What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision?
What advantage belongs to the Jew, and what profit is in circumcision, is much in every way, chiefly because to them were committed the oracles of God. That chief advantage was to be made repositories, guardians, keepers, depositaries and distributors of holy truth, law and oracles, to preserve them, expound the Scriptures faithfully, and share them as almoners of truth so the world would be blessed and bring forth fruit in its season. The trust placed truths of the highest value in their possession, like a pearl of great price. It included definite instruction with Christ Himself as teacher, the certainty of God's word to His people, and the richest blessings in store if they kept His commandments.
Through that nation came the lively oracles to give to others, so that both the Old and New Testaments, every promise in the Bible, and every ray of light from the Word have come through them. In Christ's day this was unmeasured advantage over the Gentiles, because the Gentiles did not have the Word of God while the Jews possessed God's revealed will showing the way to heaven. The privilege did not belong by mere lineal descent from Abraham or by outward ceremony, for the true Israel of God are those who are converted, not those who only claim the promises while clothed in self-righteousness. Possessing the privilege did not guarantee true piety or sympathy with God's purposes, as seen when the leaders praised their own religion and looked down on the wise men as heathen, though the wise men stood higher in God's sight than those professed worshipers.
Had they been faithful stewards and kept the law, God would have delighted in them and made them the praise of the whole earth. They were unfaithful, transgressed the law, broke the covenant, failed to appreciate the treasure, and despised the riches of goodness, forbearance and longsuffering meant to lead them to repentance. The priests and rulers gloried in their privileges until they became proud and arrogant, misinterpreted and misapplied the Word, rejected the Teacher sent from heaven, and separated themselves from God, though they might have repented if they would. What would have been their greatest blessing became their condemnation because they were disobedient, unthankful and unholy, abused the messengers sent to them, and lifted up the Son and heir upon the cross, so the punishment falling on them is all the more terrible because of the poor return for great mercy and love.
The command to avoid union with other peoples was meant to keep them from corruption so the light given to them could be passed to the world, not because God refused light to other nations, but those idolatrous nations raised barriers, turned farther into moral darkness and blindness, and interposed obstructions, so one nation had to be formed to preserve the truth. To dismiss the Sabbath of the Lord as merely a Jewish sabbath overlooks this God-given advantage that came through the Jews. The same entrusting continues in this age, with God's people given most sacred truth to shed light amid the surrounding darkness.
What advantage belongs to the Jew, and what profit is in circumcision, is much in every way, chiefly because to them were committed the oracles of God. That chief advantage was to be made repositories, guardians, keepers, depositaries and distributors of holy truth, law and oracles, to preserve them, expound the Scriptures faithfully, and share them as almoners of truth so the world would be blessed and bring forth fruit in its season. The trust placed truths of the highest value in their possession, like a pearl of great price. It included definite instruction with Christ Himself as teacher, the certainty of God's word to His people, and the richest blessings in store if they kept His commandments.
Through that nation came the lively oracles to give to others, so that both the Old and New Testaments, every promise in the Bible, and every ray of light from the Word have come through them. In Christ's day this was unmeasured advantage over the Gentiles, because the Gentiles did not have the Word of God while the Jews possessed God's revealed will showing the way to heaven. The privilege did not belong by mere lineal descent from Abraham or by outward ceremony, for the true Israel of God are those who are converted, not those who only claim the promises while clothed in self-righteousness. Possessing the privilege did not guarantee true piety or sympathy with God's purposes, as seen when the leaders praised their own religion and looked down on the wise men as heathen, though the wise men stood higher in God's sight than those professed worshipers.
Had they been faithful stewards and kept the law, God would have delighted in them and made them the praise of the whole earth. They were unfaithful, transgressed the law, broke the covenant, failed to appreciate the treasure, and despised the riches of goodness, forbearance and longsuffering meant to lead them to repentance. The priests and rulers gloried in their privileges until they became proud and arrogant, misinterpreted and misapplied the Word, rejected the Teacher sent from heaven, and separated themselves from God, though they might have repented if they would. What would have been their greatest blessing became their condemnation because they were disobedient, unthankful and unholy, abused the messengers sent to them, and lifted up the Son and heir upon the cross, so the punishment falling on them is all the more terrible because of the poor return for great mercy and love.
The command to avoid union with other peoples was meant to keep them from corruption so the light given to them could be passed to the world, not because God refused light to other nations, but those idolatrous nations raised barriers, turned farther into moral darkness and blindness, and interposed obstructions, so one nation had to be formed to preserve the truth. To dismiss the Sabbath of the Lord as merely a Jewish sabbath overlooks this God-given advantage that came through the Jews. The same entrusting continues in this age, with God's people given most sacred truth to shed light amid the surrounding darkness.