Instructive Comparisons.
By H. A. St. John
The history of ancient Israel is very instructive. We may be profited by a study of their experience during almost any period of their existence. Their bondage in Egypt, deliverance therefrom, wanderings in the wilderness, etc., present many things, as says the apostle, 1 Cor. 10: 11, which happened unto them for ensamples or types; and are written for our admonition upon whom the ends of the world are come. Let us consider a few things that happened unto them before they were planted in the earthly Canaan, and notice their antitypes as occurring in the history of modern Israel as they near the borders of the heavenly Canaan. First, we may observe that Israel was in bondage in Egypt for a predicted period of time, namely, four hundred years. Gen. 15: 13. This was a dark period in their history. During this time the worship of God was corrupted among them so that at the time of their deliverance very many of the Hebrews were but little in advance of the Egyptians, morally, and had but faint ideas of the true God. The gross idolatry and atheism of the Egyptians had a terribly demoralizing effect upon the Hebrews, and they well-nigh lost every vestige of the character that had distinguished them as the peculiar people of God. In this dispensation there has been a period of oppression predicted in several places in the Scriptures, one thousand two hundred and sixty years of papal rule, the wilderness state of the church, Rev. 12: 6, 14; during which time the two witnesses prophesied, clothed in sackcloth, Rev. 11: 3; the Man of Sin, the son of perdition triumphed. 2 Thess. 2: 3–7. This was the dark period, the Egyptian bondage of modern Israel. During this time the purity and simplicity of the worship of God was greatly corrupted by the introduction of many idle, senseless forms, and superstitious notions. Many precious truths were hidden, adulterated, and almost lost sight of by being covered all over by traditions and false doctrines. But God delivered ancient Israel, started them on their journey to the earthly Canaan, and led the way before them. So the dark period of the sojourn of modern Israel in the wilderness terminated in A. D. 1798, since which time the Lord has been leading his people by a way which they knew not, stripping them from tradition, and bringing them back to the simplicity of his true worship. After God had brought Israel out of Egypt, he proved them to see if they would walk in his law, or no, Ex. 16: 4; and the very point of God's law upon which they were tested was the fourth commandment, the Sabbath of the Lord. Ex. 16. It is a remarkable fact that modern Israel, upon whom the ends of the world are come, are being tested upon the law of God, and the same identical precept of that law, that constituted the test at that time. God then pointed out to his people in the most unmistakable and wonderful manner, that the Sabbath, or seventh day, was a particular day, and their loyalty to him depended upon their recognizing that fact, and keeping the day that God had blessed and hallowed. So now, the Sabbath, a particular day, the seventh day of each week, and no other, is the burden of the last testing message to antitypical Israel. The Hebrew people, at the time referred to, enjoyed the inestimable blessing of direct communication with God. The Israel of God under the third message do likewise enjoy the invaluable blessing of the gift of prophecy, which is but too lightly estimated by those who profess faith. Ancient Israel, between Egypt and Canaan, were made acquainted with the importance of health reform. They were especially directed to put away all uncleanness, to sanctify themselves, to wash their clothes, etc. Ex. 19: 10. The Lord was thus particular to give them directions for health and personal cleanliness, because it was for their own good and his glory. Now it is a truth not to be overlooked, but of great significance, that God has been calling the attention of his people in these last days to the subject of health; and all who understand and appreciate the last message feel the importance of cleansing themselves from all filthiness of the flesh, and becoming temperate in all things. The Hebrew people, having sanctified themselves as directed, were prepared to hear the voice of God speaking in tones like loudest thunder, as he came down on Sinai's trembling summit, and uttered the ten words of his holy law amid scenes of terrific grandeur. The earth shook. Israel stood at the foot of the mount in solemn awe while Jehovah spake with terrible distinctness the words of his law. When the remnant of modern Israel are all gathered, sanctified, and ready to pass over Jordan to the heavenly Canaan, they will hear the voice of God, shaking not the earth only, but the heavens also; not again to utter his law, but to vindicate its divine character and perpetuity by pronouncing a never-ending blessing upon those who have magnified his law in deed and in truth before the last generation of earth's mortal inhabitants. We might trace this subject further, but will here leave it, by reminding the reader that those things that happened to them are recorded for our admonition. “I will therefore put you in remembrance, though ye once knew this, how that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not.” Jude 5. God having saved us thus far, is no assurance of final salvation; but continually increasing faith, with implicit obedience, is our only hope. My prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved with an everlasting salvation.