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The Daily Word of Righteousness
Israel—Spirit and Flesh, #20
Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called. That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed. (Romans 9:7,8)
The members of the "tree" are not those who are born Jews. The members of the "tree" are made so only by grace, by promise, by election. This was the case with physical Israel and it still is true today.
The "tree" came into being when God called Abram out of Ur of the Chaldees, and then out of Haran.
The "tree" continued through Isaac, not because Isaac was born of Abraham and Sarah but because Isaac was born according to the promise of God.
Ishmael was born of Abraham. But Ishmael is not part of the "tree" because he was not born according to the promise of God.
The "tree," the Messianic anointing and inheritance, continued through Jacob (Israel), not because Jacob was born of Isaac and Rebekah but because God had spoken concerning Jacob before he was born. Esau also was born of Isaac and Rebekah, but Esau is not part of the "tree."
As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated. (Romans 9:13)
The "tree" continued through the twelve sons of Jacob, not because they were born of Jacob but because the Spirit of Christ in Jacob was extended to them through the prophecy of Jacob. The promise and anointing of God rested on the twelve sons of Israel. Israel was (is) God's chosen, anointed royal priesthood.
And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel. (Exodus 19:6)
Then God spoke through the Hebrew Prophets that He would reach out to the Gentiles and include some of them among His chosen, His tree.
Even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles? As he saith also in Osee, I will call them my people, which were not my people; and her beloved, which was not beloved. (Romans 9:24,25)
At this point the promise was extended to include an elect among the Gentiles. It was because of election and foreknowledge that Paul stressed so heavily the fact that we are saved by grace and not by works. We did not choose Christ. He chose us and ordained us that we would bring forth the fruit of the good olive tree.
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. (Ephesians 2:10)
Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you. (John 15:16)
John 15:16 (above) was spoken to Jewish followers of Christ. It applies also to us Gentiles who are of God's elect.
To be continued.