In my morning manna, it is obvious that I believe that the futuristic prophesies of the Bible concerning Israel are about the faithful of each generation. Abram was reared in idolatry (Joshua 24:2). We do not know the nature of his call from Ur of Chaldeans. It seems to the natural eye that his father, Terah, led him and his wife and nephew out from the place. (Genesis 11:31-32) But Stephen preached: “The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Haran…” (Acts 7:2-3) And Nehemiah praised Yahweh, "who chose Abram, and brought him out of Ur of the Chaldeans, and gave him the name Abraham; You found his heart faithful before You, and made a covenant with him to give the land of the Canaanites… to give it to his descendants. You have performed Your words, for You are righteous.” (Nehemiah 9:7-8) He is indeed righteous! He called Abram and gave him a new name.
God speaks to a compromising church saying, "These things says He who has the sharp two-edged sword: 'I know your works, and where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is. And you hold fast to My name, and did not deny My faith even in the days in which Antipas was My faithful martyr, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells. But I have a few things against you, because you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality. Thus you also have those who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate. Repent, or else I will come to you quickly and will fight against them with the sword of My mouth. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna to eat. And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it.”’ (Rev 2:12-17)
Jesus' call is all-inclusive, Whosoever will, may come. The key was that when He called, He found Abram's "heart faithful". In Genesis 26:5, it is put this way —Abram “obeyed my voice and kept my charge (mishmereth)—my commandments (mitzvah), my statutes (chuqqah), and my laws (torah)." (Genesis 26:5) You see, it is true; faith without works is dead. (James 2:20)
God's voice or mishmereth has three components. FIRSTLY, at the heart of Jewish laws governing daily life and practice, is the unchanging “mitzvah” “The word ‘mitzvah’ means ‘commandment.’ In its strictest sense, it refers only to commandments instituted in the Torah; however, the word is commonly used in a more generic sense to include all of the laws, practices and customs … and is often used in an even more loose way to refer to any good deed.” (jewishvirtuallibrary.org) The Commandments were spoken by the LORD (Exo 20) and written by His own finger (Exo 31:18). They represent His moral code binding on all mankind. SECONDLY, “chuqqah” are teachings which are accepted as divine decrees, despite their sometimes incomprehensibility and other times, their seeming irrationality. It “comes from the root choq. The ancient pictographic meaning is of a wall and the sun rising. It draws a picture of something that is separated and then brought back together, being revealed or illuminated by light. The two qofs in chuqqah indicate a repetition or pattern. This is why it is also translated as to engrave, as to make a mark to distinguish i.e., a distinguishing mark that illuminates… One of its closest cognates is chuqar, which means to search out. The idea is that there are certain commandments that are hard to be understood until further information shines a light on it.” [http://www.wildbranch.org – lesson 158] For example, “Now the blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you are. And when I see the blood, I will pass over you; and the plague shall not be on you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt. So this day shall be to you a memorial; and you shall keep it as a feast to the LORD throughout your generations. You shall keep it as a feast by an everlasting (Chuqqah) ordinance.” (Exo 12:13-14) THIRDLY, “Torah” “comes from the Hebrew root word ‘Yarah’, a verb which means ‘to flow or throw something.’ This can be a flowing of an arrow from an archers bow, or the flowing of a finger to point out a direction. Nouns are derived from the verb by making one or two changes to the verb root. In this case the Y (yud) is replaced by an O (vav) and an M (mem) is added at the front of the word to form the noun ‘Moreh.’ A Moreh is ‘one who does the flowing.’ This can be an archer who flows an arrow, or a teacher who flows his finger to point out way the student is to go in the walk of life. Another noun is formed the same way except that a T (tav) is placed at the front of the word instead of an M and we have the word ‘Torah.’ Torah is ‘what is flowed by the Moreh.’” [hebrew4chhristians.net] These Teachings center on the history of God’s dealings with mankind beginning with Adam. The Pentateuch was passed on orally at first; but then God gave it to Moses who wrote it down in five Books called the Pentateuch, meaning "five-fifths of the Torah"-- referring to Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy-- and indicating that these five books were to be taken as a whole. "The book of the Law (Torah)", as it is often called collectively, forms the backbone for the rest of the Bible theologically. While the prophets used it to prophesy, the apostles used it to teach. And Paul rejoiced because the church received the word they preached "not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God." (1Thes 2:13)
Yet Abram, the father of the faithful, tarried in Haran for 10 years. After the death of his father, the LORD told Abram to get out of his country and his father’s house (Gen. 12:1). The promise was: “I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” (Gen. 12:2-3) And so “Abram departed as the LORD had spoken to him, and Lot went with him.” (Gen. 12:4a) He had a choice in the matter.
When they came to the land, there was strife between Abram’s and Lot’s herdsmen. Abram divided the land and let Lot to choose. Yahweh then told Abram: "Lift your eyes now and look from the place where you are-- northward, southward, eastward, and westward; for all the land which you see I give to you and your descendants forever. And I will make your descendants as the dust of the earth; so that if a man could number the dust of the earth, then your descendants also could be numbered.Arise, walk in the land through its length and its width, for I give it to you." (Gen 13:14-17) “Let us examine briefly but one of the remarkable promises made to father Abraham. In Genesis 13:15 we read, ‘For all the land which you see, to you will I give it, and to your seed FOREVER.’ If you will read this promise with the illumination of the Spirit you will see that it is something beyond a piece of real estate that God promises to Abraham. You see, the promise of the land is given both to Abraham and his seed F-O-R-E-V-E-R. This is clearly one of the first direct promises made by God to man in which He promises man ETERNAL LIFE. For the only way that Abraham himself, or his seed, can possess the land forever is to first of all possess eternal life! This is not merely the promise of a land for Abraham's descendants, but the promise to Abraham personally, and to his descendants of ETERNAL INHERITANCE!” (J Preston Eby)
By striving, the best we can hope for is a good earthly estate. In Genesis 13:16 when he was first promised an inheritance, the LORD spoke of Abraham’s descendants as the dust of the earth, speaking of physical descendants to an earthly portion. Whereas, later, when "he believed Yahweh, and He accounted it to him for righteousness", his seed was compared to the "stars of heaven" (Genesis 26:4) referring to a spiritual seed and lot. God will multiply both "and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more." God deals with individuals today.
And" The Scriptures teach that all of the prophecies, covenants, promises, and threats found in the Scriptures are conditional whether or not a condition is stated; their fulfillment is contingent upon man's response to God's commands. Promises of blessing cannot be fulfilled to a disobedient nation or individual, and prophecies of punishment will not be fulfilled against the repentant. This principle is clearly stated in Jeremiah 18:7-10.-- 'The instant I speak concerning a nation and concerning a kingdom, to pluck up, to pull down, and to destroy it, if that nation against whom I have spoken turns from its evil, I will relent of the disaster that I thought to bring upon it. And the instant I speak concerning a nation and concerning a kingdom, to build and to plant it, if it does evil in My sight so that it does not obey My voice, then I will relent concerning the good with which I said I would benefit it.' The promise that Israel would inherit the land of Canaan was clearly conditional on their obedience (Deut. 4:25-31; 11:13-17,22-28; 28:1-68; 29:22-30:10; 30:15-20; 31:16-29; Jer. 7; 17:24-27). Though they were God's chosen people, God threatened them with destruction for unfaithfulness (Deut 8:19-20).” (Tim Crosby)
Paul addresses the problem of unbelieving Israelites: “I tell the truth in Christ; I am not lying, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Spirit, that I have great sorrow and continual grief in my heart.” These words suggest the sincerity and extreme sorrow of Paul for his fellow Israelites. "For I could wish that I myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my countrymen according to the flesh, who are Israelites, to whom [pertain] the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the Law [Torah], the service of God [workings of the Tabernacle], and the promises." Some versions say that these things "belong" or "pertain" to them. Yet, a look at the original text will reveal that it is an added word. So, perhaps, these things were given, and even entrusted, to them by God; but they belong to individuals who tenter covenant with Him. Paul explains why it is not inconsistent with torah that all Israelites according the flesh are not saved. “But it is not that the Word [Dabar] of God has taken no effect for they are not all Israel who are of Israel, nor are they all children because they are the seed of Abraham; but, ‘In Isaac your seed shall be called.’ (Gen. 21:12) That is, those who are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God; but the children of the promise are counted as the seed. For this is the Word of promise: ‘At this time I will come and Sarah shall have a son.’ (Gen 18:14).” (Rom 9:6-9)
The Word or "Dabar" of the LORD had appeared to Abram and made the promise of numerous seed, but there were many Jews in the days of Jesus who did not believe. It seemed that the Word of God, even Christ, had failed them. "Dabar" is sometimes used as a verb "to speak, say, talk, promise, tell, commune, pronounce, command, declare, or warn." [Strong's 1696] It's usage as a noun generally denotes "that which is spoken, promised, told, pronounced, uttered, commanded, declared or warned." [Strong's 1697] It can refer to the words of men, but it is taught throughout Torah that the Dabar of the LORD is far excellent. Moreover, the second half of the following verse reveals the Dabar of the LORD as a Person: "As for God, His way is perfect; the Word [Dabar] of the LORD is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him." (Psa. 18:30; 2 Sam. 22:31) This is the same principle as the Logos of God in New Testament teachings.
When physical descendants of Abraham are not saved, it is not that Jesus "has taken no effect" or failed. Firstly, he explains: "they are not all Israel who are of Israel." This means that just because someone lives in Israel or attends synagogue on weekly Sabbath and high days, they are not necessarily a part of the real Israel. Secondly, "nor are they all children because they are the seed [zera`- Hebrew OT and sperma– Greek NT] of Abraham." Paul then goes on to make his case for God’s righteousness by interpreting the Genesis text. Paul argues, “But ‘In Isaac your seed shall be called.’ (Gen. 21:12) That is, those who are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God; but the children of the promise are counted as the seed.” This is about the faith of Abraham, not that of the children. The promises that God delivers count.
“All Israel will be saved” (Rom 11:26)— not all physical descendants of Abram, but Israelites indeed. Paul explains the promise of seed and how it is fulfilled. "For this is the Word [Logos] of promise 'At this time I will come and Sarah shall have a son.'"(Gen 18:10) And in the fullness of time: “the LORD visited Sarah as He had said, and the LORD did for Sarah as He had spoken.” (Genesis 21:1) Promises of God are fulfilled by the coming of the LORD to individuals. The process is not aided by human striving such as occurred in the birth of Ishmael-- "'Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,' says the LORD of hosts." (Zech. 4:6)
Works-based religions will fail in the end. Paul interprets the story of Isaac and Ishmael: “Tell me, you who desire to be under the law, do you not hear the law? For it is written that Abraham had two sons: the one by a bondwoman, the other by a freewoman. But he who was of the bondwoman was born according to the flesh, and he of the freewoman through promise, which things are symbolic. For these are the two covenants: the one from Mount Sinai which gives birth to bondage, which is Hagar-- for this Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia, and corresponds to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children-- but the Jerusalem above is free, which is the mother of us all. For it is written: ‘Rejoice, O barren, you who do not bear! Break forth and shout, you who are not in labor! For the desolate has many more children than she who has a husband.’ (Isa 54:1) Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are children of promise. But, as he who was born according to the flesh then persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, even so it is now. Nevertheless what does the Scripture say? ‘Cast out the bondwoman and her son, for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman.’ (Gen 4:30) So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman but of the free.” (Gal 4:20-31)
This shows “the attempt of fallen human nature to please God by mere human effort as contrasted with the life miraculously produced by ‘new birth’ when the Lord Jesus Christ transforms a human life” (Bible Study Fellowship Notes) Ishmaelites are found throughout the world and in congregations of every denomination. And so are true Israelites, in whom there is no guile. Yet the carnal man uses this allegory to pit nation against nation—Israeli against Arabs. The message is that by keeping the moral code you cannot obtain the Kingdom of Heaven, “for whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all.” (Jam 2:10)
God speaks of this in Jeremiah, saying: "The days come, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, not after the covenant I made with their fathers" (Jer. 31:31). This is quoted in the New Testament book of Hebrews, with the addition: "In that He saith a new covenant, He hath made the first old." (Heb. 8:13) Is your religion based on the Old Covenant or the New?
“Our Lord spoke Himself of the New Covenant in His blood. In His dealings with His people, in His working out His great redemption, it has pleased God that there should be two covenants.… They indicate two stages in God's dealing with man; two ways of serving God, a lower or elementary one of preparation and promise, a higher or more advanced one of fulfillment and possession. As that in which the true excellency of the second consists is opened up to us, we can spiritually enter into what God has prepared for us. Let us try and understand why there should have been two, neither less nor more. The reason is to be found in the fact that, in religion all intercourse between God and man, there are two parties, and that each of these must have the opportunity to prove what their part is in the Covenant. In the Old Covenant man had the opportunity given him to prove what He could do, with the aid of all the means of grace God could bestow.
That Covenant ended in man proving his own unfaithfulness and failure. In the New Covenant, God is to prove what He can do with man, all unfaithful and feeble as he is, when He is allowed and trusted to do all the work. The Old Covenant was one dependent on man's obedience, one which he could break, and did break (Jer. 31:32). The New Covenant was one which God has engaged shall never be broken; He Himself keeps it and ensure our keeping it: so He makes it an Everlasting Covenant…
This is the teaching of the passage from which our text is taken. In the home of Abraham, the father of the faithful, Ishmael and Isaac are both found, the one born of a slave, the other of a free woman; the one after the flesh and the will of man, the other through the promise and the power of God; the one only for a time, then to be cast out, the other to be heir of all … A picture held up to the Galatians of the life they were leading, as they trusted to the flesh and its religion, making a fair show, and yet proved, by their being led captive to sin, to be, not of the free but of the bond woman. Only through faith in the promise and the mighty quickening power of God could they, could any of them, be made truly and fully free, and stand in the freedom with which Christ has made us free.” ("The Two Covenants and the Second Blessing" by Andrew Murray)
We must first come out of our Egypt or Haran, passing through the waters of the sea by faith in Messiah, by a believers baptism (1 Cor. 10:2), to enter into the promise of our Jerusalem. The disciples asked Jesus “What shall we do, that we may work the works of God?” Jesus answered, “This is the work of God— that you believe in Him whom He sent.” (John 6:28-29) In another place, Jesus said, “If you love Me, keep My commandments. [Rather than doing our own works , we must do the mitzvah of Jesus.] And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you." " (John 14:15-18)
Jesus said: “He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.” (Mark 16:16) This “chuqqah” is before you. Only after heartfelt repentance and a subsequent baptism, can you be contrasted with those on the other side who are striving with their own power to keep God’s Laws. Church members who are under the Law are dying. “But we [repentant baptized believers] have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of angels, to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are registered in heaven, to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect, to Jesuthe Mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling that speaks better things than that of Abel.” (Hebrews 12:22-24)
“‘Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.’ And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, ‘Be saved from this perverse generation.’ Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.” (Acts 2:38-42)
But we have no record that the repentant thief on the cross was baptized and Jesus told him, "Assuredly, I say to you today, you will be with Me in Paradise."”(Luke 23:43) If the repentant thief did not know of the ordinance of baptism, it was not sin for him not to comply. (James 4:17) On the other hand, if the thief on the cross understood the precept, then he would desire it. It then becomes a matter of a faithful and obedient heart. An example of God giving credit for a willing heart is found in a chuqqah of Abraham’s sacrifice of Isaac at Mt. Moriah. “After he had received the promises that this Isaac should build up his family, and that ‘in him his seed should be called’ he ‘offered up Isaac.’ …but how could it be truly said that Abraham ‘offered up Isaac,’ seeing that he did not actually slay him? In regard to his willingness, in regard to his set purpose, and in regard to God’s acceptance of the will for the deed, he did do so… He took the three days’ journey to the appointed place of sacrifice; he bound Isaac unto the altar, and took the knife into his hand to slay him. And God accepted the will for the deed.” (A. W. Pink)