Page 249 - Conflict and Courage (1970)

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For Everyone, August 18
Princes shall come out of Egypt; Ethiopia shall soon stretch out her hands
unto God.
Psalm 68:31
.
Throughout his ministry Isaiah bore a plain testimony concerning God’s
purpose for the heathen. Other prophets had made mention of the divine plan,
but their language was not always understood. To Isaiah it was given to make
very plain to Judah the truth that among the Israel of God were to be numbered
many who were not descendants of Abraham after the flesh. This teaching was
not in harmony with the theology of his age, yet he fearlessly proclaimed the
messages given him of God and brought hope to many a longing heart reaching
out after the spiritual blessings promised to the seed of Abraham....
Often the Israelites seemed unable or unwilling to understand God’s purpose
for the heathen. Yet it was this very purpose that had made them a separate
people and had established them as an independent nation among the nations of
the earth. Abraham, their father, to whom the covenant promise was first given,
had been called to go forth from his kindred, to the regions beyond, that he might
be a light bearer to the heathen. Although the promise to him included a posterity
as numerous as the sand by the sea, yet it was for no selfish purpose that he was
to become the founder of a great nation.... “I will bless thee,” Jehovah declared,
“and make thy name great; ... in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.” ...
No distinction on account of nationality, race, or caste, is recognized by
God.... Christ came to demolish every wall of partition, to throw open every
compartment of the temple courts, that every soul may have free access to God.
His love is so broad, so deep, so full, that it penetrates everywhere. It lifts out of
Satan’s influence those who have been deluded by his deceptions, and places
them within reach of the throne of God, the throne encircled by the rainbow of
promise. In Christ there is neither Jew nor Greek, bond nor free
[237]
26
Ibid., 367-370
.
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