(all Scriptures cited in my comments and the table below are from
the NIV-1984. The bold is mine)
From the flow of the Scriptures in the table below, going
from the left to right columns, we get a clear picture of
how our heavenly Father communicated to Israel and the
world about what it means to be loved by Him. It is always
from the standpoint of His covenant with people, and His desire to
save them and bless them. The Old Testament shows the
strong arm of God as He first revealed His plans when
He chose a nation out of among many to start the process:
Israel. Even then, it was to show that He is the
One true God in all the earth and that He is to be obeyed.
In the Coming of the Son of God—Messiah Jesus, the
fulfilled revelation of how God longs to save all peoples,
still including Israel encompasses the grafting in
of believing gentiles.
The key to Messiah’s message is that this full salvation comes
via God’s love. Yes, delivering from this corrupt world (symbolized
by ancient Egypt), but also manifesting itself by the reality of love that
followers of Jesus have for Him and for one another. Thus, the world is
called to this salt and light, just like Moses called upon Pharoah to soften
his heart, to abandon a self and world-centered life, and to escape judgement,
in order to enjoy true life and and an eternal one with Him.
Matthew 5:13-16
13"You are the salt of the earth. But if the
salt loses its saltiness, how can it be
made salty again? It is no longer good
for anything, except to be thrown out
and trampled by men.
14 "You are the light of the world. A city
on a hill cannot be hidden.
15Neither do people light a lamp and put
it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its
stand, and it gives light to everyone in
the house.
16 In the same way, let your light so shine
before men, that they may see your
good deeds and praise your Father in
heaven.
the NIV-1984. The bold is mine)
From the flow of the Scriptures in the table below, going
from the left to right columns, we get a clear picture of
how our heavenly Father communicated to Israel and the
world about what it means to be loved by Him. It is always
from the standpoint of His covenant with people, and His desire to
save them and bless them. The Old Testament shows the
strong arm of God as He first revealed His plans when
He chose a nation out of among many to start the process:
Israel. Even then, it was to show that He is the
One true God in all the earth and that He is to be obeyed.
In the Coming of the Son of God—Messiah Jesus, the
fulfilled revelation of how God longs to save all peoples,
still including Israel encompasses the grafting in
of believing gentiles.
The key to Messiah’s message is that this full salvation comes
via God’s love. Yes, delivering from this corrupt world (symbolized
by ancient Egypt), but also manifesting itself by the reality of love that
followers of Jesus have for Him and for one another. Thus, the world is
called to this salt and light, just like Moses called upon Pharoah to soften
his heart, to abandon a self and world-centered life, and to escape judgement,
in order to enjoy true life and and an eternal one with Him.
Matthew 5:13-16
13"You are the salt of the earth. But if the
salt loses its saltiness, how can it be
made salty again? It is no longer good
for anything, except to be thrown out
and trampled by men.
14 "You are the light of the world. A city
on a hill cannot be hidden.
15Neither do people light a lamp and put
it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its
stand, and it gives light to everyone in
the house.
16 In the same way, let your light so shine
before men, that they may see your
good deeds and praise your Father in
heaven.
