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, and the fruit of thy cattle, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep. 5 Blessed shall be thy basket and thy store. 6 Blessed shalt thou be when thou comest in, and blessed shalt thou be when thou goest out. 7 The Lord shall cause thine enemies that rise up against thee to be smitten before thy face: they shall come out against thee one way, and flee before thee seven ways. 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. 9 The Lord shall establish thee an holy people unto himself, as he hath sworn unto thee, if thou shalt keep the commandments of the Lord thy God, and walk in his ways.
These verses of scripture delineate in no uncertain terms the promises that were made to Israel if they were to diligently follow the instructions given by the all-wise God. When these instructions were followed the children of Israel could expect the certain result as outlined in our passage for today. The certainty of the promises of God and the results of obedience is echoed and clarified in another verse of scripture. Let's read:
Numbers 23:19 God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?
Thus the children of Israel could serve the Living God with confidence and expectation, knowing that the results of obedience would be exactly what God said they would be. The question is, are those same promises and instructions still relevant to Christians today, and can we expect the same results, or were they for the "Jews" only? The answer to this oft-repeated question lies in the definition of who is considered a real "Jew" as far as God is concerned. Let the Bible speak for, and explain itself. Let's read, line upon line:
Exodus 12:49 One law shall be to him that is homeborn, and unto the stranger that sojourneth among you.
Romans 2:28 For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: 29 But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.
Isaiah 56:3 Neither let the son of the stranger, that hath joined himself to the Lord, speak, saying, The Lord hath utterly separated me from his people: neither let the eunuch say, Behold, I am a dry tree. 4 For thus saith the Lord unto the eunuchs that keep my sabbaths, and choose the things that please me, and take hold of my covenant; 5 Even unto them will I give in mine house and within my walls a place and a name better than of sons and of daughters: I will give them an everlasting name, that shall not be cut off. 6 Also the sons of the stranger, that join themselves to the Lord, to serve him, and to love the name of the Lord, to be his servants, every one that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and taketh hold of my covenant; 7 Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar; for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people.
Romans 9:6 Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel: 7 Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called. 8 That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed.
It becomes very clear that the real definition of a "Jew" is anyone who chooses to serve God in sincerity and in truth, regardless of blood-line, race, cultural background, or country of origin. Based on this correct definition given in the scriptures, we can expect to find "Jews" in India, China, Israel,The Caribbean islands and right here in North America. And since there are "Jews" living and serving God all over the Planet, they are Heirs according to the promises made to Israel.
This truth has too often been shrouded in uncertainty, and as a result, many sincere Christians waver and doubt whether or not the laws, instructions, and promises made to ancient Israel, equally apply to us in 2014. The word of God is clear. Anyone, at anytime, in any place, and in any situation, who chooses to serve The Living God, will benefit both from the instructions and the blessings promised to Israel, for God does not indulge or encourage favoritism of persons, but rather invites and accepts all peoples to serve Him, as the Bible clearly states. 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.
We hope that these passages of scripture would serve to reinforce our faith in God, for the laws and promises were made and given to everyone who believes. May God grant us His grace today, that as we ponder these truths, our hearts may reach out to Him in confidence, assurance and trust. God bless!