The Dispensation of the Jews or Israel: A Journey Through God’s Redemptive Plan
The history of Israel in the Scriptures is far more than a collection of ancient events; it is the unfolding of God’s redemptive plan for all humanity, a plan that has deep implications not only for the Jewish people but also for the entirety of creation. The Dispensation of the Jews or Israel, which spans from the call of Abraham to the anticipated Second Advent of Christ, marks a crucial period in God’s relationship with humanity. During this time, God revealed His covenant promises, established a nation through which salvation would come, and unfolded the mysteries of His eternal purpose through a people He chose as His own. Through Israel, we are given a glimpse into God’s heart, His justice, His mercy, and ultimately, His plan of salvation for the world.
The Foundations of the Dispensation: From Abraham to the Nation of Israel
The Dispensation of the Jews or Israel begins with the pivotal moment in Genesis 12 when God calls Abraham. It is in this moment that the foundation is laid for all that follows in the history of Israel. God’s call to Abraham is not just a call to an individual; it is a call that echoes through history, one that establishes Israel as the key player in God’s redemptive plan.
God’s promises to Abraham in Genesis 12:1-3 are profound and far-reaching. He promises to make Abraham the father of a great nation, to bless him, and through him, to bless all the families of the earth. This promise is the cornerstone of God’s plan for Israel, and from it flows a narrative of covenant promises, faithfulness, disobedience, discipline, and hope. Through Abraham, the nation of Israel would be born, and through Israel, the world would be introduced to the Messiah, Jesus Christ.
The Patriarchs: Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and the Twelve Tribes
The era of the Patriarchs – Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and their descendants – is foundational in the Dispensation of the Jews. During this period, God establishes the covenant with Abraham and confirms it with his son Isaac and grandson Jacob, who would later be renamed Israel. The twelve sons of Jacob become the heads of the twelve tribes of Israel, and God’s promise to Abraham is passed down through the generations.
The lives of the Patriarchs are marked by both triumphs of faith and failures of obedience, yet through it all, God remains faithful to His covenant promises. Abraham’s faith is especially noteworthy in his willingness to obey God when asked to sacrifice his son Isaac, a test that ultimately demonstrates his trust in God’s provision. Through this act, we see a glimpse of the faith required for the coming of Christ, who would be offered as the ultimate sacrifice for the sins of the world.
The Law: From Moses to the Mosaic Covenant
The giving of the Law through Moses marks a pivotal turning point in the Dispensation of the Jews. The Israelites’ time in Egypt, under the oppressive rule of Pharaoh, serves as a backdrop for God’s mighty acts of deliverance. In Exodus 3, God calls Moses to lead the Israelites out of Egypt and into the Promised Land. The Exodus itself is a profound act of salvation, echoing the redemption that would later be found in Christ. It’s here that we witness God’s power, His justice, and His mercy in action.
Once out of Egypt, God establishes the Mosaic Law on Mount Sinai (Exodus 19-24), providing the Israelites with a comprehensive set of commandments and instructions for holy living. The Law governs every aspect of Israel’s life – moral, ceremonial, and civil – and establishes a covenant between God and the people of Israel. The Ten Commandments serve as the moral foundation, setting the standard for righteousness. Meanwhile, the sacrificial system and ceremonial laws foreshadow the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
The Mosaic Law was not a means of salvation in itself, but a guide to living in right relationship with God. Through the Law, God’s holiness was revealed, and the people of Israel were taught the importance of obedience, repentance, and the need for atonement. However, the Law also exposed humanity’s inability to fully keep God’s commands, pointing forward to the coming of a Savior who would fulfill the law perfectly on behalf of humanity.
The Prophets: Foretelling the Messiah and Calling for Repentance
As the nation of Israel settles into the Promised Land, the prophets rise up to call the people back to God when they stray. The books of the Prophets are filled with messages of judgment for sin, but also with promises of hope and restoration. The prophets call Israel to repentance, emphasizing the need for a restored relationship with God, a relationship that is both inward and outward, grounded in faith and obedience.
But even more significantly, the prophets point to the coming of the Messiah. The Messianic prophecies, found throughout the Old Testament, foretell the arrival of a Savior who will bring peace, justice, and salvation to Israel. Isaiah 53 gives one of the clearest depictions of the suffering servant, whose death will bring healing to Israel and, by extension, to the entire world. These prophecies laid the foundation for the coming of Jesus Christ, the fulfillment of all God’s promises.
The Tribulation and the Second Advent: The Future of Israel
The final chapter of the Dispensation of the Jews, as outlined in the Scriptures, looks to the future. In Matthew 24, Jesus speaks of the coming tribulation, a period of great suffering for Israel and the world, leading up to His return. This period will be characterized by Israel’s trials, but it will culminate in the Second Advent of Jesus Christ. Jesus will return to earth to establish His kingdom and reign as King, fulfilling the promises made in the Davidic Covenant, where God promised an everlasting throne for David’s descendants.
The tribulation period is also a time of reckoning for the Jewish people, as they are called to recognize Jesus as the true Messiah. Zechariah 12:10 speaks of a time when the people of Israel will look upon Jesus, whom they pierced, and mourn for Him as the one whom they rejected. This marks the moment when Israel’s spiritual blindness will be removed, and they will embrace the fulfillment of God’s covenant promises in Christ.
At the Second Advent, Jesus will reign over Israel and the entire world as King. The Davidic Covenant will be fully realized, as Jesus, the descendant of David, assumes the throne of His Father David. This reign will be characterized by peace, justice, and righteousness, fulfilling the long-awaited hopes of the Jewish people.
Characteristics of the Dispensation of the Jews
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Length of Age: The Dispensation of the Jews spans approximately 2,000 years, from the call of Abraham to the anticipated return of Christ. This lengthy period encompasses the rise and fall of Israel as a nation, the establishment of the Law, the giving of the Prophets, and the fulfillment of God’s redemptive plan through Jesus.
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Means of Salvation: Throughout this dispensation, salvation has always been through faith in God’s promises. From Abraham’s faith (Genesis 15:6) to the ultimate fulfillment in Christ, salvation was always based on faith. Hebrews 11 highlights the heroes of the faith in Israel’s history, demonstrating that it is not by works but by faith that the promises of God are received.
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The Law and Priesthood: The Mosaic Law, given to Moses, served as the moral, ceremonial, and civil code for Israel. This law was upheld by the Levitical priesthood, which offered sacrifices and interceded for the people’s sins. While the Law was good, it pointed forward to Christ, who would fulfill the Law and offer the perfect sacrifice once and for all.
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Major Judgments and Discipline: The Dispensation of the Jews is marked by both God’s faithfulness and His discipline. When Israel disobeyed God, they faced consequences, including foreign domination (e.g., Babylonian exile, Roman rule) and destruction of their temple. Yet, even in discipline, God’s mercy is evident as He always preserves a remnant for His purpose.
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Prophetic Fulfillment in Jesus Christ: The ultimate fulfillment of the promises made to Israel comes through Jesus Christ. The Abrahamic, Davidic, Palestinian, and New Covenants are all fulfilled in Christ, and through His death, burial, and resurrection, the foundation for Israel’s spiritual renewal is laid.