Plopped Right Into The Middle
“…My blessings are for Gentiles, too, when they commit themselves to the LORD. Do not let them think that I consider them second-class citizens…For the Sovereign LORD, who brings back the outcasts of Israel, says: I will bring others, too, besides my people Israel.” Isa 56:3-8NLT
Growing up, basketful was the area competitive sport. Oh boy! Did our town ever hate the schools thirty miles south. We weren’t truly competition to the neighboring towns. Fights often broke out after the games.
Living in southern Indiana was no different, when my children grew up. The difference— their tiny school actually made runners-up in the state final tournaments— twice. Neighboring towns and teens also fought because of basketball rivalry.
The Israelites had gone into Canaan Land at the command of God. ‘Annihilate the people living there,’ God told them, ‘Allow not man, woman, child or beast to live.’ Read Exodus through Deuteronomy to grasp what was fully said. The long and short— the evil of the Gentiles cried out for annihilation.
In God’s eyes, these nations were the worst of the worst sinners, ‘scum’ in our vernacular. What Christians deem ‘depraved’ today, and what our society seems to be embracing. 2017, my grandson was stationed in the Middle East. He says the native officers raped young boys daily— the boys were their sex slaves. They also have bestiality practices which are inhumane. The other pure evil actions living there still needs annihilated.
True God-fearing Israelite people wouldn’t eat, or associate outside of business tradings with any Gentile. Yet, here is the prophet Isaiah describing the coming Messiah. Isaiah proceeds to explain God’s ways. Plopped right into the middle of this information comes our text verses. God wants to bless and bring Gentiles into His family..
Priests were repulsed by the Gentiles— would walk across the street to avoid being dirtied by them. Much like we Christians avoid coming near the homeless; gay couple; drug addicts; prostitutes; and the multitudes of other ‘undesirables.’ Jesus really irritated these leaders because the ‘undesirable’ Israelite people were attracted to Him. The scum of Israel were Jesus’ friends.
Paul brings Isaiah into current theology in Col 1:27NLT “For it has pleased God to tell his people that the riches and glory of Christ are for you Gentiles, too. For this is the secret: Christ lives in you, and this is your assurance that you will share in his glory.” The dregs of society are freely welcomed in Jesus’ church.
God brought the Gentiles into His family through the blood of Jesus. In society today, Holy Spirit is poised, ready to loose the greatest revival on the Gentiles in history on the world. This revival will be bringing in the most evil people imageable.
Already the trickle has started— Imam’s of the Muslim religion, Jihadist, a few ISIS coming into the Kingdom of God. Unchurched, the LGBTs, murders, pedophiles, sex traffickers, drug addicts, immoral, unethical as depraved as one can get will soon be lining up to be saved and baptized into the name of Jesus.
Will we be ready to accept and love the Gentiles, of our time, all in Jesus’ name? It’s something to really think about. It’s your choice. You choose.
PRAYER: Papa God change our hearts to love even the worst sinners, whom we once were. Save the lost to the glory of God, in Jesus’ name I pray.
by Debbie Veilleux
Copyright 2019 You have my permission to reblog this devotional for others. Please keep my name with this devotional as author. Thank you.
