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Every time God comes to Israel, He is rejected. He gives the law, but Israel does not want this Moses to be king and judge over them. He conquers the land, but Israel doesn't fills the land with shrines to other gods. He is their king, but they reject Him and choose Saul. He gives them the Davidic dynasty, but 10 tribes withdraw from David. He sends prophets like Jeremiah, but they are beaten and thrown into pits and killed.
But the God of Israel doesn't stop. After His servants have been rejected countless times; after He has been rejected time without number, He keeps coming, and will not give up coming. His bride spurns Him and finds other husbands, but He woos her back.
And in the final act of this drama, the resurrection of Jesus, this comes to its climax. Yahweh comes in flesh; Israel's Father comes as Israel's Son, and He is rejected yet again. But the resurrection shows that He will not allow rejection to have the final word. He will not let Israel's rejection stand. He keeps coming back, even after Israel thinks she has done Him in once and for all by killing Him. His love will not let Israel rest; in His love, He will not allow Israel to reject Him forever.
This is great good news, the gospel of God, the gospel that reveals God as He is. The gospel reveals that God is Love. More than that, the gospel reveals God is relentless Love.
posted by Peter J. Leithart on Sunday, April 22, 2007 at 09:02 AM
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