Johnny Skeptic

How have Jews been a blessing to other nations?

4321lynx

Gawdalmighty, the bible was written by Jews, about Jews, for Jews. They would hardly say that god chose the Canaanites to be his people, would they?

This answers Ogden Nash's "How odd of God to choose the Jews", too.

vijeno

That is the purpose of god's choice, as per Genesis. That doesn't state any reason why Abraham should be chosen for the Job, though.

I doubt that there is any clue in the OT, really.

Another question arises whether the NT interpretation (they were chosen because they had faith) was accepted anywhere outside in the NT, at that time. AFAIK, faith was simply not a very relevant term to the other jewish sects, so I guess the answer is no.

Nero's Boot

Yesyesyes, they sure were a blessing to the Amelakites, the Girgashites, and the people of Jericho.

--somehow, I doubt cultural genocide to be a blessing NB

ible

If the glitzy, sleazy Hollywood culture was killed off, I personally might consider that a blessing.

(Not that I have any intentions of making this come true...)

sschlichter

It is incorrect to say that no reason is given. Even the quote supplied points out the obligation involved:

They were not chosen because they were special at all. They were made special to fulfill a purpose.

The Bible is a unified message. The same author, same story, progressively revealed. man created, man fallen, man restored. The Jews were preserved as the means for that reconciliation. Some would argue that this is a New Testament teaching but the promise of redemption is consistent in the OT as well.

For example, God's promise to the Serpent that Eve's off-spring will ultimately defeat him (crush your head).

Gen 3:15) And I will put hostility between you and the woman
and between your offspring and her offspring;
her offspring will attack your head,
and you will attack her offspring's heel."

Job, (oldest book in the OT, I beleive) expectation and knowledge of a redeemer that lives and will one day stand on the earth.

(Job 19:25) As for me, I know that my Redeemer lives,
and that as the last he will stand upon the earth.

Promise to Abraham to be the instrument of that redemption and that thru his offspring, God will bless all nations (all families)

(Gen 12:2) Then I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you,
and I will make your name great,
so that you will exemplify divine blessing.
(Gen 12:3) I will bless those who bless you,
but the one who treats you lightly I must curse,
and all the families of the earth will bless one another by your name."

God made the same promise to Jacob:

(Gen 28:14) Your descendants will be like the dust of the earth, and you will spread out to the west, east, north, and south. All the families of the earth will pronounce blessings on one another using your name and that of your descendants.


God extended the same to his son Judah clarifying that his descendants throne will be an eternal one.

(Gen 49:10) The scepter will not depart from Judah,
nor the ruler's staff from between his feet,
until he comes to whom it belongs;
the nations will obey him.

Much of Isaiah speaks of the role of Israel to bless the gentiles.

(Isa 49:6) he says, "Is it too insignificant a task for you to be my servant,
to reestablish the tribes of Jacob,
and restore the remnant of Israel?
I will make you a light to the nations,
so you can bring my deliverance to the remote regions of the earth."

Christians beleive that Christ is the fulfillment of the promise and the means of reconciliation. The blessing takes the form of Christ's vicarious death and resurrection resulting in forgiveness of sins and reconciliation with God.

Regardless of this, it is incorrect to say that no reason is given.

~Steve

rizdek

Yes, it's clear the Bible states God had a reason (as in a need on his part) to chose someone, but why chose who he chose? Why did he chose Abraham and his descendants specifically and not some other person and his descendants?

sschlichter

I do not see why a reason constitutes a need on God's part. The need, according to the OT was man's, not Gods. I do not see how their would have been any attributes or characteristics that God required. It seems like the patriarchs kicked and screamed the whole way through, so I do not see the selection was based on any predisposition to listen or obey at all.

Sovereignty of God resulting in un-merited favor to men. in other words, who knows.

~Steve

Johnny Skeptic

What need are you referring to that humans have that Jews met?

One would think that a rational, loving God would favor individual choices over collective genetics. Humans have placed great emphasis on genetics throughout human history, but I doubt that a rational, loving God would. Genetic preference by humans indicates pride and pompousness, which are quite typical of humans, including when they make up religions where their Gods prefer them over other groups of people.

sschlichter

mans need to reconcile himself to God as described in 2 Cor 5:11-21 and Rom 5:1-11.

Of course, they were not selected to be superior, they were selected to be a light to the gentiles.

(Isa 49:6) he says, "Is it too insignificant a task for you to be my servant,
to reestablish the tribes of Jacob,
and restore the remnant of Israel?
I will make you a light to the nations,
so you can bring my deliverance to the remote regions of the earth."

Many of the prophets are an example of this. Jonah, for instance was sent to the enemies of the Jews on their behalf.

When the Jews forgot the purpose of their selection and took pride in their genetics, they were reminded of exactly what you are saying.

(Matt 3:9) and don't think you can say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' For I tell you that God can raise up children for Abraham from these stones!

Peter (after prodding finally realized the same)

(Acts 10:34) Then Peter started speaking: "I now truly understand that God does not show favoritism in dealing with people,
(Acts 10:35) but in every nation the person who fears him and does what is right is welcomed before him.

They were selected for a purpose. The purpose was for Gentiles to be reconciled as well. There is no favoritism in that.

~Steve