When God brought the dry land into existence, He bade it bring forth grass, and herb yielding seed, and fruit trees yielding fruit. The earth was the one green spot surrounded by the Seas. The one spot where food for the sustenance of man was springing up.
This is typical of the part that Israel had to play for God in this world. Where was there any spiritual light in this world save in the land of Israel? The surrounding nations were sunk in all the depravity of heathendom. Israel alone had the knowledge of God. The question is asked, "What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision? Much every way: chiefly because that unto them were committed the oracles of God " (Rom. 3:11What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision? (Romans 3:1)). The light of God in Old Testament times was centered in the Land of Israel. There was the Temple at Jerusalem, where God dwelt between the cherubim in the holiest of all, till the idolatry of the Israelites drove His Presence away (Ezek. 9:3; 10:4; 11:223And the glory of the God of Israel was gone up from the cherub, whereupon he was, to the threshold of the house. And he called to the man clothed with linen, which had the writer's inkhorn by his side; (Ezekiel 9:3)
4Then the glory of the Lord went up from the cherub, and stood over the threshold of the house; and the house was filled with the cloud, and the court was full of the brightness of the Lord's glory. (Ezekiel 10:4)
22Then did the cherubims lift up their wings, and the wheels beside them; and the glory of the God of Israel was over them above. (Ezekiel 11:22)). Every known writer of the Books of the Old Testament, with the possible exception of the Book of Job, were Israelites. In the Old Testament we read of many saints of God connected with Israel. We read too of even Gentiles coming into blessing through contact with Israel. Our Lord said when here on earth, " Salvation is of the Jews " (John 4:2222Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews. (John 4:22)).