Jeshurun

“There is no one like the God of Jeshurun, Who rides the heavens to help you, And in His excellency on the clouds." - Deuteronomy 33:26        

    The truth, nature, and identity of the true and living GOD is shrouded in the darkest of mysteries to the understanding of the natural man. .   “Canst thou by searching find out God? canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection? It is as high as heaven; what canst thou do? deeper than hell; what canst thou know? The measure thereof is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea. If he cut off, and shut up, or gather together, then who can hinder him?” (Job 11:7-10)  “Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honor and power everlasting. Amen.” (1Tim 6:16)  “There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.” (Rom 3:11)

   It is as impossible that one of the fallen sons of Adam could ever discover GOD by his own searching as it is for one of those whom the LORD has declared just and upright to ever be lost or cast out of HIS presence.    This is a most blessed truth which the LORD is pleased to declare unto Israel.   “The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms: and he shall thrust out the enemy from before thee; and shall say, Destroy them.” (Deut 33:27)

    The LORD said to Israel that HE is the GOD of Jeshurun.   This is an interesting term which is found only four times in the whole bible; Deut.32:15; 33:5, 26; and Isa.44:2.   The name, Jeshurun, literally means, upright or of an ideal character.   Now if one takes the time to read the 31 and 32 chapters of Deuteronomy where the rebellion, idolatry, and disobedience of the nation of Israel is recounted it is a puzzlement indeed that the LORD says to this same nation that HE will hold them in the palms of HIS hands as a refuge which is supported by the everlasting arms of HIM whose strength cannot fail, because they are upright.

    We understand that HE is speaking in a spiritual manner and while there is a fulfillment of HIS deliverance of this earthly nation from their enemies, HE is actually speaking of a promise which far exceeds that carnal blessing and uses them as an illustration of HIS deliverance of that true Israel of GOD, (not some mongrel tribe in the Mideast), the elect bride which is hidden in the bosom of CHRIST from before the foundation of the world.

    HE said that HE is the GOD of Jeshurun, the upright; and yet those to whom HE is speaking are to the casual observer anything but upright.   In the same fashion HE speaks of that bride of CHRIST as being without spot or blemish.   Yet we find that she has been unfaithful to HIM time and again.   In fact the LORD testified that those HE came to gather unto HIMSELF are not fine, upstanding, religious folk, but rather sinners of the worst kind.   “When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” (Mar 2:17)

   So how is it that HE is the GOD of the upright when it is obvious that those for which HE came into the earth are wicked men, worthy of death and fit only for destruction?   It is in this: that HE has made them “upright” in HIS own sight by the imputed righteousness of CHRIST.   When came this righteousness to be imputed to them?   Did HE who is of purer eyes than to look upon sin embrace them in wickedness?   No a thousand times no! yea before the foundation of the world, before ever any crimes which they became guilty of by the breaking of the law to which HE subjected them to, HE decreed them without sin in an everlasting covenant with HIS SON.  They were created upright and appointed unto eternal life as those who are righteous in CHRIST, and made heirs and joint heirs with HIM.

    If you ask them what they are, they will hang their heads and confess that they are guilty and hell deserving sinners, unworthy of the least of HIS mercies.   They know that they should be destroyed for their crimes against HIM.   Yet when the LORD looks upon them HE sees nothing but the Robe of CHRIST’s righteousness which covers them from head to foot.  HE sees a people accepted in the BELOVED, a nation of Kings and priests, “a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people; that (they) should show forth the praises of him who hath called (them) out of darkness into his marvelous light.” (1Pet 2:9)

    Oh that the LORD’s people might bow down and worship this GOD of Jeshurun.   HE is worthy of praise, HIS mercy endureth forever even to those generations not yet born which HE sees in HIS son, an upright and perfect people.   There is no remembrance of sin with HIM.  HE has embraced a holy people which are hidden in HIS SON.

    So indeed the manifestation of redemption in the earth is impossible for the natural man to take in.   He devises many theories and imagines any number of ways for men to participate in that process.   Yet the scripture plainly speaks of ONE who is the REDEEMER and of a people who are the redeemed.   Nothing is more unpalatable to the thinking of natural man than the sovereign electing grace of GOD.   HE will accuse GOD of all sorts of crimes and misdeeds committed against men thereby.   “Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?” (Gen 18:25)

    The LORD JESUS CHRIST did come to this earth made in the likeness of sinful flesh and on the account of sin.   HE did bear the sin debt which HIS people incurred by their disobedience to the holy law of GOD.   HE came to destroy all of the enemies of those people which were chosen in HIM.   HE has unsheathed and whet HIS glittering sword and triumphed gloriously over all of HIS people’s enemies.   Not one remains unbowed, yet we see not yet all things put under HIM since HE has made death HIS servant and uses that for HIS purpose until such time as HE is pleased with the brightness of HIS coming to cast it forever away in the pit of destruction.  “Even so come LORD JESUS.”

    All of the accusers of GOD’s people are made liars as their mouths are stopped by the display of HIS absolute righteousness which HE has caused HIS people to stand in.  They cannot be accused for “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” (Rom 8:1)  “Happy art thou, O Israel: who is like unto thee, O people saved by the LORD, the shield of thy help, and who is the sword of thy excellency! and thine enemies shall be found liars unto thee; and thou shalt tread upon their high places.”  (Deu 33:29)

1          In union with the Lamb, From condemnation free,

            The saints from everlasting were; And shall for ever be.

2          In covenant from of old, The sons of God they were;

            The feeblest lamb in Jesus’ fold  Was blessed in Jesus there.

3          Its bonds shall never break,  Though earth’s old columns bow;

            The strong, the tempted, and the weak, Are one in Jesus now.

4          When storms or tempests rise, Or sins your peace assail,

            Your hope in Jesus never dies; ’Tis cast within the vail.

5          Here let the weary rest, Who love the Saviour’s name;

            Though with no sweet enjoyments blessed,This covenant stands the same.

                                                            #921 Gadsby’s Hymns by John Kent