CHRISTIANS ARE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL

ONE FAMILY ONE LAW

A compilation of Scriptures by Dan Beeson 13 September 2022

www.vigilantvaliant.com dan@vigilantvaliant.com

TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION

CHRISTIANS ARE CHILDREN OF ABRAHAM

ONE FAMILY AND ONE LAW!

THE MIXED MULTITUDE RECEIVED THE LAW

TRULY PART OF THE FAMILY

CONCLUSION

INTRODUCTION

This is a Bible study to see what Yahweh, the Living God, the God of the Bible, says about Israelites (Jews) and Christians. We are concerned with only those Israelites and Christians who love the Living God, and are doing their best to be obedient to Him.

I don’t translate Hebrew or Greek words, though Strong’s Exhaustive Bible Concordance does and is a great help, as are Interlinear Bibles that have the Hebrew and the Greek words along with the English words. Through life, I have come to firmly believe that Yahweh is able. He is able to do whatever He wants. He can do anything. How do we even know anything about Yahweh or Yeshua? Isn’t it through the Bible? Yes, our mothers and fathers first taught us what they believed about Yahweh, and then preachers and teachers. But what do you consider the real authoritative source of knowledge about Yeshua and Yahweh? For millions and millions of people, that is the Bible.

One friend, a wonderful daughter of God who has helped (and challenged) me with my Bible studies, doesn't like my sentence structure when I say above that "Yahweh is able." Apparently it would be more easily understandable if it had an object, like "God is able - to save all who call upon Him."

But I like it. "Yahweh is able." It is like saying "God can." It doesn't matter what the unspoken object is; create anything, forgive sin, bring judgment on the strongest of nations, protect us in the valley of death. It doesn't matter what the job is, God CAN!

Maybe you don’t trust the Bible was inspired by God. Then this compilation isn’t for you. This is for people who, at least to a great extent, believe the Bible is what God wanted us to read to learn about Him.

Does it make any sense at all, that if Yahweh inspired the writers of the Bible, if Yahweh inspired those who selected the writings for the biblical canon, that it would be non-understandable by 99% of people? Does it make any sense at all that Yahweh would allow it to come about that nobody or very few can read the Bible and understand what it says? Do we really have to have some preacher to tell us what Yahweh is really trying to say to us?

I sincerely appreciate those sincere preachers and teachers and linguists who, moved by Yahweh, try to give the rest of us insights and help our understanding of the scripture. I have heard very good preaching that has opened my eyes to some of the details in the Bible, or convicted me of my sins, or led me to repent, or made me want more passionately to be a good person, a good Christian. May Yahweh thoroughly bless these servants of His.

They can point out what some Greek or Hebrew word really means. But did Yahweh inspire the writing the Bible only for those very few select people? Or did He intend that it be used by the people, by normal people like you and me?

When Yeshua (Jesus in English) walked the Earth, who did He speak to the most, the teachers and priests in synagogues, or the common people? The Bible shows Jesus overwhelmingly talked to the normal, common people.

We must read the bible and pray as we read for Yahweh to guide us. We must study the scriptures on a topic and pray hard asking Yahweh to make clear what He is saying to us. Please consider this. The devil and the powers of darkness, try to deceive humans. They try to trick us. Make no mistake! The devil wants to keep you from being saved, born again. He wants to drag you into damnation.

Please read your Bible again. Remove from your mind what preachers have told you, what the “traditions” are, what other people think, and see what Yahweh said to you.

You read your Bible. You decide. What is the TRUTH Yahweh is trying to tell us in the Bible?

Most of my Bible Studies attempt to have EVERY SCRIPTURE IN THE BIBLE on the topic. Some people have complained that it is just TOO MANY Bible verses. But my Bible Studies are to learn the TRUTH about what the Bible says, not what some denomination told me to believe, not what some person told me to believe, but what the Bible really says. I want ALL the scriptures on the topic. I want the scriptures those with opposing beliefs use as their key scriptures, so I can analyze them. I want to know their reason for believing the way they do, and give that a fair hearing. How can we find the “Truth, the Whole Truth, and Nothing but the Truth” if we don’t have all the data, all the information available? Since my studies are meant to learn what the Bible really says on a topic, I typically use nothing from outside the Bible. Outside sources may or may not be valid. The ONLY place we can read the words of Yeshua (Jesus in English) is from the Bible. So yes, I hope I have found EVERY SCRIPTURE on the topic. If I have missed a scripture or if you find other scriptures that address the question, or if you can in any way help me improve this writing or see a mistake, please contact me and let me know at dan@vigilantvaliant.com.

I have compiled below scriptures I found on this topic. If you like it, if it seems to be thorough and accurate, my other Bible Studies may be found on www.vigilantvaliant.com.

If you wonder why I use The Living God's name, Yahweh, and Our Savior's Hebrew name, Yeshua, please see my other Bible Study, "Does Jesus Want Christians to Obey the Ten Commandments" in the Appendix, in the section, "THE NAME OF YAHWEH AND HIS MESSIAH" for a short explanation.

I use the King James Version (KJV) only because it was by far the main English translation during my life. While there are other good translations of the Bible, I am using the one I am familiar with, the KJV. Yes, it is old-fashioned English, but it can also be poetic and beautiful. So, all scriptures are quoted from the KJV Bible (King James Version), unless otherwise noted. All scriptures will be indented and in italics. All Bolding, Underlining, Italicizing, (parentheses), highlighting, and [brackets] are done by me for emphasis.

END OF INTRODUCTION

CHRISTIANS ARE CHILDREN OF ABRAHAM

If you think the Ten Commandments, the weekly Sabbath Day, and God's Holy Days were given ONLY to the Jews, Abraham’s children, consider the verses below. They clearly say that Gentile Christians are Abraham’s children, Abraham’s seed. Therefore, the Ten Commandments, the weekly Sabbath Day, and God's Holy Days were given to you also, as Abraham’s seed, the Children of Israel. Yeshua Himself calls those who are obedient to God, brothers and sisters. Yeshua Himself says that whoever does the will of Yahweh is His (Yeshua’s) brother and sister.

"47 Then one said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee. 48 But he answered and said unto him that told him, Who is my mother? And who are my brethren? 49 And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren! 50 For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother." (Matthew 12:47-50)

"6 Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. 7 Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham. 8 And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed. 9 So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham. 10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. 11 But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith. 12 And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them. 13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: 14 That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith." (Galatians 3:6-14)

"24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 25 But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. 26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise." (Galatians 3:24-29)

"11 Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; 12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: 13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. 14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; 15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; 16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: 17 And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. 18 For through him, we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. 19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God; 20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;” (Ephesians 2:11-20)

Ephesians 2:12 above says “at that time” we were aliens from Israel. But verse 13 says Yeshua has made us “nigh” or close, and verse 14 says he has made us both “ONE”. Believers and Israel are one. We have one God, the Living God of Israel, Yahweh, praise His name. And we have one Messaih. Christians believe He came 2000 years ago, and know His name, Yeshua Hamashiach, Jesus the Messaih.

Note that Ephesians 2:14 above says Jeshua “broke down middle wall of partition between us.” Then in verse 15 Paul says “even the law of commandments contained in the ordinances”. Some will try to use this to say Jesus did away with the Holy Days, the Ten Commandments, and basically everything God had told the Isrealites. Note it does not say anything about the Holy Days, or Ten Commandments” but those contained in the ordinances. Also, we need to compare and balance this against all other scriptures for one cohesive truth.

How did Yahweh make us Children of Israel? Christians are children of Abraham, by being grafted in through adopted into the family

.

"14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. 15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. 16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: 17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. 18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. 19 For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. 20 For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, 21 Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. 23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body." (Romans 8:14-23)

"To redeem them that was under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons." (Galatians 4:5)

So Christians are adopted through faith in Yeshua, by God, into the family of God, as children of Abraham.

Paul also talks about our adoption, though through the image of the “grafting” of tree limbs to tree roots and trunks. The parallel is being branches of the same tree, the FAMILY TREE, the family of faith, the children of Abraham, called the Father of the Faithful.

"1 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. 2 God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew. Wot ye not what the scripture saith of Elias? How he maketh intercession to God against Israel saying, 3 Lord, they have killed thy prophets, and digged down thine altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life. 4 But what saith the answer of God unto him? I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal. 5 Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace. 6 And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then it is no more grace: otherwise work is no more work. 7 What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, And the rest were blinded. 8 (According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day." (Romans 11:1-8)

"16 For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches 17 And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert grafted in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree; 18 Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee. 19 Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be grafted in. 20 Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear: 21 For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee. 22 Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off. 23 And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be grafted in: for God is able to graft them in again. 24 For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert grafted contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree?" (Romans 11:16-24)

"15 I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. 2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. 3 Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. 5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing." (John 15:1-5)

According to Romans 11:17 above, Gentile believers are “grafted in” to the natural olive tree of God’s chosen people, the Isrealites. Yeshua Is the root of the olive tree, and believers are grafted in. Yeshua also compared our relationship to a grapevine, where He is the true vine, and we are the branches.

So Christians are adopted by Yahweh, The Living God, through faith in Yeshua, and grafted into the family of God, as children of Abraham, and if Children of Abraham, then Children of Israel.

Between the concepts of adoption and grafting in, the Bible is saying there is ONE FAMILY, the family of faithful believers.

ONE FAMILY AND ONE LAW!

For one family there is one law that covers BOTH the Jewish believer and the Gentile believer. God is fair and just.

"48 And when a stranger shall sojourn with thee, and will keep the passover to the Lord, let all his males be circumcised, and then let him come near and keep it; and he shall be as one that is born in the land: for no uncircumcised person shall eat thereof. 49 One law shall be to him that is homeborn, and unto the stranger that sojourneth among you. 50 Thus did all the children of Israel; as the Lord commanded Moses and Aaron, so did they." (Exodus 12:48-50)

"Ye shall therefore keep my statutes and my judgments, and shall not commit any of these abominations; neither any of your own nation, nor any stranger that sojourneth among you:” (Leviticus 18:26)

"But the stranger that dwelleth with you shall be unto you as one born among you, and thou shalt love him as thyself; for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God." (Leviticus 19:34)

"Ye shall have one manner of law, as well for the stranger, as for one of your own country: for I am the Lord your God." (Leviticus 24:22)

" And if a stranger shall sojourn among you, and will keep the passover unto the Lord; according to the ordinance of the passover, and according to the manner thereof, so shall he do: ye shall have one ordinance, both for the stranger, and for him that was born in the land." (Numbers 9:14)

"14 And if a stranger sojourn with you, or whosoever be among you in your generations, and will offer an offering made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the Lord; as ye do, so he shall do. 15 One ordinance shall be both for you of the congregation, and also for the stranger that sojourneth with you, an ordinance for ever in your generations: as ye are, so shall the stranger be before the Lord. 16 One law and one manner shall be for you, and for the stranger that sojourneth with you." (Numbers 15:14-16)

"Ye shall have one law for him that sinneth through ignorance, both for him that is born among the children of Israel, and for the stranger that sojourneth among them. 30 But the soul that doeth ought presumptuously, whether he be born in the land, or a stranger, the same reproacheth the Lord; and that soul shall be cut off from among his people. 31 Because he hath despised the word of the Lord, and hath broken his commandment, that soul shall utterly be cut off; his iniquity shall be upon him." (Numbers 15:29-31)

Note in verse Numbers 15:31 above that the "stranger that sojourneth among them" is EXPECTED to obey God's words and His commandments!

"1 Thus saith the Lord, Keep ye judgment, and do justice: for my salvation is near to come, and my righteousness to be revealed. 2 Blessed is the man that doeth this, and the son of man that layeth hold on it; that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and keepeth his hand from doing any evil. 3 Neither let the son of the stranger, that hath joined himself to the Lord, speak, saying, The Lord hath utterly separated me from his people: neither let the eunuch say, Behold, I am a dry tree. 4 For thus saith the Lord unto the eunuchs that keep my sabbaths, and choose the things that please me, and take hold of my covenant; 5 Even unto them will I give in mine house and within my walls a place and a name better than of sons and of daughters: I will give them an everlasting name, that shall not be cut off. 6 Also the sons of the stranger, that join themselves to the Lord, to serve him, and to love the name of the Lord, to be his servants, every one that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and taketh hold of my covenant; 7 Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar; for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people." (Isaiah 56:1-7)

These verses show that if we have been joined to Israel through the adoption of sons, grafted into the family tree, then God expects the same thing from us all. He has One Law for all mankind.

Not all Israelites or Jews are SPIRITUAL children of Abraham. Consider these scriptures. God had promised Abraham children, but Sarai (Sarah) took things into her own hands and gave Abraham her handmaid to bear a child. She was working on her own, outside of faith. She laughed in disbelief when God told Abraham she would bear a child in her old age.

"1 Now Sarai Abram's wife bare him no children: and she had an handmaid, an Egyptian, whose name was Hagar. 2 And Sarai said unto Abram, Behold now, the Lord hath restrained me from bearing: I pray thee, go in unto my maid; it may be that I may obtain children by her. And Abram hearkened to the voice of Sarai. 3 And Sarai Abram's wife took Hagar her maid the Egyptian, after Abram had dwelt ten years in the land of Canaan, and gave her to her husband Abram to be his wife. 4 And he went in unto Hagar, and she conceived: and when she saw that she had conceived, her mistress was despised in her eyes." (Genesis 16:1–4)

"And Hagar bare Abram a son: and Abram called his son's name, which Hagar bare, Ishmael." (Genesis 16:1–4)

God did not count that child as the SPIRITUAL child of Abraham. Later, Sarah DID have the son God had promised Abraham through her, and named him Isaac.

"2 For Sarah conceived, and bare Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time of which God had spoken to him. 3 And Abraham called the name of his son that was born unto him, whom Sarah bare to him, Isaac. 4 And Abraham circumcised his son Isaac being eight days old, as God had commanded him." (Genesis 21:2-4)

God spoke to Abraham as follows.

"And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of." (Genesis 22:2)

How could God say “thine only son Isaac”, when God knew that Ishmael had been born first? This is because Ishmael was NOT the child of the promise, the Child of the Covenant. Believers in Yeshua are adopted (grafted) into the family as children through the New Covenant that Yeshua brought to humankind, covered in the blood of Yeshua.

Christians are in the family of the faithful. We are children of Abraham by faith. We have ONE LAW with the Isrealites that believe in Yahweh, the Living God.

God's commandments, statutes, and laws existed BEFORE Moses received the 10 Commandments on Mount Sinai, BEFORE there was a country Israel. Therefore, God's commandments, statutes, and laws COULD NOT HAVE BEEN FOR JEWS ONLY! Remember, Abraham had two sons, Ishmael and Isaac, whom God called Abraham’s ONLY SON. So following that branch of the family tree, Isaac had two sons, Esau and Jacob. In a really interesting story, Isaac gave his dying blessing to Jacob. In another really interesting story, Jacob had an encounter with God, and God changed his name to Israel. Israel (Jacob) had 12 sons, who became the 12 tribes of Israel. Israel’s 4th son was named Judah. The Tribe of Judah separated from the other tribes, in their own country, Judea, the Southern Kingdom. First the country of Israel was exiled by Assyrians, and then about 130 years later the country of Judea was exiled by the Babylonians. These exiles were known as Judeans. Thus, it is thought that “Jews” is a term for people from Judea, and since the other tribes were dispersed and “lost” earlier, the term “Jews” was applied to all the children of Israel.

"26 And there was a famine in the land, beside the first famine that was in the days of Abraham. And Isaac went unto Abimelech king of the Philistines unto Gerar. 2 And the Lord appeared unto him, and said, Go not down into Egypt; dwell in the land which I shall tell thee of: 3 Sojourn in this land, and I will be with thee, and will bless thee; for unto thee, and unto thy seed, I will give all these countries, and I will perform the oath which I sware unto Abraham thy father; 4 And I will make thy seed to multiply as the stars of heaven, and will give unto thy seed all these countries; and in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; 5 Because that Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws. 6 And Isaac dwelt in Gerar:" (Genesis 26:1-6)

We do not have a record of when God gave Abraham these Commandments, statutes, and laws, but it was long BEFORE Moses went up Mount Sinai. So we have Biblical proof that God had given His commandments, statuettes and laws to mankind BEFORE Moses was born.

So while God does not consider all natural born Israelites as children of Israel, He tells us that believing Christians are the children of Israel. And if we are children of Israel, and Abraham, and God, then we are one family. And for one family, He has one law.

THE MIXED MULTITUDE RECEIVED THE LAW

How does Yahweh look upon those who join themselves to Israel? Consider the mixed multitude that joined with Israel as they made their exodus from Egypt. The American Heritage Dictionary says "multitude" means "A very great number."

"29 And it came to pass, that at midnight the Lord smote all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh that sat on his throne unto the firstborn of the captive that was in the dungeon; and all the firstborn of cattle. 30 And Pharaoh rose up in the night, he, and all his servants, and all the Egyptians; and there was a great cry in Egypt; for there was not a house where there was not one dead. 31 And he called for Moses and Aaron by night, and said, Rise up, and get you forth from among my people, both ye and the children of Israel; and go, serve the Lord, as ye have said. 32 Also take your flocks and your herds, as ye have said, and be gone; and bless me also. 33 And the Egyptians were urgent upon the people, that they might send them out of the land in haste; for they said, We be all dead men. 34 And the people took their dough before it was leavened, their kneadingtroughs being bound up in their clothes upon their shoulders. 35 And the children of Israel did according to the word of Moses; and they borrowed of the Egyptians jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment: 36 And the Lord gave the people favour in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they lent unto them such things as they required. And they spoiled the Egyptians 37 And the children of Israel journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand on foot that were men, beside children. 38 And a mixed multitude went up also with them; and flocks, and herds, even very much cattle. 39 And they baked unleavened cakes of the dough which they brought forth out of Egypt, for it was not leavened; because they were thrust out of Egypt, and could not tarry, neither had they prepared for themselves any victual."(Exodus 12:29-39)

This mixed multitude had believed in the God of Abraham, the God of Moses, and joined with Israel to sojourn with them. This mixed multitude was part of the family of God, the Children of Israel, when they felt Mount Sinai shake, and saw the fire of God, and heard the voice of God as He gave the Law to them. They passed through the sea, ate the manna, and they ate the quail, and drank the water that God brought forth out of the Rock.

"1 Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; 2 And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; 3 And did all eat the same spiritual meat; 4 And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ." (1 Corinthians 10:1-4)

Jesus Christ, Yeshua Hamashiach, knew and accepted this mixed multitude as part of the Children of God, the Children of Israel. They were given the Law of Moses and were expected to keep that Law.

TRULY PART OF THE FAMILY

Imagine you have been the neighbor and good friend to the family next door for years. You have shared their joys and sorrows. When their house overflowed with overnight visitors, you opened your house to them. When they had family in the hospital, you drove people back and forth, and sat with them in the night, taking your shift in the rounds of visitors, to be sure the loved one was never alone. You've been at weddings and funerals. They even share their families "dirty laundry" with you, and even argue with one another in front of you, as you judiciously keep your mouth shut. They tell you often that you are "part of the family." "Don't argue in front of our neighbor." "Oh, it's OK. He's one of the family."

There is one final thing that will REALLY tell you that you are in fact "one of the family."

Imagine that when the patriarch of the family dies, you are called in, not only to the funeral, but to the reading of the "last will and testament." And imagine the will divides all the inheritance equally to all the children, AND TO YOU!

Wow! Imagine that moment. How deeply you now realize that they truly and totally consider you one of the family. Well God did that to us. People who were once Gentile believers He made the same as the natural born Israelite. He made each believing Christian an Israeli.

"And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise." (Galatians 3:29)

"21 So shall ye divide this land unto you according to the tribes of Israel. 22 And it shall come to pass, that ye shall divide it by lot for an inheritance unto you, and to the strangers that sojourn among you, which shall beget children among you: and they shall be unto you as born in the country among the children of Israel; they shall have inheritance with you among the tribes of Israel. 23 And it shall come to pass, that in what tribe the stranger sojourneth, there shall ye give him his inheritance, saith the Lord God." (Ezekiel 47:21-23)

How does Yahweh look upon those who join themselves to Israel? A good example is found in Rahab the Canaanite who lived in Jericho, and who did just that. The story of Rahab is an exciting example of how the Living God accepts people into His family.

"1 Now Joshua the son of Nun sent out two men from Acacia Grove to spy secretly, saying, “Go, view the land, especially Jericho.” So they went, and came to the house of a harlot named Rahab, and lodged there. 2 And it was told the king of Jericho, saying, “Behold, men have come here tonight from the children of Israel to search out the country.” 3 So the king of Jericho sent to Rahab, saying, “Bring out the men who have come to you, who have entered your house, for they have come to search out all the country.” 4 Then the woman took the two men and hid them. So she said, “Yes, the men came to me, but I did not know where they were from. 5 And it happened as the gate was being shut, when it was dark, that the men went out. Where the men went I do not know; pursue them quickly, for you may overtake them.” 6 (But she had brought them up to the roof and hidden them with the stalks of flax, which she had laid in order on the roof.) 7 Then the men pursued them by the road to the Jordan, to the fords. And as soon as those who pursued them had gone out, they shut the gate. 8 Now before they lay down, she came up to them on the roof, 9 and said to the men: “I know that the Lord has given you the land, that the terror of you has fallen on us, and that all the inhabitants of the land are fainthearted because of you. 10 For we have heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red Sea for you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to the two kings of the Amorites who were on the other side of the Jordan, Sihon and Og, whom you utterly destroyed. 11 And as soon as we heard these things, our hearts melted; neither did there remain any more courage in anyone because of you, for the Lord your God, He is God in heaven above and on earth beneath. 12 Now therefore, I beg you, swear to me by the Lord, since I have shown you kindness, that you also will show kindness to my father’s house, and give me a true token, 13 and spare my father, my mother, my brothers, my sisters, and all that they have, and deliver our lives from death.” 14 So the men answered her, “Our lives for yours, if none of you tell this business of ours. And it shall be, when the Lord has given us the land, that we will deal kindly and truly with you.” 15 Then she let them down by a rope through the window, for her house was on the city wall; she dwelt on the wall. 16 And she said to them, “Get to the mountain, lest the pursuers meet you. Hide there three days, until the pursuers have returned. Afterward you may go your way.” 17 So the men said to her: “We will be blameless of this oath of yours which you have made us swear, 18 unless, when we come into the land, you bind this line of scarlet cord in the window through which you let us down, and unless you bring your father, your mother, your brothers, and all your father’s household to your own home. 19 So it shall be that whoever goes outside the doors of your house into the street, his blood shall be on his own head, and we will be guiltless. And whoever is with you in the house, his blood shall be on our head if a hand is laid on him. 20 And if you tell this business of ours, then we will be free from your oath which you made us swear.” 21 Then she said, “According to your words, so be it.” And she sent them away, and they departed. And she bound the scarlet cord in the window." (Joshua 2:1-21)

"And Joshua spared Rahab the harlot, her father’s household, and all that she had. So she dwells in Israel to this day, because she hid the messengers whom Joshua sent to spy out Jericho." (Joshua 6:25)

Overlooking the fact that Rahab lied, the overriding good of saving the people of Israel also saved her and her family. She truly believed in Yahweh for she said "The Lord your God, He is God." So she did what she did out of faith in God. And God honored her faith.

How does Yahweh look upon those who join themselves to Israel? Another good example is found in Ruth, a Gentile from Moab, who gave a rousing speech about the Living God!

"1 Now it came to pass in the days when the judges ruled, that there was a famine in the land. And a certain man of Bethlehemjudah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he, and his wife, and his two sons. And the name of the man was Elimelech, and the name of his wife Naomi, 2 and the name of his two sons Mahlon and Chilion, Ephrathites of Bethlehemjudah. And they came into the country of Moab, and continued there. 2 And Elimelech Naomi's husband died; and she was left, and her two sons. 4And they took them wives of the women of Moab; the name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other Ruth: and they dwelled there about ten years." (Ruth 1:1-4)

"14 And they lifted up their voice, and wept again: and Orpah kissed her mother in law; but Ruth clave unto her. 15 And she said, Behold, thy sister in law is gone back unto her people, and unto her gods: return thou after thy sister in law. 16 And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God:" (Ruth 1:14-16)

The whole book of Ruth is only 4 pages long, and is a fun read. It ends up that Ruth marries Boaz.

Both of these Gentile women who gave up their gods and joined with Israel and worshipped Yahweh the God of Israel, are counted in the lineage of Yeshua. How Israeli can you get? They are in the family line of Jesus Christ!

"5 Salmon begot Boaz by Rahab, Boaz begot Obed by Ruth, Obed begot Jesse," (Matthew 1:5 NKJV)

When Gentile people believe in Jesus the Christ, Yeshua Hamashiach, they are adopted into the family of God and grafted into the olive tree, a figure of Israel, and the vine, a figure of Yeshua. Now "adopted," we become part of the family, as Rahab and Ruth are in the family line of Christ. We become heirs to the inheritance of the promises of God, just like natural born Israelis. God says there is one family, and one law.

CONCLUSION

Yahweh, The Living God, has made believing Christians children of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Israel) by adoption by grafting into the tree. He has said the inheritance will be given to us also, just the same as to the natural born Israelite. God is fair. God is Just. He has one family, and one law.

If this study has blessed you, please see my other studies at www.vigilantvaliant.com.

If you find an error in this study, please inform me at dan@vigilantvaliant.com.

May the Living God guide and bless your studies, and lead you to knowledge of the truth.

Then you will be truly free.

Dan Beeson