1644. The Old Testament Jewish Remnant

The Old Testament Jewish Remnant

"God sent me before you to preserve you a remnant in the earth, and to save you alive by a great deliverance" (Gen_45:7, A. S. V.).

There were many events that befell the sons of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. At last the Lord brought Jacob and his sons into Egypt, and there, under the first Pharaoh's favor and Joseph's protection, they grew to be a great people.

1. The Sin of the Egyptians

At first God's testimony through Joseph was kindly received, but when Pharaoh died and his successor took the throne, the Egyptians turned their hearts against the Lord.

The story of their sin is summed up in one word:

"And Pharaoh said, Who is the Lord, that I should obey his voice to let Israel go? I know not the Lord, neither will I let Israel go."

The Egyptians and their king had refused all allegiance to the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

On the other hand, they began to fight against Israel and they made their lives bitter with hard bondage. In addition, Pharaoh charged all his people saying, "Every son that is born ye shall cast into the river." Thus was God and His people hated.

2. The Judgment Sent Forth

The story of the ten plagues which God sent upon Egypt, is common to all. The judgment, however, was afterward completed in the destruction of Pharaoh's armies in the midst of the sea.

3. God's Grace Manifested

And the Lord said unto Israel:

"Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will shew to you today: * * The Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace."

God's election of grace was seen over Israel His remnant, His special people, called out and separated from all the nations of the earth.

With the pillar of a cloud by day, and in a pillar of fire by night. He led them in the way, and gave them light.

He gave them water to drink, and He fed them with the manna that came down from Heaven.

Surely the God of Israel is a God of all grace.

4. God's Election Secured

Unto Adam, Abraham, and Noah, God had revealed His purpose of election. Now, unto national Israel, through her first king, David, He reveals in a larger way, His purpose of election.

To David He said:

"It shall come to pass, when thy days be expired that thou must go to be with thy fathers, that I will raise up thy seed After thee, which shall be of thy sons; and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build Me, an house, and I will stablish his throne for ever" (1Ch_17:11-12).

These words spoken to David were not a mere promise regarding him and his son Solomon, they were God's elective covenant concerning David's greater Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.

The seed spoken of was not Solomon because he was to be born of David's sons, and Solomon was not a son of David's sons, but a son of David.

David understood this because he came and sat before the Lord and said:

"Thou hast spoken of thy servant's house for a great while to come, and hast regarded me according to the estate of a man of high degree, O Lord God."

Thus through the remnant nation, God was working out His purpose of election.

5. God's Promise Was Emphasized

The promises made to Israel are almost innumerable, they include every good thing that God in mercy could give His people. God not only had an elect nation, a remnant from the nations of the earth, a people separated unto Himself; but upon that remnant nation He poured forth the riches of His love.

6. A Word of Protection

The story of how God protected His people Israel, is the story of much of the Old Testament Scriptures. Time after time when it seemed that His people faced annihilation, the Lord God went forth and fought in their behalf. Surely He was a God who delivered, and under His wings they could safely trust.

Autor: R.E. NEIGHBOUR