Thursday, 13 June 2024

Romans part 2 - Good News Announced Beforehand

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We're picking up with Romans 1:1,2 where we left off last time ...

Romans 1:1-2 Paul, a slave of Messiah Yeshua, called to be an emissary and set apart for the Good News of God, which He announced beforehand through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures.

The TLV uses the word "emissary," while many other translations use the word "apostle," from the Latin, apostolos, meaning "sent one." Paul's title "apostle." (Notice it is not capitalized ... the capital "A" Apostles were the 12 appointed by Yeshua and the Holy Spirit.) The term apostle has been kicked around in a negative way in recent years. But don't let the abuses of some scare you away from the blessing of those who are sent by God with a message.

Put the emphasis on the message, the Good News of God. What is that Good News (aka the Gospel)? The Good News is Peter's answer to Yeshua's question to the Apostles ... Matthew 16:15 He said, "But who do you say I am?" Peter's answer is the Gospel message ... Matthew 16:16 Simon Peter answered, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God."

When Paul ties this message to the Holy Scriptures, what Scriptures could he have in mind? Certainly not the New Testament. There was nothing of the kind at that time. Name any Hebrew prophet. What was their message concerning the coming Messiah?

Isaiah 42 for instance (bet you thought I would go to chapter 9, 11 or 53) ... Isaiah 42:1,6 Behold My servant, whom I uphold. My Chosen One, in whom My soul delights. I have put My Ruach on Him, He will bring justice to the nations ... I, Adonai, called You in righteousness, I will take hold of Your hand, I will keep You and give You as a covenant to the people, as a light to the nations.

Jeremiah 23:5 "Behold, days are coming" - it is a declaration of Adonai - "when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and He will reign as king wisely, and execute justice and righteousness in the land. In His days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell in safely; and this is His Name by which He will be called: Adonai our righteousness.

Ezekiel 34:23-25a So I will set up One Shepherd over them, My servant David - He will tend them, He will feed them Himself and be their shepherd. I, Adonai, will be their God, and My servant David will be Prince among them. I, Adonai, have spoken. I will make a covenant of shalom with them.

And that's just from the first three prophets in the order listed in the TLV. This is just a bit of a taste of the promises God has made concerning His Son. Yeshua is He, and that's the Good News Paul is promising the Romans.