Then what advantage has the Jew? Or what is the value of circumcision? Much in every way. To begin with, the Jews were entrusted with the oracles of God.
Based upon Paul’s revelation that Jews and Gentiles are equally accountable to the law, it would be easy to expect Paul to answer his question by stating that there is no value in circumcision and no advantage to being a Jew.* But, this isn’t the case!*
Paul explains that the Jews were entrusted with the oracles of God. What does that mean?
God chose, above all others, the Jewish people to receive His word before anyone else. This great gift came with the responsibility of the covenant of God.* The covenant with God came with promises of blessings if the Jews obeyed God, and promises of cursing if they failed to obey.*
How is this an advantage?
As the first to be presented with the law, they were also the first to be presented with the Christ.
How long did you wait to receive Jesus? Were you the first in your family? Were you the last person you knew to receive the Savior of the world? Imagine how privileged some are to have the opportunity to receive Christ at a young age. How privileged were the Jews to know first how to please and draw close to God?!
The people of Israel were the first to receive the word of God; Christ was the word made flesh. We see because of history that the Jewish people did not always obey the law, and we see that they did not all receive Christ. What about us? What do we do with The Word Made Flesh?
Today, take a step.
Maybe today the one step God wants you to take is to respond to His word. Perhaps today there is something that you need to do in response to Christ. Maybe the thing that seems small that He wants you to do is actually bigger than you think, and He wants you to do it. Perhaps there is some action that He wants you to take to show the world that you are His.
Whatever the step, ask God to direct it. Take a moment to take that step. Invite Him to speak. He will.
Life is a long road. Walk it with Jesus. Take a water break… we all get thirsty.
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*Kruse, C. G. (2012). Paul’s Letter to the Romans (D. A. Carson, Ed.; p. 159-160). William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company; Apollos.
Osborne, G. R. (2004). Romans (pp. 79-80). InterVarsity Press; Moo, D. J. (2000). Romans (pp. 95).
Morris, L. (1988). The Epistle to the Romans (p. 152-154). W.B. Eerdmans; Inter-Varsity Press.
Moo, D. J. (2000). Romans (p. 103). Zondervan Publishing House.