The apostle Paul takes up the same theme with unmistakable clarity. For him, the children of Abraham are not those who share Abraham’s bloodline, but those who share his faith-line of Abraham. He writes that “those of faith are the sons of Abraham” (Galatians 3:7) and that “not all who are descended from Israel belong to Israel” (Romans 9:6).

Toby’s metaphor of the Jews as an “apostate older brother” is sentimental but misleading. Not only is it misleading, but to make the claims he does necessarily distracts from those whom God has declared are actually the true Israel: the church.

How often do the saints of God feel ill equipped to answer those who come against our Lord? How quickly do we become dismayed with feelings of inadequacy, incompetence, and weakness that overcome us when we are opposed by infidels? This is an all-to-often occurrence for the redeemed, but it ought not be.

This introductory episode describes the primary purpose of Christ's first advent: to save his people from their sins (Matthew 1:21).