We will consider now the ways of God as exhibited especially in His government, grace and mercy to the people of Israel. We previously considered the ways of God with man in the days before the flood and afterward in the days of Noah when he began to slip into idolatry, and God in judgment at Babel divided the people for their attempt to make a name for themselves apart from Him. But all this was in the counsels of God and in reference to the nation of Israel, for we read in Deuteronomy 32:89, “When the most High divided to the nations their inheritance, when He separated the sons of Adam, He set the bounds of the people according to the number of the children of Israel. For the Lord’s portion is His people; Jacob is the lot of His inheritance.” The counsels of God were occupied with the children of Jacob.
All the races of man (descended from Noah’s three sons) had become idolaters. Thus God chose one man whom He called to separate himself from his country, associations and family—Abraham. He was to be a witness in the world and against the world for God. God gave him certain promises of temporal and spiritual blessings. Since we are considering Israel, we will pursue only the temporal promises.
In various passages, such as in Genesis 12-15, we find these promises: “Unto thy seed will I give this land.” “Lift up now thine eyes... for all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed forever.” “I am the Lord that brought thee out of Ur of the Chaldees, to give thee this land to inherit it.” “Unto thy seed have I given this land.” “And they shall afflict them... and afterward shall they come out with great substance.”
These promises were entirely unconditional—given by God to Abraham. They are again repeated without condition to Isaac (Gen. 26) and Jacob (Gen. 28). Later, in Exodus 2, these promises are alluded to: “And God heard their groaning, and God remembered His covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob. And God looked upon the children of Israel, and God had respect unto them” (Ex. 2:24-2524And God heard their groaning, and God remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob. 25And God looked upon the children of Israel, and God had respect unto them. (Exodus 2:24‑25)). In Exodus 6:2323And Aaron took him Elisheba, daughter of Amminadab, sister of Naashon, to wife; and she bare him Nadab, and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar. (Exodus 6:23) God reveals Himself to the people in His covenant name—Jehovah. They had been redeemed, taken out of Egypt (Ex. 12-1423For the Lord will pass through to smite the Egyptians; and when he seeth the blood upon the lintel, and on the two side posts, the Lord will pass over the door, and will not suffer the destroyer to come in unto your houses to smite you. 24And ye shall observe this thing for an ordinance to thee and to thy sons for ever. 25And it shall come to pass, when ye be come to the land which the Lord will give you, according as he hath promised, that ye shall keep this service. 26And it shall come to pass, when your children shall say unto you, What mean ye by this service? 27That ye shall say, It is the sacrifice of the Lord's passover, who passed over the houses of the children of Israel in Egypt, when he smote the Egyptians, and delivered our houses. And the people bowed the head and worshipped. 28And the children of Israel went away, and did as the Lord had commanded Moses and Aaron, so did they. 29And it came to pass, that at midnight the Lord smote all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh that sat on his throne unto the firstborn of the captive that was in the dungeon; and all the firstborn of cattle. 30And Pharaoh rose up in the night, he, and all his servants, and all the Egyptians; and there was a great cry in Egypt; for there was not a house where there was not one dead. 31And he called for Moses and Aaron by night, and said, Rise up, and get you forth from among my people, both ye and the children of Israel; and go, serve the Lord, as ye have said. 32Also take your flocks and your herds, as ye have said, and be gone; and bless me also. 33And the Egyptians were urgent upon the people, that they might send them out of the land in haste; for they said, We be all dead men. 34And the people took their dough before it was leavened, their kneadingtroughs being bound up in their clothes upon their shoulders. 35And the children of Israel did according to the word of Moses; and they borrowed of the Egyptians jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment: 36And the Lord gave the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they lent unto them such things as they required. And they spoiled the Egyptians. 37And the children of Israel journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand on foot that were men, beside children. 38And a mixed multitude went up also with them; and flocks, and herds, even very much cattle. 39And they baked unleavened cakes of the dough which they brought forth out of Egypt, for it was not leavened; because they were thrust out of Egypt, and could not tarry, neither had they prepared for themselves any victual. 40Now the sojourning of the children of Israel, who dwelt in Egypt, was four hundred and thirty years. 41And it came to pass at the end of the four hundred and thirty years, even the selfsame day it came to pass, that all the hosts of the Lord went out from the land of Egypt. 42It is a night to be much observed unto the Lord for bringing them out from the land of Egypt: this is that night of the Lord to be observed of all the children of Israel in their generations. 43And the Lord said unto Moses and Aaron, This is the ordinance of the passover: There shall no stranger eat thereof: 44But every man's servant that is bought for money, when thou hast circumcised him, then shall he eat thereof. 45A foreigner and an hired servant shall not eat thereof. 46In one house shall it be eaten; thou shalt not carry forth ought of the flesh abroad out of the house; neither shall ye break a bone thereof. 47All the congregation of Israel shall keep it. 48And when a stranger shall sojourn with thee, and will keep the passover to the Lord, let all his males be circumcised, and then let him come near and keep it; and he shall be as one that is born in the land: for no uncircumcised person shall eat thereof. 49One law shall be to him that is homeborn, and unto the stranger that sojourneth among you. 50Thus did all the children of Israel; as the Lord commanded Moses and Aaron, so did they. 51And it came to pass the selfsame day, that the Lord did bring the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt by their armies. 1And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, 2Sanctify unto me all the firstborn, whatsoever openeth the womb among the children of Israel, both of man and of beast: it is mine. 3And Moses said unto the people, Remember this day, in which ye came out from Egypt, out of the house of bondage; for by strength of hand the Lord brought you out from this place: there shall no leavened bread be eaten. 4This day came ye out in the month Abib. 5And it shall be when the Lord shall bring thee into the land of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites, which he sware unto thy fathers to give thee, a land flowing with milk and honey, that thou shalt keep this service in this month. 6Seven days thou shalt eat unleavened bread, and in the seventh day shall be a feast to the Lord. 7Unleavened bread shall be eaten seven days; and there shall no leavened bread be seen with thee, neither shall there be leaven seen with thee in all thy quarters. 8And thou shalt show thy son in that day, saying, This is done because of that which the Lord did unto me when I came forth out of Egypt. 9And it shall be for a sign unto thee upon thine hand, and for a memorial between thine eyes, that the Lord's law may be in thy mouth: for with a strong hand hath the Lord brought thee out of Egypt. 10Thou shalt therefore keep this ordinance in his season from year to year. 11And it shall be when the Lord shall bring thee into the land of the Canaanites, as he sware unto thee and to thy fathers, and shall give it thee, 12That thou shalt set apart unto the Lord all that openeth the matrix, and every firstling that cometh of a beast which thou hast; the males shall be the Lord's. 13And every firstling of an ass thou shalt redeem with a lamb; and if thou wilt not redeem it, then thou shalt break his neck: and all the firstborn of man among thy children shalt thou redeem. 14And it shall be when thy son asketh thee in time to come, saying, What is this? that thou shalt say unto him, By strength of hand the Lord brought us out from Egypt, from the house of bondage: 15And it came to pass, when Pharaoh would hardly let us go, that the Lord slew all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both the firstborn of man, and the firstborn of beast: therefore I sacrifice to the Lord all that openeth the matrix, being males; but all the firstborn of my children I redeem. 16And it shall be for a token upon thine hand, and for frontlets between thine eyes: for by strength of hand the Lord brought us forth out of Egypt. 17And it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God led them not through the way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near; for God said, Lest peradventure the people repent when they see war, and they return to Egypt: 18But God led the people about, through the way of the wilderness of the Red sea: and the children of Israel went up harnessed out of the land of Egypt. 19And Moses took the bones of Joseph with him: for he had straitly sworn the children of Israel, saying, God will surely visit you; and ye shall carry up my bones away hence with you. 20And they took their journey from Succoth, and encamped in Etham, in the edge of the wilderness. 21And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night: 22He took not away the pillar of the cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night, from before the people. 1And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, 2Speak unto the children of Israel, that they turn and encamp before Pi-hahiroth, between Migdol and the sea, over against Baal-zephon: before it shall ye encamp by the sea. 3For Pharaoh will say of the children of Israel, They are entangled in the land, the wilderness hath shut them in. 4And I will harden Pharaoh's heart, that he shall follow after them; and I will be honored upon Pharaoh, and upon all his host; that the Egyptians may know that I am the Lord. And they did so. 5And it was told the king of Egypt that the people fled: and the heart of Pharaoh and of his servants was turned against the people, and they said, Why have we done this, that we have let Israel go from serving us? 6And he made ready his chariot, and took his people with him: 7And he took six hundred chosen chariots, and all the chariots of Egypt, and captains over every one of them. 8And the Lord hardened the heart of Pharaoh king of Egypt, and he pursued after the children of Israel: and the children of Israel went out with an high hand. 9But the Egyptians pursued after them, all the horses and chariots of Pharaoh, and his horsemen, and his army, and overtook them encamping by the sea, beside Pi-hahiroth, before Baal-zephon. 10And when Pharaoh drew nigh, the children of Israel lifted up their eyes, and, behold, the Egyptians marched after them; and they were sore afraid: and the children of Israel cried out unto the Lord. 11And they said unto Moses, Because there were no graves in Egypt, hast thou taken us away to die in the wilderness? wherefore hast thou dealt thus with us, to carry us forth out of Egypt? 12Is not this the word that we did tell thee in Egypt, saying, Let us alone, that we may serve the Egyptians? For it had been better for us to serve the Egyptians, than that we should die in the wilderness. 13And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will show to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever. 14The Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace. 15And the Lord said unto Moses, Wherefore criest thou unto me? speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward: 16But lift thou up thy rod, and stretch out thine hand over the sea, and divide it: and the children of Israel shall go on dry ground through the midst of the sea. 17And I, behold, I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians, and they shall follow them: and I will get me honor upon Pharaoh, and upon all his host, upon his chariots, and upon his horsemen. 18And the Egyptians shall know that I am the Lord, when I have gotten me honor upon Pharaoh, upon his chariots, and upon his horsemen. 19And the angel of God, which went before the camp of Israel, removed and went behind them; and the pillar of the cloud went from before their face, and stood behind them: 20And it came between the camp of the Egyptians and the camp of Israel; and it was a cloud and darkness to them, but it gave light by night to these: so that the one came not near the other all the night. 21And Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the Lord caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night, and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided. 22And the children of Israel went into the midst of the sea upon the dry ground: and the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left. 23And the Egyptians pursued, and went in after them to the midst of the sea, even all Pharaoh's horses, his chariots, and his horsemen. (Exodus 12:23‑14)) and told of His purpose in doing so: “Unto thee it was showed, that thou mightest know that the Lord [ Jehovah] He is God; there is none else beside Him” (Deut. 4:3535Unto thee it was showed, that thou mightest know that the Lord he is God; there is none else beside him. (Deuteronomy 4:35)). Upon their redemption, God takes up His dwelling among them in the cloud and the glory.
Yet the question remained: Had fallen man any righteousness for God? The people are taken from Egypt through the Red Sea and to Mount Sinai as objects of perfect grace. At Sinai, God proposes certain terms of relationship with them: “Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles’ wings, and brought you unto Myself. Now therefore, if ye will obey My voice indeed, and keep My covenant” (Ex. 19). Sadly, rather than owning that they were incapable of keeping their blessings for even one hour, they say, “All that the Lord hath spoken we will do.” Being ignorant of themselves, they place themselves under law and ere Moses, the lawgiver, had come down from the mount with the covenant, they had corrupted themselves, turning to idolatry (Ex. 32). Thus, all is over for the nation of Israel save for the mediatorial service of Moses. In answer to his prayer, a covenant of long-suffering, patience and mercy is added to the law (Ex. 34).
In Leviticus the terms of approach to God are established through the priesthood. But as soon as it was consecrated, Nadab and Abihu offered strange fire and are destroyed. Numbers records the journey through the wilderness and the revolt of the Levites. In Deuteronomy, when they are about to enter the land, the covenant is renewed and their keeping it as the basis on which they will be able to possess the land. Deuteronomy 27 states the principle of legal righteousness while Deuteronomy 28 states the conditions of their inheritance and blessing in the land.
Thus they enter the land under the leadership of Joshua with the “Lord of all the earth” passing into the land before them. The book of Joshua details their conquests and partial establishment in the land. At the end, Joshua establishes a covenant with the people in which they bind themselves to serve and obey the Lord their God as the condition for retaining their blessing.
All of this clearly establishes an important point: The people never possessed the land or the blessings promised to the fathers (Abraham, Isaac and Jacob) under the unconditional terms given them. They took them under law—they are yet to be accomplished in grace.
Judges shows the results of their efforts to claim the inheritance based on law: “And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord, and served Baalim.” (Please read Judges 2:11-12, 20-2211And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord, and served Baalim: 12And they forsook the Lord God of their fathers, which brought them out of the land of Egypt, and followed other gods, of the gods of the people that were round about them, and bowed themselves unto them, and provoked the Lord to anger. (Judges 2:11‑12)
20And the anger of the Lord was hot against Israel; and he said, Because that this people hath transgressed my covenant which I commanded their fathers, and have not hearkened unto my voice; 21I also will not henceforth drive out any from before them of the nations which Joshua left when he died: 22That through them I may prove Israel, whether they will keep the way of the Lord to walk therein, as their fathers did keep it, or not. (Judges 2:20‑22)). Their failure is contrasted with the faithfulness of God who, from time to time, raised up judges to deliver them from their enemies.
In 1 Samuel the priesthood—in the family of Eli—fails and Samuel is set up as the first of the prophets (Acts 3:2424Yea, and all the prophets from Samuel and those that follow after, as many as have spoken, have likewise foretold of these days. (Acts 3:24)). The sons of Samuel fail (1 Sam. 8), and the people, rejecting Jehovah, ask a king and receive their choice—Saul the son of Kish.
Upon Saul’s failure, God in faithfulness raises up David, a king of His choice. David’s son Solomon is established on the throne of the kingdom in a wonderful display of glory, prosperity and blessing. (See 1 Samuel 16 and 1 Kings 45.) However, upon Solomon’s failure (1 Kings 11:9-109And the Lord was angry with Solomon, because his heart was turned from the Lord God of Israel, which had appeared unto him twice, 10And had commanded him concerning this thing, that he should not go after other gods: but he kept not that which the Lord commanded. (1 Kings 11:9‑10)), the people had failed under prophets, priests and kings.
The kingdom is then divided into two nations, Judah and Israel. The ten tribes of Israel, a tale of evil without a redeeming point, are first carried away into captivity and since that time have never been restored (2 Kings 17).
With Judah, though there were bright spots such as Hezekiah, they, too, in the days of Zedekiah, came under a like judgment. Of the wicked Zedekiah it is written, “And thou, profane wicked prince of Israel, whose day is come, when iniquity shall have an end.... I will overturn, overturn, overturn, it: and it shall be no more, until He come whose right it is; and I will give it Him” (Ezek. 21:25-2725And thou, profane wicked prince of Israel, whose day is come, when iniquity shall have an end, 26Thus saith the Lord God; Remove the diadem, and take off the crown: this shall not be the same: exalt him that is low, and abase him that is high. 27I will overturn, overturn, overturn, it: and it shall be no more, until he come whose right it is; and I will give it him. (Ezekiel 21:25‑27)).
As soon as Judah was carried into captivity, the “sword” of government was handed over to the Gentiles in the person of Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon. Thus begins the “times of the Gentiles.” Thus too ends, properly speaking, the past history of the nation of Israel. In the language of Hosea, “The children of Israel shall abide many days without a king, and without a prince, and without a sacrifice, and without an image, and without an ephod, and without teraphim” (ch. 3:4). And again, “Call his name Lo-ammi: for ye are not My people, and I will not be your God” (ch. 1:9).
Before considering in more detail “the times of the Gentiles,” we will next consider the return from captivity of a remnant of Judah and Benjamin.
(to be continued)
F. G. Patterson (adapted)