Israel, “Wanderers Among the Nations”

To the ten tribes, long impenitent, no promise of complete restoration to their former power in Palestine was given. Until the end of time, they were to be “wanderers among the nations.” But through Hosea a prophecy set before them the privilege of having a part in the final restoration to be made to the people of God at the close of earth's history. “Many days,” the prophet declared, the ten tribes were to abide “without a king, and without a prince, and without a sacrifice, and without an image, and without an ephod, and without teraphim. Afterward,” the prophet continued, “shall the children of Israel return, and seek the Lord their God, and David their king; and shall fear the Lord and His goodness in the latter days.” Hosea 3:4, 5.SS 159.2

In symbolic language Hosea set forth God's plan of restoring to every penitent soul the blessings granted Israel in the days of their loyalty to Him in the Promised Land. Referring to Israel the Lord declared, “I will give her her vineyards, and make the Valley of Achor a door of hope. And there she shall answer as in the days of her youth, as at the time when she came out of the land of Egypt. And in that day, says the Lord, you will call Me, ‘My husband,’ and no longer will you call Me, ‘My Baal.’” Hosea 2:15, 16, RSV.SS 159.3

In the last days of earth's history, God's covenant with His commandment-keeping people is to be renewed, “And I will betroth thee unto Me forever; ... in righteousness, and in judgment, and in loving-kindness, and in mercies ... . And thou shalt know the Lord.” “And I will have mercy upon her that had not obtained mercy; and I will say to them which were not My people, Thou art My people; and they shall say, Thou art my God.” Verses 19, 20, 23.SS 159.4

From “every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people” some will gladly respond to the message, “Fear God, and give glory to Him; for the hour of His judgment is come.” They will turn from every idol that binds them to earth, and will “worship Him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.” They will free themselves from every entanglement and will stand before the world as monuments of God's mercy. Obedient to the divine requirements, they will be recognized as those who have kept “the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.” Revelation 14:6, 7, 12.SS 160.1

“I will restore the fortunes of My people Israel ... . I will plant them upon their land, and they shall never again be plucked up out of the land which I have given them.” Amos 9:14, 15, RSV.SS 160.2