Wise Nation - Foolish Nation
What makes a nation wise? What makes it foolish?
The contents of the book of Deuteronomy were imparted during the last two months of the Israelites' 40-year journey through the wilderness. All those who came out of the land of Egypt, aged 20 years or older, perished in the wilderness. Those who were under 20, as well as those born during the journey, remained alive. Thus, Moses presented the Torah once more to the children of Israel as they prepared to enter the Promised Land.
Behold, I have taught you statutes and judgments, even as the LORD my God commanded me, that ye should do so in the land whither ye go to possess it. Keep therefore and do them; for this is your WISDOM and your understanding in the sight of the NATIONS, which shall hear all these statutes, and say, surely this great nation is a WISE and understanding people. (Deut 4:5-6).
It is the observance of the statutes (huqqim) and the judgments (mishpatim) of the Torah that is referred to as “wisdom.” For YHVH (יהוה) giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding (Proverbs 2:6).
The Torah is described as “life.” “For it (the Torah in this context) is not a vain thing for you; because it is your life” (Deut 32:47). Wisdom is also called “life.” “She (Wisdom) is your life” (Proverbs 4:13). Moreover, the LORD (YHVH, יהוה) Himself is called “your life” (Deut 30:20).
Therefore anyone who persuades the Israelites to abandon the Torah is essentially asking them to relinquish their Wisdom. The enemies of Israel, such as Bilaam understood that if they could entice Israel to violate the Torah and become disloyal to the LORD (YHVH, יהוה) their God, they could secure Israel's defeat and bring a curse upon them.
God Himself foresaw that one day Israel would forsake the LORD (YHVH, יהוה) their God and His Torah, turning to other Elohim, thereby provoking Him to jealousy. When they do so, they would lose their wisdom.
“For they are a nation void of counsel, neither is there any understanding in them. O that they were wise, that they understood this, that they would consider their latter end!” (Deut 32:28,29).
Furthermore, God promised that He would provoke them to jealousy through a FOOLISH NATION if they moved Him to jealousy by pursuing other Elohim.
They have moved me to jealousy with that which is not God; they have provoked me to anger with their vanities: and I will move them to jealousy with those which are not a people; I will provoke them to anger with a foolish nation (Deut 32:21).
So, who is this foolish nation? Surely not Israel, for God will use this nation to provoke Israel to jealousy.
Interestingly, Paul surprises us by asserting that Christians are that nation! In Romans 10:19, he states, “But I say, Did not Israel know? First Moses saith, I will provoke you to jealousy by them that are no people, and by a foolish nation I will anger you.”
He continues in Romans 11:11,, “I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the GENTILES (nations), for to PROVOKE THEM (Israelites) TO JEALOUSY.”
Moreover, in 1 Corinthians 1:26, Paul says, “For ye see your calling, brethren, how that NOT MANY WISE men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called.”
God has indeed been merciful to the Gentiles by using Christianity to bring them to the knowledge of the God of Israel. Yet the foolishness remains (as I perceive it). Why? Because of their understanding of the Torah, especially in relation to Israel.
You see, God made an everlasting covenant with Israel—not a temporary one. His Torah was given FOR EVER (Deut 29:29; Psalm 119:44). In fact, the New Covenant itself was established with the two nations of Judah and Israel (see Jeremiah 31:31-34). Yet most people within Christendom believe that God has done away with His covenant with the physical Israelites, claiming that the “Church” is now “Israel.” If that is the case, why aren’t they keeping the Torah? Because it’s cancelled! Really?
The secret things belong unto the LORD (YHVH, יהוה) our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children FOR EVER, that we may DO all the words of this LAW (TORAH) (Deut 29:29).
This verse is key, as it mentions “secret things.” Paul stated that he received a revelation of the Mystery, or μυστήριον (Secret). Deuteronomy agrees, that yes there are secrets, and they belong to YHVH (יהוה). However, the Torah was revealed to the Israelites to be kept FOR EVER, both by them and their children.
David said. “So shall I keep thy TORAH continually for ever and ever” (Psalm 119:44).