The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-12-31


 them respecting the necessity for being separate from the people of the land Gentiles-otherwise the tendency might be toward idolatry. He urged upon all full settlement of the mind, the will, on the Lords side and against all the heather religions. It was then that he took his stand and announced, Choose ye this day whom we will serve. As for me and my house. we will serve the Lord" The others joined with him in the same re- solve.
 Our lesson tells us that all the days of Joshua and of the judges who outived him, things went well with the Israelites. These leaders had in mind the Lords wonderful dealings and realized the im- portance of being on the Lords side. if they would have His blessing. The idol atries came in subsequently,.
 The true God has always prohibited idols, while the false gods have usually been represented by them. According to human reasoning, idols would appear to be excellent for keeping religion before the mind; but 1t was not Gods way. More over, in connection with the heather worship were various licentious practices, which to some extent would draw from curiosity and appeal to the weaknesses of the flesh. The true God, on the contrary, had instituted in Israel a worship pure in Itself, in every way condemning sin, pointing out the necessity for it's cancela- tion and the need for drawing near to God in His appointed way In n word the true religion appealed to the highest and noblest sentiments, while the false re- ligions of the Canaanites appealed to the baser passions combining a form of god- lfIsaGe tVfth pra flo of do, ings and various saturnala.
 Verse F and its connections seem to indicate that our lesson covers a period of centuries of Israers experiences, under many judges. When Israel repented, the Iacrd raised up judges, or, as we say, de- liverers. Yet even their repeated expe- rlences with diversity did not deeply enough impress the great lesson. When their judge would bring them back from their adversities. they would have rest during the judges lifetime, only to fall away after his death. Nevertheless the Lords covenant was with them as a co., pie. The centuries since have shown the persistency of the Lords mercy.
 Gods Favor Returning to Israel
 As we have previously pointed out, the Bible indicates very clearly that Israel's last great lesson of oppression under the Gentiles closed in 1914. That period, 2520 years long. began when the crown was taken from King Zedekiah, B. C. COG U1ze- kiel 21:25-27) Since then Israel has not been an independent nation. As the Lord eolared, Zedekiah was the last of David line who should reign until Messah's king dom would be established The end of Gentle times, then, marks the beginning of Messlah's kingdom. Everywhere we see manifestations that He is taking over the affairs of the world, and that Isra el' s final deliVeranee is at hand
 Spiritual Israel must first be delivered by the glorious change of the first resurrection. Thus the spiritual empire will first be established. Following that great event and the incidental time of trouble will come the exaltation of repre- sentatives of natural Israel to be the earthly opponents of the heavenly king dom. These will be the ancient worthies of the Hebrews-Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and all the prophets. Others of the He- brew people, delivered from Gentle dom ipation, will nevertheless get their bess- ing through their acceptance of the king dom arrangements. This includes the thought that their eyes of understanding will open to recognize the Great King.
 Thus it is written that they that pierced Him shall look upon Him, and mourn because of a realization that they crucified the Prince of Life. Nevertheless they will have a great blessing, in proportion ds they nave sOuSHt cOnSclentiOuSly 10 serve God and the principles of His right eousness. The Lord will pour upon them the spirit of prayer and supplication. (zechariah 12:10) This divine blessing, coming upon Israel first, means also the blessing of all the families Of the earth through the Prince of Life
 All who realize the fulhllment of the Gentle times should look for and CO., operate with the further steps of the divine plan. One of these is Israel's re- possession of Palestine, the inheritance of Abraham and his family. The time is ripe. It remains for Jews who by Gods favor have the wealth now, to use 1t in furtherance of Israel's hope. But a fail- ure on mans part to use opportunities win not interfere with the divine plan. Through some instrumentality Palestine will shortly pass into Jewish possession.
 Note the fact that promptly at the close of the Jewish year, in September, Russia published her decree giving the Jews full religious liberty and privileges as citizens. Germany quickly followed. Great Britain also honored the Jews. Legally. therefore, the Jew today--since the close of Gentle times--is accorded the same liberties as others. He Is no longer trodden down of the Gentiles."-