Editorial by Editor

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Mar 7, 1912

Editorial

By Editor

The Hand of God in History — No. 3

Notes on Important Eras of Prophecy

Witness Borne to Nations in Ancient Times

WE select two illustrations of the manner in which the fulfilment of time prophecies bore witness of the living God to the nations in ancient times. The record shows that when the time comes for the work to be done, no power can stay his hand; heaven and earth are moved for the accomplishment of the divine purpose.

1. The Deliverance From Egypt

The Lord uttered a time prophecy when he made this promise to Abraham and his seed:—

“Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years; and also that nation, whom they shall serve, will I judge: and afterward shall they come out with great substance. . . . In the fourth generation they shall come hither again: for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full.” Gen. 15: 13-16.

No doubt as the people of Israel groaned under their bondage, with Egypt seemingly ever more cruel and powerful, all hope of deliverance well-nigh fled. But God had promised; and he never forgets his promises.

In Stephen’s last sermon, before the council at Jerusalem, the martyr spoke as follows of this promise to Abraham:—

“But when the time of the promise drew nigh, which God had sworn to Abraham, . . . in which time Moses was born.” Acts 7: 17, 20.

As the time of the prophecy was drawing near, God began to prepare the agencies for the deliverance. The Lord is never overtaken unready. As D’Aubigne says:—

God takes ages to prepare his work, but when the hour is come, accomplishes it by the feeblest instruments. To do great things by small means, is the law