Hi Retrobyter,
Thank you for your fuller observations of the current situation.
Bearing in mind your last paragraph, on which I'll comment in more detail, let me start with these thoughts. I'm sure you'll recognise scriptures which support them.
God scattered Israelites throughout the nations to make His name known among the nations, and we know there were Israelites who travelled, such as Dan (with reference to the sea) long before Israel was divided during Rehoboam's day. There is plenty of history of proselytes before Christ.
I 'hear' your comment about the importance of traditions, but in just the same way as most Israelites/Jews did not have a personal copy of the Tanakh - and yet they still knew that Moses had promised 'that Prophet', and two thousand years later were still watching for Him - there is no secret that millions and millions of people worldwide in the following two millennia, have come to believe in the Man sent by God whom all were descendants of Israel or proselytes initially, only. These first followers of Messiah Jesus could show from the Tanakh how He fulfilled every prophet concerning Messiah.
Mainly, I am saying that there can be few, if any, 'Jews', today, who are not aware of the claims of Christians, even if they are being guided away from faith by their own religious leadership. The same Messiah promised greater damnation for such leaders.
When I look at how God dealt with Israel before Messiah came, and how harshly and consistently He did not let generation after generation die without punishment, considering the reminders in the feasts which are kept by orthodox Jews today, I cannot see why God would hold today's Israelites to a lesser standard. This is the real meaning of giving them an edge over other nations, by insisting they are still 'God's chosen people'. If they are indeed still God's chosen people, then He has not changed, and the terms of His appeasement have not changed, and He will judge them
righteously.
In the parable of the workers in the vineyard, there was only one vineyard. I think it's a mistake to imagine that today's Israelites are exempt from responsibility for understanding the world around them as it is, replete with Christians who believe in the Saviour who was born out of Judah. As Jesus said, 'My sheep hear my voice'. That applies to all, including Israelites/Jews alive today, no matter how they come to have the appellation.
Many Christians, particularly Evangelicals, will say that children are "safe" should they die before the "age of accountability" because they are yet in their innocence. They are not held accountable for their actions because they are innocent! Well, all I'm saying is that IF God would overlook the sins of a child in his innocence, then why wouldn't He extend His grace to those who died in their ignorance? Some already make this claim for tribes of men who have never been introduced to the Gospel; so, why wouldn't God extend His grace to Yeshua`s own family, the Isra'elites, for the sakes of the Fathers? I believe He will! He's not an ogre, you know, nor is He unreasonable.
First, there is no biblical support for children being safe before the age of accountability, if you lay that beside Paul's statement in
1 Corinthians 7:14 For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy. The thinking you describe is pure guesswork, as children are covered by their parents' (parent's) faith. No faith; no cover.
Regarding those descended from Abraham, and those proselytised into Judaism as it is has become, they have no excuse whatever. Of those naturally born Israelites/Jews, who have already turned away from God to idols... why would He judge them differently than of old? If they know anything about Judaism at all, then they know about Passover, and the miracles in the wilderness, and the 'land', and they have chosen otherwise.
What is it about Israelites and Jews that they are credited with needing
more opportunity than they already had, which is more opportunity than the rest of the world? I do not understand the rationale. If they are cute enough to turn away from God to their own devices, they are cute enough to repent. This is only the same 'standard' expected of Gentiles, who also are required to turn away from idols to seek the living God.
There is more weight in scripture to suggest that Israelites and Jews will receive a greater punishment for their unbelief, than a greater mercy.
The whole of Isaiah 40 comes to mind, beginning as it does:
1 Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God.
2 Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her,
that her warfare is accomplished,
that her iniquity is pardoned:
for she has received of the Lord's hand double for all her sins.
I think I don't believe that 'ignorance' applies to those who
know they are descended from Israel or Judah. The fact is, there are many who thought they were Gentiles, who also are descended from Israel or Judah, who either 'hear His voice' and believe, or, who hear it and choose unbelief. In all cases, of unbelief, surely John 16:9 applies? Or, do you have another way of interpreting it, which lets descendants of Israel and Judah off the hook, again?
