There is a narrative story in the Hebrew Scriptures that I believe gives us a window into the heart of God for His Jewish people. It is a poignant story really. The sons of Israel sold their brother Joseph into slavery in Egypt because of their jealousy of him. Joseph was the favorite son of his father Jacob (Israel) and he loved him more than his brothers. Jacob also gave him a tunic of many colors showing his favor of him. Joseph had had a prophetic dream that one day his parents and his brothers would bow down to him. Needless to say this did not increase his favor with his brothers and they hated him even more. So the brothers sell him into slavery and take his tunic, dip it in the blood of a goat and show their father, causing the father to be crushed with grief over his beloved son. The father supposed Joseph to have been torn to pieces by a wild animal.
So as the story progresses, Jacob deeply grieves for his son who is lost. During this time, Joseph rises to a place of extraordinary favor and authority in Egypt and becomes an administrator under the Pharaoh. He rises to this place due to the favor of God on his life, his humility, wisdom and prophetic insights in dream interpretation. All enablements were given to him by God and he acknowledges this fact all along the way.
The story continues with an extreme famine in the area. Joseph has administrated the preparation for the famine by storing much grain during years of plenty.
Jacob sends ten of his sons to Egypt to buy grain for the family. As they interact with this administrator, who is actually their brother Joseph, they disclose to him that there is another younger brother Benjamin who is the darling of their father because of the death of another brother, Joseph. Eventually the younger brother is released to go to Egypt and Joseph sees his beloved younger brother once again. His reaction is visceral and filled with longing love.
As he lifted his eyes and saw his brother Benjamin, his mother’s son, he said, “Is this your youngest brother, of whom you spoke to me?” And he said, “May God be gracious to you, my son.”
30 Joseph hurried out for he was deeply stirred over his brother, and he sought a place to weep; and he entered his chamber and wept there.
31 Then he washed his face and came out; and he controlled himself and said, “Serve the meal.”
Genesis 43:29-31
Here they are together again, all of the brothers. Joseph is undone, overcome with emotion. Not anger, but deep affection. He is also filled with forgiveness and heavenly perspective.
Then Joseph could not control himself before all those who stood by him, and he cried, “Have everyone go out from me.” So there was no man with him when Joseph made himself known to his brothers.
2 He wept so loudly that the Egyptians heard it, and the household of Pharaoh heard of it.
3 Then Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph! Is my father still alive?” But his brothers could not answer him, for they were dismayed at his presence.
4 Then Joseph said to his brothers, “Please come closer to me.”And they came closer. And he said, “I am your brother Joseph, whom you sold into Egypt.
5 “Now do not be grieved or angry with yourselves, because you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life.
Genesis 45:1-5
It says in Romans 9 Paul the apostle states the following:
I have great sorrow and unceasing grief in my heart.
For I could wish that I myself were accursed, separated from Christ for the sake of my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh.
Romans 9:2-3a
Paul, speaking in the Holy Spirit is speaking of being grieved in heart wishing to be accursed for the sake of his brethren, the Jewish people. I believe Paul is reflecting the heart of God in His love for His ancient people.
Jesus wept over Jerusalem:
Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, the way a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were unwilling. Matthew 23:37
Jesus is grieved in heart because of His brethren! This is not an angry hate filled man. This is their Brother longing for them with tears streaming down His face. ‘Please come closer to me Genesis 45:4
Back to Joseph, Joseph is telling his brothers that what they did was evil but God sent him ahead to preserve life.
Like Joseph, Jesus is currently largely separated from His beloved brethren for a time. He has not rejected them, He is longing for their return!
I say then, God has not rejected His people, has He? May it never be! For I too am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.
God has not rejected His people whom He foreknew. Romans 11:1-2
I say then, they did not stumble so as to fall, did they? May it never be! But by their transgression salvation has come to the Gentiles, to make them jealous.
Now if their transgression is riches for the world and their failure is riches for the Gentiles, how much more will their fulfillment be! For if their rejection is the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead?
Romans 11:11-12,15
Joseph said to his brothers that God had sent him before to preserve life. When the turning comes, when the Jewish people are returned, Revelation says that they with wail with grief when they see Him and what He has endured. But they they will turn also and see all of us who are in love with the God of Israel! They will realize that their calling as a people has been fulfilled and that their Champion, Messiah Jesus has fulfilled their calling for them.
But what is the heart posture of the Messiah of Israel, the Lord Jesus now while they, though largely hostile enemies of the gospel at this point? Has He rejected them? Has He given up and chosen another? Never! Like Joseph, He is longing for reconciliation, for family reunion. He is longing for all the brothers to sit together at the Father’s table of love again. He is the Resurrection! He is Life from the Dead.
BEHOLD, HE IS COMING WITH THE CLOUDS, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him; and all the tribes of the earth will mourn over Him. So it is to be. Amen. Revelation 1:7