We had a visiting speaker from an overseas branch office give our public talk this past weekend. He made a point I’d never heard before regarding Jesus’ words, “Who really is the faithful and discreet slave…” He asked the audience to consider whom Jesus was addressing. His Jewish disciples would have understood that Jehovah’s slave or steward on earth would be the nation of Israel, and at that point in time, it was. Of course, out of this slave would come another slave; one that would prove faithful in the end.
This got me to thinking. If Israel—all of Israel—was God’s slave or steward, then the new steward, spiritual Israel, would be a corresponding anti-type. The Aaronic priesthood led the priestly tribe of Levi who themselves took the spiritual lead of the nation, but all of Israel was the slave. Likewise, could not the entire modern-day Christian congregation correspond to Israel, all 7.5 million of us, rather than just the tiny group of ten thousand anointed ones?
Just wondering.
Thanks Meleti, I would have to agree as well. It would seem to to square the account in Luke 12:41 Then Peter said: “Lord,* are you saying this illustration to us or also to all?” 42 And the Lord said: “Who really is the faithful steward,*+ the discreet+ one, whom his master will appoint over his body of attendants to keep giving them their measure of food supplies at the proper time?+ 43 Happy is that slave, if his master on arriving finds him doing so!+ 44 I tell YOU truthfully, He will appoint him over all his belongings.+ 45… Read more »
I concur…:)
nb. The word used for steward is written in the singular…not plural…
Could one be forgiven for speculating then, that The Lord may of been speaking of, individuals, in charge of His flock…?…ie Servants/Overseers/Teachers etc etc…?!
as opposed to a, “Class…”…?
Or is that too simplistic…?
I agree, but of course the custodians of the official doctrine will refer you to Gal 6:16 for the purpose of this exercise, and say that the “Israel of God” can only be those anointed as kings and priests. I’m not saying that’s what the scripture says. It doesn’t. But this whole framework relies on a fundamental belief in the way that we choose to connect the dots. And the basis for the belief is that the custodians are the “Israel of God” and have been “appointed over all Christ’s belongings”. Therefore understanding must be correct. The reasoning is circular,… Read more »