The nation of Israel may be small, but has a robust economy. Even though it is only the size of the state of New Jersey, it actually EXPORTS products to the world. And what is its biggest export? Diamonds! The diamond industry accounts for nearly $11 billion in annual revenue for Israeli businesses … and this is followed closely by exports in technology and oil. In total, Israel exports nearly $80 billion in products annually.
But this should not surprise us. From the very start of this nation – going all the way back to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob … and down through Moses, Joshua, and David – God ALWAYS intended that Israel would not be a receiver, but a giver. God’s plan was for Israel to be like the flowing streams of the region of Dan, not like the stagnant waters of the Dead Sea. “I will bless you,” God said to Abraham, and “in you all the families of the earth will be blessed.” (Genesis 12:3)
Indeed God has blessed Israel. But in what sense does God desire Israel to be a blessing to others? Is God’s plan for Israel’s primary export to be diamonds or oil? Before we answer that, let me pause for a moment, and redirect the conversation.
What are YOU exporting? God’s desire is not for you to be like a mosquito infested ditch filled with stagnant water … a place where His blessing goes but does not leave. God’s desire is for our lives to be channels through which His blessing flows to others. So, what are you exporting? Are you exporting primarily your knowledge of OU football or some other hobby? Are you primarily exporting the promotion of your own ego? What do people around you experience on the other side of you … AND, is there anything about you that is worth exporting to every nation on earth?
Back to Israel … God’s desire from the very start has always been for Israel to spread the knowledge of the one true God to the ends of the earth. God gave to them the Old Covenant Scriptures, and God related to them in a very unique way … God blessed them … so that the people of the surrounding nations might come to know God through observing their lives. Their God-given, primary job in the Old Testament times (and a job that they will take up again in the final tribulation times before Christ returns) was to EXPORT the glory of God to the world. Indeed through the Jewish born Messiah (Jesus Christ), hope is provided to all who believe in Him.
By application, dear friends, the role of the church in this New Covenant age that we are living in, is to not export “us” but to export Jesus. Our particular interests and hobbies and personal accomplishments are not worth sharing with the peoples of the world … but Jesus IS WORTH EXPORTING. The missionary core of the church is that Jesus is worthy of the honor and praise of all people everywhere … which is why we are called to go to the ends of the earth with the Gospel message.
This Sunday, at Wildwood Community Church in our 8:30, 9:45, and 11:00 worship services, we will be in part 5 of our “Him Book: Psalms for our Souls” series, looking at Psalm 67. This Psalm is a prayer, asking God for OUR CHIEF EXPORT TO BE HIM. In our “me focused” world, we need to recalibrate on this Psalm, and (God-willing) we will do so on Sunday. Hope to see you there … and bring friends! He is worthy of ALL of our praise!