Could God’s word be any clearer? The Kingdom of God was theirs but they rejected their appointed High Priest and had him put to death as an imposter….a blasphemer! Why would God bless a nation who did not ever obey him for longer than five minutes? And who disrespected him and murdered his appointed Savior! Read the whole of Matt ch 23 and see what Jesus said about the leaders of his own people.
The “nation bringing forth its fruits” were founded on the Jewish followers of Christ Jesus…..the entirety of the NT was written by them and yet, they were all natural Jews…a “remnant” of that nation, that would be saved, as it was foretold. (Rom 9:27)
What did God change in these natural Jews that joined them to the gentiles that were invited to replace a disobedient nation? (Acts 15:14) “
A people for his name”.
Gal 6:15-16 NASB…
“For neither is circumcision anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. And those who will walk by this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God.”
Christ’s anointed disciples were to be a “new creation”….no longer bound by Israel’s laws, (such as circumcision) these would operate under a “new covenant” and they would be a peaceful people and from among them “the Israel of God” were chosen….as “ a royal priesthood and a holy nation”…..so all saved ones would include both Jewish and Gentile Christians.
Jesus himself said to the Jewish leaders….and by extension, those who adhered to their teachings and condoned their conduct….
“Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, the way a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were unwilling. Behold, your house is being left to you desolate! For I say to you, from now on you will not see Me until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord” (Matt 23:37-39 NASB)
A sad lament…
He was quoting Psalm 118: 26 and in the Jewish Tanakh, God’s name, “Yahweh” is there in the text, twice..
| 26Blessed be he who has come in the name of the Lord; we have blessed you from the house of the Lord. | |
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כובָּר֣וּךְ הַ֖בָּא בְּשֵׁ֣ם יְהֹוָ֑ה בֵּֽ֜רַכְנוּכֶ֗ם מִבֵּ֥ית יְהֹוָֽה:
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So they needed to bless the one who came “in Yahweh’s name” back then, as well as today…..something the natural Jews have refused to do for thousands of years. Stubborn and unmovable as they have always been, counting on their lineage to Abraham as if their disobedience means nothing. (Matt 3:7-10; Matt 21:43)
There is not going to be any last minute miracle as the people of that nation have had as much, if not more notice of God’s intentions….and to identify their Messiah from their own Scripture.
They have unsanctioned blood on their hands. (Isa 1:15)
Their failure will cost them dearly.
The leopard has not changed its spots. Yet anyone from any nation is acceptable to God if they follow the teachings of God’s Son. No nationality is excluded….we are to preach the gospel (good news) to “people of all nations” …”and then the end will come.” (Matt 24:14)