By Michael S. Mecikalski
Israel has been “lo-ammi” (not My people) for some 1900+ years up to the present day and consequently, as a nation, has not been in service concerning the will and purposes of God since being set aside. In the advancing of our understanding of the context of Eph. 1:11, we must remain aware of this fact. In Acts 28:28 Paul proclaims “Be it known therefore unto you, (the nation of Israel, that the salvation of God, (meaning the Deliverer Himself, the One Who mediates salvation, the Lord Christ Jesus), is sent unto the Gentiles, and they will hear it.” (they will receive salvation and the One Who brings it).
A number of truths begin to be revealed as the glorious plan of the Almighty unfolds. One of these truths is introduced by Paul in Eph. 2:11 – 15. Astounding truths about the church of the “musterion” which is His body and which is His fullness have already been revealed in Eph. 1:1 – 2:10. Paul declares in Eph. 2:11 “Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; Vs. 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, (other than becoming a proselyte Jew – my addition), and without God in the world (statements of quite some impact if considered carefully). Vs. 13 “But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.”
If we are good students of the Word, we know that provision was always made for those not of the blood line of Israel if they approached God according to His will. The excellency of the knowledge learned in verse 13 is that the Godhead saw from before the foundation of the world that the blood of Christ would be offered for all regardless of Jewish heritage. There is no foundation whatsoever of any calling or any gifts of grace from God, that stands apart from the acceptable sacrifice of the blood of our kinsman redeemer, Christ Jesus the Lord! Vs. 14 “For He is our peace, Who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; (this directs us into a thorough study of Solomon’s temple); vs. 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.”
to be continued…
