I tend to read the Torah Portion every Jewish Shabbat and that includes the New Testament addition for Messianic and Gentile Believers.
Recently, we landed on Deuteronomy 28 and certain verses really struck me. What I saw was that the Hebrews were called by GOD to inspire all mankind.
Clearly, He gave the Promise to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob for a greater purpose beyond blessing these people and their family line. In fact, Jews were chosen and have one overriding calling: they are called to inspire the world.
Essentially, I believe I can trace that civilisation comes through GOD.
Key verses
Deuteronomy 28:1 says,
“Now it shall come to pass, if you diligently obey the voice of the Lord your God, to observe carefully all His commandments which I command you today, that the Lord your God will set you high above all nations of the earth.”
GOD gave the people the Law that they would know how to live peacefully and productively in a barbaric world.
But where there is disobedience, Deuteronomy 28:62 & 64 read as follows,
“You shall be left few in number, whereas you were as the stars of heaven in multitude, because you would not obey the voice of the Lord your God.”
“Then the Lord will scatter you among all peoples, from one end of the earth to the other, and there you shall serve other gods, which neither you nor your fathers have known–wood and stone.”
Jews are gifted with responsibility and talent
Throughout history, one common attack has been anti-semitism: Jews have been repeatedly accused en masse of seeking to “take over the world”. But that isn’t true. What is true is that they are blessed and inspired by GOD to lead the world, to make it a better place than it would otherwise be. It is first through GOD’s Law of Moses that the society became civilised, moving beyond the barbarism of the day. When the Law came into the world it offered hope. When the Jews failed to keep the Law, their scattering blessed the World, for even out of their disobedience and scattering, the Jews took GOD’s Word to the world.
And what about England?
Through the fulfilment of the Law through Jesus — Messiah — we see the LORD’s steady influence to civilise, protect, and make flourish mankind. GOD pours out His blessing on Gentile nations when they follow Jesus.
Nowhere perhaps in the world do we see this anointing, this blessing, coming in greater degree than amongst the Gentiles in England. Though not as a replacement for the Covenant with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, but as a witness of the possibilities for the Gentile, we see the nation of England flourish and impact the rest of the world, especially during her Empire.
GOD’s multiple blessings was the experience of Great Britain during the reign of Queen Victoria, and perhaps even from Elizabeth I to Victoria.
England led the world in modernisation and in missionary work to the far corners of the earth. Along with educators, medical institutions and administrators went missionaries. Infrastructure built in the days of Queen Victoria still echo in the nations that were a part of the Empire at that time. In essence, England blessed a significant part of the world, sharing the Gospel and other benefits received from GOD, such as Common Law and freedom of speech.
GOD’s intention to civilise mankind
“For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required.” (Luke 12:48).
On this premise let’s recognise how GOD has imbued the Jewish people with the knowledge of how to please the LORD, how to bless him… so Gentiles too, and all humanity, would be blessed. The English were endowed with similar favour so long as they followed GOD. It is not through punishment but rather spiritual consequence that both nations have suffered, the Jews most of all. But we also see that, as the British have turned their backs on GOD, they have walked out from under His umbrella of His protection, and until the nation turns back, there is little hope of anything but the descent into further decline.
Final word
In giving us Jesus and the Bible — both the original Hebrew Bible and the New Testament — the world has flourished for generations.
Now, in decline, societies need to get back to the Word and faith in the LORD, to turn decay into new hope, to turn darkness once again back to the Light of Jesus.