Theme: THE PRACTICE OF GOD'S RIGHTEOUSNESS
Text: “Brethren, my hearts’ desire and pray to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.” – Romans 10:1-3.
Comment: The Israelites were a special people to God Almighty. (Deuteronomy 7:6.). After teaching the Israelites the laws and commandments of God, Moses told them that the laws and commandments are righteous, and that should they keep such laws and commandments, other nations would esteem them as a wise and understanding people. – Deuteronomy 4:5-8.
God Almighty then warned the Israelites through Amos the prophet: “You only have I known of all the families of the earth: therefore I will punish you for your iniquities.” – Amos 3:2.
At various times, majority of the Jews deviated from the commandments of God and went about practising their own righteousness by worshipping idols, ordaining priests from tribes outside the tribe of Levi, instituting feasts in the 8th month instead of God’s ordained Feast of the 7th month, kings performing the duty of priests by burning incense etc (1 Kings 12:26-33). For these and other deviations from God’s standard, God Almighty punished the Israelites severely with the highpoint of been conquered and taken to captivity by gentile nations as He had earlier on warned them through Moses the prophet – Deuteronomy 28:25,36,49-52.
As true Christians and spiritual Jews (Romans 2:28,29; Galatians 6:15,16), when we seek first the kingdom of God and practise God’s righteousness, God will bless us with our daily needs. – Matthew 6:33; Psalm 106:3.