Israel - How And Why?

For Zion's Sake Ministry is celebrating ten years of sharing a message from Jehovah God every week. We thank Him for this special honor and privilege, we also thank Him for the 74,000 people who have read these messages during the ten years. We also sense it is time to transition to a new series of messages entitled "Israel - How And Why?"

We will start by studying Genesis 12:1-3. Our Lord God speaks to Abram in a relatively short message but an extremely important message since it introduces the concepts of:

The Jews - God's People . . . Israel - God's Nation

Genesis 12:1-3, "Now the Lord said to Abram; 'Get out of your country, from your kindred and from your father's house, to a land that I will show you. 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.'" 

Please notice Abraham was called Abram at this time. God speaks to Abram and directs him to leave his family and his home and go to a place unknown to Abram. How many of us would immediately obey in a similar situation?

God then says to Abram, "I will make you into a great nation." In reality, God is speaking to Abram and to his descendants who will become the Jewish people and will become "The Great Nation." We need to illustrate here that this "Great Nation" has a two-fold meaning. This "Great Nation" will become the physical state of Israel and also it refers to God's Chosen People - The Jews.

Shortly after Jehovah God declares to Abraham about the "Great Nation," He establishes with them an Unconditional Covenant. A Covenant is an agreement between two parties that is unbreakable. Please notice in verses 2 and 3 God promises exactly what He will do for His New Unconditional People - The Jews.

God promises: He will make them into a Great Nation...He will bless them...He will make their name great...He will make them into a blessing...He will bless those who bless them...He will curse those who curse them. Pease notice Jehovah God is doing it all!

In conclusion, Genesis 12:1-3 is the foundation road map of how God chose the Jewish People to be His "Covenant People." Could we say they are "His Chosen People?" In our next message, we will exam how the Covenant was physically established. Stay Tuned!

Blessings,

Frank