by J. Gibson (Scotland)
a. Their Joy v1
If during the awful billows of the tribulation Israel will suffer untold anguish, so during the bright day of the Millennium they will enjoy unimaginable happiness and gladness of heart, Ps.30.5. Jerusalem is destined to be the joy of the whole earth, Ps.48.2. Joy always follows true repentance towards God.
b. Their Fruit v1
There will be a population explosion in the nation even more impressive than that experienced during their sojourn in Egypt, Ex.1.7. This is in fulfilment of God's promise to Abraham in Gen.15.5. Under the Old Testament economy, fruitfulness or fertility was a sign of divine blessing, Ex.23.36, Deut.7.14. We see God going out to bless His people and filling them with the joy of childbirth.
c. Their Expansion v2,3
Their territory will be extended as covenanted in Gen.15.18. Never in its history has Israel possessed in its entirely the land God gave it. Here is also a practical realisation of the teaching of the Lord Jesus in Matt.5.5. The meek do not get anywhere in the present world system, but at that time they will surely inherit the earth. Following the chaos and destruction of the tribulation there will be large portions of the world uninhabited. Israel will begin to repopulate these cities desolated by war and pillage.
d. Their Stability v2
There is no point in lengthening the cords of your tent and not strengthening the tent pins. Otherwise when a mighty storm arises your tent will be blown away. Israel will be stable, unmoveable and unshakeable in contrast to the tribulation period when they will be tossed hither and thither with the tempest, v11. Their stability will be founded upon righteousness, v14. Not only will they be established in their land, there will also be geographical upheavals and changes in the landscape itself, v10.
e. Their Exaltation v3
They are going to be at the head of all the nations of the world, Deut.28.13.
f. Their Forgetfulness v14
So good will be the blessedness of the millennial reign of Christ that they will forget the years of shame and suffering.
g. Their Re-gathering v7
Due to their unbelief and wickedness Israel has been scattered throughout every country and people of the world. When the Lord Jesus returns to inaugurate His kingdom, they will be gathered back to the land promised to Abraham. This assembling of the nation will be performed by the Lord, Ex.11.17.
h. Their Wealth v11,12
The riches of the Gentiles will be brought into the city of Jerusalem and enjoyed by the Jewish people, Isa.61.6.
i. Their Education v13
The teaching of children in the Old Testament was rated very highly, Deut.6.7. In that day there will be a wonderful knowledge of God amongst the Israelites, Jer.31.34, because their children are going to be taught by the Lord Himself. We have to ask ourselves what priority we give to teaching our children the things of God.
j. Their Peace v13
In Zech.8.5 we read of the children playing in the streets, and the nation as a whole will be unafraid, v14. All military warfare will be abolished, Ps.46.9, and resources usually devoted to the creation of weapons of destruction will instead be used to promote agricultural advancements, Isa.2.4.
k. Their Righteousness
The nation's foundation will be a righteousness that comes from God Himself, v14,17; Ps.97.2; Jer.33.16.
l. Their Invincibility v14
Israel will be indestructible, because Jehovah the Almighty One is her Protector. This will echo the story of Esther when the Jews were given liberty to gather themselves together and wreak havoc among their enemies, Est.8.11.
m. Their Service v17
It has always been the will of God for Israel to be His Servant, Isa.44.1. Alas, they have failed to live up to this expectation. Restored in their relationship to the Lord, they will finally become the nation of servants that God always desired.
These glorious blessings are meant for Israel but we can enjoy them in at least three different ways. Firstly, since all Scripture is profitable, 2Tim.3.16, simply to read it is to nourish our souls. Secondly, we learn that If we suffer, we shall also reign with Him, 2Tim.2.12. This means that when the Lord Jesus Christ returns to inaugurate His world wide kingdom we shall be with Him, so enjoying all the described blessings. Thirdly, what Israel is going to enjoy on a physical level in that day, we can enjoy spiritually now. We should ask ourselves, are we joyful, Phil.3.1, fruitful, Gal.5.22, gathered in the local assembly, Matt.18.20, spiritually rich, Eph.1.3, taught by a Divine person, Jn.14.26, in possession of a Divinely imparted peace, Jn.14.27, constituted righteous, Rom.5.19, and busily engaged in the service of the Lord, Col.3.24?
concluded