In John chapter 4 Yahshua tells the woman at the well that salvation is of the Jews. At first blush that sounds rather condescending but let’s try to understand why He said that and what He meant.
First, we’ll need to define the word “Jew” as it’s used here. This word can be used in a wide variety of ways. Sometimes the word Jew is used to refer to descendants of the tribe of Judah and sometimes it is used to refer to all of the tribes of Israel. Actually, the Hebrew word is closer to “Yehuda” in the singular and “Yehudim” in the plural usage.
Sometimes it can be used to identify true worshippers as used in Romans 2 and Revelation 2. Sometimes in modern usage it can be used to describe secular people who still try to identify as descendants of the ancient nation of Israel.
Let’s do some research and see where the scriptures take us.
In the psychic world a medium connects people to the spirit world as the woman of En-dor did when she raised Samuel from the dead. That’s not a good thing, but as children of the Most High we need a medium or mediator to take us into the Holy Spirit realm.
There was a time when YHVH spoke directly to the nation of Israel without a mediator. They were given three days warning to prepare for the event which was accompanied with lightening, thunder, and earthquakes.
I suspect most of the people didn’t fully comprehend the message that day because of the intensity of the delivery. Actually, they recognized that they needed a mediator and since Moses was standing nearby with nothing else to do, they asked him to go hear what YHVH had to say and then relay the message.
At that point, YHVH said “they have well said all that they have spoken.” So, He approved of this plan to communicate through a mediator and dozens of times in the Torah we read, “And YHVH spake unto Moses, saying, speak unto the children of Israel……” So, Moses was the mediator of the Old Covenant.
Eventually Moses’ family, the Levites became a whole tribe of mediators. But what YHVH had in mind all along was a nation of mediators.
Psalm 147:19 & 20 says “He showed His word unto Jacob, His statutes and His judgments to Israel. He hath not dealt so with any other nation: as for His judgements they have not known them. Halleluyah.”
So, for what purpose did he reveal His statutes to this nation of people?
Abraham was told that his descendants would be a blessing to all the nations of the earth and it was Abrahams’ obedience to the statutes, judgements and laws that opened this door. Gen. 22:18 & Gen. 26:5
In spite of the frequent dysfunction of the individuals comprising this chosen nation they have indeed been a blessing to the rest of the world.
Consider Joseph who was sold into Egypt by his brothers but went on to be a light to Pharoah as well as the whole nation of Egypt before he was reunited with his family. Let’s not forget Daniel who was made an eunuch and taken into captivity as a young boy because of the sins of his forefathers. To everyone’s surprise he was a shining light to Nebuchadnezzar who eventually came to repentance and acknowledged that Daniel’s God was the living One.
Another case in point is the story of Naaman’s little servant girl. It appears she was forcefully taken from her home and family at a very young age and forced to serve foreign people in a strange land. But in that dark place this young girl had empathy for her leprous captor and was persuasive enough to convince him that there truly was a prophet in Israel. For her to be such an influential communicator she must have had a profound experience at a very young age.
This reminds me of Zechariah’s prophecy in chapter 8 where we’re told that the day will come when 10 men will take hold of the skirt of him that is a Jew, saying, "we will go with you: for we have heard that Elohim is with you.”
It’s very significant to know that the Old Covenant was made with Israel, but even more significant that the New Covenant is also made with Israel.
Jeremiah speaks of a nation that’s no longer divided, but a reunited and functional family of Judah and Israel.
We’ve all heard the quote from Psalm 22 which says (He) inhabits the praises of His people. But it doesn’t say that. It says He inhabits the praises of Israel. Why is that difficult to say?
The Apostle Paul spoke inclusively of the Gentile Corinthians when he said “our fathers were under the cloud and passed through the sea.” We read that the letter of 1st Peter is written to the sojourners of the dispersion scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia. Who does this diaspora consist of? James makes it clear in his letter which is to the twelve tribes scattered abroad.
Now why are we reading other people’s mail? Come to think of it, Peter says we are a chosen generation, a holy nation. What purpose does this holy nation have? To go and teach all the other nations, baptizing them and teaching them all things that Yahshua commanded them.
What did He teach? For one thing He taught that salvation is of the Jews.
Today there are many people who say they are Jews but they are not, which is problematic. However, I suspect today there are multitudes of people who say they are not Jews who actually are some of Rebecca’s “thousands of millions.” Keep in mind Zechariah said that “many nations shall be joined to YHVH in that day” and Isaiah prophesied that Egypt and Assyria will be a blessing with Israel in the land.
So, what advantage has the Jew, or what profit is there of circumcision? Much in every way: chiefly because that unto them were committed the divine oracles of YHVH. - Rom. 3:1 & 2
Some people claim that they don’t need a teacher or mentor. They consider themselves to be self-taught, but as far as myself, I have no way of proving I have ever had an original thought. The vast majority of what I know today has come to me from apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors or teachers.
But you might say that you don’t know of any prophets. Well, you’d better find one because that’s who’s going to reveal the secrets of YHVH to you. If prophets are one in a million then there would be 7,000 of them in the world today.
There is a Chinese proverb that says “When the student is ready the teacher appears” which reminds me of the Ethiopian eunuch who needed a man to show him a revelation of Messiah and then Phillip showed up to do just that. Even the Apostle Paul had to wait for Ananias to come lay hands on him and pray for him and then to receive his baptism and regain his eyesight before his ministry began.
Passionate people pursue their mentors. Yahshua the son of Nun followed hard after Moses. Elisha pursued his mentor until Eliyah was taken up in a whirlwind. Ruth wholeheartedly pursued Naomi with no promise of a better life. Then she pursued Boaz at the risk of being refused.
As far as mentors go, I would say everything I’ve learned has come to me from an imperfect teacher, except what I received as direct revelation from heaven, which is subject to my imperfect interpretation. But an imperfect mentor can point you to the perfect Mentor/ Mediator / Messiah who is most worthy of our pursuit.
Nicodemus pursued his Teacher in the dark of night while the woman with the issue of blood pursued her Healer in broad daylight in the midst of a crowd. Nathaniel was drawn to his Master like a moth to a flame. Peter said “to whom shall we go, You have the words of eternal life.” Not long after that when Peter was “converted” a whole group of people pursued him and asked, “what must we do to be saved?”
This level of evangelism has become ancient history today, for two reasons. Lack of quality mentors and lack of dedicated students.
But if there was a former rain, I’m convinced there will be a latter rain. Since there was a first fruit harvest, I’m confident there will be a final harvest of souls as well because He promised to perform the truth to Jacob and the mercy to Abraham, which he as sworn unto our fathers from the days of old. After all, they that are the Messiah’s are Abraham’s seed and heirs according to the promise.
So when the synthesis of the everlasting gospel and everlasting covenant is fully revealed we will be His people and He will be our Elohim. As surely as He is the God of Israel, we are the Israel of God.
Gal. 6:16 - Peace and mercy to all who follow this rule—to the Israel of God.