Evening star., 1923-10-13

IloiuillS tHelu lnto great Hdllou
was commenced by Jehovah, who re-
membered His promises to Abraham
when He called the religious pioneer
to undertake missionary work by
sending Moses to liberate the He
brews from their slavery in Egypt.
There the foundations of their ma
tional greatness were laid by Jeho-
yah, giving unto them the code of
laws which formed them into a ma
tion and which was the basis of their
faith. Henceforth they were to be
separate people, united by the wor-
ship of one God, who had revealed
Himself to Israel in a manner that
impressed upon them the reality of
His divine existence, the power and
majesty of God and His nearness
and close fellowship with them as
His chosen nation.
1t was a solemn scene and moment
| in the history of the newborn ma
tion, who could look back across the
Red sea that buried their day of
bondage, when Jehovah revealed His
program for Israel to Moses from the
burning mountain. They discovered
in the few words of the Almighty the
reason for their separate existence,
preservation in the past and purpose
in the coming centuries. for Jehovah
selected them as model nation and
prototype for the whole of humanity.
God had brought them not to Canaan
but to Himself" He called them to
be a missionary nation, with a mis-
sion to unity humanity and bring all
nations into spiritual brotherhood.
Israel, at the very commencement
1<<f h. l1s 1s.,sl rtNFGF
a revelation of Jehovah. Every mem
ber of the twelve tribes who stood
before Sinai knew from the expert
ences of the three months just past
that the providential guidance proved
the presence and power of God had
been their protection. The Lord made
clear TO the assembled multitude that
the condition of retaining His watch
care and help during the future years
was conditioned upon their being
obedient to His commands. If they
would keep faith with Jehovah. who.
through His loving care and strength,
had swiftly saved them from their
oppressors and brought them in
safety to enjoy the freedom of
new state, then He assured Israel
that they would enjoy unique rela-
tionship with Jehovah. He had pre-
served them and would nourish them
as His own possession, above all
peoples"
The mission that Jehovah assigned
to Israel was unique. Its character
was contained in the prophetic words,
"Ye shall be unto me kingdom OF
priests and a holy nation" The reve-
lation of the Divine purpose for the
twelve tribes was an epoch making
event. He conferred upon all the
members of Israel the royal and
priestly rank, making each Individual
equal in His sight and assigning to
each double duty. They were indi-
vfdually, as we'll as nation, called
upon to recognize the leadership and
authority of Jehovah and represent
Him to all nations. They were not
only to represent God before men, but
they were to be the mediatorS for
humanity with the Lord.
Their mission called for them to be
a holy nation. separated and dedi-
Gated to the Almighty. Their separa-
tion was necessary in order that
the teachings Of the moral prin-
ciples, which they embodied, should
remain undefiled and uncontaminated
throughout the surging waves of
history. Jehovah outlined their mis-
sion before He gave to them the Ten
Commandments, which ARE the
axioms of morals, the summary of
ethics, the itinerary of mankind, the
framework of society, the vertebral
column of humanity" God called them
to be missionary nation. who would
reveal by their worship and service
His desire to bless all other nations
who would conform to His require
ments, such as Israel promised they
would do when He conferred upon
them the unique privilege of being
"a kingdom of priests and holy ma
ton"
When the priest and the prophet
are nation the people for whom
they. minister and to whom they
prophesy are the other nations. Abra-
hams call lies at the basis of Israels
election in the plan of God" who
gave to His chosen people a message
for all the world. When Gods peo-
pie forgot their mission and neglect
ed to preserve themselves as His
chosen and holy nation they were
punished by being driven into exile
During all the months of their suf-
ter1ng Jehovah never forgot them
Eight centuries after He had select
ed Israel to be His witnesses to all
nations we find them at the lowest
point in their history. almost crush
ed by the experiences of the exile,
which Jehovah used to revive and
restore their spiritual life so that
! they could continue to witness for
Him. Isaiah sought to inspire them
with vision of better days by de-
manding that all nations be called to
| assemble before world court" and
present their evidence in favor Of the
| laise gods whose worship had dem
4
of power.
! In that world tribunal the prophet
called for Judah to act as the wit
| ness of Jehovah. whe1 all the facts
| or the various faiths are presented
| peared with the destruction of the
northern kingdom, Isaiah summoned
| captive Judah. whose capital was in
| ruins, to take the witness stand be-
| fore all the nations and testify for
q h>
! history has had a distinctive message
The message OF Israel has been that
OF the Hebrew through all genera
! the unity of that Godhead Gas op-
sumed devotton); and that the world
was created by God; further, that
| there Is but one world; and finally,
that this world Is directed in its
course by the providence of God"
They have witnessed not only to the
! unity of God, but also to the blessed
ness of obedient service to Jehovah.
They have testified to the truthful
ness of His AevelationS, and been in
spired in the darkest hours of their
history by the hope OF the coming of
the Messiah.
While their message has been Mrge-
ly spiritual, they have given a social
message to the world. They have
taught US ito give to the poor and
weak what they require for life"
IsraePs message has forbid the use
of false measures and false money"
They have condemned the separation
of the children from their parents. of
the wife from her husband, even If
they are rightfully bought as slaves.
They have taught man to be compass
sionate toward animals and to OBJ
serve the Sabbath for rest, religious
instruction and reflection upon mans
duty to God and his neighbor.
Israel realized that the worlds hope
depended upon mans correct rela-
tionship with God. Whenever she