Ephesians 2:12 – alienated from Israel

…that you were, in that era, apart from Christ, being alienated from the citizenship of Israel…

That by Israel’s rejection of the Evangel, the message has ended up with the nations, is a familiar theme in Paul’s letters. Paul himself was the walking proof of this. After Jerusalem had officially rejected the Evangel (in the stoning of Stephen), Paul was called to go to the nations.

Much less well known is that through Jerusalem’s rejection, the message of salvation also ended up with them who were “alienated from the citizenship of Israel”. In that expression it is clear that they once belonged to Israel. We can think of assimilated Jews, that is, Jews who became bastards by mixing. But we can also think of the many of ‘the ten tribes’ (Ephraim) who were once deported to Assyria and, for the most part, lost their identity among the nations.

When, in our days, the Evangel is sent to the nations, then it also ends up with all who, for whatever reason, are alienated from Israel. Because of their special descent, they have sunk the deepest of all. It is therefore a demonstration of mercy that GOD is looking for them. Not thanks to, but despite their lineage!

Delen: