20150206 Friday, February 6 2015
Psalm 077: What Are Gentiles Doing In Israel?

by Wayne Blank
See also 1 Year Holy Bible Reading Plan

"Thou hast with thine arm redeemed thy people, the sons of Jacob and Joseph"

The English-language word "gentile" originated from a Latin word, gentilis, which meant origin (the words genesis and genealogy originated from the same root word). It was in principle later combined with the Latin word nativus which also meant origin, but further to describe the nativity (place of birth, being a native of a place) of a people i.e. their "nation."

"Gentile" is used to translate the actual Hebrew word of the Holy Scriptures, pronounced go-ee, which meant nation i.e. people that originated from a common ancestor (the very same way that the people of Israel originated from a man named Israel). Although it literally means any nation, it came to be abbreviated by Israelites from "the other nations" to "the nations" - as though Israel itself was not a "nation."

The true Gospel was not merely later taken to the Gentiles in the time of the apostles. The Gospel originated with the "Gentiles." Abraham was not an Israelite or a Jew (none existed yet in the time of Abraham). Abraham was an Iraqi who would today be regarded as a Gentile by Jews - but Abraham knew and understood the Gospel of the coming Messiah and the Kingdom of God because the promise was plainly and specifically declared to him and his "seed" (see also The LORD's Seed Covenants With The Two Men Of Iraq).

"22:18 And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice." (Genesis 22:18 KJV)

"11:9 By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: 11:10 For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God." (Hebrews 11:9-10 KJV)

Abraham's journey from Iraq to the land of Canaan was completed in two stages. Abraham went first from Iraq to Syria within a larger family group, where part of them remained and settled (see A Biography Of Abraham: The Genealogy Of Abram). Abraham then completed the second part of the journey from Syria to the land of Canaan (see A Biography Of Abraham: From Ur To Canaan).

The tribes of Israel originated from the sons of Jacob, who the LORD later renamed as Israel. The tribal patriarchs, including Judah, were born in Syria, from four Iraqi-Syrian mothers (see A Biography Of Jacob: The Jacobites Of Syria), before "Israel" existed (his name was changed after he left Syria; see A Biography Of Jacob: When Jacob Became Israel). If that family of Jacob existed today in Syria, exactly as it did then, Jews would call them Gentiles.

The other two tribal patriarchs, Ephraim and Manasseh, were actually the sons of Jacob / Israel's son Joseph (who, as explained, was born in Syria, of an Iraqi-Syrian mother, before Jacob even became known as Israel). Ephraim and Manasseh were born in Egypt, of an Egyptian mother, 400 years before the Israelites left Egypt to create a country known as Israel. Jacob adopted his two grandsons, Ephraim and Manasseh, as sons - thereby making them equal to their father and uncles in the family structure (see The Adoption Of Ephraim and Manasseh). But again, if that family of Jacob existed today in Egypt, exactly as it did then, Jews would call them Gentiles.

Most of the world, and Jews themselves (the "lost ten tribes" have even lost sight of themselves; see Israel In History and Prophecy: The Lost Ten Tribes and Israel Never Knew Purim, Hanukkah Or Judaism), have lost sight and awareness of what "gentile" really means - resulting in a very shallow and often-times arrogant view toward the very people from whom "Israel" was created. All because, in effect, "the other gentiles" was abbreviated and changed to "the gentiles."

King David understood that Israel, that was created from all nations, was a prophecy of the Kingdom of God that will be created from all nations (see The Church: Mission Accomplished and What Was The Lesson Of John 3:16?' also What Did The Messiah Say About Gentiles?). David's own grandmother, Ruth, was a "gentile" from Moab (today the Arab Kingdom of Jordan; see Ruth: Building The House Of Israel).

The other writers of the Holy Scriptures all knew it too because they wrote by means of the Holy Spirit - which inspires the whole Truth. They all realized the full and genuine meaning of "Thou hast with thine arm redeemed thy people, the sons of Jacob and Joseph."

"77:1 To the chief Musician, to Jeduthun, A Psalm of Asaph.

I cried unto God with my voice, even unto God with my voice; and he gave ear unto me. 77:2 In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord: my sore ran in the night, and ceased not: my soul refused to be comforted.

77:3 I remembered God, and was troubled: I complained, and my spirit was overwhelmed. Selah.

77:4 Thou holdest mine eyes waking: I am so troubled that I cannot speak. 77:5 I have considered the days of old, the years of ancient times. 77:6 I call to remembrance my song in the night: I commune with mine own heart: and my spirit made diligent search.

77:7 Will the Lord cast off for ever? and will he be favourable no more? 77:8 Is his mercy clean gone for ever? doth his promise fail for evermore? 77:9 Hath God forgotten to be gracious? hath he in anger shut up his tender mercies? Selah.

77:10 And I said, This is my infirmity: but I will remember the years of the right hand of the most High. 77:11 I will remember the works of the LORD: surely I will remember thy wonders of old. 77:12 I will meditate also of all thy work, and talk of thy doings.

77:13 Thy way, O God, is in the sanctuary: who is so great a God as our God? 77:14 Thou art the God that doest wonders: thou hast declared thy strength among the people. 77:15 Thou hast with thine arm redeemed thy people, the sons of Jacob and Joseph. Selah.

77:16 The waters saw thee, O God, the waters saw thee; they were afraid: the depths also were troubled. 77:17 The clouds poured out water: the skies sent out a sound: thine arrows also went abroad. 77:18 The voice of thy thunder was in the heaven: the lightnings lightened the world: the earth trembled and shook. 77:19 Thy way is in the sea, and thy path in the great waters, and thy footsteps are not known.

77:20 Thou leddest thy people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron." (Psalm 77:1-20 KJV)

Fact Finder: Who were the Canaanite mothers of the first Jews?
See The First Jews; see also Jews - Three Tribes and Three Meanings and Israel In History and Prophecy: Israel Of Judah