Jeremiah 10:16 - Homiletics

God the Portion of Israel.

I. GOD IS PECULIARLY RELATED TO HIS OWN PEOPLE . The previous verses describe the universal supremacy of God and the claims he has over all his creatures. He is not one among many gods, but the only God; he is the Creator of all things, in him all things consist, all men live only through him. He is gracious to all his human family, he is willing to give his richest blessings to all mankind. Still, there are other and special relations which God holds only with those who trust and love and obey him. They who seek God will find him as the negligent will never do. They who choose God for their Portion will be chosen by him for peculiar favors. This is quite consistent with the universality of the being and activity of God.

II. GOD 'S PECULIAR RELATION WITH HIS PEOPLE ADMITS OF NO RIVALRY . God must be the Portion of his people or in no sense peculiarly theirs. Israel cannot retain the special privileges of the covenant with Jehovah while breaking the conditions of that covenant which require unwavering fidelity ( Deuteronomy 28:14 ). He who would find his portion in God must not also seek it in the world. He may have many worldly advantages while pursuing higher aims, because these may be "added unto him;" but he must "seek first the kingdom of God" ( Matthew 6:33 ).

III. GOD 'S PECULIAR RELATION WITH HIS PEOPLE IS AN UNSPEAKABLE BLESSING TO THEM .

1. He makes them his inheritance , i . e . prizes them as property, values them "as the apple of his eye" ( Deuteronomy 32:10 ), as his "peculiar treasure" ( Malachi 3:17 ). If God showers down upon all his creatures mercies countless as the stars of heaven, what must be the wonder and the glory of their state whom God thus prizes and marks for special favor!

2. They find in him their Portion .

IV. THE BLESSING OF THIS PECULIAR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD IS OPEN TO ALL MEN . The Jews too often rested their claim on inherent national rights—their birthrights. But the New Testament declares the spiritual Israel to be the true Israel ( Galatians 6:15 , Galatians 6:16 ), and this Israel is composed of all who walk "according to the rule" of faith in Christ. Therefore the broad invitation for all to follow Christ opens the door for all to the closest relationship with God. If all are invited to Christ who is the Way, all may become God's peculiar inheritance, and find their Portion in him ( 1 Peter 2:9 ).