WHEN BAALI BECOMES ISHI
"And it shall be at that day, saith the LORD, that thou shalt call me Ishi; and shalt call me no more Baali." (Hosea 2:16)
                                
Devotion 10 of 13

BEING GRAFTED INTO THEIR TREE
     The tree of blessing belongs to the Jews, not the Gentiles. In this Divine view, spiritual blessings come to us because of our association with Israel. "But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive, were grafted in AMONG THEM and became partaker WITH THEM of the rich root of the olive tree, do not be arrogant toward the branches; but if you are arrogant, remember that it is not you who supports the root, but THE ROOT SUPPORTS YOU"  (Rom 11:17-18, NASB).

     Whatever you may think of ancient Israel, in Christ you have been "grafted in among them." Taking part in the "rich root of the olive tree" is participating in the promises that were made to THEM. Make no mistake about it, we are supported by the Jewish root! The promises of newness that were given to them belong to those that are in Christ Jesus, whether they are Jew or Gentile. 

     In affluent America, it is fashionable, among certain sectarians, to declare the promises of health and prosperity that were given to Israel also belong to us (Deut 28). Those promises, however, were not the "root and fatness of the olive tree."  They had nothing whatsoever to do with the Messiah, Who came to reconcile the world to God, not make it healthy and wealthy. 

      Both health and wealth can be possessed without being reconciled to God; without having your sins remitted; without having an inheritance in heaven! They do not require the remission of sins, the gift of the Spirit, or an Intercessor in heaven. There are healthy atheists and wealthy New Agers--but there are no forgiven ones, sanctified ones, or justified ones. Besides that, neither of them are eternal or can be transferred to glory. That does not mean a child of God cannot have extraordinary riches or abounding health. 

     The blessings of the New  Covenant, however, CANNOT be possessed apart from Jesus Christ! That situation makes it unnecessary to comment any further on the frothy views of these sophists. The promises that belong to us are the ones pertaining to a Savior, redemption, remission, and hope. They were ALL made to Israel (Rom 9:4-5) in anticipation of the day of salvation, yet, they are now enjoyed by those that have been engrafted, "contrary  ro nature,"  in the Jewish olive tree (Rom 11:24).

A New Spirit
     The new relationship of "Ishi" declares the existence of a new spirit. Newness, after all, is one of the remarkable and completely permeating characteristics of the New Covenant. 

      "And I shall give them one heart, and shall put a NEW SPIRIT within them. And I shall take the heart of stone out of their flesh and give them a heart of flesh,  that they may walk in My statutes and keep My ordinances, and do them. Then they will be My people, and I shall be their God" (Ezek 11:19-20). "Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a NEW SPIRIT within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I  will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will be careful to observe My ordinances" (Ezek 36:26-27, NASB).

     A considerable amount of contemporary religion addresses believers as though newness did not exist. Every week multitudes of genuine believers are addressed as though they had never experienced the new birth. This is a tragic circumstance. Anyone suggesting those in Christ are "no different than the Israelites," do them a great disservice! We have been made "new," they were  not! Strong appeals to this aspect of salvation will have a powerful effect upon the tender hearted.
     
A New Heart and a New Spirit
     The essential person is recreated in Christ Jesus (2 Cor 5:17). Thoughts, perspectives, and ambitions become new--totally new.  "And I will give them ONE HEART and ONE WAY, that they may fear Me ALWAYS, for their own good, and for the good of their children after them. And I will make an everlasting covenant with them that I will not turn away from them, to do them good; and I will put the fear of Me in their hearts so that THEY WILL NOT TURN AWAY from Me"  (Jer 32:39-40, NASB). -- and God CANNOT lie (Tit 1:2)!

PRAYER POINT: Father, I thank You for making the Gospel of Christ Your power unto salvation, ALSO to the Gentiles. I pray You will graft in those natural branches, that they also may be saved. Give me grace never to boast against the Jewish branches. In Jesus' name!

-- TOMORROW: SERVING WITH ONE CONSENT --