The first generation of Israelites which left Egypt, with the exception of Joshua and Caleb, all died in the wilderness and never inherited the land because of their unbelief.

On the contrary, Rahab, who was previously a Gentile harlot, lived in the land of Promise as a member of the nation of Israel because she feared God. She married Salmon and became an ancestress of both King David and the Lord Jesus Christ.

It’s not about DNA, and never has been. It’s about a right heart towards God.

Ruth, who married Boaz was a Moabite woman (Ruth 1:22; 2:2, 21; 4:5, 10). Yet it was in her heart to serve the God of Israel. She said to Naomi, “thy people shall be my people, and THY GOD, MY GOD” (Ruth 1:16).

Ruth was a Moabite by physical descent, yet she too became an ancestress of King David and the Lord Jesus Christ because of her desire for God.

On the contrary, we read in Numbers 25 how some Israelite men committed fornication with some unholy Moabite women and became idolatrous of the Moabite’s false gods. These men were judged by God and put to death.

It has always been about the heart with God. It has never been about “race or nationality.” Man looks on the outward appearance but God looks on the heart (1 Samuel 16:7).

May I encourage you not to miss this truth within the narrative of the story of Israel. It was never about those who were Jews outwardly. It has always been about those who were Jews inwardly; not, those whose flesh had been circumcised, but instead, those whose hearts had been circumcised (Deuteronomy 10:16; 30:6; Jeremiah 4:4; Romans 2; 28-29).