fact, early cartographers placed Is rael in the very center calling it the navel of the world. All directions were figured from that one historic place. We first notice that Isaiah 43:5-6 relates God’s promise, “I will bring thy seed from the east.” That word bring in the Hebrew signifies a great force which will come. The Jewish cry throughout the centuries has been, “Today in the dispersion; to morrow in the land of promise.” As a matter of fact, the national anthem of Israel is simply titled, "Hope.” So, from the east there has indeed been a great marching which has come since Israel’s independence. As an example, in the city of Bagdad, a principal community of the Arab world, about 135,000 Jewish people lived. Life was difficult at best. The Jews petitioned to be allowed the privilege of leaving Bagdad. The un usual request was granted on several conditions. First of all, every avail able asset of the Jews was frozen and their every title was forfeited. Stocks, bonds, money, land and what ever valuables they possessed had to be given up to the Arabs. Incidental-
in God’s Word and discern the signs of the times. Some people in the world would have us believe that things are going to get better and better until finally the Lord comes. In actuality, according to all of our news media and secular magazines, things are getting worse and worse. When you stop to think about it, it’s in times like these that the Chris tian is the only one who can say, “Cheer up, the worst is yet to come!” The Lord Jesus reminds us, “When these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh” (Luke 21:28). It has been very interesting in this study to go back over the course of years, picking up some old com mentaries of a hundred years or more ago. This was long before the chil dren of Israel ever returned to their land of prom ise. Faithful Bible teachers said then generally, “We don’t know how it will happen, but it will take place. God will see to that.” Back in 1859, more than a hundred years ago, the German scholar, J. N. Kurtz, wrote these words, “As the body is adapted and destined for the soul, and the soul for the body, so is Israel for that country and that country for Israel. Without Israel, the land is like a body from which the soul has fled, vanishing from its country. Israel is like a ghost which cannot find rest.” Another very significant prophecy we should note is found in Isaiah 43:5-6: “Fear not; for I am with thee: I will bring thy seed from the east, and gather thee from the west; I will say to the north, Give up; and to the south. Keep not back.” His torically, Israel has been sifted like flour to the four points of the com pass. By the way, any specific direc tions about which we read in Scrip ture are always calculated from Jeru salem. Israel has been known as the hub of the universe. As a matter of
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| § Donna Leonard from Ohio was graduated this year from Talbot Theological Seminary with her Master of Religious Education degree; she is at the organ console in the TTS chapel. Mrs. Leonard wrote the senior dedication song for the June 1968 graduates. 11 pHiilil
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