When parents are blessed with both a daughter and a son, there are obvious differences. Each has his or her own distinct looks, clothing, goals, and requirements. Both are recognized for their God-given differences, and loved separately, yet equally. Even after they have children of their own, this continues to be true. In a similar way, God established two distinctly different programs and peoples in the Bible. One is the children of Israel, who were given the Mosaic Law as their instructions and to whom nearly two thirds of the Bible was written, and the other is the sons and daughters of God in the Body of Christ, who are under Grace.
The Nation of Israel
There are several specific reasons why God made the nation of Israel His βspecial peopleβ (Deut. 7:6). It begins with the persistent rebellion of man very early in history. We learn from Romans 1:21-32 that even βwhen they knew God, they glorified Him not as God.β Mankind plunged so deeply into idolatry and immorality that they sank to the level where βthey did not like to retain God in their knowledge.β Since man was created as a free moral agent with choice, God did not force man to have a relationship with Him. However, He was not willing to stand idly by and allow the entire human race to foolishly run down a course leading to the eternal Lake of Fire, so He intervened by establishing the nation of Israel.
When Abram was called to become the father of Israel, God promised him three things: βI will make of thee a great nationβ¦ and make thy name greatβ¦ and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessedβ (Gen. 12:2-3). The first two promises amount to using the nation of Israel as an undeniable witness of God to an unbelieving world. Repeatedly, the Scripture tell us this was one of the primary purposes for Israel as a nation and all she encountered in history. Solomonβs prayer was βthat all people of the earth may know thy nameβ¦β (I Kings 8:43). Hezekiah prayed that the Lord would deliver them from enemies βthat all the kingdoms of the earth may know that thou art the Lord God, even thou onlyβ (II Kings 19:19). Ezekiel was told to predict a future when enemies will βcome up against my people of Israelβ¦that the heathen may know meβ (Ezek. 38:16). Likewise, Isaiah predicts a day when βall flesh shall know that I the Lord am thy Saviour and thy Redeemer, the mighty One of Jacobβ (Isa. 49:26). Even those who do not want to retain the knowledge of God have heard of the Lord parting the Red Sea and providing a host of miracles for Israel. Israel has been Godβs witness to the world.
The third promise to Abram was to bless all the families of the earth through him and his seed. Ultimately, this was fulfilled in the person of the Lord Jesus Christ, coming as the Son of Man and Son of God to pay the ransom for the sins of all mankind. Salvation is now available to all because God used Israel to produce a needed Savior.
The Mosaic Law of Israel
It is imperative that we understand to whom the Law of Moses was given, what it involved, and why it was given. The Lord told Moses, βI will give thee tables of stone, and a law, and commandmentsβ¦that thou mayest teach them [to Israel]β (Ex. 24:12). These laws were given only to the nation of Israel. They were not given to, nor intended for, Gentiles of the past or present. Moreover, many further misunderstand the scope of the Law of Moses. It was far more than the Ten Commandments; it included volumes of strict requirements governing the social, civil, dietary, and worship life of Israel. It was an entire package to be obeyed. No one was allowed to pick and choose certain requirements and ignore others.
God had several important purposes for giving these laws. They were to be a testimony to all who βhear all these statutes, and say, Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding peopleβ¦who hath God so nigh unto themβ (Deut. 4:5-8). It was intended to draw lost souls back to God, but it was never intended as a way to merit eternal life. Paul taught, βYe could not be justified [from sin] by the law of Mosesβ because it was given that βall the world may become guilty before Godβ¦ for by the law is the knowledge of sinβ (Rom. 3:19,20). The law was a beautiful system for Israel, but even Peter acknowledged that it was a heavy βyokeβ¦which neither our fathers nor we were able to bearβ (Acts 15:10). Godβs ultimate purpose for the law was to prove manβs guilt, to prove his inability to be righteous through good works, and to become βour schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faithβ (Gal. 3:24). It is absolutely not intended for the practice of believers today
How Long Did the Mosaic Law Last?
The Lord Jesus clearly said, βI am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israelβ (Matt. 15:24). He told His disciples, βGo not into the way of the Gentilesβ¦but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israelβ (Matt. 10:5-6). In the early chapters of Acts, it is clear that Israel was still the exclusive focus of ministry (Acts 2:5,22,36; 3:12,25; 7:2,51,52; 11:19,20). Moreover, these Jewish believers were still operating under the law. The Lord Jesus taught, βThe scribes and the Pharisees sit in Mosesβ seat: all therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and doβ (Matt. 23:1,2). They were still to keep the law because Christ said, βThink not that I am come to destroy the lawβ¦ but to fulfilβ (Matt. 5:17).
For many present-day Christians, much confusion exists because they incorrectly attempt to apply instructions or promises that were given exclusively to Israel under the law. Only Israel was to βtake no thought for your life, what ye shall eatβ¦or drinkβ¦but seek ye first the Kingdom of God and all these things shall be added unto youβ (Matt. 6:25-33). Only Israel was promised, βAnd these signs shall follow them that believeβ¦ In my name shall they cast out devilsβ¦ speak with new tonguesβ¦ they shall lay hands on the sickβ (Mark 16:17,18). Only Israel was promised, βIf ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do itβ (John 14:13,14; 16:23; Matt. 18:19). When we read the Old Testament, the Gospel accounts, and the early chapters of Acts, we are not to claim promises or instruction intended exclusively for Israel. These books were included as part of our present-day Bible because God intended them βfor our learningβ (Rom. 15:4). Letβs learn the lessons God intended without claiming Israelβs promises.
The Body of Christ
Believers today are not part of the nation of Israel. In the early part of the Book of Acts, God set Israel aside from her favored and exalted position due to repeated waywardness (Rom. 11:11,12). Today, βThere is neither Jew nor Greekβ¦for ye are all one in Christβ (Gal. 3:28). Those who trust in the Lord Jesus Christ today are placed into a new group of believers called βthe church, which is His Bodyβ or the Body of Christ (Eph. 1:22-23). This is a brand new group of believers that began with the Apostle Paul.
The Apostle Paul teaches us, βYe are not under the law, but under graceβ (Rom. 6:14). God saves us by His grace (Eph. 2:8,9), keeps us Growing in Godβs Grace secure because grace βreign[s]β (Rom. 5:21), and grace provides a lasting daily peace βwherein we standβ (Rom. 5:1,2). Finally, ββ¦the grace of God [is]β¦ teaching us that, denying ungodlinessβ¦ we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present worldβ (Titus 2:11-13). As we live in this current Age of Grace, we are to depend on grace in every area of our lives, and look consistently for our promises and instructions in the letters of the Apostle Paul.
Israel (under the law), and the Body of Christ (under grace), are like a brother and sister. God is the Father of both, yet each is distinctly different. These differences are not intended to be diluted until they are indistinguishable. We are to recognize, respect, and maintain these distinctions. This is a key to understanding our Bible. source
