Beloved and righteous in his sight

I suppose I’ve known for some time that the name Jeshurun was another name for the nation of Israel. But until today, I never thought to actually look up what it means.

It basically means “upright” or “righteous.”

But when the Old Testament was translated into Greek, it was translated as “beloved.”

It is the same word used in the New Testament to describe Jesus (Matthew 3:17), and Christians (2 Thessalonians 2:13).

Israel didn’t always live up to the name “upright one.” (32:15)

And because of their sin, God did not always treat them as “beloved ones”. (Deuteronomy 32:19-21)

Nevertheless, he ultimately showed his grace to them. (Deuteronomy 32:36)

In the same way, we don’t always live up to the name of “upright one,” and God will discipline us when we sin.

And yet, because of Jesus’ work on the cross, we are beloved by God, holy, faultless, and blameless before him. (Colossians 1:21-22)

So let us remember Moses’ words.

There is none like the God of Jeshurun,
who rides the heavens to your aid,
the clouds in his majesty.

The God of old is your dwelling place,
and underneath are the everlasting arms. (Deuteronomy 33:26-27)