THE DIVINE HOUSE OF ISRAEL - A FAVOURED PEOPLE

 

As I finished studying 3 Nephi this morning I was overwhelmed with gratitude for my believing heart. I have read the final chapter of this book many times before but not until today did I feel my heart swell with thankfulness for my ability to believe. 

 

Mormon ended this book with a clear view of our day when the Gentiles would disbelieve and even ‘spurn’ and ‘hiss’ at the Lord’s doing in bringing about the Book of Mormon and the restoration of His Church (3 Nephi 29:4,8). These are very strong yet adequately descriptive words of exactly what is happening in our day. To ‘spurn’ means to reject with disdain and to ‘hiss’ means to express contempt. I have had comments in this Group by non-members doing exactly this under the pretext of helping me ‘find my way back to God’. What is more disturbing for me is knowing Church members who have fallen away and are ‘spurning’ and ‘hissing’….

 

Mormon also ended 3 Nephi admonishing the Gentiles to come unto Christ and be numbered with His favoured people, the House of Israel (3 N 30:2).  Words cannot express to you my love for this special group of believers who have a divine destiny. Political correctness of today would accuse us of being elitists by saying we are favoured of God, but we are. To understand the scriptures is to know this. The Saviour so loved the House of Israel that He called it ‘the apple of His eye’ (Deuteronomy 32:9,10; Zechariah 2:8; Psalm 17:8). He went so far as to say that Israel is favoured above all nations of the earth (Deuteronomy 7:6); that He would sacrifice all  others for Israel;  and gather them from the ends of the earth (Isaiah 43:1-7). I testify that WE are the treasure at the center of His heart because He ‘loveth those who would have Him be their God’ (1 N 17:40)

 

My fellow Israelites, you are cherished, you are loved, you are special, you reside in the deepest caverns of His heart….you are His people…..

 

Thy love for Thy people is beyond compare,

Thy mercy affixed forever more.

Thy power delivered us and 

Thy loving kindness has gathered us;

We are restored to our rightful place

A servant in Thy might,

We are Israel, children of light.

- CATHRYNE ALLEN

Art: Joy by Youngsung Kim