+DEV+ By Grace: Life Out of Death [11 of 27]

Date: March 21, 2013 10:41 PM
Topic: +DEV+  By Grace: Life Out of Death [11 of 27]

By Grace: Life Out of Death [11 of 27]

"In days to come Jacob will take root, Israel will bud and blossom and fill all the world with fruit." (Isaiah 27:6)
Scripture Focus: Isaiah 27:2-11; Romans 11

In Numbers 16 and 17, Aaron's role as High Priest was challenged. Moses took the rod of the leaders of each tribe into the Tent of Meeting. There, God did this to end discussion: "Aaron's staff, which represented the house of Levi, had not only sprouted but had budded, blossomed and produced almonds" (Numbers 17:8). The LORD brought life out of death. In our verse today, we see that Jacob - Israel - will one day blossom and bear fruit, just like Aaron's rod.

The whole world is the LORD's vineyard. The people of God - Israel - will cover the entire earth, as Gentiles and Jews together - Christ's Church - celebrate their common ancestry in Abraham and the Patriarchs. How is this to be? God will again bring life out of death. How? We have the answer in vs. 9: "By this, then, will Jacob's guilt be atoned for, and this will be the full fruitage of the removal of his sin." God will not pay back His people for what they deserve. Instead, by grace, their sins are atoned for in Christ, who brings life out of death.

Insight: God's grace is not merely "unmerited favor." It is God's decision and act to give His people the exact opposite of what we deserve.




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