A wise servant will rule over a disgraceful son, and will share the inheritance
as one of the brothers. ~Proverbs 17:2
When we were children, we were in slavery under the basic principles of the world. But when the time had fully come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons. Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” So, you are no longer slaves, but sons; and since you are sons, God has made you also an heir. ~Galatians 4:3-7
Paul is telling us here that we are living out the Proverb. We are not the chosen people. God chose the descendants of Abraham for Himself. They are known as the Children of Israel, formerly Jacob, (Genesis 32:28) who was the grandson of Abraham. All that the Father had to give was theirs. All that was required of them was adherence to the rules that He had set forth that described what kind of life He wanted His children to live. Through their obedience, they would be set apart, different than the nations and cultures around them.
They were supposed to put God’s glory on display, but they lost interest in such a grand calling. In truth, they became “the disgraceful son.” Our original calling, as Gentiles, was not so grand. Originally, we had not been chosen to put God’s glory on display. We were slaves to sin and we didn’t even know of One amazing God to praise and bring glory to.
Then, Christ came, and through the cross, a way was made for us to become Children of God. We have an inheritance with the chosen! Alleluia! Paul warns, however that this is not something to brag about. Using the illustration of an olive tree in which unproductive branches, (the unfaithful children of Israel), were removed so that we, (believing Gentiles), could be grafted in, Paul has this warning: “If some of the branches have been broken off, and you, though a wild olive shoot, have been grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing sap from the olive root, do not boast over those branches. If you do, consider this: you do not support the root, but the root supports you. You will say then, “Branches were broken off so that I could be grafted in.” Granted. But they were broken off because of unbelief, and you stand by faith. Do not be arrogant but be afraid. For if God did not spare the natural branches, He will not spare you either.” (Romans 11:17-21)
However, it is not that we slaves, or servants, were so wise that we won favor with you. Rather, we were lifted up by Your love and placed in the family as you granted us faith. We are wise however if we keep to that faith!
It is so wonderful to see growth in the followers of Jesus among the Jewish community today. How wonderful too, that we are becoming heirs together with them, through the cross. Jews and Gentiles together are becoming the unified family that God always wanted. The proverb does not say that the servant will take the place of the sons, rather, it says, that we will “share the inheritance as one of the brothers.” We have been brought into the family of the chosen. Thank you, Lord!
Prayer: Father, Your grand plan is so wonderful and perfect. The Proverb says a wise servant
Song: Jew & Gentile
When we were children, we were in slavery under the basic principles of the world. But when the time had fully come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons. Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” So, you are no longer slaves, but sons; and since you are sons, God has made you also an heir. ~Galatians 4:3-7
Paul is telling us here that we are living out the Proverb. We are not the chosen people. God chose the descendants of Abraham for Himself. They are known as the Children of Israel, formerly Jacob, (Genesis 32:28) who was the grandson of Abraham. All that the Father had to give was theirs. All that was required of them was adherence to the rules that He had set forth that described what kind of life He wanted His children to live. Through their obedience, they would be set apart, different than the nations and cultures around them.
They were supposed to put God’s glory on display, but they lost interest in such a grand calling. In truth, they became “the disgraceful son.” Our original calling, as Gentiles, was not so grand. Originally, we had not been chosen to put God’s glory on display. We were slaves to sin and we didn’t even know of One amazing God to praise and bring glory to.
Then, Christ came, and through the cross, a way was made for us to become Children of God. We have an inheritance with the chosen! Alleluia! Paul warns, however that this is not something to brag about. Using the illustration of an olive tree in which unproductive branches, (the unfaithful children of Israel), were removed so that we, (believing Gentiles), could be grafted in, Paul has this warning: “If some of the branches have been broken off, and you, though a wild olive shoot, have been grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing sap from the olive root, do not boast over those branches. If you do, consider this: you do not support the root, but the root supports you. You will say then, “Branches were broken off so that I could be grafted in.” Granted. But they were broken off because of unbelief, and you stand by faith. Do not be arrogant but be afraid. For if God did not spare the natural branches, He will not spare you either.” (Romans 11:17-21)
However, it is not that we slaves, or servants, were so wise that we won favor with you. Rather, we were lifted up by Your love and placed in the family as you granted us faith. We are wise however if we keep to that faith!
It is so wonderful to see growth in the followers of Jesus among the Jewish community today. How wonderful too, that we are becoming heirs together with them, through the cross. Jews and Gentiles together are becoming the unified family that God always wanted. The proverb does not say that the servant will take the place of the sons, rather, it says, that we will “share the inheritance as one of the brothers.” We have been brought into the family of the chosen. Thank you, Lord!
Prayer: Father, Your grand plan is so wonderful and perfect. The Proverb says a wise servant
Song: Jew & Gentile
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