134
Education
Of them it is spoken, “This people have I formed for Myself; they shall
show forth My praise.”
Isaiah 43:21
.
God has revealed in His law the principles that underlie all true
prosperity both of nations and of individuals. “This is your wisdom and
your understanding,” Moses declared to the Israelites of the law of God.
“It is not a vain thing for you; because it is your life.”
Deuteronomy 4:6
;
32:47
. The blessings thus assured to Israel are, on the same conditions
and in the same degree, assured to every nation and every individual
under the broad heavens.
The power exercised by every ruler on the earth is Heaven-
imparted; and upon his use of the power thus bestowed, his success
depends. To each the word of the divine Watcher is, “I girded thee,
though thou hast not known Me.”
Isaiah 45:5
. And to each the words
spoken to Nebuchadnezzar of old are the lesson of life: “Break off thy
sins by righteousness, and thine iniquities by showing mercy to the
poor; if it may be a lengthening of thy tranquility.”
Daniel 4:27
.
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To understand these things,—to understand that “righteousness
exalteth a nation;” that “the throne is established by righteousness”
and “upholden by mercy” (
Proverbs 14:34
;
16:12
;
Proverbs 20:28
);
to recognize the outworking of these principles in the manifestation
of His power who “removeth kings, and setteth up kings” (
Daniel
2:21
),—this is to understand the philosophy of history.
In the word of God only is this clearly set forth. Here it is shown
that the strength of nations, as of individuals, is not found in the
opportunities or facilities that appear to make them invincible; it is not
found in their boasted greatness. It is measured by the fidelity with
which they fulfill God’s purpose.
An illustration of this truth is found in the history of ancient Baby-
lon. To Nebuchadnezzar the king the true object of national govern-
ment was represented under the figure of a great tree, whose height
“reached unto heaven, and the sight thereof to the end of all the earth:
the leaves thereof were fair, and the fruit thereof much, and in it was
meat for all;” under its shadow the beasts of the field dwelt, and among
its branches the birds of the air had their habitation.
Daniel 4:11, 12
.
This representation shows the character of a government that fulfills
God’s purpose—a government that protects and upbuilds the nation.
God exalted Babylon that it might fulfill this purpose. Prosperity
attended the nation until it reached a height of wealth and power that