God’s Covenant for a Scattered People
| The Biblical Definition of Diaspora The first mention of the term “diaspora” (Greek: διασπορά) in the Bible is found in Deuteronomy 28:25, “The LORD will cause you to be defeated before your enemies. You will come at them from one direction but flee from them in seven, and you will become a thing of horror to all the kingdoms on earth.” (Deuteronomy 28:25, NIV) When the Hebrew Bible was translated into Greek, the term was used to describe the forced expulsion of Jews by the Babylonians in 607 B.C. and later by the Roman Empire in A.D. 70. The kingdom of Israel was divided into the northern kingdom of Israel and the southern kingdom of Judah. Israel fell to Assyria in 722 B.C., and Judah was later destroyed by Babylon in 586 B.C. As a result, the Israelites were taken from their homeland and exiled to foreign lands, enduring suffering and displacement. The Bible refers to these scattered people as the diaspora. Over time, the term came to signify not only the historical dispersion of the Jewish people but also their cultural development and identity as a people living outside their homeland. While the ancient diaspora was primarily a result of conquest and forced displacement, the concept extends beyond the Old Testament. In the New Testament, following the martyrdom of Stephen in Acts 6, early Christians fled persecution, leaving Jerusalem and their Jewish communities behind. This expansion of the diaspora in the Christian era highlights how the dispersion of God’s people played a role in spreading the Gospel to the ends of the earth. Definition of Diaspora “Diaspora” refers to the movement of a specific ethnic group from their homeland to other regions, either voluntarily or forcibly. It also describes communities that have permanently settled outside their native land. Initially, the term specifically referred to Jewish communities living outside Palestine following the Hellenistic period. Since the 1990s, the definition of diaspora has expanded beyond its Jewish context. Today, it encompasses a broader range of experiences, including international migration, asylum seekers, refugees, migrant workers, ethnic communities, cultural diversity, and identity struggles among displaced peoples |
》Scripture Prayer
Read and meditate on the following passage
1 The LORD had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you. 2 “I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” (Genesis 12:1-3,NIV)
8 Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: “All nations will be blessed through you.” 14 He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.(Galatians 3:8, 14,NIV)
》Pray that the Word may become the Conclusion.
1. God called Abraham to bless all the families scattered on the earth after the Tower of Babel (Genesis 11). Though Abraham did not know where he was going, he obeyed God’s command in faith. As a vessel prepared for the scattered people (diaspora), Abraham became the channel of the Gospel and the father of faith. Because of this, even we, the Gentiles from the ends of the earth, have been bestowed the blessing of Abraham and obtained salvation by grace. Now that we have received the Gospel, let us pray that we, like Abraham, may become channels of the Gospel and be used for those who are scattered and in need of salvation.
2. The faithful God, in His perfect timing, sent His Son, Jesus Christ, as the seed of the woman to fulfill His promise of salvation. As our Savior, Jesus dwells among us, granting us the grace of Immanuel—“God with us.” Let us give thanks for His redemptive plan and believe that through Jesus, the only way to the Father, salvation will continue to reach the Gentiles until all nations are blessed.
| Those Who Know the End of History More than 1 billion people worldwide live outside their country of birth. These migrants carry their culture, religion, and traditions with them, embedding them into the societies where they settle. Religions such as Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, and various forms of shamanism are being transmitted to native populations through the diaspora. The Muslim population in Europe is growing and spreading at an alarming rate. In the United States, Hinduism, atheism, and pluralism, influenced by secular ideologies, are rapidly infiltrating both society and the Church. The spread and influence of non-Christian ideologies are advancing at an unprecedented pace. We are witnessing a clash of civilizations, hurtling toward the last days. However, those who believe in the Gospel do not live in fear or confusion, for we know how history will unfold. The early Church, even when thrown to the lions, sang hymns of victory, trusting in God’s sovereignty: “To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood.”(Revelation 1:5, NIV) “‘Fallen! Fallen is Babylon the Great!’ … In one hour she has been brought to ruin! Rejoice over her, you heavens! Rejoice, you people of God! Rejoice, apostles and prophets! For God has judged her with the judgment she imposed on you.” (Revelation 18:2, 19–20, NIV) No matter how threatening the expansion of false religions and ideologies may seem, Satan’s power remains under God’s authority. The Lord is sovereign over history and will fulfill His divine purpose in His perfect time. More importantly, we see a rising number of diaspora people encountering the Gospel and turning to Christ. As we witness God’s incredible plan and providence, let us eagerly await the fulfillment of the Great Commission—when the “gospel of the kingdom will be preached to all nations, and then the end will come” (Matthew 24:14). |
》Scripture Prayer
Read and meditate on the following passage
1 When all these blessings and curses I have set before you come on you and you take them to heart wherever the LORD your God disperses you among the nations, 2 and when you and your children return to the LORD your God and obey him with all your heart and with all your soul according to everything I command you today, 3 then the LORD your God will restore your fortunes and have compassion on you and gather you again from all the nations where he scattered you. 4 Even if you have been banished to the most distant land under the heavens, from there the LORD your God will gather you and bring you back.(Deuteronomy 30:1-4,NIV)
Since you are precious and honored in my sight, and because I love you, I will give people in exchange for you, nations in exchange for your life. Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bring your children from the east and gather you from the west. I will say to the north, ‘Give them up!’ and to the south, ‘Do not hold them back.’ Bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the ends of the earth—everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.(Isaiah 43:4-7,NIV)
》Pray that the Word may become the Conclusion.
1. God is the Lord of all creation, and all nations originate from Him and will return to Him. As the day of the Lord’s return draws near, He has sovereignly scattered and relocated people across the world, ushering in an era of multicultural societies. Let us trust in His providence and pray for the diaspora communities in every nation to return to God through the Gospel.
2. Let us pray that those created for God’s glory may hear the message of the cross of Jesus, the King of all nations. Let us commit ourselves to prayer, standing with the Lord, who continues His work until every tongue and tribe worships Him freely.
》 Urgent prayer requests around the world need your prayer!
