“What advantage then hath the Jew, or what is the profit of circumcision? Much every way. First indeed, because the words of God were committed to them. For what if some of them have not believed? Shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect? God forbid. But God is true; and every man a liar, as it is written, ‘That thou mayest be justified in thy words, and mayest overcome when thou art judged.’”
The advantages of the Jews to receive the message of Christ are many, for there is a steeping in the ways of the Lord that reaches down to the depths of culture. Knowing God, loving God, and being instructed by God in the ways of love are the necessities of life: “But cleave ye unto the Lord your God: as you have done until this day” (Josue 23:8), “I rejoiced at the things that were said to me: We shall go into the house of the Lord. Our feet were standing in thy courts, O Jerusalem” (Psalm 121:1-2). With the words of God already familiar to them, there is an understanding of the Christ that is a fulfillment, rather than something entirely new. “The Lord thy God hath chosen thee, to be his peculiar people of all the peoples that are upon the earth” (Deuteronomy 7:6), and He did not flippantly give His commandments to them. It was a gift to the people with whom He had a covenant relationship through Abraham: “I will make my covenant between me and thee: and I will multiply thee exceedingly” (Genesis 17:2), which found its fulfillment in Jesus Christ. He remained with His people in His total faithfulness, for He does not draw back from those with whom He has given Himself. No, the Lord is faithful, both perfectly and constantly; through the failures, disasters, mistrust, and sadness you endure, He is there: “O praise the Lord, all ye nations, praise him, all ye people. For his mercy is confirmed upon us: and the truth of the Lord remaineth for ever” (Psalm 116). The words of the Lord were woven into the very fabric of Jewish culture, so that the appearance of Jesus was a fulfillment to some and a transgression of God’s word to others: “What is this then that is written, ‘The stone, which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner?’” (Luke 20:17). The faithfulness of the Lord is constant, and He is true to His promises, and for those that are faithful to Him, His faithfulness is shown: “With the holy, thou wilt be holy; and with the innocent man thou wilt be innocent” (Psalm 17:26). If some do not receive the word of God and trust in what it contains, it does not nullify the words, but realize that His faithfulness is open to you, and He will never leave you. The more you bring Scripture into the fabric of your being, the more it will draw you into the very Heart of God: “With meekness receive the ingrafted word, which is able to save your souls” (James 1:21). When it becomes as much a part of your identity as it was to Jewish culture, you will be able to see the faithfulness of God at all times: “How great troubles hast thou shewn me, many and grievous: and turning thou hast brought me to life, and hast brought me back again from the depths of the earth” (Psalm 70:20). No matter the depths to which you are brought down, He is there with you, loving you with compassion in your hurts and with joy in your rejoicing: “His mercy is from generation unto generations, to them that fear him” (Luke 1:50). If you read the history of Israel/Judea in the Old Testament, you will see the depths to which they fall and are brought back, with God showing His almighty love time and time again, despite all unworthiness on the part of His people. So too will He express His love to and through you at all times, that you may be a symbol of His supporting, upholding love, and that His words may find a realization in you. Finally, God rewards those who long for Him, as Israel-Judah did for generations. He does not leave His word unaccomplished or His people abandoned, but conquers the trials that are endured with His merciful love: “For he was mindful of us in our affliction: for his mercy endureth for ever. And he redeemed us from our enemies: for his mercy endureth for ever” (Psalm 135:23-24). The love of Jesus through His Holy Spirit is what had been pined for throughout the Old Testament, and God does not disdain His people. He sees all that you do and endure for Him, and like the loving Father He is, receives it with joy and compassion, and remains close to you, even when you cannot perceive it. Hold fast to your faith, cling to His love by faith, and “being justified therefore by faith, let us have peace with God, through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:1). Be at peace with the God who loves you, and fulfills your deepest desires for love.