The above concept is also taught in Israeli government schools. Of course, textbooks on religious subjects are written primarily by the Orthodox sector. But let us examine Paul's life and actions in light of the Tanach.

We are back to the basic principles of why God originally created Israel. God's original promise to Abraham included: "...And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed" (Gen. 12:3).

Some people believe that this Scripture was fulfilled in its entirety when Yeshua shed His blood in atonement for our sins. That certainly is the central ingredient. But Yeshua's death alone cannot fulfill in totality that promise to Abraham.

Let us ask ourselves: Have all peoples in the world already been blessed through Abraham? A resounding "No." For until they have heard the Gospel through a human agent, the world cannot know that the blessing exists. Look closely at these Scriptures:

And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying,

All the nations shall be blessed in you (Gal. 3:8).

For "Whoever will call upon the name of the Lord will be saved."

How then shall they call upon Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?

And how shall they preach unless they are sent?... (Rom. 10:13-15).

So the nations could not be blessed without Yeshua dying for their sins and Israel proclaiming the news to Gentiles throughout the earth.

The prophets consistently declared that the God of Israel is the God of all the world. For centuries Orthodox Judaism has turned inward. They say, "Leave us alone, and we will leave you alone!" As Orthodox Jews, they have no desire whatsoever to take the news of the one and only God to the world. In effect, they are saying that their God is a provincial God--a local God for the Jews. It is not important to them that all of God's creation turn to Him and believe in Him.

The prophets thought the opposite:

...And there is no other God besides Me, A righteous God and a Savior; There is none except me.

Turn to Me, and be saved, all the ends of the earth; For I am God, and there is no other (Isa. 45:21-22).

For the sake of Jacob my servant, And Israel My chosen one...

That men may know from the rising to the setting of the sun That there is no one besides Me. I am the Lord, and there is no other (Isa. 45:4,6).

Then it will come about in that day That the nations will resort to the root of Jesse, Who will stand as a signal for the peoples; And His resting place will be glorious (Isa. 11:10).

How does Israel become the promised blessing? The principle given in the Bible is that when a person/nation repents, it will automatically become a light, a witness and a bearer of good tidings to others. When King David, forefather of the Messiah, sinned his great sin, he repented and asked God to forgive him.

Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, And cleanse me from my sin...

Restore to my the joy of Thy salvation...

Then I will teach transgressors Thy ways, And sinners will be turned back to Thee (Psa. 51:2,12-13).

When Israel as a whole returns to God and receives the Lord's atonement for sin, she will naturally be bursting to share this wonderful news with the rest of the world.

This is most certainly what happened to the early Jewish followers of Yeshua and to Paul. They were saved and redeemed by the mighty hand of God. Their sins were covered by the blood of Yeshua. Paul and the early Jewish apostles went out and did exactly what the prophets said they should and would do. They became a light in their own nation and to the known world. They spread the Good News of the God of Israel, fulfilling the purpose for which God chose Israel.

I believe that, because the nation of Israel as a whole did not turn to God 2,000 years ago and fulfill her duty to be a light to the nations, the Christian Church lost much valuable teaching and experience to be found in the rich Jewish "root of the olive tree" (Rom. 11:17). As more Jews are saved, they will add a significant fresh richness to the collective body of believers.

No, it was not and is not God's plan for all Gentile believers to become Jews. God is much more a God of variety than that. He said that in His Kingdom will be those "...from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues..." (Rev. 7:9). How unfathomable it is that we will one day fellowship in God's Kingdom with redeemed ones from Hawaii, China, Brazil, Siberia, Zaire, Alaska, Argentina and Nigeria! So yes, God is the God of the Gentiles, too. However it is still our contention that the true Gentile body of believers has suffered loss because of the sin and backsliding of Israel.

I believe that one reason God has been so severe with Israel for falling away from God and remaining in darkness is because she also failed to be the light to the nations. This has been God's destiny for her from the beginning. So, many Gentiles born over the last 2,000 years will come to the Judgment Day of the Lord as pagans, rather than the redeemed of the Lord, because Israel went her own way. How tragic! (Of course, the same is true of every Gentile who failed to fulfill the call of God on his life.)

Nevertheless, we, both Jews and Gentiles, must be eternally grateful that Jews like Paul and the other apostles committed their lives to obeying the commission of Israel's prophets--to let the world know that "I am God and there is no other."

One day, the prophets promise, a new generation of Jews will pick up where Paul left off:

And it will come about that just as you were a curse among the nations, O house of Judah and house of Israel, so I will save you that you may become a blessing... (Zech. 8:13).

This book is by no means an exhaustive study of questions often asked by Jewish people. Satan has thrown many obstacles in the way of the chosen people to receiving their Messiah. It is his evil plan to make God's Word return void, because the Lord has solemnly promised to redeem His people from their sins.

We, both Jewish and Gentile believers, are God's instruments of redemption. It is we who must proclaim salvation and say to Zion, Your God reigns! (Isa. 52:7). If you will ask the Lord for the same love that Yeshua had for His brethren, you can touch the hearts of the lost sheep of Israel.

For further information or to receive I Became as a Jew, you may call 1.800.856.7060. Or, email your request to maoz@onramp.net.

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