This is “How do we Know if we Have been Chosen to be in Covenant with God?” It is the 23rd parshah/reading of our 3-year Torah Reading Cycle. It’s found in Genesis or Bereshit, 25:1-26:11. It’s a longer reading than most in the 3-year reading cycle. But because the topic content I want to discuss with you today is primarily contained in only a portion of our reading, we’ll only be referencing those verses. So fear not beloved. We will make every effort to be focused on our topic for today.

 

And as in our previous STAR discussions, I’ll be referencing Robert Alter’s translation of the passage, from his “The Five Books of Moses” publication.

 

Now: This week’s Torah Reading basically consists of 5 parts or separate stories:

 

1. It documents Avraham’s latter years where he marries Keturah and has six children through her. And let’s not forget that Avraham at that time was well over 140-years of age.

 

This portion of the reading goes on to mention Avraham’s conferring his wealth to Yitschaq his son: Yitschaq being the “son of promise;” the chosen one to perpetuate the covenant Yah made with Avraham. And the text makes sure we the reader knows the names and numbers of Avraham’s biological descendants, in great part to show that of the 8-children Avraham sired through Sarah, Hagar and Keturah, only one was chosen to perpetuate the covenant that Yah established with daddy Avraham.

 

And finally, this part of the reading briefly mentions the death of Avraham. Avraham was buried next to his wife Sarah, in the cave of Machpelah (25:1-11). And he died at the ripe old age of 175. What a life he lived, heh?

 

2. Moshe provides a lineage of Ishma’el (25:12-18).

 

3. Then we get into the story of the birth of Ya’achov and Esau, the sons of Rivkah (Rebecca) and Yitschaq (25:19-23).

 

4. The exchanging of the birthright from Esau to Ya’achov (Jacob) over a bowl of lintel stew, popularly referred to as Esau despising his birthright (25:24-34).

 

5. A second famine hits the Land of Canaan and Yitschaq relocates His family to Gerar where he has a slight run-in with Abimelech, king of Gerar/Philistines. (You may recall him from Avraham’s days, as recorded in chapter 20). It is here that Yah affirms to Yitschaq that he was chosen to perpetuate the covenant He’d made with His father Avraham (26:1-13).

 

Now, we won’t be examining this reading as we’ve done with other readings, where we do a verse-by-verse exposition of the reading and such. But for today, our focus passages will be 25:19-23 and portions of 26:1-13.

 

Our primary theme of focus will be on the essential concept of Yah’s sovereign providence, part of which has to do with Yah choosing those with whom He will be in covenant with.

 

Now, we teach, discuss and preach covenant quite a bit on this platform: the importance of covenant; the power of covenant; the blessings of covenant; the workings of covenant; even how to function and operate in covenant. But there is one aspect of covenant that we’ve not discussed, at least not here on this program. And that has to do with Yah establishing or determining who He will be in covenant with. Some call this concept “predestination,” a term Shaul used in some of his letters to the assemblies he oversaw, to describe the status or state of those who come into a true covenant relationship with Yah.

 

When I was meditating on this Reading early this week, seeking Yah’s direction on what He wanted me to glean the most from it, it was this essential concept of predestination—chosen status—that Father emphasized to me through His Ruach. And I’m so blessed to share this with you here today.

 

The Role of Torah in Revealing Yah’s Sovereign Providence

 

Among a great many things, Torah serves as a record and example of how covenant works as well as expressing covenant’s ultimate purpose.

 

How covenant works from the perspective of what’s involved in Yah entering into a covenant relationship with His chosen ones.

 

Covenant’s ultimate purpose from the perspective of Torah expressing the purpose of covenant. The bigger, 40,000 foot picture view of covenant being Yah’s Plan of Salvation, Restoration and Redemption for His human creation. We often view Torah only from a personal perspective and that’s generally fine. However, Yah’s overall purpose for covenant is to facilitate the bringing of many sons and daughters into the Kingdom; providing a pathway to salvation.

 

The Torah concept of covenant cannot be truly understood without first gaining an understanding of Yah’s Providence and Will. We may have our own personal agendas as it relates to our coming into covenant relationship with the Almighty. However, there can be no covenant relationship unless Yah wills it to be. That it fits into His divine Plan.

 

Covenant only operates within the framework of Yah’s divine providence. In other words, despite “all the best laid plans of mice and men” so to speak, it is Yah’s providence that dictates covenant. That dictates the terms of any and all covenants. That creates and maintains covenants. And Torah clearly reveals this Truth to us.

 

Contrary to the pride and error-ridden understanding of so many, human endeavors (aka, acts; plans; agendas; thinking; concerns; even that which they believe to be works to help Yah out) have no direct impact on Yah’s sovereign providence. Our best efforts, whether good, bad or indifferent, do not influence Yah’s sovereign providence. It is what it is. And again, our Torah Reading in many ways bears this Truth out.

 

Ya’achov was not chosen because he was a better person than Esau. For certainly we clearly see in our Torah reading that he had a “trickster” or “deceptive” heart, which we will see, comes back to bite him in his behind in the next Torah reading.

 

Ya’achov was chosen by Yah because of Yah’s sovereign providence, or what Messianic author and commentator Tim Hegg describes as “God’s mysterious providence.” And Ya’achov’s choosing was established well before his birth. How long before his birth? Possibly before the foundations of the earth were laid by our fearsome and powerful Elohim.

 

Yah’s Providence Defined

 

Providence (Gr. “Pronoia”) is defined in Fausset’s Bible Dictionary as simply “forethought.” The term is used only once in the so-called authorized English versions of the Bible in Acts 24:2.

 

When we refer to the topic of “Yah’s Providence,” what we’re really talking about is Yah’s omnipotence. Yah’s power. His supremacy and to a lesser extent, Yah’s uncontested sovereignty. And it is Yah’s providence that oversees all elements and workings of His creation. In every respect, Yah’s providence may be viewed as a “universal constant,” especially in the hearts and minds of Yah’s elect.

 

Nothing escapes Yah’s providence. Nothing is too small as it relates to His providence (e.g., a sparrows fall), although His providence does give greater value and attention to certain elements of His creation such as those who are His chosen ones:

 

“And not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before Yah? But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: Ye are of more value than many sparrows” (Luk. 12:6-7; KJV modified).

 

And so we find revealed in this passage the Truth of Yah’s providence having an element of love and caring. This loving and caring aspect of Yah’s universal providence is conveyed to His chosen ones.

 

Yah’s providence cannot be appreciated without taking into account some of Yah’s immutable character traits which include His omnipotence; omniscience (all knowing); His omnipresence (his providence is not limited to time, and place; it’s everywhere); His holiness; His justice; His grace; wisdom; and mercy.

 

Nothing is too great nor too minuscule for Yah’s providence.

 

It can be said that the full extent of Yah’s providence is beyond human comprehension and explanation.

 

And this whole concept of Yah’s providence is based upon an understanding of Yah’s sovereignty. Yah is the Creator of all things:

 

“By the Word of Yehovah were the heavens made, and all the host of them by the breath of His mouth…Yehovah looketh from heaven; He beholdeth all the sons of men from the place of His habitation He looketh forth upon all the inhabitants of the earth; He that fashioneth the hearts of them all, that considereth all their works. There is no king saved by multitude of a host: A mighty man is not delivered by great strength” (Psa. 33:6, 13-16; ASV).

 

And because He is Creator, He has the right and wherewithal to do what He wills with His creation. He has the right and wherewithal to order things as He sees fit to do so:

 

“But now, O Yehovah, thou art our Father. We are the clay, and thou our potter. And we are all the work of thy hand” (Isa. 64:8; ASV).

 

Shaul wrote of this in his letter to the Roman Assembly of Messianic believers, paying particular attention to the content of our Torah Reading for today:

 

“For this is what the promise said: “At the time set, I will come; and Sarah will have a son.” And even more to the point is the case of Rivkah (aka Rebecca); for both her children were conceived in a a single act with Yitschaq, our father…(skip verse 11, which is a scribal parenthetical insertion)—picking up at verse 12—it was said to her, ‘The older will serve the younger’” (Rom. 9:9, 10, 12; CJB).

 

 

We fall into very dangerous spiritual territory when we in one form or another deny Abba’s providence. For when we venture to reject or deny Yah’s providence, we are dismiss His immutable attributes, which are the very things that we are to image in the world. We dismiss His mercy and justice and right to judge and punish as the righteous and holy One of Yisra’el. We scoff at His wisdom, such as to say that He doesn’t know what He’s doing in the earth and in our lives. We throw into question His holiness; His set-apartness, even in the midst of an unholy, sinful world.

 

Chosen Versus Called

 

When we get into this discussion and idea of Yah and His [sovereign] providence, especially as it relates to covenant, we must come to terms with the concept and reality of being chosen of Yah. Being selected by Yah to be in covenant with Him.

 

Regardless how pure of heart one may be. Regardless how well-intended one may be. Regardless how it may seemingly contradict the conventional wisdom of the Church Triumphant, Yah choses who He will and who He will not enter into covenant with. And this reality is based primarily upon His holy and righteous and wise [sovereign] providence. Even His perfect Will and Plan of Salvation, Restoration and Redemption.

 

And as I previously mentioned, our Torah Reading pretty much bears this reality out.

 

(20) And Yitschaq (aka Isaac) was forty-years old when he took as wife Rivka (aka Rebecca), daughter of Bethuel the Aramean from Paddan-Aram, sister of Laban the Aramean. (21) And Yitschaq pleaded with Yah on behalf of his wife, for she was barren, and Yah granted his plea, and Rivka his wife conceived. (22) And the children clashed together within her, and she said, “Then why me?” and she went to inquire of Yah. (23) And Yah said to her: “Two nations—in your womb, two peoples from your loins shall issue. People over people shall prevail, the elder, the younger’s slave” (25:20-23).

 

Note: Do you see what I mean here as this is applied to Yah’s [sovereign] providence: “People over people shall prevail, the younger’s slave” (25:23)? Indeed, many will read this and think this was all about the prophetic on Yah’s part, and certainly it is every bit about the prophetic. But let’s not overlook that Yah can make prophetic pronouncements like this because of His [sovereign] providence. His providence would ensure that the younger son, Ya’achov (aka Jacob) would be over his older brother Esau. And in this case, we’re also talking about covenant. And we’ll get further into this in a few, but we get a glimpse of Yah affirming and by virtue of this prophetic utterance, conferring the covenant being passed down to the younger son, Ya’achov (aka Jacob). In other words, Yah was choosing Ya’achov over Esau to perpetuate the covenant He’d previously made with their grandfather, Avraham (Bereshit 15).

 

Continuing:

 

(24) And when her time was come to give birth, look, there were twins in her womb. (25) And the first one came out ruddy, like a hairy mantle all over, and they called his name Esau. (26) Then his brother came out, his hand grasping Esau’s heel, and they called his name Jacob. And Isaac was sixty years old when they were born.

 

(27) And the lads grew up, and Esau was a man skilled in hunting, a man of the field, and Jacob was a simple man, a dweller in tents. (28) And Isaac loved Esau for the game that he brought him, but Rebekah loved Jacob. (29) And Jacob prepared a stew and Esau came from the field, and he was famished. (Bereshit 25:24-29; Alter)

 

By all rights according to ANE, and Hebrew practices in general, the birthright was, with very very few exceptions, passed on to the eldest son. In this case, that son would be Esau. That birthright consisted of the wealth Avraham accumulated in his life by virtue of the covenant and covenant promises Yah established with grand daddy Avraham.

 

And so, what we’re talking about here is not just the passing on of material wealth. We’re also talking about the propagation of the covenant: Both the material (I.e., the Land) and the spiritual and prophetic and relational elements of the covenant. And who that covenant would be passed on to fell squarely into Yah’s exclusive domain.

 

In other words, Yah would choose which of the two sons of Yitschaq He would continue the covenant with. And clearly, from the Words Yah uttered to Rivkah (aka Rebecca) in verse 23, the boys’ mother, Yah had already chosen Ya’achov to perpetuate the covenant He’d made with the boy’s grandfather.

 

And this reality should not be anything new to us. Although Ishma’el was Avraham’s oldest son according to standards of the flesh and ANE practices and tradition—making him eligible for Avraham’s inheritance—Yah selected/chose Isaac/Yitschaq to receive Avraham’s inheritance, and most importantly, to perpetuate the covenant He established with Avraham:

 

(19) And Yah said, “Yet Sarah your wife is to bear you a son and you shall call his name Yitschaq and I will establish My covenant with him as an everlasting covenant, for his seed after him. (20) As for Ishma’el, I have heard you. Look, I will bless him and make him fruitful and will multiply him most abundantly, twelve chieftains he shall beget, and I will make him a great nation. (21) But My covenant I will establish with Isaac whom Sarah will bear you by this season next year (Bereshit 17:19-21).

 

And then Abba confirmed the perpetuation of the covenant through Yitschaq in our Torah Reading:

 

This is Abba speaking to Yitschaq:

 

(3) Sojourn in this land so that I may be with you and bless you, for to you and your seed I will give all these lands and I will fulfill the oath that I swore to Avraham your father, (4) and I will multiply your seed like the stars in the heavens and I will give to your seed all these lands, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed through your seed because Abraham has listened to my voice and has kept My charge (5) My commandments, My statutes and my teachings (Bereshit 26:3-5; Alter).

________________________________________________________________

 

And here’s something that might raise some eyebrows in and around the denominationalist arena.

 

We all know from Torah that Yah chose Yisra’el as the only people He would enter into covenant with (Exo. 34:27; Deu. 29:1; 1 Kin. 8:9). But Yisra’el broke covenant with Yah (Jer. 11:10).

 

The good news, Yah instituted a renewed covenant, not with the Baptists; nor with the Catholics; nor with the methodists; nor with the interdenominationalists; nor with this group or that.

 

The Prophet Yermiyahu (aka Jeremiah) proclaimed that this renewed covenant that Yah was making would be with the “house of Yisra’el and with the house of Y’hudah” (31:31; cf. Heb. 8:8, 13). Which again means that Yah is not in the process of establishing a new covenant with Christians or any other group of individuals who believe they’ve somehow replaced Yisra’el or that they are of the Lost Tribes of Yisra’el.

 

Which means that if you’re not of the house of Yisra’el and Y’hudah—I’m talking the true Yisra’el and Y’hudah, you are not in covenant with Yah. Yah chose the houses of Yisra’el and Y’hudah to be in covenant with. These are the only ones I’m afraid.

 

So then, where does that leave those of us who are not of these houses.

 

Well, it means that if you aren’t of either of these houses, you gotta get into one of them if you want to be in covenant with Yah. And the way this is done is through the adoption process; the grafting in process.

 

Shaul clarified this situation pretty well in his letter to the Roman Messianic Assemblies when he wrote:

 

“But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, a wild olive, were grafted in among them and have become equal sharers in the rich root of the olive tree…So take a good look at Yah’s kindness and His severity on the one hand, severity toward those who fell off, but, on the other hand, Yah’s kindness toward you, provided you maintain yourself in that kindness!…” (11:17, 22; CJB modified).

 

What these most powerful verses offer us is a glimpse into (1) the awesome [sovereign] providence of Yah in action, and (2) the means by which we may enter into covenant.

 

But all of this beloved, presumes one critical element: In order to be grafted into the commonwealth of Yisra’el and to enjoy the benefits of Yah’s covenant, just like every other soul who has ever come into covenant with Yah, we must be chosen.

 

Indeed, Master taught us this vital principle in His parable of “Wedding Banquet”:

 

“For many are called, but few are chosen” (Mat. 22:14; KJV).

 

The Apostle Keefa (aka Peter) also commented on this critical element to being in covenant with Yah:

 

“But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness into His marvelous light…” (1 Pet. 2:9; KJV).

 

You see, Yah through the provision of His [sovereign] providence—His grace—His mercy—put forth a general call to humanity to enter into covenant with Him. And this is what most of the so-called believing world has responded to. They’ve responded to the general call to covenant; at least those who are seeking a true and substantive relationship with the Creator of the Universe.

 

However, to finish the deal, Yah must choose each and every soul who enters into covenant with Him. And that’s why, I believe, the vast majority of souls who profess, let’s say, Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, have not come to a faithful, obedient relationship with Yah. Oh, some of them actually do possess a true conviction in terms of an abiding Faith. But most are unwilling to manifest those convictions into actions and obediently operate in covenant. And I believe this is in part due to them not being chosen to be in THE covenant relationship with Him spoken of by Ezekiel, Jeremiah and the writer of the Book of Hebrews. These often sneer at and outright reject the keeping of Yah’s instructions in righteousness and dying to self, relying upon the error-ridden “Grace Perversion” doctrine that has gripped Evangelical Denominationalism for decades.

 

So for all intents and purposes, there are two groups of individuals Yah has His eyes on: (1) Those who have answered His call to enter into a relationship with Him; those who are pure of heart. And (2), those whom He has chosen.

 

Now, what ultimately happens to those who respond to the call, but aren’t chosen of Yah? Well, that my friends, is a discussion for another Shabbat I’m afraid.

 

The Controversial Concept of Predestination

 

But this faith of ours is one where the would be elect are specifically chosen of Yah. Now, I realize that there is a lot of debate and disagreement, especially in and around denominationalism on this subject of being chosen of Yah. It is often referred to as “predestination.” And for the longest time I grappled with the concept of predestination, thinking it was contrary to Yah’s righteous character. I mean, how could a righteous God choose certain individuals out of some eternal plan He had in place from the foundations of the world and condemn the rest of the world because their names were not written on His list. It just didn’t seem fair to me.

 

But eventually I began to see evidence that indeed Yah chooses those who will be His own. In fact, this reality and Truth is supported throughout the whole of scripture:

 

• Yah chose Abel over Cain.
• Yah chose Noah and his family over all the peoples living in his day to save humanity from utter and total destruction.
• Yah chose Avraham over all others in the ANE of his day.
• Yah chose Isaac over Ishma’el and Jacob over Esau.
• Yah chose Moshe over all of his brethren to lead His people and to dispense His Torah to humanity.
• Yah chose David over Saul to rule over Yisra’el and to usher in the Davidic Dynasty.
• Yah chose each prophet to deliver His Word to their covenant-breaking brethren of the houses of Yisra’el and Y’hudah.
• Yah chose Yahoshua to be the savior of the world and to usher in His Father’s renewed covenant.
• Yahoshua chose every one of His disciples. You see, you can only be a disciple if you are chosen.
• And so forth.

 

In like manner, only when the would-be elect is called, and then chosen of Yah, are the scales removed from their eyes and their minds are renewed to accept the terms of a true covenant relationship with the Creator of the Universe.

 

Shaul wrote to the Messianic Assembly at Thessalonica:

 

“But we ought always to give thanks to Yah for you, brothers, beloved by the Master, because Yah has chosen you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit (Yah’s Ruach Hakodesh) and belief in the truth” (2 The. 2:13; ESV modified).

 

To the Messianic Assemblies in Ephesus he wrote:

 

“Blessed by the Elohim and Father of our Master Yahoshua Messiah, who has blessed us in Messiah with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him” (1:3-4; ESV modified).

 

To the Messianic Assemblies in Rome he wrote:

 

“And we know that for those who love Yah all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom He foreknew He also predestined (”proorizo,” or decided beforehand)) to be conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among may brothers” (8:28-29; ESV modified).

 

Of predestination, Shaul wrote to the Roman Messianic Assemblies:

 

(29) For whom He (I.e., Yah) did foreknow, He also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. (30) Moreover whom He also called: and whom He called, them He also justified: and whom He justified, them He also glorified. (31) What shall we then say to these things? If Yah be for us, who can be against us (8:29-31; KJV modified).

 

And to the Ephesian Messianic Assemblies Shaul brilliantly explains the connection that exists between the predestination of Yah’s people and Yah’s sovereign providence:

 

(4) According as He hath chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love: (5) Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Yahoshua Messiah to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, (6) to the praise of the glory of His grace, wherein He hath made us accepted in the beloved (1:4-6; KJV modified).

 

And as with Yah’s covenant with Avraham, the predestined covenant we have with Abba has attached to it an inheritance:

 

(8) Wherein He hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; (9) having made known unto us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He hath purposed in Himself (I.e., Yah’s sovereign providence): (10) That in the dispensation of the fullness of times He might gather together in one all things in Messiah, both which are in heaven and which are on earth; even in Him: (11) In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose (there’s that sovereign providence of Yah again) of Him who worketh all things after the counsel of His own will: (12) That we should be to the praise of His glory, who first trusted in Yah (Eph. 1:8-12; KJV modified).

 

This predestination thing is huge and extremely important, not just to our understanding of covenant, but also to Yah who is personally investing a great deal of Himself to this amazing construct that some might feel is unfair and not in keeping with their personal concepts of God.

 

Understanding the Reality of Predestination and Chosen Status

 

One of the best ways I’ve come across to look at this controversial concept of Yah choosing those who would be His, is that because of our sinful nature, if our coming into a covenant relationship were left to our own devices, we would effectively never come into a true covenant relationship with the Creator of the Universe. We’ve spoken about the woeful human condition on this program many times in the past, especially in our Paul and Hebrew Roots series.

 

The Elect of Yah: Another Term for Chosen Ones

 

Another term that is often used to identify those who are chosen of Yah is “elect.” The term elect in the Greek is “eklectos” and it means simply: “chosen.” Imagine that!

 

Master, Shaul, Shimon Keefa and Yochanan the Revelator all used this term to stress this point about the predestined and chosen status of His beloved:

 

• Only Yah’s elect will be gathered by His angels at the sound of a great trumpet to attend the wedding supper of the Lamb and to reign with Yahoshua for 1,000-years ( 24:31; Mar. 13:27).
• Yah has great concern for His elect ones in the Last Days, as He will shorten the time of tribulation for their sakes ( 24:22).
• Yah will avenge His elect who are tribulated and persecuted by His enemies ( 18:7).

 

And so forth.

 

Humanity is incapable to coming to Yah on their own accord. Humanity needs help. Humanity needs leading and direction. Humanity requires calling and dissemination of the Word of Truth to them. They require a circumcised heart that is pliable to the Will and Leading of the Ruach Kodesh. Humanity requires a leap of trusting faith in order for him/her to believe in the Person and Ministry of Yahoshua Messiah. Humanity requires the eyes to see and ears to hear that which Yah teaches, and then the heart to obediently do what they’ve been told to do.

 

So, when we factor all these things into our spiritual equation here, it should not be difficult to see why a choosing is required for Yah’s people to enter into covenant with Him.

 

But Rod, what about the unfairness of Yah’s predestining or choosing those that would be His? Well, at the end of the day beloved, it falls back to Yah’s [sovereign] providence. Yah is in charge. Yah can do whatever He chooses to do, as we’ve shown previously through scripture. And just because our woefully inadequate sense of human justice and morality tells us that what Yah is doing in His choosing and predestining those who would be His is wrong, doesn’t mean that we are right in our assessment of Him.

 

As we discussed earlier, to deny Yah’s sovereign providence is to reject Yah’s holy and righteous character. He knows what He’s doing. He is faithful to do all that He sets out and promises to do. His Ways are not our ways, as brilliantly and boldly revealed by the Prophet Isaiah:

 

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, saith Yehovah. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts” (55:8-9; ASV).

 

Shaul offered:

 

“O the depth of the riches and the wisdom and knowledge of Yah! How inscrutable (I.e., unsearchable) are his judgments! How unsearchable are His ways” (Rom. 11:33; CJB).

 

So, it stands to reason that we cannot understand why Yah chooses some and not others to enter into a covenant relationship with. And this is where trusting faith comes in for us. When we trust and love Yah with our whole heart, mind and soul, we realize that He knows what He’s doing. We rejoice then in our chosen status as Yah’s child and we make ourselves available to do His bidding. For we realize that we’ve done nothing to earn Yah’s choosing apart from saying yes to His call. Praise Yah!

 

Yochanan the Revelator wrote of those who fall into the chosen category in the End Times:

 

“They (I.e., the Enemies of Yah) will go to war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will defeat them, because He is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those who are called, chosen and faithful will overcome along with Him” (17:14; CJB).

 

You see, only those who are chosen will reign with Master Yahoshua in the Kingdom to come.

 

But here’s the critical question that we all must be able to answer: If being in covenant requires that we be chosen by Him, how would we know whether or not we’ve been chosen?

 

So How Do We Know If We’ve Been Chosen of Yah?

 

Yah Performs an Exclusive Work in His Chosen Ones Through His Ruach Hakodesh

 

We know we’ve been chosen of Yah for covenant by the change in our behavior; how we perceive and interact with Yah and our fellow human beings, especially our brethren in the Faith.

 

The Apostle Kefa gives an amazing overview of this in his second general epistle:

 

 

(2) May grace and peace abound to you through the recognition of our Master Y’shua the Mashiyach. (3) as the giver to us of all things that of the power of Elohim to life and the fear of Elohim, through the recognition of Him who has called us to His own glory and moral excellence:(4) wherein He has given you very great and precious promises; that by them you might become partakers of the nature of Elohim while you flee from the corruptions of the lusts that are in the world (I.e., while we come into and operate in covenant with Yah). (5) And, while you apply all diligence in the matter, add to your faith moral excellence; and to moral excellence, knowledge; (6) and to knowledge, perseverance; and to perseverance, patience; and to patience, the Fear of Elohim; (7) and to the Fear of Elohim, sympathy with the brotherhood; and to sympathy with the brotherhood, love. (8) For, while these are found in you and abounding, they render you not lazy and not unfruitful in the recognition of our Master Y’shua the Mashiyach. (9) For He in whom these things are not found, is blind and does not see, and has forgotten the purification of his former sins. (10) And therefore, my brothers, you be exceedingly diligent to make your calling and election certain by your good actions: for, by so doing, you will never fall away. (11) For thus will entrance be given you abundantly into the everlasting Kingdom of our Master and Redeemer Y’shua the Mashiyach. (2 Pet. 1:2-11; AENT)

 

We become different people. Shaul wrote that we are to be transformed by the renewing of our minds as part of our covenant relationship with Yah (Rom. 12:2). He describes this sanctification process as our putting on “the new man which is renewed in knowledge after the image of Him that created us” (Col. 3:10). Our hearts are cleaned up and we receive a right spirit that operates perfectly with Yah’s Ruach that operates within us (Psa. 51:10). The things we once loved about this world over time become fading memories and in time, those former lusts and actions completely disappear because Yah’s Spirit operating within us displaces them with a hunger and thirst for righteousness (Mat. 5:6).

 

These and many other righteous changes that take place within us are inexplicable to the unconverted soul. But these changes only take place because Yah wills it to be. And Yah facilitates this through the workings of His Ruach Hakodesh.

 

This is all part and parcel of the provisions of the renewed covenant that Yah, through His anointed prophets spelled out for us:

 

“…I will put My Torah in their inward parts and write it in their hearts; and will be their Elohim, and they shall be My people” (Jer. 31:33; KJV modified).

 

“For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land. Then I will sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you. A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put My spirit within you, and cause you to walk in My statutes, and ye shall keep My judgments and do them” (Eze. 36:24-27; KJV modified).

 

 

These are great promises and provisions that are offered and provided to the chosen ones of Yah.

 

Granted, some emphatically will assert that these renewed covenant provisions and benefits will not take place until Yahoshua returns. But I can without reservation attest for myself beloved, that the provisions of the renewed covenant are at work in me today. And I would venture to guess that the same thing is happening to many of you.

 

So, if you’re not the same person you were before you came into faith, whereby you are conforming to the image of our Master Yahoshua Messiah, everyday growing and changing and becoming, then it’s a pretty good bet that you’ve been chosen to be in covenant with Yah beloved.

 

Yah Informs Those Whom He Comes into Covenant With that they are Chosen of Him

 

Scripture reveals that every individual Yah has chosen, He has told them that they are chosen. Indeed, we could spend many more minutes going through the Holy Writ and identifying those specific incidents where Yah informed His people that they were chosen of Him.

 

We know that Yah chose our Master Yahoshua Messiah and on at least a couple of occasions He pronounced that Yahoshua was His beloved Son in whom He was well pleased (Mat. 3:17; 17:5). He declared to Avraham that he was chosen to enter into covenant with Him (Gen. 15 and 17). And so forth.

 

In our Reading here today, Yah affirmed to Yitschaq that He was the chosen one to perpetuate the covenant He made with Avraham:

 

(3) Sojourn in this land so that I may be with you and bless you, for to you and your seed I will give all these lands and I will fulfill the oath that I swore to Avraham you father, (4) and I will multiply your seed like the stars in the heavens and I will give to your seed all these lands, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed through your seed (5) because Avraham has listened to My voice and has kept My charge, My commandments, My statutes and My teachings (Bereshit 26:3-5; Alter modified).

 

And there are so many more instances where Yah directly told His select people that they were chosen of Him to perpetuate the covenant He originated with Avraham. And in most if all these cases, Yah directly articulated to the individual that they were chosen of Him.

 

Now, today, we may not receive an audible confirmation that we’ve been chosen for covenant. But if we are truly His, and His Ruach has come to dwell in us, He will confirm our chosen status to us. He may affirm our chosen status through Him communicating with us through our prayers. He may confirm our chosen status through our hearts being pricked or convicted of this reality. He may confirm our chosen status through His Word (2 Tim. 3:15-16). And let us not discount that he confirms our chosen status through other people/other brethren as well as the world around us.

 

Yah will in one form or another confirm our chosen status to us. It may not come as an audible confirmation beloved, but it will be an undeniable confirmation from Him personally. We just need to listen up and seek out His still small voice.

 

 

Our Faith and Obedience Affirms our Chosen Status

 

When we positively respond to the general call to Faith that Yah puts forth to all of humanity through the preaching of His Gospel, the first thing we are required to do is trust Him—Trust in the Person and Ministry of His son Yahoshua Messiah which is part and parcel of His Plan of Salvation, Restoration and Redemption. This trusting faith that we employ, if indeed genuine, must lead to actions—specifically, lead to obedience to Yah’s instructions in righteousness. Obedience to Yah’s leading. Obedience to Yah’s Word. A dying to self in the process.

 

This faith and obedience process affirms our chosen status. Because if we don’t have the faith that will lead us to a covenant relationship with Yah; and if we refuse to obey Yah’s instructions and all, then we can’t possibly be chosen of Him.

 

The chosen ones of Yah are faithful and obedient (Rev. 17:14).

 

Indeed, many are called, but few are chosen according to our Master (Mat. 22:14). And we see through the earthly ministry of our Master, that only those who faithfully responded to His invitation to discipleship; who gave all to follow Him; who left the hundreds of curious ones to sit at His feet and learn of Him and His Ways; became His chosen disciples:

 

(65) And He (Yahoshua) had said to them, “Because of this (I.e., there were some following the group that did not believe Y’shua’s teachings) I have said to you that no man is able to come to Me unless it is given to Him from My Father (I.e., unless they are chosen of Yah).” (66) And Y’shua said to His twelve, “Why do you also desire to go?” (68) Shimon Keefa answered and said, “My Master, to whom should we go? You have the words of life that is eternal. (69) And we believe and know that you are the Mashiyach, the Son of the Living Elohim!” (70) Y’shua said to them, “Did I not choose you twelve, and is it one of you an adversary” (Joh. 6:65-70; AENT).

 

It is the one who faithfully stands with Yahoshua and remains obedient to Him and His Ways, despite what the rest of the world may be saying and doing, that are chosen of Yah.

 

Another Question to be Answered Pertaining to being Chosen of Yah

 

So then, all that we’ve discussed here today regarding one being exclusively chosen of Yah to be in covenant with Him has to do with why teach and preach the gospel to the nations if this whole covenant thing has already been predetermined? And that is an extremely good question. I’ve often pondered this question myself. And there are a couple simple reasons why we are required to teach, preach, make disciples for Yahoshua Messiah for the purpose of bringing many sons and daughters into covenant with Yah.

 

• Yah’s Choosing is Facilitated by a General Calling.

 

We’ve seen where Yah, through His chosen ones, His intermediaries, calls all humanity unto Himself.  And in our post resurrection day (i.e., Y’shua’s resurrection that is), this general calling is accomplished through the preaching and teaching and proclaiming of the Gospel.

 

Shaul wrote of this in his letter to the Messianic Assemblies of Rome:

 

(14) How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? (15) And how shall they preach, except they be sent? As it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! (16) But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Master, who hath believed our report? (17) So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of Yah (10:14-17; KJV modified).

 

So then, the chosen of Yah come to Faith through the preaching, teaching and proclaiming of the Gospel-of Torah-of Yah’s Word. This is the means by which Yah brings potential sons and daughters into faith in Him. But Yah chooses those with whom He will enter into covenant with. Master makes this point clear:

 

“For many are called, but few are chosen” (Mat. 22:14; KJV).

 

 

• Yah is an Elohim of Justice and Rightness.

 

When the books in the Court of Heaven have all finally been written and closed, it can never be said that Yah was unfair in His treatment of humanity and His creation. As with our ancient Hebrew cousins in the Sinai wilderness, Yah gave His chosen people every opportunity to keep covenant with Him. But their stiffneckness would not allow for it:

 

“Harden not your heart, as in the provocation, and as in the day of temptation in the wilderness” (Psa. 95:8: KJV).

 

Shaul shows us that Yah gives humanity every opportunity to turn to Him. He wrote of this thing:

 

(1) Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself, for thou that judgest doest the same things. (2) But we are sure that the judgment of Yah is according to truth against them which commit such things…(5) But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of Yah; (6) Who will render to every man according to His deeds: (7) To them who by patient continuance in well doing (I.e., those who are in covenant with Yah and who are chosen) seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life: (9) But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, (9) tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the jew first, and also of the Gentile; (10) but glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile: (11) For there is no respect of persons with Yah (Rom. 2:1-2, 5-11; KJV modified).

 

When all has been said and done, Yah will be proved righteous and just, even in terms of His choosing His children:

 

“For what if some did not believe? Shall their unbelief make the faith of Yah without effect? (4) Yah forbid: Yea, let Yah be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, “That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged. (5) But if our unrighteousness commend the righteousness of Yah, what shall we say? Is Yah unrighteous who taketh vengeance? (6) Yah forbid: for then how shall Yah judge the world (Rom. 3:3-6; KJV modified)?

 

 

• Yahoshua our Master instructed us to Make for Him Disciples.

 

As chosen-elect-predestined disciples of Yahoshua Messiah, we are required to do that which Yah and our Master instruct us to do. I becomes the chosen ones’ nature to obey the voice of their Elohim and Master. Throughout the books of Exodus and Deuteronomy we are commanded to obey the voice of Yah.

 

Yahoshua faithfully obeyed the voice of His Father Yah. Conversely, He requires His disciples to obey His voice.  In fact, He commanded:

 

“If you love me, keep My commandments” (Joh. 14:15; KJV).

 

Master commanded us to go forth into all the nations and teach and baptize those who would potentially become Yah’s children; to make unto Him disciples (Mat. 28:19-20). And so, however Yah has led you to manifest that commission—in whatever form you accomplish that instruction—we as Yah’s elect and chosen ones respect and honor and obey His sovereign providence. He’s doing a work in the earth and we are His hirelings and servants. It’s not up to us to question why, but to do!

 

And with that, we will bring this installment of TMTO’s Sabbath Thoughts and Reflections to a close.

 

I pray you got as much from this discussion as I did and that it will not only inform you, but also encourage and empower you to higher heights and deeper depths in Yahoshua Messiah.

 

May you have an overcoming week in Messiah. And until next time, may you be most blessed fellow saints in training. Shabbat Shalom. Shavuatov. Take care.