We have seen how the history of the Israelites practically began with the Exodus, and how it ran its course till the whole of the twelve tribes found themselves in captivity in Assyria and Babylonia as the result of their idolatry, and how never since then have they reverted to the state of things when God recognized them nationally. Ever since then power and government have been centered by God in Gentile hands.
The prophet Jeremiah foretold that their captivity in Babylon would last seventy years, whilst 2 Chronicles 36:2121To fulfil the word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremiah, until the land had enjoyed her sabbaths: for as long as she lay desolate she kept sabbath, to fulfil threescore and ten years. (2 Chronicles 36:21) tells us the captivity was “to fulfill the word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremiah, until the land had enjoyed her sabbaths: for as long as she lay desolate she kept sabbath, to fulfill threescore and ten years.”
Leviticus 25:44But in the seventh year shall be a sabbath of rest unto the land, a sabbath for the Lord: thou shalt neither sow thy field, nor prune thy vineyard. (Leviticus 25:4) tells us that God ordained that every seventh year should be a sabbath of rest unto the land. Now if seventy years of rest were given, it looks as if the land had not received its septennial year of rest for four hundred and ninety years. Seeing that Judah was carried away captive B.C. 610, four hundred and ninety years before that would bring us to B.C. 120. This was just about the date when the children of Israel clamored for a king, and when God said, “They have rejected ME, that I should not reign over them” (1 Sam. 8:77And the Lord said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them. (1 Samuel 8:7)).
This captivity ran practically the whole length of the Babylonian Empire. With a new regime, that of Persia, the way was opened for a change of policy. But would such a change naturally come about? What monarch, especially in those rough days, would care about the fate of a subjugated and captive race?
We come now to one of those remarkable interventions of God that witness to His care for His own word and people. Isaiah 45:11Thus saith the Lord to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have holden, to subdue nations before him; and I will loose the loins of kings, to open before him the two leaved gates; and the gates shall not be shut; (Isaiah 45:1) and 4 tells us: “Thus saith the Lord to His anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have holden ... For Jacob My servant's sake, and Israel Mine elect, I have even called thee by Thy name: I have surnamed thee, though thou hast not known Me.” The date given for Isaiah's prophecy is B.C. 712. The date for the first year of the reign of Cyrus is B.C. 536, or 176 years between Isaiah's prophecy and the start of Cyrus' reign. Thus God distinctly raised up a deliverer for His people—Gentile though he was—in the person of Cyrus, even naming him long before his birth. So we read in Ezra 1:1-41Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and put it also in writing, saying, 2Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia, The Lord God of heaven hath given me all the kingdoms of the earth; and he hath charged me to build him an house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah. 3Who is there among you of all his people? his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem, which is in Judah, and build the house of the Lord God of Israel, (he is the God,) which is in Jerusalem. 4And whosoever remaineth in any place where he sojourneth, let the men of his place help him with silver, and with gold, and with goods, and with beasts, beside the freewill offering for the house of God that is in Jerusalem. (Ezra 1:1‑4): “Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and put it also in writing, saying, “Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia, The Lord God of heaven hath given me all the kingdoms of the earth; and He hath charged me to build Him an house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah. “Who is there among you of all His people? his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem, which is in Judah, and build the house of the Lord God of Israel (He is the God), which is in Jerusalem. “And whosoever remaineth in any place where he sojourneth, let the men of his place help him with silver, and with gold, and with goods, and with beasts, beside the freewill offering for the house of God that is in Jerusalem.”
The effect of this was that the chief of the fathers of Judah and Benjamin, and the priests and the Levites, and all those whose spirit the Lord stirred up, responded to the invitation. Moreover, Cyrus brought forth the vessels of the Lord that Nebuchadnezzar had taken from the temple, and restored them to the custody of this remnant in order that they might carry them back to Jerusalem. Nearly fifty thousand thus returned on this occasion.
Reaching Jerusalem under the leadership of Zerubbabel (an ancestor of our Lord according to the flesh) and Joshua, the High Priest, the foundation of the temple was laid. The old men, remembering the glories of the former house, Solomon's temple, wept, whilst the young men, only knowing the revival of God's interests, shouted for joy. But alas! the adversary succeeded in hindering and stopping the work.
Sixteen years passed between the edict of Cyrus and the second year of the reign of Darius, when God stirred up the returned Jews by the prophecies of Haggai and Zechariah to go on with the work of building the temple. An attempt to stop the work caused Darius to inquire into the matter, the result being that he definitely confirmed the decree of Cyrus, and thus the work prospered, until in B.C. 516 the temple was completed, and dedicated with great rejoicing.
Encouraged by this, we find Ezra the priest, with some of the children of Israel, priests, Levites, arrived in Jerusalem. We read of some fifteen hundred males returning at this time.
There the narrative of the book of Ezra practically ends, and we are now introduced to Nehemiah—a wonderful servant of God. Learning of the distress of the remnant of the captivity, that the walls of Jerusalem were broken down, and its gates burned with fire, this Great-heart fasted and prayed for certain days. Cup-bearer to Artaxerxes, the king noticed his sad countenance and inquired the meaning of it. Emboldened, Nehemiah told his story, and asked the king to send him to Jerusalem. The king granted his request. Arriving at Jerusalem he found certain enemies “grieved ... exceedingly that there was come a man to seek the welfare of the children of Israel” (Neh. 2:1010When Sanballat the Horonite, and Tobiah the servant, the Ammonite, heard of it, it grieved them exceedingly that there was come a man to seek the welfare of the children of Israel. (Nehemiah 2:10)).
Under Nehemiah's leadership and inspiring example the building of the wall went on apace. This so roused the enemies—Sanballat, Tobiah, and others—that Nehemiah had to arm the people, half of them working, and half standing ready to repel any sudden attack. Finally the wall was finished.
From henceforth there is silence in Scripture as to the history of the Jews, till the veil is lifted at the birth of Christ, and then only in relation to Christ.
The historical narrative ends B.C. 445, the only recorded intervention of God subsequently being the touching prophecy of Malachi (B.C. 397). Then for nearly four centuries there is silence till the veil is lifted with the story of the marvelous intervention of God in the affairs of this world in sending His beloved Son into it, thus fulfilling many a glowing prophecy recorded on Old Testament page.
Secular history gives us much information as to the history of the Jews in that interval.
The endeavor of the Jews to regain their independence under the Maccabees, resulting in Palestine's becoming tributary to Rome, prepared the people and the land for that condition of things into which Christ was born. This period we do not enlarge upon. We will pass on to the moment when Scripture lifts the veil once more.
We come now to that most wonderful moment in the world's history, when the Lord Jesus Christ entered this world. For this moment the eager centuries had waited. To this hour the prophetic page had pointed with unerring finger.
God's ancient land was under Roman yoke, its rightful King—Joseph—was but a carpenter, the Temple at Jerusalem was the creation of Herod, the Idumean king, when this most marvelous event took place.
To an uninstructed eye, the event was of little importance. A humble peasant pair, brought from their Galilean home in Nazareth by the edict of Caesar Augustus to the city of David, Bethlehem, in order to be taxed, meant nothing in the eyes of the world. A detail of no significance. What did the world know of or care about this humble pair? What did it matter if she gave birth to her Firstborn in a stable because there was no room in the inn?
But faith can see that the whole Roman Empire was taxed in order that this wondrous event should take place in Bethlehem. Did not Micah, seven centuries before this occurred, put on record the prophecy?— “But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall He come forth unto Me that is to be Ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting” (Micah 5:22But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting. (Micah 5:2)).
Here then we have Him, of whom Isaiah wrote in glowing utterance: “For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given: and the government shall be upon His shoulder: and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. “Of the increase of His government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon His kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even forever” (Isa. 9:6-76For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. 7Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this. (Isaiah 9:6‑7)). We have the record of His beautiful life in the four evangelists. Emphatically He went about doing good. The common people heard Him gladly. They wondered at the gracious words that fell from His lips.
And what did the Jews do with Him, their greatest Prophet, the brightest Ornament of their race—greater far than that, the Mighty God, the Father of eternity, the One who was their sole Hope, did they but know it? The crucifixion of Christ stands as the greatest crime that ever stained the history of this world. And what has been the governmental result of this to the Jews? Here we come to a most interesting inquiry.
We find the answer in Luke 21:5-265And as some spake of the temple, how it was adorned with goodly stones and gifts, he said, 6As for these things which ye behold, the days will come, in the which there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down. 7And they asked him, saying, Master, but when shall these things be? and what sign will there be when these things shall come to pass? 8And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them. 9But when ye shall hear of wars and commotions, be not terrified: for these things must first come to pass; but the end is not by and by. 10Then said he unto them, Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: 11And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven. 12But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name's sake. 13And it shall turn to you for a testimony. 14Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer: 15For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist. 16And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death. 17And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake. 18But there shall not an hair of your head perish. 19In your patience possess ye your souls. 20And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh. 21Then let them which are in Judea flee to the mountains; and let them which are in the midst of it depart out; and let not them that are in the countries enter thereinto. 22For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled. 23But woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck, in those days! for there shall be great distress in the land, and wrath upon this people. 24And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled. 25And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; 26Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. (Luke 21:5‑26). How deeply interesting is this scripture when we reflect that it contains a prophecy that fell from the lips of the Lord Himself. For our purpose we would draw attention to the different parts of this prophecy.
1. The Temple should be razed to the ground.
2. Jerusalem should stand a siege and fall into the hands of the enemy.
3. That it should be accompanied by terrible bloodshed.
4. That the Jews should be dispersed among the nations.
5. That Jerusalem should be trodden down of the Gentiles “until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled” (vs. 24.)
Not for seventy years' exile, as happened when Judah was removed to Babylon, but for nearly two thousand years, has the Jew been in exile. If sin brought about seventy years' exile, what terrible sin has the nation committed to bring this about? Surely the rejection of God's Son. Reader, see that you do not reject Him.
Let us now take up the points enumerated above.
1. The Temple Was to Be Razed to the Ground.
In the month of April, A.D. 70, Titus, at the head of not less than one hundred thousand trained and seasoned troops, advanced against Jerusalem.
But for internal factions he would probably never have effected an entrance. Even in his success he ardently desired to spare the Temple and preserve it intact.
But the Lord Jesus had said that not one stone should be left upon another. Whose word was to stand? That of a dead Galilean peasant, as the world would judge, or the word of the general of the mighty army of the mightiest empire the world had ever seen? Let the historian present his vivid picture of the fulfillment of Christ's prophecy. “The direful day arrived of the destruction of the Temple by the power of Rome. A soldier, then, upon the shoulders of a comrade, succeeded in casting a torch through a door in the wall which led to the chambers on the north side of the Temple. Titus would have avoided this, for he was reluctant to destroy what was the glory of the whole world. The conflagration spread, however, fanned by a tempest; in the flames, besiegers and besieged, locked in the final struggle, perished—their bodies against the very altar, and the blood ran down the steps. The ground could not be seen for the dead. The furious priests brandished for weapons the leaden seats and spits of the Temple service, and rather than yield, threw themselves into the flames. Titus and his captains, entering the Holy Place, found it beautiful and rich beyond all report. The fire fastened upon all but the imperishable rock; the Roman standards were set by the eastern gate, and Titus received the salutes of the legions as emperor.”—The Jews—Ancient, Mediaeval, and Modern (Hosmer), page 118.
How literally was our Lord's prophecy fulfilled, that not one stone should be left upon another.
2. Jerusalem Was to Stand a Siege and Fall Into the Hands of the Enemy.
The city was defended with fanatical bravery, but all was of no avail. It fell, and was razed to the ground, excepting three towers and part of the wall, that might stand as witness how great a city had been captured.
3. The Taking of Jerusalem Was to Be Accomplished With Great Bloodshed.
The historian Josephus, who has preserved for us a very detailed description of the siege, says that no less a number than one million one hundred thousand inhabitants were slain and only ninety-seven thousand survived. The proportion between the slain and the captives is staggering. It was the bloodiest siege in the history of the world.
4. The Jews Were to Be Scattered Among the Nations.
How true this is! All over the world the Jews are scattered, Russia, and especially Poland, holding large numbers of them. Spain, Italy, Germany, Great Britain, Asia, Africa—all witness to the dispersion of the Jews, and in later years, as civilization has spread out, they are found in North and South America, Australia, New Zealand, etc.
More than that, their history has been one long course of oppression, murder, spoliation, ravage, and banishment.
One country, Great Britain, has given the Jews a refuge and protection, extending with the widening of the borders of the English-speaking world to the United States of America and the British Colonies. But alas! it was not always so. A brief account of how the Jews came to these shores, and their treatment, will furnish a sample of how they were generally treated, and in many cases are to this hour more or less. The historian tells us: “The treatment accorded to the Jews by Englishmen was no kinder than they experienced on the Continent, though the persecution was less colossal, from the fact that the number of victims was smaller. The Israelites probably came to Britain in the Roman day, antedating, therefore, in their occupation, the Saxon conquerors, by two or three centuries, and the Normans by perhaps a thousand years.”—The Jews —Ancient, Mediaeval, and Modern (Hosmer), page 187. At that time Saxon might fight with Briton, and Briton with Saxon, but the hand of all was against the Jew. King Canute banished them from his kingdom, but they returned when William, Duke of Normandy, conquered England.
So things went on till the time of Richard, the Lion. The Crusades were inflaming military passion, and Richard put himself at the head of this movement. The Jews, wishing to ingratiate themselves with him, overshot the mark. With rich clothes and costly gifts they repaired to Westminster Abbey at the coronation of the king. Was not the king about to take his army to the Holy Land, and rescue, if he could, the Holy Sepulcher from the defiling custody of the infidels? Here were infidels at home.
The persecution broke out, and swept over London, not a Jewish household escaping robbery, murder, and outrage. The tide passed over London, and enveloped the provinces, where enormities were perpetrated exceeding those of the capital.
York Castle witnessed the worst scene of all. Five hundred Jews had taken refuge in this fortress. Seeing that resistance could not be successful, the Chief Rabbi of York counseled that, rather than yield to their enemies, who would torture and slay them to a man, they should yield up their lives to their Creator by taking each others' lives. The advice was taken.
During the night, whilst the besiegers were watching the castle, flames burst forth. Inside, the men had slain their wives and children, then fell by each others' swords, the less distinguished dying first, till at length the Chief Rabbi stood alone. Around him lay in the stillness of death maiden and greybeard, young and old. A self-inflicted stroke, and the brave old man had joined his compatriots. The fire blazed forth in a mighty conflagration. Entrance next day was easily effected by the besiegers, only to find a heap of ashes and five hundred charred skeletons.
For one hundred years after, a scattered remnant maintained a precarious footing, till Edward I drove them forth from the land to the number of sixteen thousand five hundred. For four hundred years there is no trace on record of a Jew being left in the country, when finally Cromwell gave them permission to return. Though long under heavy disabilities their lot gradually ameliorated, till today they receive every protection and privilege that a Briton himself is entitled to.
Lord Beaconsfield, one of Britain's greatest statesmen, was a Jew. The late Lord Chief Justice, Lord Reading, was a Jew, whilst the chief financiers—the Rothschilds—are Jews, and the list could be indefinitely added to.
How true this prophecy has proved. Jerusalem has been in the hands of the Romans, Saracens, Turks of the Seljukian race, Egyptian caliphs, Latin Christians, Egyptian caliphs for a second time, Mamelukes, and the Turks of the Ottoman race.
Now it is in the hands of the British, and though the land may be given back to the Jews they will doubtless hold it in sufferance as guaranteed by Gentile powers.
Not till Christ reigns will Jerusalem be INDEPENDENT of Gentile dominion.
We might finish our brief history by calling attention to the fact that the nation of Israel is still loved by God. “As touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers' sakes. For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance” (Rom. 11:28-2928As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers' sakes. 29For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance. (Romans 11:28‑29)); that is to say, God will not repent or change His mind as to Israel's call, and the gifts He has given to that favored nation.
That being so, the future of Israel, according to Scripture, is connected with their being brought back to their own land in unbelief. Palestine becoming the strategic center of the military activity of the revived Roman Empire, the great tribulation will break upon the Jews as the climax of God's governmental dealings with them, resulting in their repentance and willingness to accept the long-rejected Christ as their long-promised Messiah. Then Christ will come and take His rightful place as the Messiah over Israel, and be recognized as the King of kings and Lord of lords—“the Prince of the kings of the earth” (Rev. 1:55And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, (Revelation 1:5)). The details of all this will come out later in this volume.