Feb 1987 - Editorial

"What advantage then hath the Jew? ... first of all, that they were intrusted with the oracles of God" (Rom. 3:1,2). The primary privilege and responsibility of God's people Israel were concerning the Word of the Lord. From Sinai's awesome summit came a unique code of divinely ordained statutes - "written with the finger of God". The national commitment, "all that the Lord hath spoken will we do, and be obedient" was solemn and binding in God's eyes. It proved, sadly, to be less so in the conduct and experience of the nation; and the tragic consequences are a matter of sacred and secular history. Part of the latter is referred to by Focus in this issue, and we are brought close up4odate with events which represent a remarkable stage in the ecumenism of approaching end times.

This is something distinctly challenging to the people of God today. As the main study article this month shows, God's ancient purposes were centred in a separated nation. It has been consistently taught in this magazine that such is still the divine purpose today; a purpose centred in an elect race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation (1 Pet. 2:9). It is a challenge which can only be met in our day by the same level of commitment which Israel promised to the "all that the Lord hath spoken".

We recall the strong resolve of princes of God's people such as Nehemiah and Ezra when "the ears of all the people were attentive unto the book of the law" (Neh. 8:3); and Paul's clear injunction to Timothy, "Hold the pattern of sound words" (2 Tim. 1:13).

unknown | Feb 1987
Editorial