heaven ... the captivity, many of the people had received heathen ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 2 the chosen people.htm

Barriers Broken Down
... This was the only miracle that Jesus wrought while on ... interested in working for others
besides their own people. ... He did not share the intolerance of the Jews. ...
/.../white/the desire of ages/chapter 43 barriers broken down.htm

The Connection of the Christian virtues.
... the prophet, to be the disobedience and gainsaying of the people? ... fallen asleep,
recognises certain righteous among Gentiles and Jews, not only before the ...
/.../clement/the stromata or miscellanies/chapter ix the connection of the.htm

Refutation of the Jews
... he says, "are cut short upon thy people and upon ... kings were to be anointed among
them only until the ... left out or unfulfilled that the Jews should disbelieve so ...
/.../athanasius/on the incarnation of the word/chapter 6 refutation of the.htm

Philosophy Conveys Only an Imperfect Knowledge of God.
... Rightly, then, to the Jews belonged the Law, and ... universal calling to be a peculiar
people of righteousness ... brought together by one Lord, the only God of both ...
/.../the stromata or miscellanies/chapter xvii philosophy conveys only an.htm

The Jews Expound These Signs Jejunely and Feebly, and Take up ...
... Chapter CXII."The Jews expound these signs jejunely ... and take up their attention only
with insignificant ... without forsaking God, persuaded the people to hope ...
/.../chapter cxii the jews expound these.htm

Jesus in the Temple.
... the multitude in a capacity that was assumed only by the ... who would know little of
the purposes of "the Jews," but these ... And many of the people believed on him. ...
/.../johnson/the new testament commentary vol iii john/jesus in the temple.htm

Redemption for Man Lost to be Sought in Christ.
... 4. By familiarising the Jews with these prophecies, God intended ... to David; and that
in this way only the free ... which God had adopted his chosen people would be ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 6 redemption for man.htm