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Learning from the Israelites in Scripture and History

The term "Israelites" refers to the descendants of Jacob, who was renamed Israel after wrestling with God [9]. This name signifies "prince of God" and indicates their special status as a nation separated unto God for his glory [9]. The Israelites are also known by various other names in Scripture, including Hebrews, the seed of Abraham, the seed of Jacob, the seed of Israel, the children of Jacob, the children of Israel, and Jeshurun [1].

The identity of the Israelites is deeply rooted in God's redemptive acts and covenant relationship with them. They were chosen and loved by God [1], and their circumcision served as a token of this covenant [1]. God established a testimony and appointed a teaching in Israel, commanding their fathers to make these known to their children [2]. This emphasis on intergenerational transmission of divine knowledge was crucial for their understanding of who they were and who God was [4]. For instance, Deuteronomy 6:20-24 and 26:5-9 illustrate the importance of recounting God's mighty acts to subsequent generations [4].

The Israelites were given the Law by God and entered into a special relationship with Him, being commissioned to be a "light to the Gentiles" [5]. This privileged position, however, came with responsibilities. While it was not wrong for them to enjoy these blessings, their error often lay in failing to live up to their calling [5]. The prophet Isaiah frequently reminds Israel of their identity and God's unwavering commitment, stating, "Remember these things, Jacob and Israel; for you are my servant. I have formed you. You are my servant. Israel, you will not be forgotten by me" [3].

Throughout their history, the Israelites experienced periods of both divine favor and disciplinary affliction. The Babylonian captivity and their long-continued dispersion are seen by some as afflictions intended to teach them to profit from their experiences [7]. Despite these challenges, the covenant faithfulness of God to His people remains a consistent theme [8]. The destruction of their enemies, as prophesied in Ezekiel, would serve as a proof of God's identity as their Lord, leading them to a clearer knowledge of Him and a more steadfast profession of faith [10]. This understanding suggests that after such events, the Jewish people would no longer apostatize but would remain God's people [10].

Jewish rationalist thought, as seen in Abraham Ibn Ezra's commentary on Isaiah, highlights that the wise of Israel would acknowledge the numerous benefits bestowed upon them by God, particularly during the Exodus, their exile, and their eventual deliverance and restoration [11]. This perspective underscores the historical and redemptive acts of God as central to Israel's self-understanding and gratitude. Furthermore, the respect shown to Israel by other nations, such as Cyrus honoring them, would lead people to desire to serve the Israelites [12].

The New Testament applies descriptions originally given to the Israelites to the Christian community. For example, 1 Peter 2:9 applies Old Testament descriptions of Israel (such as from Exodus 19:5-6) to a primarily Gentile audience, indicating that Christians are now considered God's people in the new covenant era [6]. This demonstrates a continuity of God's redemptive plan, where the privileges and responsibilities once uniquely associated with the Israelites are extended to all who are in Christ. The Israelites were adopted into the family of God, called His sons and first-born, a covenant established by God [9]. This concept of adoption and being "a royal nation" highlights their elevated status and purpose [9].

Sources

  1. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Jews, The — Descended from Abraham -- Isa 51:2; Joh 8:39. Divided into twelve tribes -- Ge 35:22; 49:28. Called Hebrews. -- Ge 14:13; 40:15; 2Co 11:22. Israelites. -- Ex 9:7; Jos 3:17. Seed of Abraham. -- Ps 105:6; Isa 41:8. Seed of Jacob. -- Jer 33:26. Seed of Israel. -- 1Ch 16:13. Children of Jacob. -- 1Ch 16:13. Children of Israel. -- Ge 50:25; Isa 27:12. Jeshurun. -- De 32:15. Chosen and loved by God -- De 7:6,7. Circumcised in token of their covenant relation -- Ge 17:10,11; Ac 7:8. Separated from all other nations -- Ex 33:16; Le 20:24; 1Ki 8:53. Described as A”
  2. Psalms “For he established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a teaching in Israel, which he commanded our fathers, that they should make them known to their children; -- Psalms 78:5”
  3. Isaiah “Remember these things, Jacob and Israel; for you are my servant. I have formed you. You are my servant. Israel, you will not be forgotten by me. -- Isaiah 44:21”
  4. Leviticus (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Leviticus 23:43: 23:43 The Israelites were never to forget God’s great acts of redemption on their behalf, but were to remind each new generation of what God had done (Deut 4:9; 11:19). Their understanding of who they were and of who God was revolved around their knowledge of those things. See Deut 6:20-24; 26:5-9; Josh 24:2-13; Ps 136.”
  5. Romans (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Romans 2:17: 2:17-20 The boasting of the Jews reflects Old Testament and Jewish teaching about the privileges and responsibilities God gave to Israel. God gave his law to Israel, entered into a special relationship with them, and commissioned them to be a light to the Gentiles (see Isa 42:6-7). Jews were not wrong to enjoy these blessings; their error was in failing to live up to their privileged position.”
  6. 1 Peter (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Peter 2:9: 2:9 Peter applies descriptions of the Israelites in the Old Testament (see, e.g., Exod 19:5-6) to his primarily Gentile audience, indicating that they—like all Christians—are truly God’s people in the new covenant era.”
  7. Isaiah (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Isaiah 48:17: teacheth . . . to profit--by affliction, such as the Babylonish captivity, and the present long-continued dispersion of Israel (Heb 12:10).”
  8. Hebrews (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Hebrews 1:12: vesture--Greek, "an enwrapping cloak." fold them up--So the Septuagint, Psa 102:26; but the Hebrew, "change them." The Spirit, by Paul, treats the Hebrew of the Old Testament, with independence of handling, presenting the divine truth in various aspects; sometimes as here sanctioning the Septuagint (compare Isa 34:4; Rev 6:14); sometimes the Hebrew; sometimes varying from both. changed--as one lays aside a garment to put on another. thou art the same-- (Isa 46:4; Mal 3:6). The same in nature, therefore in covenant faithfulness to Thy people. s”
  9. Romans (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Romans 9:4: Who are Israelites - Descendants of Jacob, a man so highly favored of God, and from whom he received his name Israel - a prince of God, Gen 32:28; from which name his descendants were called Israelites, and separated unto God for his glory and praise. Their very name of Israelites implied their very high dignity; they were a royal nation; princes of the most high God. The adoption - The Israelites were all taken into the family of God, and were called his sons and first-born, Exo 4:22; Deu 14:1; Jer 31:9; Hos 11:1; and this adoption took place when God made the coven”
  10. Ezekiel (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Ezekiel 39:22: So the house of Israel shall know that I am the Lord their God,.... That has chosen them, redeemed them, called them, manifested his covenant love and grace to them, and protected and defended them: this destruction of their enemies will be a proof of it; and they will hereby be led into a clearer knowledge of him, and of his goodness to them; and make a more firm and constant profession of him, even from that day and forward, to the end of time; for after this the Jews will no more apostatize, but will for ever remain the people of God and Christ.”
  11. Sefaria (Jewish (Rationalist)) “Abraham Ibn Ezra on Isaiah 63:7: I will mention , etc. The wise of Israel will then acknowledge the great number of benefits bestowed upon them by God at the departure from Egypt, during the exile, and in their deliverance and restoration to their own country.”
  12. Sefaria (Jewish (Rationalist)) “Abraham Ibn Ezra on Isaiah 14:2: And the people shall take them , etc. When people will see how Cyrus honours Israel, they will like to be servants to the Israelites.”
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