May 20, 2025

Who were these “people” whom He foreknew? In the grand scheme of Biblical history, recorded in Genesis, Yahweh chose a certain people to be His testimony concerning His plan for redemption for all mankind. They began with Abraham [Abram, then], and through Isaac and Jacob, became the twelve tribes know as the “Children of Israel.” Yahweh renamed Jacob, “Israel,” [gen 32:28]  for this family evolution into future people that dramatically concern all of us… this story is still a work in process; it did not end at the end of Malachi.

The Children of Israel were involved in a great deal of controversy with turbulent social and cultural ups and downs conflicting their spiritual relationship and expected lifestyles… as ordered by Yahweh in His Torah, which He gave them at Mt. Sinai, upon their Exodus from Egypt… Long story short, their story was to exhibit Yahweh’s holiness and justice, and foretell the coming of the Messiah, Yeshua. In spite of all their fumbling and dysfunctional history, here we are today, as believers in the Messiah, a progeny of Yahweh’s intended purpose for the Children of Israel.

Just so you can see the historic and eventful journey of these people, I have included a “popup” page, at this link, so you can get a better picture of the way the Children of Israel lived and how Yahweh cared for them through the good and the ugly times they lived. The Psalms tells of Yahweh’s great lovingkindness and mercy for them, and by extension, to us as well. I hope you will read it to more fully grasp the message of this devotional.

Now about those people Yahweh “foreknew.” Paul the Apostle gives us a grand account of how Yahweh sees Israel, and how He fully intends to “save all Israel.” Romans chapters 9-10-11,  really shows us the full intent of Yahweh’s plan for the redemption of all Israel. Chapter 11 is the capstone of this message. Therein, he speaks of us [believing gentiles] as “wild branches” that are grafted onto the vine [tree/Israel]… Yeshua is the Vine, as He teaches us in John 15:1-8.  The Children of Israel are the “natural branches,” that were broken off because of their disobedience and disrespect for the Torah instructions about which they initially said “we will do whatever you ask of us.” Paul teaches us Yahweh fully intends to re-graft the broken off natural branches back onto the tree in due time after His purpose for this demonstration is complete… The central truth in this narrative is that there is only one tree, Israel, and that Yahweh is doing His special mysterious work with the turbulent journey of the Children of Israel, and their example, along with drawing in us believing gentiles, whom Peter clearly says, “we once were not a people of God,” outside the covenant… 1 pet 2:9-10;  You see, we like them are stumbling through this world on a conflicted journey… yet because of Yeshua’s work in our behalf, we have hope, and because of what we see as eye witnesses to the truth of the scripture, we, by their examples and deliverance, have the same hope if we keep our faith in our faithful Savior who has made a clear pathway for us into everlasting life by His example.

Shalom, John