Joseph Shulam @2024
God has promised the father of the Jewish people that his seed will be like the sand in the Ocean and like the stars in the sky. Throughout the history of the Jewish people, we see a nation struggling to survive. It seems unreasonable to believe that the Jewish nation will ever become, as a national entity, like the sand of the sea or the stars of the sky.
How, then, is this promise of God to be understood?
What is the relationship of these promises to the fathers with the concept of the 8th-century prophets?
What is the significance of the REMNANT principle for Israel and the church today?
These are some of the questions that, with God's help, we will attempt to deal with in this document.
The remnant principle.
The Bible never presents the idea of God's election as purely genetic.
The story of Noah and his family is the most extraordinary story of a REMNANT God preserved. We can learn a lot about the REMNANT from Noah's story.
Abraham had seven sons (I Chro. 1:28,32). Only Isaac was the son of promise. Isaac was the remnant not only because he was promised but also because he was faithful and proved his faithfulness by willingly putting his life on the altar.
Twelve sons of Jacob survived, but only Judah was the forefather of the Messiah.
Six hundred thousand strong came out of Egypt, but only two entered the land of Israel.
We could go on with a long list of events and personalities that prove that the masses of people, even of the elect people, did not live up to God's expectations, and God chose for himself a particular remnant that proved that they were able to follow Him.
The remnants of all generations are not found amongst the elite. They are proven by fire, a group of people who are faithful to the Creator. People did not become a part of the remnant because of pedigree or riches. They carried the yoke of God on their shoulders. God recognized their faithfulness and honored it by preserving them from the punishment and destruction that the majority of the nation experienced.
The promises of God and the REMNANT principle.
Isa 10:22: "Though your people, O Israel, be like the sand by the sea, only a remnant will return. Destruction has been decreed, overwhelming, and righteous."
This verse deals with one of the most complicated theological problems: Did God know that only a remnant would be faithful? If He did know, what was the point of making such national promises when He knew that the nation as a whole would not be able to do His will?
The will of God has always been that none should perish but that all should have everlasting life. Amos 5:15 says, "Hate evil, love good; maintain justice in the courts. Perhaps the LORD God Almighty will have mercy on the remnant of Joseph."
God has always known that there are two roads. The road that leads to life is narrow, and only some walk on it. The world is designed as a testing ground for humanity. The Lord wants to see who can run through the hurdles of faith. That is why the Torah has both blessings and curses - the choice is given to all humanity to walk in the ways of the Lord or to receive the terrible curses that He has put on those who live in rebellion. If the nation of Israel has repeatedly rebelled against God, they could only expect the fulfillment of his word, which would include the punishment that He has promised.
The reward of those who walk in God's ways is also a promise.
Isa 28:5: "In that day the LORD Almighty will be a glorious crown, a beautiful wreath for the remnant of his people."
Zech 8:12, "The seed will grow well, the vine will yield its fruit, the ground will produce its crops, and the heavens will drop their dew. I will give all these things as an inheritance to the remnant of these people."
Here is a collection of passages about the remnant that will open a new understanding of the concept:
Gen 45:7: "But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance."
This verse, taken from the story of Joseph and his brothers, looks into the providential steps that brought Joseph to his position in Egypt. In that light, we must understand his life and struggle.
2 Kings 19:30: "Once more a remnant of the house of Judah will take root below and bear fruit above."
The key to understanding this passage is to "take root below." This phrase implies a burial and suffering so there can be fruit above all else.
2 Kings 19:31: "For out of Jerusalem will come a remnant, and out of Mount Zion a band of survivors. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this."
2 Chronicles 34:21: "Go and inquire of the LORD for me and for the remnant in Israel and Judah about what is written in this book that has been found. Great is the Lord's anger that is poured out on us because our fathers have not kept the word of the LORD; they have not acted in accordance with all that is written in this book."
A remnant of Israel has always existed., although at times, like in the story of Elijah, it is not very visible.
Ezra 9:13: "What has happened to us is a result of our evil deeds and our great guilt, and yet, our God, you have punished us less than our sins have deserved and have given us a remnant like this.
The remnant is also an act of God's grace. It does not deserve salvation, but by God's full grace, the remnant is preserved.
Ezra 9:15: "O LORD, God of Israel, you are righteous! We are left to this day as a remnant. Here we are before you in our guilt, though because of it, not one of us can stand in your presence."
The Vindication of the Remnant will surely come.
Isaiah 10:20 - 22: "In that day the remnant of Israel, the survivors of the house of Jacob, will no longer rely on him who struck them down but will truly rely on the LORD, the Holy One of Israel. A remnant will return; a remnant of Jacob will return to the Mighty God. Though your people, O Israel, be like the sand by the sea, only a remnant will return. Destruction has been decreed, overwhelming, and righteous."
Isaiah 11:16: "There will be a highway for the remnant of his people that is left from Assyria, as there was for Israel when they came up from Egypt."
God's promises will be fulfilled, and His word will not return void.
Isaiah 28:5: "In that day the LORD Almighty will be a glorious crown, a beautiful wreath for the remnant of His people."
Isaiah 37:32: "For out of Jerusalem will come a remnant, and out of Mount Zion a band of survivors. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this."
How will this fulfillment take place? Look at the verbs that describe the process in these passages.
Jeremiah 6:9: "This is what the LORD Almighty says: "Let them glean the remnant of Israel as thoroughly as avine; pass your hand over the branches again, like one gathering grapes."
Jeremiah 23:3, "I myself will gather the remnant of my flock out of all the countries where I have driven them and will bring them back to their pasture, where they will be fruitful and increase in number."
What will the results be from that remnant?
Jeremiah 31:7: "This is what the LORD says: "Sing with joy for Jacob; shout for the foremost of the nations. Make your praises heard, and say,' O LORD, save your people, the remnant of Israel."
Can there also be a remnant from among the nations?
Amos 9:12, "So that they may possess the remnant of Edom (Adam -Men) and all the nations that bear my name," declares the LORD, who will do these things."
Micah 2:12: "I will surely gather all of you, O Jacob; I will surely bring together the remnant of Israel. I will bring them together like sheep in a pen, like a flock in its pasture; the place will throng with people." "I will make the lame a remnant, those driven away a strong nation. The LORD will rule over them in Mount Zion from that day and forever."
Acts 15:17: "That the remnant of men may seek the Lord and all the Gentiles who bear my name, says the Lord, who does these things."
Micah 5:7,8: "The remnant of Jacob will be in the midst of many peoples like dew from the LORD, like showers on the grass, which do not wait for man or linger for mankind. The remnant of Jacob will be among the nations, in the midst of many peoples, like a lion among the beasts of the forest, like a young lion among flocks of sheep, which mauls and mangles as it goes, and no one can rescue."
How can we become a part of the remnant of God's people?
Micah 7:18: "Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy."
Zechariah 8:6: "This is what the LORD Almighty says: 'It may seem marvelous to the remnant of this people at that time, but will it seem marvelous to me?' declares the LORD Almighty. "
What about the Jewish unbelievers? Are they the remnant of God's people?
Yes! "Isaiah cries out concerning Israel: "Though the number of the Israelites be like the sand by the sea, only the remnant will be saved. " (Romans 9:27)
Romans 11:5: "So too, at the present time, there is a remnant chosen by grace."
Thought provoking and hard hitting.