An Amazing People

The Jewish people have been labeled the most tenacious of minorities, with good reason.

Following the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD and dispersion of the survivors over the face of the earth, they have endured centuries of persecution, hardships, and exile. Yet in spite of all this they have prospered, built fortunes from nothing, preserved their national identity and established statehood in their previous homeland while surrounded by enemies on every side. Out of 900 Nobel prizes awarded at least 20% were Jews, among them, Albert Einstein.

How so?

“And the LORD shall make thee the head, and not the tail; and thou shalt be above only, and thou shalt not be beneath; if that thou hearken unto the commandments of the LORD thy God, which I command thee this day, to observe and to do them” (Deuteronomy 28:13).

While faithful they were blessed above all people, and although they rejected their high calling small traces of the promised blessing, where-by they were blessed, is still evident. Rather than proving that God still regards them as His chosen ones, the last 2,000 years testify to the accuracy of verse 15. “But it shall come to pass, if thou wilt not hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe to do all his commandments and his statutes which I command thee this day; that all these curses shall come upon thee, and overtake thee.”

The remainder of the chapter highlights the curses, the fulfillment of which can be seen in their servitude to the Assyrians, their captivity in Babylon, and finally the siege and utter destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A.D., which prompted the following lament of Jesus. “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not. Behold, your house is left unto you desolate. (Matthew 23:37-38).

This desolate condition will remain until He returns, at which time they are forced to acknowledge Him. “For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord” (Verse 39).

Next week, an assessment of (Isaiah 11:11, 12; Jeremiah 29:14; Ezekiel 20:41, 42).