Dr. Barclay with Something to Think About - HEBREWS

 

HEBREWS*

It has often been said that the Hebrews were the chosen people of God. This apparently in spite of that nation being relatively small and insignificant compared to other peoples. God had seemingly chosen this group of people regardless of their place and position among the nations of the world. 

Perhaps this is due to His concern for the underdog and for His lack of concern for the ideals of man, but maybe there is more to this than, at first, is evident. Perhaps it has something to do with what Hebrew means and how that may relate to us.

Apparently, the Hebrew word for Hebrew is “ivar” from the root word “afar” which means “cross over.” And it was the Hebrews who crossed over the Jordan River after their journey from Egypt into the promised land.

And Joshua said to the people,”Sanctify yourselves, 

for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you…

and as those who bore the ark came to the Jordan…

the waters that came down from upstream stood still…

Then the priest who bore the ark of the covenant…

stood firm on dry ground in the midst of the Jordan, 

and all Israel crossed over on dry ground… 

(Joshua 3:5,15-17)

In a similar manner, the Hebrews crossed over the Red Sea in their journey from Egypt, and so in a way their history is one of crossing from one country to another to reach the land  promised to them. In addition, it was only those who had the faith to follow and to cross over on dry land that actually arrived in the promised land.

The most promised Hebrew of all, of course, was Christ. He crossed over from death to life and thus became the prototype of all who wish to cross over from darkness to light and so to enter the land promised to all who have the faith and willingness to follow Him. Based on this, we who do such are all Hebrews in the sense that we have been crossed over with Him into a new life.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, 

he is a new creation; 

old things have passed away; 

behold, all things have become new.

(2 Corinithians 5:17) 

In essence, this is what being born again really means: having the faith and willingness  to follow Christ from the country one is presently in to a new land. And although there may be some trepidation in taking the journey, it’s always on dry land as this world’s difficulties are all held back by “the Lord [who does] wonders.”

It’s really no wonder then that God chose the Hebrews as His chosen people. After all, they are the only ones who have chosen to cross over and follow Him into the promised land and in so doing become born again. The question is: Are you a Hebrew or not?

It is something to think about.

*Based in part on The Ivrim from The Book of Mysteries by Jonathan Cahn