God's People
In 1982, President Ronald Reagan issued a Thanksgiving Day proclamation, declaring, "Above all other nations of the world, America has been especially blessed... I have always believed that this anointed land was set apart in an uncommon way, that a divine plan placed this great continent here between the oceans to be found by people from every corner of the Earth who had a special love of faith and freedom." It feels good to believe that God chose America to be first.
Paul has argued that two of the greatest blessings for the Jews—circumcision and knowing God's law—do not mean God plays favorites. Instead, what was intended to glorify God has become a reason to blaspheme God. Through disobedience, circumcision has become uncircumcision. It's such a devastating critique that Paul anticipates our question: Is there any benefit to being Jewish? Paul, a Jewish man, is emphatic. The advantage is "considerable in every way." God chose Israel, established his covenant with them, spoke through Moses and the prophets, and revealed his care for them throughout the generations. God entrusted his people with his words. One way of reading Paul's argument is to despair. I thought circumcision was a gift from God, but now you're pointing out that, spiritually, I'm uncircumcised? I'm proud of owning a Bible, but God's Word identifies me as a sinner? We might start to despise the gifts God has given us. So Paul needs to explain that he was not attacking God's gifts. It's the difference between "God blessed me, so I'm good" and "God trusted me with an assignment." To illustrate his point, Paul quotes King David. David knew God's law, yet he violated Bathsheba and arranged for her husband, Uriah, to be killed. In Psalm 51, he confesses his wrongdoing and acknowledges that God was right to judge him. David's failures hadn't changed God. If God were tricky and capricious, David would have no hope. But God remained faithful. If Paul was arguing that there was no benefit to being a Jew, he would be calling God a liar and a fool. It would mean God was wrong to make a covenant with his people. But Paul already told us that God "promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures—concerning his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who was a descendant of David according to the flesh..." (Romans 1:2-3). It's right to thank God for the blessings he gives us. But God blesses us so that we can become more like him and bless others. When Israel failed to do this, or we do today, it can't cancel God's faithfulness. God kept his promises to Israel through Jesus, David's descendant, who faithfully fulfilled what God entrusted to him. The promises entrusted to Israel were always good news for everyone—Jews and Gentiles alike.
What's one responsibility someone entrusted to you that you didn't keep?
What have you relied on to make you right with God?
What does it tell you about God that our failures don't thwart his faithfulness?
In God's presence, list five of the greatest blessings he's given to you. Next to each one, write how that blessing can be used to serve someone else.
Source:
Proclamation 4979: Thanksgiving Day, 1982, Ronald Reagan Presidential Library.