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THE KINGDOM OF ISRAEL
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7
Isaiah 53:1-6

Acts 26:19-25

 

“He is the rose of Sharon…”

 

THE KINGDOM OF ISRAEL
 
The prophets of the Old Testament told of both the first and second advent of Christ. They saw Him coming both as a victorious King and a rejected suffering Saviour. They spoke of Him as a great leader of God’s people bringing them victory over their enemies and as a spiritual leader who would save them from their sins.
 
Most Hebrews, like people down through the ages, took from God’s Word parts that appealed to them and ignored the rest. The majority of the Israelites looked for a human Saviour whom God would provide to give them victories on the battle front and set up a great earthly kingdom. They ignored the teaching of the prophets that the Saviour would have to die for their sins. Yet the Scripture makes this truth very clear. The prophets spoke of the Saviour’s rejection, crucifixion, and ultimate death for the sins of the world (Isa 53:3-6; Acts 26:22-23).
 
Like many people today, sin had closed the eyes of the Hebrews to the truth. Although they searched the Scripture they looked only for what they wished to find there. And so, they did not recognise the Saviour of whom these very Scriptures spoke (John 5:39-40). In John 5:39, the Lord Jesus was not telling the Jewish leaders to search the Scripture, but was accusing them of searching it in order to see that which would please them, rather than to find the message God had for them. What a terrible condemnation the Lord’s words brought against those who claimed to love His Word. Let us learn from this tragedy and be careful in our handling of the Holy Scripture.
 
THOUGHT: Why did the Jews not recognise Jesus as the Saviour?

PRAYER: Father, Thy Word brings light to those who truly seek it.

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