Season 6, Podcast 61, Isaiah 11:11-16, “The Gathering of Israel.” Episode

Season 6, Podcast 61, Isaiah 11:11-16, “The Gathering of Israel.”

The story of the House of Israel is epic. Tremendous blessings came to Abraham because of his righteousness. 

Genesis 17:5-7

Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee. And I will make thee exceeding fruitful, and I will make nations of thee, and kings shall come out of thee. And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee.

In a curious passage the Lord said to Abraham.

Genesis 22:18

And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.

Of course, it was from the seed of Abraham through the tribe of Judah that Christ was born. Isaac was the son of Abraham. Jacob was the son of Isaac. Jacob’s name was changed to Israel

Genesis 32:28

And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed.

Israel means ‘God rules.’ Israel has 12 sons which became known as the twelve tribes of Israel.

Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Zebulun, Joseph, Benjamin, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, Asher

Under Joseph, Pharoah’s favorite, the twelve tribes flourished in Egypt. However, after Joseph, the tribes became large and their growing power threatened the Pharaohs; therefore, the House of Israel was made slaves to the Egyptians. After 400 years of slavery, Moses led Israel out of Egypt, and they settled in the Promised land. They were united up to and through Solomon’s reign. Following the death of King Solomon, the ten tribes of the North rebelled against the two southern tribes, the tribe of Judah and the tribe of Benjamin. During Isaiah’s time the northern tribes were declaring war against the southern tribes. 

From the turmoil the ten tribes of the north were scattered by the Assyrians to unknown parts of the world. The tribes of Judah and Benjamin after a series of major defeats beginning with their being exiled from Jerusalem by the Babylonians were eventually almost annihilated by the Romans and they too were scattered to all parts of the world. 

One of the major messages of Isaiah is the gathering of Israel. It is one of the most epic stories in the history of the world. It is simply nonpareil. It is incredible to think that from such a tragic history that not just the Jews, but all the House of Israel will, in the last days, be gathered again and restored to the Promised Land. Where in history can such a story be matched? 

But the real story is about the Savior and Redeemer of the world and the part he plays in the unfolding drama, and that is Isaiah’s central message. Isaiah is not just talking to the Jews, he is talking to all of us. It is a cautionary tale. People of the covenant is not just bloodline. Those who have the blood of Abraham will be rejected if they turn against Christ. Those who keep the covenant will be accepted among the covenant people if they turn to Christ. Those who keep the commandments of God will prosper. Those who break the commandments of God will be led into captivity and destruction. 

The history of the world is one great epic poem. For example, consider the fall of historical empires: The Israelites, the Egyptians, The Assyrians, The Babylonians, The Persians, The Greeks, The Romans. Look at other world conquerors which all came to nothing: Spain, England, Germany, France, Japan. What about civilizations that have come and gone with only rubble left to tell us they were there: the Azteks, the Olmecs, the Mayans—where are they? Look at the magnificent ruins found in India and Asia and South America and all over the world. Where are they?