Shalom,

In Psalm 82:1:

¹God standeth in the congregation of the mighty; he judgeth among the gods.

Here we see that "God", the Hebrew word, "'Elohiym", the Supreme God in a plural sense, the Godhead - Father, Son , Holy Spirit, "stands", the Hebrew "natsab", which means: to take one's stand, to establish, to stand firm, in the congregation or gathering of the "mighty", Hebrew "`el", which means: God, God-like, mighty in strength and power, among "the gods", Hebrew, "'lohiym", which means: works or special possessions of God. He is talking about those He has trusted with His authority and they are NOT using it properly! He gives instructions in verses 3-5 as how they are to judge properly. Then in verse 6 we see this:

⁶I said, You are gods [since you judge on My behalf, as My representatives]; indeed, all of you are children of the Most High.

Then look in John 10:34:

³⁴Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods?

He has given us (believers) HIS authority over all the power of the enemy to set captives free. They weren't doing it right. You and I can learn from this example and make sure that we use the power and authority given to us by Word of God, the Blood of Jesus and the Name of Jesus to properly represent the way the Lord would do it if He were here! That's a high calling, but one we're well equipped for!

Romans 10:1-3 shows us the heart of Paul and why he would continue on in the ministry, even when he was ready to go home to Heaven:

¹BRETHREN, [with all] my heart's desire and goodwill for [Israel], I long and pray to God that they may be saved.

²I bear them witness that they have a [certain] zeal and enthusiasm for God, but it is not enlightened and according to [correct and vital] knowledge.

³For being ignorant of the righteousness that God ascribes [which makes one acceptable to Him in word, thought, and deed] and seeking to establish a righteousness (a means of salvation) of their own, they did not obey or submit themselves to God's righteousness.

So what SHOULD the Jewish people have done? Look at verses 8-13:

⁸But what does it say? The Word (God's message in Christ) is near you, on your lips and in your heart; that is, the Word (the message, the basis and object) of faith which we preach,

⁹Because if you acknowledge and confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and in your heart believe (adhere to, trust in, and rely on the truth) that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.

¹⁰For with the heart a person believes (adheres to, trusts in, and relies on Christ) and so is justified (declared righteous, acceptable to God), and with the mouth he confesses (declares openly and speaks out freely his faith) and confirms [his] salvation.

¹¹The Scripture says, No man who believes in Him [who adheres to, relies on, and trusts in Him] will [ever] be put to shame or be disappointed.

¹²[No one] for there is no distinction between Jew and Greek. The same Lord is Lord over all [of us] and He generously bestows His riches upon all who call upon Him [in faith].

¹³For everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord [invoking Him as Lord] will be saved.

Verses 14-15 tell us that the Gospel MUST be preached in order for people to be saved. But the Gospel HAD been preached to the Jews, so what was their problem? God certainly wanted them to be saved! Look at verse 21:

²¹But of Israel he says, All day long I have stretched out My hands to a people unyielding and disobedient and self-willed [to a faultfinding, contrary, and contradicting people].

So what is the answer? Tune in tomorrow as we look at Romans 11!

In Numbers 7-8 we continue to see the precision and organization of God! He leaves nothing out and specifically lists each detail when most of us would have lumped everyone together under a blanket statement of what was expected. Not God! Why? He wants to show the infinite attention He gives to each one of us! He is NO respecter of persons (Acts 10:34) and cares for each one individually and thoroughly! Don't ever believe the lie that God doesn't have time for you. He moves Heaven and earth on your behalf when You choose to do things His way! He always has and He always will! AMEN!

Shalom in Him!