Israel As an Example of God’s Faithfulness

The title of this entry may not sound like a big change from what you already think. However, I read an article by theologian David Bosch last semester, and it revolutionized the way I see the church and God’s mission in the earth.

First, Bosch notes that Israel was set apart to testify to the world. Normally, when we think of this concept we say, “Yes, God set apart a people for Himself, so that they would walk in holiness and proclaim His goodness to the rest of the world by setting a good example.” After all, God did promise Abram, “Through you all the nations of the earth will be blessed.” So, the descendents of Abraham will be set apart to be instrumental in blessing the entire world. We can see the church’s mission in this, can’t we? God called us in Christ to be set apart, different, not conformed to this world. But what we find, particularly in our own culture, is that the church is broken down, like an old building that should be condemned rather than renovated.

Someone very dear to me has recently undergone a tragic experience in their congregation concerning the senior pastor. The people feel betrayed, frustrated, even forsaken by God. This dear person doubts they will ever be part of a local congregation again. “The church doesn’t work,” they said. It sounds like what we say when trying to get an old car to run, “It doesn’t work. Throw it away!” But the rub is, we can’t live without the fellowship of the church, for better or for worse.

Back to Israel. David Bosch asks the question, “Did God set Israel apart as an example of what it looks like to be set apart to God?” Who would read 1-2 Kings and argue this point? Who would even look to King David and argue this point? Rather, Bosch argues, God called the feeblest people, who were nothing (they were not a people, remember?), and brought them into a land as a “light to the gentiles.” But what does God really show us in the whole history of His people? Do they succeed in becoming a holy, spotless vessel for His glory? NO! But here is what we do see. God never leaves them. Though they play the harlot, God does not give up in His love for them. Remember the emphatic language of Scripture first cited in Exodus 34:6, “The LORD is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast (loyal) love.” All of the most promising people in the Old Testament fail in the tasks to which they are called. Moses never reaches the promised land. Abraham’s descendants are forced out of the land into Egypt because of famine. Joshua fails to secure the land against its native inhabitants. David fails in his own morality and leadership. Solomon, who held such promise as a leader, and should have secured the unity of the kingdom, actually splits it in two! But God remains steadfast in His love. Maybe that’s what matters more. Maybe we should remember this when we think of whether or not the church “works.”

If there were no problems in New Testament times, we wouldn’t have a New Testament! Don’t make the mistake of thinking that New Testament times, because they were biblically primitive and simple, were a symbol of Christian perfection. Think of Corinth! Think of Euodia and Syntyche! Think of Demas, or even that wonderful gospel writer Mark who chickened out and abandoned Paul and Barnabus in Pampylia! In one sense, the church doesn’t work! But Christ always works. Salvation works. And we only see the firstfruits of salvation. We see through a glass darkly. But can we say that the church doesn’t “work” because we see the mess that sin makes of the church? Did Paul ever say this of the Corinthians, whose morality was worse than the pagans? No, he said, “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation…” This is the reality, so live in it.

Despite how dissatisfied we might be with all the problems facing the people of God. God is working. God is exposing the sin and dealing with it. God is painfully restoring His work in His people. He is breaking us down so He can build us up anew. You may be disillusioned with God’s people. You may like Christ, but not like Christians. But don’t give up. Our salvation is complete, but it still has a lot of working out to do. Hang on. God is faithful. God is good.

~ by argo80 on April 9, 2008.