The apple of God's eyes

[Jacqueline]

I am talking to my uncle who is convinced that the Jewish people use to be the apple of God's eyes, but is no longer. Can someone please give me scriptures from the bible where I can prove that they are still today and will be until the end of time. May be something in revelations. Thanks

God Bless

Jacqueline

[Dad Ernie]

Greetings Jacquiline,

I am talking to my uncle who is convinced that the Jewish people use to be the apple of God's eyes, but is no longer. Can someone please give me scriptures from the bible where I can prove that they are still today and will be until the end of time. May be something in revelations.

First:

Deuteronomy 32:9-10 For the LORD'S portion is his people; Jacob is the lot of his inheritance. 10 He found him in a desert land, and in the waste howling wilderness; he led him about, he instructed him, he kept him as the apple of his eye.

Zechariah 2:8 For thus saith the LORD of hosts; After the glory hath he sent me unto the nations which spoiled you: for he that toucheth you toucheth the apple of his eye.

I think your uncle is probably referring to:

John 1:11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not.

Matthew 21:43 Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.

However, there came a time when the Lord's disciples asked:

Acts 1:6-7 When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? 7 And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.

Jesus did not give a specific answer, but it appears from what He said, that indeed the "Kingdom" would be returned to them at some point in the future.

We also have this verse:

Matthew 24:32 Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh:

Consistently in the Gospels, whenever Jesus referred to the "fig tree", he was talking about Israel and in this verse He is prophesying that a day would come when Israel would "sprout" up once again, but please note that it does not "produce fruit".

Then of course we have Romans 9, 10 and 11, each addressed specifically to Israel and speaks of their "restoration to righteousness" in the days following the "fulness of the gentiles be come in (to the Kingdom of God)". Paul speaks thusly:

Romans 11:1-2 I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. 2 God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew.

Romans 11:11-12 I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy. 12 Now if the fall of them be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness?

Romans 11:15-21 For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead? 16 For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches. 17 And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree; 18 Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee. 19 Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be graffed in. 20 Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear: 21 For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee.

Romans 11:23 And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be graffed in: for God is able to graff them in again.

Romans 11:25-28 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. 26 And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: 27 For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins. 28 As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers' sakes.

So because for the sake of the "Fathers", Israel is held as very special and though their salvation is the same as any other, they will again be sought out to receive salvation, only this time, their heart will be softened to receive the Gospel.

Hope that helps.

Blessings,

Dad Ernie

[Leonard]

Thanks Dad Ernie! Perfect response!!!

[GoodSamaritan]

Look at it from a 'familial' perspective. Can a person who is a 'first born son' ever lose this status? Even if he falls out of favor with the father or family, he remains the 'first born son', right?

In Exodus, God tells Moses to go tell Pharaoh that Israel shall be 'my first born son'. As first born, they would be 'a kingdom of priests'. Who were the other sons/daughters? The other nations, of course. The first born son, in OT families, was the spiritual leader of the offspring and their place as first born can't change. Paul then calls the new covenant believers 'The New Israel' and declares the Levirate Law fulfilled and passed away. Still, Israel holds its place as first born to God but Jesus, through his sacrifice, brought the 'other sons and daughters' to the table and made them part of the new covenant.

[Jacqueline]

Thank you. :il: