The Perfect Plan
The mystery of God's saving purposes was fully revealed, says Paul, when the times reached their fulfillment (Ephesians 1: 10). God had a plan from the beginning, and history in simply that God has not planned, and for that reason alone men should put their complete trust in Him.

God's plan is to bring everything in creation, both heaven and earth (Genesis 1: 1) under the leadership of His Son, the Savior of the world. To that end, God has chosen a people to be united to the Son as His Holy bride. Paul stresses that the choice of these people was from the beginning in complete conformity to His redemptive plan (Ephesians 1:11). God's perfect plan of history as it unfolds, was fully revealed first to the Jews. Even in Old Testament times, the Jews had a fuller and richer revelation than did those Gentiles who were saved. The Jews had a readied access to the display of redemption in the tabernacle and sacrificial system, and other privileges as well. When the Gospel came in its fullness in Christ, it came first to the Jews. But in the 'mystery' of God's plan, it then went to the Gentiles, and after that the distinction between Jew and Gentile was eliminated.

So Paul speaks of the Jews in verse 12, writing that "we, who were the first to hope in the Messiah, might be for the praise of His glory." Then he turns to the Gentiles in verse 13: "And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth." We notice that the converted Jews are said to be saved and praise God. Those who come first set the pattern for those who came after. Thus, the praises of Israel set the pattern for the praises of the Gentiles.

Worship is never far from Paul's thoughts in Ephesians. In these few verses, we have moved from God's sovereign plan for history to the call of the Jews, to the salvation of the Gentile, and then to worship. Everything God has ever done is praise worthy, and the only proper response to the study of the Bible and theology is praise.

Reflection and Commitment
Have you ever had anything really bad happen to you, something you felt was grossly unfair and that you did not understand? Perhaps you still don't understand it. Can you relax and trust that God's plan is perfect, that He has good reason for what He does, and that it is for your ultimate good?

For Further Study: Genesis 50:15-21, Isaiah 14:24-27 and Romans 8:28-29.