The Concept that God Empowers His People for a Destiny
Meaning
Because of the fallen world, where humanity in disobedience and revolt lives at enmity with God, Israel lived in a world where sin and evil were present. However, they were called to set themselves apart as a special people, chosen and holy to the Lord. Their mission entailed a ministry to all the world, to tell others about the living God of Israel, who is the God of the universe as well as the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. They were the chosen ones, empowered by God to carry out a unique destiny upon the earth. They were called to serve as a nation of priests to reveal the true and living God of Israel, the God of Abraham, Issac and Jacob to the rest of the world. A world that did not know God. This role as priests to the world, would also help prepare the world for the coming of the Messiah who is Jesus Christ our Lord.
But they fell into sin and idolatry and as a result, the sinfulness of God’s chosen ones, the descendents of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, ushered in the same disharmonies as those experienced by the first inhabitants of God’s good earth during the fall. Moreover, because Israel became preoccupied with its own burdens it was not free to minister to the needs of others, nor to carry out their ministry as a nation of priests to tell the world about God. However, God’s atonement was designed by Him to empower Israel to fulfill their mission. The atonement of God covered their sins and allowed them the ability to become the blessing they were called to be. This meant that Israel, who was freed from their burdens by the atoning acts of God, would now be free to fulfill their divine mission to be a blessing to the rest of the world. A blessing that would lead to the coming of the Messiah and Jesus’ victory over sin and death.
And the same is true for all Christians today, we are empowered by the Holy Spirit, to carry out God’s work of proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus to a lost and dying world. And we are doing so by submitting to the guidance of the Holy Spirit on a daily basis as we prepare ourselves through the regular reading and studying of God’s word, the Bible.
“And he shall do with the bull as he did with the bull as a sin offering; thus he shall do with it. So the priest shall make atonement for them, and it shall be forgiven them.” (Leviticus 4:20)
“And he shall burn all its fat on the altar, like the fat of the sacrifice of the peace offering. So the priest shall make atonement for him concerning his sin, and it shall be forgiven him.” (Leviticus 4:26)
“‘A new covenant,’ He has made the first obsolete. Now what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away.” (Hebrews 8:13)
“Then indeed, even the first covenant had ordinances of divine service and the earthly sanctuary. For a tabernacle was prepared: the first part, in which was the lampstand, the table, and the showbread, which is called the sanctuary; and behind the second veil, the part of the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of All.” (Hebrews 9:1-2)
“And every priest stands ministering daily and offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God, from that time waiting till His enemies are made His footstool. For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified.” (Hebrews 10:11-14)