The God of Relationships
by David Gibson
We do not serve a distant, detached deity, but our God deeply desires fellowship with His people.
Here is what God said so tenderly to His people Israel: “I will walk among you and be your God, and you shall be My people” (Leviticus 26:12 NKJV; for similar statements see Jeremiah 7:23; 11:4; 24:7; 30:22; 31:1, 33; Ezekiel 14:11; 36:28; 37:23, 27; Hosea 2:23; Zechariah 8:8; 13:9).
Sad to say, Israel largely failed to respond to their Redeemer and Provider who had done so much for them and who longed to bless them even more, if only they would respond in trusting obedience. If only ...
God’s New Plan
This principle, “I will walk among you and be your God, and you shall be My people,” is still operative today, though under the New Covenant of Christ (Jeremiah 31:31-33; Hebrews 8:6-13). Both Jews and Gentiles who come to Christ are brought together into fellowship (Ephesians 2:11-22). The church, comprised of both Jews and Gentiles, is now “the Israel of God” (Galatians 6:16 NASB).
Physical descent from Abraham counts for nothing without a true faith response to God in Christ (Matthew 3:7-10; John 8:37-42, 44, 47; Romans 2:25-29; 4:8-17; Galatians 3:6-9, 26-29; Philippians 3:2-3).
A Warning for Us Today
God intends for us to learn from Israel’s failure (I Corinthians 10:1-11; Hebrews 3:5-19; 4:1-11). However, Paul warns Gentile believers, “Then you will say, ‘Branches [unbelieving Jews] were broken off so that I might be grafted in.’ That is true. They were broken off because of their unbelief, but you stand fast through faith. So do not become proud, but fear. For if God did not spare the natural branches, neither will he spare you. Note then the kindness and the severity of God: severity toward those who have fallen, but God's kindness to you, provided you continue in his kindness. Otherwise you too will be cut off” (Romans 11:19-22).
Since we have a far better covenant than the one God made with Israel at Sinai (Hebrews 8:6-13), we have all the more reason to respond in loving obedience to the God who redeemed us from a bondage far worse than Egyptian slavery.
