SATURDAY May 30, 2020
A Proud Heritage
Indeed you are called a Jew….
Romans 2:17
The Jews were so proud of their heritage. They were previously called Hebrews and Israelites. Abraham was the father of this nation, and from his seed all the nations of the earth were to be blessed (Genesis 17; Genesis 22:18). The name Jew came from word “Judah.” It means “Praise to the Lord.” That is an incredible title given to the Jewish nation. Judah was one of the twelve tribes of Israel. When King Solomon’s kingdom split, two tribes stayed in the south, Benjamin and Judah. The other ten tribes united as Israel dwelt in the north.
In Babylon captivity, the whole race bore the title Jew. God chastened them because they had broken the Sabbath year of rest (Leviticus 25:1-5). It was a time when they did not have to work the land. What naturally grew in the field was used to feed the poor. Instead of a welfare system, this practice took care of a social problem for the poor. However, God’s people became greedy and worked the land. So for every seventh year they took for themselves, God required it back. Israel went into captivity for 70 years to make up for the 70 Sabbath years they had failed to observe.
Under God’s chastening hand, while captive in Babylon, the Jews learned to be the greatest businessmen in the whole world. They are quite a people when you study their history. In financial regions of New York City, the Jews have become very successful today. Yet many nations in the world hate the Jews, even though they are God’s chosen people. God still has his hand upon Israel, and He will use them in these last days.
The Jews are God’s Chosen people. We cannot place ourselves in opposition to Israel without detriment to ourselves.
~Billy Graham~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!