Q) Why didn't God send Jesus to other places?
A) The purpose of Jesus ministry was to gather true worshippers of Jehovah from Israel. In Matthew 15:24 (NIV) Jesus said, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.” Jesus’ purpose was not to convert the world.
Q) Why were the Jews so special?
A) God only had a covenant relationship with the nation of Israel. Amos 3:2 (NASB), “You only have I chosen among all the families of the earth.”
Q) How did Israel become so favored?
A) Abraham, the father of the nation of Israel, displayed great faith in God. God rewarded his faith and obedience.
Genesis 22:16-18 (NIV), “I swear by myself, declares the LORD, that because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies, and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me.” Thus, Israel became favored over all other nations.
Q) Was the Jewish nation told that the Messiah would arrive?
A) Yes, Jesus’ arrival was announced by John the Baptist who prepared the way for Jesus. John 1:29, 34 (NKJV), “John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, ‘Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world…And I have seen and testified that this is the Son of God.’ ”
Q) Did the Jewish Nation accept Jesus as their Messiah?
A) As a nation, no. Individual Jews did accept Jesus. John 1:11,“He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him.”
Q) Is God ignoring the other nations?
A) No. The gospel was opened to the Gentiles starting with the conversion of Cornelius. Acts 10:34-35, Peter said, “God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.” During Christ's reign, all mankind will have the opportunity to accept Christ and obey God’s laws. Isaiah 11:9, “the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.” Zechariah 8:21-23, “Let us go speedily to pray before the LORD, and to seek the LORD of hosts…strong nations shall come to seek the LORD of hosts in Jerusalem, and to pray before the LORD.”
Q) Is God still dealing with the Jews?
A) Yes. God providentially directed the reestablishment of Israel in 1948. The land has been transformed from an arid wilderness to a flourishing garden. Israel, today, is an advanced and prosperous nation. Soon “all Israel will be saved. As it is written: ‘The deliverer will come from Zion; he will turn godlessness away from Jacob. And this is my covenant with them when I take away their sins.’ ” Romans 11:26, 27.
