04.10 - Revelation and Israel's Early History

(10) Revelation and Israelis Early History The progress was not only slow and gradual, but in some respects narrow, partial, and exclusive; and even, in certain aspects, apparently contradictory of the plan and purpose of a universal redemption. The selection of one individual, of one family and nation, to be the recipients of the divine favour and promises to the exclusion of all others would, at first sight, seem to be opposed to the divine purpose of grace and redemption for the world. But this was to teach the great truth that selection was a purpose of grace, a principle of divine operation, part of the method of redemption, and, therefore, necessary to be understood and appreciated. God made choice of one to be the recipient and custodian of His promise and gift because one could be the easier and better trained, disciplined, and fitted for His purpose, and the more effectively to understand and make known thatpurpose to the race than the many could; and so through the one the blessing should come to the many. God chose Abraham that in “ him and his seed all the nations of the earth should be blessed “ bless them selves. Of Abraham’s many descendants Jacob was chosen that Israel might “make known His name unto the Gentiles, and declare His salvation unto the ends of the earth.” Israel was not chosen because, as a people, they were larger, wiser, holier and worthier than any other, but because God loved them, and because some selection was a necessity. This does not mean the abandonment of the rest, or their exclusion from all participation in Divine revelation and the purposes of grace and redemption. In Creation, Providence, conscience, and reason, God revealed Himself to all men from the beginning.

Some tell us that while God selected Israel to be His chosen vessels, the heavenly treasure was by no means confined to them. Because redemption was for all nations and peoples, there entered into all God’s providential dealings with men revelations of His purpose which we find reflected in the religions of all nations and peoples, while all peoples are possessed of a religious nature capable of receiving the revelation of God whenever it is declared unto them. This view is implied in what is called “the theodicy of the world,” or, “the revelation of God in history,” or, “ the religious education of the race “ which theories regard ethnic religions and teachings as parts of God’s training and preparation of the race for the realisation of His purposes of redemption and salvation. It is further maintained that ethnic religions contain truths and teachings akin to those of the Hebrew Scriptures, that they are parts of God’s revelation to be perfected in the fulness of time, and are so many scattered rays of that one “ Light which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.”