The Wonderful Nation

by G. E. HORNE | Category: The Wonderful Nation | Jun 1943

It is recorded of Frederick the Great, who was an infidel, and a friend of Voltaire, that he once asked Von Ziethen, one of his generals, whom he knew to be a Christian, to defend his Christianity in a word. The general replied, "Sire, Israel." This was a wise answer, for the history of that remarkable nation affords ample proof of the inspiration of the Scriptures, and of the Divine origin of Christianity.

THE PROMISE OF THE LAND.

In Genesis 15.18 God made a covenant with Abram that He had given to his seed the land from the river of Egypt unto the Euphrates. Never yet has Israel held all this country, but it will be theirs in millennial days. It will be seen that this was an unconditional promise.

Later many promises were made to Israel, conditional upon their obedience, with corresponding prediction of judgement should they turn away from the LORD Let us take a few of these, which have been fulfilled so literally as to leave no possible doubt of their Divine origin.

SCATTERING.

In Deuteronomy 28.25 the scattering of the Jews and their being tossed to and fro among all kingdoms of the earth are foretold. After the fall of Jerusalem in A.D. 70 they were driven out of Palestine, to which land they have not been allowed to return, until recent years, but have been scattered amongst all the nations of the earth In almost every land colonies of Jews are found

A PROVERB AND A BYWORD

Verse 87 of this chapter states "And thou shalt become an astonishment, a proverb, and a byword among all the peoples whither the LORD shall lead thee away" In Ezekiel 5 14 we read "Moreover I will make thee a desolation and a reproach among the nations that are round about thee, in the sight of all that pass by. "

The poor Jew has been despised and his name has become a by word and term of reproach m many countries To speak of a person as a "Jew" is a well understood term of contempt, implying that he is avaricious and crafty.

PERSECUTION, TREMBLING AND UNREST.

"And among these nations shalt thou find no ease, and there shall be no rest for the sole of thy foot: but the LORD shall give thee there a trembling heart, and failing of eyes, and pining of soul: and thy life shall hang in doubt before thee; and thou shalt fear night and day, and shalt have none assurance of thy life" (Deuteronomy 28.65, 66). These words very graphically describe the condition of the Jews in Poland, Russia and other countries in the past, and in German-occupied lands to-day. How fearfully have they brought upon themselves the judgement of God for the rejection of Christ "His blood be on us, and on our children," they said (Matthew 27.25). Surely it has been upon them all these centuries.

RAIN WITHHELD.

In Deuteronomy 11.17 is made known what would happen to the land of Palestine if Israel turned aside from the LORD. The heavens would be shut up; there would he no rain, and the land would not yield her fruit. For hundreds of years that country, which was once "a land flowing with milk and honey," lay barren and sterile. During the occupation of the Turk it was an impoverished land for lack of rain.

Such a barren country was no temptation to other nations. Now that the Jew is going back, the former and latter rains are again falling. The land is once more fruitful, and, before the present war, was perhaps the most prosperous country in the world.

WITHOUT KING OR TEMPLE

"For the children of Israel shall abide many days without king, and without prince, and without sacrifice, and without pillar, and without ephod or teraphim" (Hosea 3.4). Zedekiah was the last king to reign over Judah. He was carried away captive to Babylon by Nebuchadnezzar about 600 years B.C. For 2,500 years no Israelite has sat upon the throne of David. Herod the Great was an Idumean, and under the Roman power.

SURVIVAL OF THE JEWISH NATION.

In spite of all efforts to exterminate the Jews, the race still survives. The Jew retains his identity. Many ancient nations have disappeared; they have been assimilated with other peoples, but the Jews remain. They are more numerous today than ever. God is preserving them for a great purpose. "They are beloved for the fathers' sake" (Romans 11. 28). This retention of identity by Israel is one of the greatest miracles of history.

DESTRUCTION OF TRE TEMPLE AND DESOLATION OF JERUSALEM.

The Lord Jesus Himself foretold the complete destruction of. the temple. He said, "There shall not be left here one stone up9n another, that shall not be thrown down " (Luke 21. 6).

In the same chapter He spoke of the compassing of Jerusalem by the Roman armies, of its desolation, and of the captivity of the nation. "Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles he fulfilled" (verse 24).

Such predictions; spoken so long beforehand, and afterwards fulfilled to the letter, could only have their source in God. Here we have unassailable evidence of the inspiration of scripture. "For no prophecy ever came by the will Of man: but men spake from God, being moved by the Holy Spirit" (2 Peter 1.21).

In another article, we hope, if the Lord will, to write of the return to their land; and of the future blessing and glory of, this wonderful nation,

G. E. HORNE | Jun 1943
The Wonderful Nation