 |
|
     
|
May 2001 - by Norbert Lieth
"This
is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all long-suffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting". II Timothy 1:15-16 Paul described himself as a pattern or example for those who, through God's longsuffering will be saved in the future. Why does the apostle say, "in me first"? Of course, Paul was a sinner, but was he the worst of all sinners? Think about King Manasseh in the Old Testament, "But they hearkened not: and Manasseh seduced them to do more evil than did the nations whom the LORD destroyed before the children of Israel" II Kings 21:9. Paul and the Remnant of Israel I believe that the apostle's statement has another significance, a prophetic one. Paul referred to himself as an example of those who would come to believe on Jesus Christ and receive eternal life (verse 16). Certainly this applies to all people. But I am thinking here particularly, and in prophetic depth, of the Jewish people. Of these (the Jews) Paul is the first, as an example of the remnant of Israel who will ultimately come to Jesus Christ. In 1st Corinthians 15:8 Paul said, "...last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time." The footnote in the Scofield Bible says, "Greek to ektromati, `before the due time.' Paul thought of himself as an Israelite whose time to be born again had not yet come, nationally (cf. Matthew 23,39), so that his conversion by the appearing of the Lord in glory (Acts 9:3-6) was an illustration, or instance before the time, of the future national conversion of Israel (See Ezekiel 20:35-38; Hosea 2:14-17; Zechariah 12:10-13,6) "For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins" (Romans 11:25-27) Why Does Paul Emphasize His Descent? Paul wrote the following words concerning the restoration of Israel. "I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin " (Romans 11:1). Here we notice how the apostle saw himself as an example of the future salvation of Israel, and that Israel has not been rejected. But why does Paul emphasize the fact that he comes from the tribe of Benjamin? What was Paul's name before his conversion? Saul. The Old Testament Saul was also a Benjaminite (1st Samuel 9:1-2), and this first king of Israel was rejected by God "For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the Lord, he hath also rejected thee from being king. And Samuel said unto Saul, I will not return with thee: for thou hast rejected the word of the Lord, and the Lord hath rejected thee from being king over Israel" (1st Samuel 15:23 and 26, compare also chapter 16:7). The Saul of the New Testament was accepted by Him. Did Paul have King Saul in mind when he emphasized that Israel has not been rejected? It looks as though God is showing us the grace of the restoration and re-acceptance of Israel through the example of Saul of Tarsus (Paul). King Saul was a Benjaminite under the law who experienced the severity and condemnation that comes along with it. He represented the people of Israel under the law. It was said to King Saul, "...Thou hast done foolishly: thou hast not kept the commandment of the LORD thy God, which he commanded thee" (Ist Samuel 13:13). However, Saul of Tarsus was the Benjaminite under grace who received mercy. At this point God returned to save His people Israel. Paul testified, "...for this cause I obtained mercy, that is me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting" (1st Timothy 1:16). To King Saul it was said, "To obey is better than sacrifice" (1st Samuel 15:22). The Lord Jesus taught,"...go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance" (Matthew 9:13). In the person of Saul, grace triumphs over the Law. God shows us that Israel has not been rejected like Saul. Saul of Tarsus is a picture of the new grace toward Israel who failed under the Law. Prophetic Statements Concerning Benjamin Before Joseph revealed himself to his brothers in Egypt, he demanded that they bring their brother Benjamin to him (Genesis 42:15, 43:3-5, 13:29 and 45:12). When Benjamin arrived he received five times more food that his brothers (chapter 43:34). The number five is known as the number of grace. Joseph said of Benjamin "...Is this your younger brother, of whom ye spake unto me? And he said, God be gracious unto thee, my son" (Genesis 43:29) Thus we see in the person of the apostle Paul the grace of God for the future hope of Israel: - The conversion of Saul to Paul is an example of the future conversion of the nation of Israel (Romans 11:26). - His rebirth is an example of the future rebirth of the Jewish people. Then the law will be written on their hearts (Hebrews 8:10). - The appearance of the glory of Jesus on the way to Damascus is a foreshadow of the appearance of Jesus for Israel at His return (Matthew 24:30). - Paul was converted through a direct revelation of Jesus from heaven without human help (Acts 9:1-6). Israel will also turn to her Messiah ultimately. - His previous resistance to Jesus and His Church is like the behavior of Jews today (Acts 7:52).
|
