Jeremiah 2:14 asks:
"Is Israel a servant? Is he a home-born slave? Why is he plundered?"
This rhetorical question highlights the tragic state of Israel’s captivity and oppression. The implied answer is "No", Israel was never intended to be a servant or a slave. Yah had chosen Israel to be a free, holy nation, set apart for His purposes. However, due to their persistent disobedience to Yah’s commandments and failure to uphold His covenant, they found themselves plundered and in captivity.
Israel’s condition of servitude under foreign nations resulted from their rebellion against Yah. Deuteronomy 28 laid out blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience, and instead of living under Yah’s blessings, Israel experienced the curses due to their repeated failure to obey Him.
Israel’s True Purpose: To Be a Light to the Nations
From the beginning, Yah had a distinct purpose for Israel. They were chosen to be His people, a nation set apart to reflect His righteousness to the world. Exodus 19:5-6 states:
“Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine. And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.”
Israel was meant to be an example of Yah’s truth and holiness to the other nations, demonstrating what righteousness looked like by living in obedience to Yah’s commandments.
1. Israel as a Light to the Nations
Scripture repeatedly emphasizes Israel’s role as a light to the nations. Isaiah 42:6-7 declares:
“I, the Lord, have called You in righteousness, and will hold Your hand; I will keep You and give You as a covenant to the people, as a light to the Gentiles, to open blind eyes, to bring out prisoners from the prison, those who sit in darkness from the prison house.”
This verse shows that Israel’s purpose was not only for their own benefit but also for the Gentiles. They were called to lead others out of spiritual darkness by reflecting Yah’s truth and righteousness.
Similarly, Isaiah 49:6 adds:
"Indeed He says, 'It is too small a thing that You should be My Servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved ones of Israel; I will also give You as a light to the Gentiles, that You should be My salvation to the ends of the earth.'"
This passage shows that Israel’s mission extended beyond themselves; they were meant to guide the nations toward Yah’s salvation.
Israel’s Disobedience and the Consequences of Deuteronomy 28
While Israel was called to be a light to the nations, their repeated disobedience led to severe consequences. Deuteronomy 28 outlines the blessings for obedience and the curses for disobedience. Yah promised abundant blessings if Israel would follow His commandments:
"And it shall come to pass, if you diligently obey the voice of the Lord your God… the Lord your God will set you high above all nations of the earth" (Deuteronomy 28:1).
However, the chapter also details the consequences of disobedience, including defeat by foreign powers, exile,captivity, and the ultimate curse in Deuteronomy 28:68:
"And the Lord will take you back to Egypt in ships, by the way of which I said to you, 'You shall never see it again.' And there you shall be offered for sale to your enemies as male and female slaves, but no one will buy you."
This verse refers to Israel’s final captivity, which is the Transatlantic Slave Trade. During this period, Israelites were forcibly taken from Africa in ships and sold as slaves in foreign lands. The mention of "Egypt" is symbolic of bondage, representing the extreme slavery that Israel experienced during this time.
Had Israel obeyed Yah, they would have lived under His blessings, as promised in Deuteronomy 28. Instead, their disobedience led them into the curses, culminating in this final, devastating captivity.
Yahusha as the Light of the World
Although Israel was called to be a light to the nations, Yahusha is the ultimate fulfillment of that role. Yahusha embodied Yah’s righteousness perfectly, offering salvation to all people, both Israel and the Gentiles.
1. Yahusha Declares Himself the Light
In John 8:12, Yahusha declares:
"I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life."
Yahusha presents Himself as the true source of spiritual light. Where Israel was called to reflect Yah’s light, Yahusha is the source of that light. His teachings, life, and sacrifice reveal Yah’s truth and offer redemption to all who follow Him.
2. John 1:4-5 – The Light Shines in the Darkness
In John 1:4-5, Yahusha is introduced as the eternal Word of Yah:
"In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it."
This passage emphasizes Yahusha’s role as the ultimate light that shines into the darkness, guiding people toward Yah’s truth and salvation.
Israel’s Role in Sharing the Light of Yahusha
Israel’s role as a light to the nations remains significant even now. Though their past disobedience led to captivity, Yah’s promise for Israel’s restoration is clear. In the future, Israel will fully embrace their calling and share the light of Yahusha, the true source of salvation, with the nations.
Isaiah 60 prophesies a time when Israel will rise to fulfill their mission, and the nations will seek their light:
"Arise, shine; For your light has come! And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you… The Gentiles shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising" (Isaiah 60:1, 3).
This prophecy speaks of Israel’s future role in guiding the nations to Yahusha, the ultimate light of the world. In this future, the nations will recognize Israel’s place in Yah’s plan and seek their guidance and wisdom.
Conclusion: Israel and Yahusha as the Light
Israel was chosen to be a light to the nations, reflecting Yah’s truth and righteousness. Due to their disobedience, they fell under the curses described in Deuteronomy 28, including the final captivity during the Transatlantic Slave Trade.
Yahusha is the ultimate fulfillment of Israel’s calling, as He is the true light of the world. Through Yahusha, salvation is available to all people, both Israel and the nations.
While Israel’s full restoration and their role as a light will be realized in the future, the message of Yahusha’s light is being spread today. Israel will ultimately fulfill their divine mission to share Yahusha’s light with the nations, pointing the world toward Yah’s truth and salvation. Both Israel and Yahusha have key roles in Yah’s redemptive plan, with Yahusha as the source of light and Israel as His chosen people to guide the nations toward that light.
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