2nd Corinthians 1:18 But as God is true, our word toward you was not yea and nay. 19 For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us, even by me and Silvanus and Timotheus, was not yea and nay, but in him was yea. 20 For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us. 21 Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God; 22 Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.
The promises of God are given for the benefit of His people in all ages and do not apply to any single favorite group, as is commonly believed by many. The terms and conditions when fulfilled will always bring the promised result regardless of race, creed, or country of origin, for God is the same to all who believe. Apart from specific promises that were targeted at specific individuals at specific times and for specific reasons, all of the other general promises pertain to all believers in any era. It's very important for us to understand this, for it is a widely held belief that many of the promises made to the Hebrews only applied to them, and thus those who are not blood line Jews are thereby excluded.
But nothing can be further from the truth, for as sacred history shows, those who were often considered as being gentiles, and outcasts from the common wealth of Israel were often favored by God when He saw that their heart was right with Him, and thus we should avoid the snare of believing that the temporal and spiritual blessings promised to the Jews do not apply in our day.
Let's take for instance the mega promises made to the children of Israel as they journeyed to the promised land. These promises of excellence in spiritual as well as temporal lines were not intended for the Hebrews only, for if that were the case, God would not have ordained that they be written in His word for the view of all people. Furthermore, if they were meant for the Hebrews only, then it would mean that the lengthy and detailed promises then made constitute a dead letter to us, having no relevance or meaning in the 21st century. Let's read:
Deuteronomy 28:1 And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the Lord thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth: 2 And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God. 3 Blessed shalt thou be in the city, and blessed shalt thou be in the field. 4 Blessed shall be the fruit of thy body, and the fruit of thy ground" .... 5 Blessed shall be thy basket and thy store. 8 The Lord shall command the blessing upon thee in thy storehouses, and in all that thou settest thine hand unto; and he shall bless thee in the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.
These extensive and far reaching blessings pertain to all believers and were never intended to be restricted to the Jews only, for if anyone were to adopt the laws, principles, and instructions which are the prerequisites for the promised blessings, everyone of them will be fulfilled in their due season, for God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. A common misunderstanding of this sacred truth has caused many of us as Christians to harbor a very protracted view of the promises of God, and based on our limited expectations, we do not pray for, nor experience that which is at our very fingertips.
This is the reason why Christ in His day mentioned the fact that there were many widows and lepers in Israel in the days of Elijah and Elisha, but the prophets were not sent to them, but rather to those who were complete foreigners to the economy of Israel. In other words, the blood-line descendents were not always the beneficiaries of the promises, because of the spirit of unbelief that was cherished b y many of them. Anyone who honors God by keeping all of His commandments with a ready and willing mind will beyond doubt be brought into His favor, and thus we are encouraged to follow on to know The Lord in practical ways, so that our Christian experience does not consist of a mere spiritual fantasy or an illusive dream, but a living reality with Christ who died for, and cares for us.
In our day and in our own experiences, let us not limit the blessings and promises of God to the Jewish people, for God is no respecter of persons, but accepts people from all nations and backgrounds, who put their faith and trust in Him. We therefore end with a passage of scripture which cements this very point, and it is the will of God that we claim the promises that were meant for His people in all ages. Let's read:
Acts 10:34 Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: 35 But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.
May God add His promises and blessings to the study and practice of His every word, for they are the living realities given to all who believe. "Good night" and God bless!