Walking the Call of Israel
What is the “Call of Israel”?
When Yeshua - Jesus - came as Immanuel, "God with us" (Isaiah 7:14), He came to remind us by demonstrating for us what the call of Israel had always been about. People had gotten confused and veered way off-path. They had reduced "being Israel" to forms of religious expression and religious traditions, and they had lost sight and understanding of the "why" - the heart - behind God's commands. They had lost sight of the one who is "good, and His love endures forever." The call of Israel was to make the character of God known - not simply by declaring His Name, but by DEMONSTRATING what His Name was all about.
And so Yeshua came to walk it out before us - effectively saying "THIS - what I'm doing... what I'm being... is what you were called to do... to be, O Israel." He redirected us back onto the right path... onto "life as God intends."
And so we must walk as He walked. We must not just say what He said, but DO what He said to do. BE who He called us to Be.
When our declaration of the Good News - of the Gospel - is not simply something that is declared with our words, but also with our lives - when the lost sheep of Israel see us walking out THEIR calling, they will be “provoked to spiritual jealousy.” (Romans 11:11).
And so God is calling us into true community, ministering together, walking out our faith in action, side-by-side, arm in arm…
”If any one would come after me, he must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.
Isaiah 49:6: I will also make You a light of the nations So that My salvation may reach to the end of the earth.”
Isaiah 58:10-12: If you give yourself to the hungry, and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then your light will rise in darkness, and your gloom will be like midday. Then ADONAI will guide you continually, satisfy your soul in drought and strengthen your bones. You will be like a watered garden, like a spring of water whose waters never fail. Some of you will rebuild the ancient ruins, will raise up the age-old foundations, will be called Repairer of the Breach, Restorer of Streets for Dwelling.
Romans 11:29: For the gifts and calling of God are irrevocable...
- God’s Chosen People, Israel – the children of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob – have been chosen for a purpose – to be a light to the nations... to make the LORD known to the world. And that call is irrevocable! (Romans 11:29).
- The call of Israel has always been about revealing the love of God and the heart of God to the nations, that “all the families of the earth” will find the blessing of knowing God (Gen. 12:3).
- Israel has been called to Seek justice, relieve the oppressed, defend the orphan, plead for the widow. (Is. 1:17)
- Israel has been called to Share your bread with the hungry, shelter the poor and homeless, clothe the unclothed (Isaiah 58:7; Matthew 25).
- The Call of Israel is NOT a call about declaring the traditions of men, but rather it’s a call that declares, not just with words, but in action: “Good news for the poor! Healing for the hurting! Freedom for the captive! Release from darkness!”
When Yeshua - Jesus - came as Immanuel, "God with us" (Isaiah 7:14), He came to remind us by demonstrating for us what the call of Israel had always been about. People had gotten confused and veered way off-path. They had reduced "being Israel" to forms of religious expression and religious traditions, and they had lost sight and understanding of the "why" - the heart - behind God's commands. They had lost sight of the one who is "good, and His love endures forever." The call of Israel was to make the character of God known - not simply by declaring His Name, but by DEMONSTRATING what His Name was all about.
And so Yeshua came to walk it out before us - effectively saying "THIS - what I'm doing... what I'm being... is what you were called to do... to be, O Israel." He redirected us back onto the right path... onto "life as God intends."
And so we must walk as He walked. We must not just say what He said, but DO what He said to do. BE who He called us to Be.
When our declaration of the Good News - of the Gospel - is not simply something that is declared with our words, but also with our lives - when the lost sheep of Israel see us walking out THEIR calling, they will be “provoked to spiritual jealousy.” (Romans 11:11).
And so God is calling us into true community, ministering together, walking out our faith in action, side-by-side, arm in arm…
”If any one would come after me, he must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.
Isaiah 49:6: I will also make You a light of the nations So that My salvation may reach to the end of the earth.”
Isaiah 58:10-12: If you give yourself to the hungry, and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then your light will rise in darkness, and your gloom will be like midday. Then ADONAI will guide you continually, satisfy your soul in drought and strengthen your bones. You will be like a watered garden, like a spring of water whose waters never fail. Some of you will rebuild the ancient ruins, will raise up the age-old foundations, will be called Repairer of the Breach, Restorer of Streets for Dwelling.
Romans 11:29: For the gifts and calling of God are irrevocable...