Hope for the Heathen
241
visitant once more declared, “In thy seed shall all the nations of the
earth be blessed.”
Genesis 22:18
.
The all-embracing terms of this covenant were familiar to Abra-
ham’s children and to his children’s children. It was in order that
the Israelites might be a blessing to the nations, and that God’s name
might be made known “throughout all the earth” (
Exodus 9:16
), that
they were delivered from Egyptian bondage. If obedient to His re-
quirements, they were to be placed far in advance of other peoples in
wisdom and understanding; but this supremacy was to be reached and
[369]
maintained only in order that through them the purpose of God for “all
nations of the earth” might be fulfilled.
The marvelous providences connected with Israel’s deliverance
from Egyptian bondage and with their occupancy of the Promised
Land led many of the heathen to recognize the God of Israel as the
Supreme Ruler. “The Egyptians shall know,” had been the promise,
“that I am the Lord, when I stretch forth Mine hand upon Egypt, and
bring out the children of Israel from among them.”
Exodus 7:5
. Even
proud Pharaoh was constrained to acknowledge Jehovah’s power. “Go,
serve the Lord,” he urged Moses and Aaron, “and bless me also.”
Exodus 12:31, 32
.
The advancing hosts of Israel found that knowledge of the mighty
workings of the God of the Hebrews had gone before them, and that
some among the heathen were learning that He alone was the true God.
In wicked Jericho the testimony of a heathen woman was, “The Lord
your God, He is God in heaven above, and in earth beneath.”
Joshua
2:11
. The knowledge of Jehovah that had thus come to her, proved her
salvation. By faith “Rahab perished not with them that believed not.”
Hebrews 11:31
. And her conversion was not an isolated case of God’s
mercy toward idolaters who acknowledged His divine authority. In
the midst of the land a numerous people—the Gibeonites—renounced
their heathenism and united with Israel, sharing in the blessings of the
covenant.
No distinction on account of nationality, race, or caste, is recog-
nized by God. He is the Maker of all mankind. All men are of one
[370]
family by creation, and all are one through redemption. 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.