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This may suffice on a matter which has engaged only too much discussion.^29 It is far
more important to think of the kingdom of God, the history of which is given us in
the Holy Scriptures; for now we are at the beginning of its real appearance. If God
had at the first dealt with mankind generally, then with one part of the race, and lastly
with one division of nations, He now chose and raised up for Himself a peculiar
people, through whom His purposes of mercy towards all men were to be carried out.
This people was to be trained from its cradle until it had fulfilled its mission, which
was when He came who was the Desire of all nations.
Three points here claim our special attention: -
- The election and selection of what became the people of God. Step by step we see
in the history of the patriarchs this electing and separating process on the part of God.
Both are marked by this twofold characteristic: that all is accomplished, not in the
ordinary and natural manner, but, as it were, supernaturally; and that all is of grace.
Thus Abram was called alone out of his father's house -he was elected and selected.
The birth of Isaac, the heir of the promises, was, in a sense, supernatural; while, on
the other hand, Ishmael, the elder son of Abram, was rejected. The same election and
selection appears in the history of Esau and Jacob, and indeed throughout the whole
patriarchal history. For at the outset the chosen race was to learn what is the grand
lesson of all Scriptures that everything comes to us from God, and is of grace, - that it
is not man's doing, but God's working; not in the ordinary manner, but by His special
interposition. Nor should we fail to mark another peculiarity in God's dealings. To
use a New Testament illustration, it was the grain of mustard-seed which was
destined to grow into the tree in whose branches all the birds of the air were to find
lodgment. In Abram the stem was cut down to a single root. This root first sprang up
into the patriarchal family, then expanded into the tribes of Israel, and finally
blossomed and bore fruit in the chosen people. But even this was only a means to an
end. Israel had possessed, so to speak, the three crowns separately. It had the
priesthood in Aaron, the royal dignity in David and his line, and the prophetic office.
But in the "last days" the triple crown of priest, king, and prophet has been united
upon Him Whose it really is, even JESUS, a "Prophet like unto Moses," the eternal
priest "after the order of Melchizedek," and the real and ever reigning "Son of
David." And in Him all the promises of God, which had been given with increasing
clearness from Adam onwards to Shem, then to Abraham, to Jacob, in the law, in the
types of the Old Testament, and, finally, in its prophecies have become "Yea and
amen," till at the last all nations shall dwell in the tents of Shem. - We mark a difference in the mode of Divine revelation in the patriarchal as
compared with the previous period. Formerly, God had spoken to man, either on
earth or from heaven, while now He actually appeared to them, and that specially as
(^)