Solicitude for Israel
1I am telling the truth in Christ, I am not lying, my conscience testifies with me in the Holy Spirit, 2that I have great sorrow and unceasing grief in my heart. 3For I could wish that I myself were accursed, separated from Christ for the sake of my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh, 4who are Israelites, to whom belongs the adoption as sons, and the glory and the covenants and the giving of the Law and the temple service and the promises, 5whose are the fathers, and from whom is the Christ according to the flesh, who is over all, God blessed forever. Amen.
6But it is not as though the word of God has failed. For they are not all Israel who are descended from Israel; 7nor are they all children because they are Abraham’s descendants, but: “THROUGH ISAAC YOUR DESCENDANTS WILL BE NAMED.” 8That is, it is not the children of the flesh who are children of God, but the children of the promise are regarded as descendants. 9For this is the word of promise: “AT THIS TIME I WILL COME, AND SARAH SHALL HAVE A SON.” 10And not only this, but there was Rebekah also, when she had conceived twins by one man, our father Isaac; 11for though the twins were not yet born and had not done anything good or bad, so that God’s purpose according to His choice would stand, not because of works but because of Him who calls, 12it was said to her, “THE OLDER WILL SERVE THE YOUNGER.” 13Just as it is written, “JACOB I LOVED, BUT ESAU I HATED.”
14What shall we say then? There is no injustice with God, is there? May it never be! 15For He says to Moses, “I WILL HAVE MERCY ON WHOM I HAVE MERCY, AND I WILL HAVE COMPASSION ON WHOM I HAVE COMPASSION.” 16So then it does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy. 17For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, “FOR THIS VERY PURPOSE I RAISED YOU UP, TO DEMONSTRATE MY POWER IN YOU, AND THAT MY NAME MIGHT BE PROCLAIMED THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE EARTH.” 18So then He has mercy on whom He desires, and He hardens whom He desires.
Pauls heart grieves for his fellow Israelites, he would gladly sacrifice himself for them. If only they would receive Christ!
But I find myself as Paul! I would sacrifice my salvation for others also! For my unsaved brothers and sisters. Is this not the love Jesus teaches us?
But we ask, Why does God not call everyone to Him? "BUT ESAU I HATED.”
Could it be God see's something in their heart He doesn't like? But we continue to ask, Why me Lord? Why do you love me? I am not worthy! If only I could give my place in heaven to my brother! Do you have this kind of love that Paul and Jesus teaches?
God is God. For He said to Moses ; “I WILL HAVE MERCY ON WHOM I HAVE MERCY, AND I WILL HAVE COMPASSION ON WHOM I HAVE COMPASSION.”
It's not your will or mine! But on God who has mercy!
So then He has mercy on whom He desires, and He hardens whom He desires.
So we ask ourselves, why are we here?
“FOR THIS VERY PURPOSE I RAISED YOU UP, TO DEMONSTRATE MY POWER IN YOU, AND THAT MY NAME MIGHT BE PROCLAIMED THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE EARTH.”
To be His light! Pray for the unsaved, and just maybe, God may change the hard heart of those we would sacrifice ourselves for. As He did for the righteous in Sodom and Gomorrah before He destroyed the city as written in Genesis 18.
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%2018&version=NIV
Dear Heavenly Father I pray for my unsaved family. My heart grieves for them. Please unharden their hearts, have mercy on them and draw them close to you. In Jesus name I pray.
Blessings, David
Scripture blog; http://stanfordsancutaryscripturestudies.blogspot.com
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