DAY 4

Israel Is My Son

“Then you shall say to Pharaoh, ‘Thus says the LORD: “Israel is My son, My firstborn. So I say to you, let My son go that he may serve Me. But if you refuse to let him go, indeed I will kill your son, your firstborn.” ’ ” Exodus 4:22-23 NKJV

God declares that Israel is His firstborn son. At that time, the sons of Jacob had multiplied to form a nation. God states that He is the Father of the nation of Israel. He does not speak about an individual but a people. Nevertheless, His fatherly relationship with such a large group is neither impersonal nor aloof. God draws a parallel between His firstborn son and Pharaoh’s firstborn son.

As a father takes on the neighborhood bully because he cannot let his children suffer another abuse, God takes on Pharaoh. He does not tolerate crimes against His son (the sons of Jacob) any longer. He rises against the shedding of innocent blood. He puts a stop to the murderous politics of the king of Egypt. He says: “No more genocide! No more slaughtering of My firstborn son – the descendants of My friend Abraham! If you keep doing this, I will kill your firstborn son! You will experience what I feel when you mistreat them!”

Pharaoh had to face God’s wrath when he touched Israel. What happens to Israel is very personal to God. It’s not business; it’s family! God stands to defend and protect His firstborn son.

Prayer

Our Father,

We bless Your Holy Name. We praise You for Your fatherly love for the nation of Israel. We thank You for rising and defending Your firstborn son. Thank you for contending with those who bullied Your people. You are a good Father to Israel.

We pray for the Body of Messiah to embrace Israel as God’s firstborn son and acknowledge that no one can take his place. We pray that the worldwide Church will admit that she is a branch – not the root –grafted into the Olive Tree of Israel.

We pray for the Church to stand with the children of Israel and not against them. We pray for believers worldwide to align with God’s will for the Jewish people. We pray that the Body of Christ will stand firm against any form of antisemitism.

In the Name of Jesus. Amen