Daily Devotions
Ephesians
"Having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself, one new man from the two, thus making peace."
Text: Ephesians 2:15
A FORMIDABLE WALL
Walls are built up easily enough, but they not easy to destroy. A formidable wall had developed, separating the Jews and Gentiles over centuries marked by enmity. It would take nothing less than the power of the Lord to bring about the destruction of the “middle wall of separation”.
GENTILES WERE IN THE MIND OF GOD
Many wonderful prophecies are found in the book of Isaiah. A good number of them made special mention of the Gentiles. The following text made special reference to both the Messiah and the Gentiles.
“I, the LORD, have called You in righteousness,
and will hold Your hand;
I will keep You and give You as a covenant to the people,
As a light to the Gentiles.”
ISAIAH 42:6
Gentiles were in God’s mind even as He planned the redemption that Christ Jesus would offer. Paul, being a rabbi, would have been very familiar with these prophecies. The prophecies of Isaiah had a very distinct flavour. They were built around the Person and work of the Messiah. The apostle Paul built up and defended a strong Christology. This was evidently and prominently displayed in all his epistles.
NEW WORKS OF GOD PROMISED
In the prophecies of Isaiah, certain phrases were used that pointed to a special work that God would do through the redemption in Christ. Let us consider the following texts.
“Behold, the former things have come to pass,
And new things I declare;
Before they spring forth I tell you of them.”
ISAIAH 42:9Do not remember the former things,
Nor consider the things of old,
Behold, I will do a new thing.
Now it shall spring forth;
Shall you not know it?”
ISAIAH 43:18-19
OLD WAYS REJECTED
Ancient Israel had grown accustomed to think that God was not into doing anything new after He had given to His people the land and His laws. Through such unwise and unfruitful patterns of thought, Israel went into “perpetual backsliding”. They found themselves in a quagmire of offering worship that involved elaborate rituals but were spiritually meaningless. This form of worship was totally by the Law. The following text bears witness of this solemn truth.
“Bring no more futile sacrifices;
Incense is an abomination to Me,
The New Moons, the Sabbaths, and the calling of assemblies-
I cannot endure iniquity and the sacred meeting.”
ISAIAH 1:13