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Grounded-In-Biblical-Truth | |
Sovereign Grace Doctrine
Concerning 'THE GOSPEL' - JESUS CHRIST
CHRIST AS “GOD, THE GOD OF ISRAEL”
GENESIS 33:20
Good News From The Redeemer
DANIEL E. PARKS, PASTOR
OCTOBER 16, 1999 - RADIO MESSAGE #289
Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob are the foremost patriarchs of God’s people (as in Deuteronomy 1:8; 9:5). Jacob’s name was changed to Israel on the occasion when God wrestled with him (Genesis 32:22-32). Jacob later erected an altar at Shechem and named it El Elohe Israel, “God, the God of Israel” (Genesis 33:20).
We here will observe that Christ was indeed the God of Israel the patriarch, and that He is in the same manner the God of Israel the nation.
I. Christ was the God of Israel the patriarch. When Jehovah identifies Himself as the God of Abraham and Isaac and Jacob (as in Matthew 22:32), this ascription does not apply to God the Father alone. Rather, it applies to also God the Son and God the Spirit. This truth is emphatically set forth when, for example, the Son declares: “I and My Father are one” (John 10:30); “all should honor the Son just as they honor the Father” (John 5:23); “he who has seen Me has seen the Father” (John 14:9). Christ is therefore as much the God of the patriarchs Abraham and Isaac and Jacob as is God the Father.
II. Christ is the God of Israel the nation. The nation Israel is comprised of the descendants of the patriarchs, and is named for the third of them. But we must distinguish Old Covenant Israel and New Covenant Israel. The former was comprised of physical descendants of the patriarchs. The latter is comprised of their spiritual descendants, believers in Christ (as in Galatians 3:7,29). God called the former “a special treasure to Me above all people” and “a kingdom of priests and a holy nation” (Exodus 19:5f). But that distinction now and forevermore belongs to New Covenant Israel, the “Israel of God” (Galatians 6:16; cp. Romans 2:28f). Fulfilling what Old Covenant Israel typified, New Covenant Israel alone is “a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, [God’s] special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy” (James 2:9f).
Since Jehovah is the God of His Israel, and since Christ is Jehovah, Christ is therefore the God of the Israel of God.
III. Christ is to Israel the nation what He revealed Himself to be to Israel the patriarch.
1. Christ was the Access to the Father for Israel the patriarch (Genesis 28:10-22). At Bethel, Jacob dreamed of a ladder (or staircase) which spanned the distance from earth to God in heaven. This ladder was his only means of access to the Father. Christ identified that ladder as a type of Himself (John 1:51).
Likewise, Christ is the Access to the Father for Israel the nation. Christ is the “one Mediator between God and men” (1 Timothy 2:5). He Himself therefore declared “I am the way .... No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6).
2. Christ was the Benefactor of Israel the patriarch (Genesis 32:24-30; Hosea 12:4). At Peniel, where Jacob wrestled with Christ in one of the darkest episodes of his life, “he ... sought favor from Him” and obtained it.
Likewise, Christ is the Benefactor of Israel the nation (Philippians 4:19). The saints are promised “God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”
3. Christ was the Redeemer of Israel the patriarch (Genesis 48:15f). On his death bed, Jacob spoke of Christ as “the Angel who has redeemed me from all evil.” (Jacob here refers to the Angel who wrestled with him at Peniel [Genesis 32:24-30 & Hosea 12:4]. But note also that he here refers to this Angel as “God, before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked, the God who has fed me all my life long to this day.”) Christ redeemed Jacob both spiritually and physically.
Likewise, Christ is the Redeemer of Israel the nation (Isaiah 44:21-24). Christ declares to His Israel, “I have blotted out, like a thick cloud, your transgressions, and like a cloud, your sins. Return to Me, for I have redeemed you.”
Your servant for Jesus' sake.
Address all questions to pastor
Daniel E. Parks (2 Corinthians 4:5) e-mail RedeemerBC@aol.com
Pastor, Redeemer Baptist Church
2801 Cleveland Boulevard, Louisville, KY 40206 / 502.899-9205
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