Scattered Infrastructure

Scripture: Now dwelling in Jerusalem were Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven. Acts 2:5

Observation: "Jews" now live in EVERY nation. This is much different than the nation of Israel from the Old Testament, who represented one people group living in one land. While a Jew might live anywhere, they really lived in Israel and Judah, and even more explicitly within their designated land of their tribe. Now they live everywhere, and there are two reasons for this.

First, the two exiles - Israel at the hands of Assyria, and Judah at the hands of Persia - scattered them. When the exiles return after 70 years, that is primarily the tribe of Judah returning to Jerusalem. For others, who are now second and third generation families without roots in the Holy Land, they could have by then be anywhere.

Second, Jews are no longer synonymous with Hebrews. Rather, a Jew is a religion now. This is why Paul will preach in synagogues all over the Mediterranean area. While certainly all Hebrews and Jewish, it would seem not all Jews are Hebrews.

Application: Again I see how God uses every situation for his purposes. Israel rejects God so he punishes them. Five hundred years later, that punishment created the infrastructure that facilitated the Church of Jesus to grow. By scattering Israel and Judah, a network was created that allowed apostles to travel, establish common connections, and introduce Jesus through a common faith in both Jehovah and scriptures that promised a Messiah. We eventually see this play out in Greece, Rome, Spain ... places that believe in Jesus sometimes before an apostle even gets there to teach them ... but also in places like India and Ethiopia.

Again, God uses every situation for his purposes, and it is amazing to see.

Prayer: Dear Lord, I know you are always with us, never forsaking us, and in control of every situation. When things look dark, we know you are the light. May we look to you for that hope, but also may we be patient and trusting as we wait upon your timing. Amen.