Topical Bible: The Jews: Their National Privileges

◄ The Jews: Their National Privileges ►

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The Jewish people, as the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, hold a unique position in biblical history and theology. Their national privileges are deeply rooted in the covenants and promises made by God, as recorded in the Scriptures. These privileges encompass spiritual, covenantal, and eschatological dimensions, reflecting God's sovereign choice and enduring faithfulness.

Covenantal Relationship with God

The foundation of Jewish national privileges is the covenantal relationship established by God. This began with the Abrahamic Covenant, where God promised Abraham, "I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing" (Genesis 12:2). This covenant was further confirmed through Isaac and Jacob, establishing the Israelites as God's chosen people.

The Mosaic Covenant at Sinai further solidified this relationship, as God declared, "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" (Exodus 19:5). This covenant provided the Law, which set the Israelites apart as a holy nation and a kingdom of priests.

The Promised Land

One of the significant national privileges of the Jews is the promise of the land of Canaan. This promise was first given to Abraham: "To your descendants I will give this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the Euphrates" (Genesis 15:18). The land was to be an everlasting possession, a tangible sign of God's faithfulness and a place where His people could dwell in His presence.

The Davidic Covenant

The Davidic Covenant further enhanced the national privileges of the Jews by establishing a royal lineage. God promised David, "Your house and kingdom will endure forever before Me, and your throne will be established forever" (2 Samuel 7:16). This covenant pointed to the coming of the Messiah, who would reign on David's throne and bring ultimate fulfillment to God's promises.

The Oracles of God

The Jews were entrusted with the oracles of God, a privilege highlighted by the Apostle Paul: "What advantage, then, is there in being a Jew? Or what value is there in circumcision? Much in every way. First of all, they have been entrusted with the very words of God" (Romans 3:1-2). This entrusted stewardship included the Law, the Prophets, and the Writings, which revealed God's character, will, and redemptive plan.

The Lineage of the Messiah

A profound privilege of the Jewish nation is their role in the lineage of the Messiah. Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world, was born of the tribe of Judah, fulfilling the prophecies and promises concerning the coming Redeemer. As Paul states, "Theirs are the patriarchs, and from them proceeds the human descent of Christ, who is God over all, forever worthy of praise! Amen" (Romans 9:5).

Eschatological Promises

The national privileges of the Jews also include eschatological promises. The prophets foretold a future restoration and regathering of Israel, a time when God would establish His kingdom and bring peace and righteousness. Ezekiel prophesied, "I will take you from among the nations and gather you out of all the countries, and I will bring you back into your own land" (Ezekiel 36:24).

Conclusion

The national privileges of the Jews are a testament to God's unchanging faithfulness and His sovereign purposes in history. These privileges, rooted in divine covenants and promises, underscore the unique role of the Jewish people in God's redemptive plan, both in the past and in the unfolding future.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Romans 3:2
Much every way: chiefly, because that to them were committed the oracles of God.
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

National Privileges
... NATIONAL PRIVILEGES. ... and could not; that words are spoken to us for which their ears
longed ... wise and holy hearts for ages"as well heathens as Jews"had had ...
/.../kingsley/twenty-five village sermons/sermon xxii national privileges.htm

Political and Religious Life of the Jewish Dispersion in the West ...
... be allowed to export part of the national wealth, to ... What cared he for their popular
meetings and noisy ... The recognition of the fact that, as Jews, they were ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter vi political and religious.htm

The vineyard and Its Keepers
... Their great sin was their desire to have their national prerogatives, and yet to ...
while the people were proud of their standing as Jews, and careless ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture b/the vineyard and its keepers.htm

Guilty Silence and Its Reward
... The Jews were no sailors, and the choice of ... that the consequence of the national
unfaithfulness and greedy, exclusive grasp of their privileges would lead ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/guilty silence and its reward.htm

Jews and Gentiles in "The Land"
... the frequent advocacy at Rome of the cause of Jews when oppressed ... would fain have
kept on good terms with the national party, or rather used it as their tool ...
/.../edersheim/sketches of jewish social life/chapter 2 jews and gentiles.htm

The Temple Cleansed Again
... of God in the withdrawal of their national privileges, which had ... in the destruction
of their temple and their city, but ... with special force to the Jews, it has ...
/.../white/the desire of ages/chapter 65 the temple cleansed.htm

The Extent of Messiah's Spiritual Kingdom
... forms, and the calling of the Jews, are events ... and the late diminution of our national
grandeur and ... earth, as trivial concerns, unworthy of their notice; or ...
//christianbookshelf.org/newton/messiah vol 2/sermon xxxvii the extent of.htm

Paul in Corinth.
... possession of the same spiritual privileges with the ... laws of the empire accorded
to the Jews. ... decide concerning the interpretation of their national law, and ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture xxi paul in corinth.htm

His Great Controversy
... converts of the Messiah would undergo this national rite and ... Jewish law and tradition;
in short, their conception of Messiah's reign was a world of Jews. ...
/.../stalker/the life of st paul/chapter ix his great controversy.htm

In Jud??a and through Samaria - a Sketch of Samaritan History and ...
... they were more strict than the Jews themselves ... them from this accusation, ascribe
their excessive veneration ... the same hatred, caused by national persecution, we ...
/.../edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter vii in judaea and.htm