Israel by Uriah Smith

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Jun 12, 1884

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 10, No. 23.

Israel.

By Uriah Smith

SINCE it has become a point of some importance, in view of the theories entertained by some upon this subject, to determine whether or not ten tribes have been lost, as is claimed, or whether they were recognized as existing in the Land of Palestine, from their first settlement there, till the days of Christ, we wish to offer the following considerations bearing upon the point:—

1. The ten tribes which revolted from Rehoboam, and were carried away captive in the days of Hoshea, were not after their removal "out of the sight of the Lord," recognized as Israel. 2 Kings 17:1, 23.

2. After these ten tribes, as many of them as still persisted in their revolt were carried away, the twelve tribes still existed in the land of Judah; for all such as set their hearts to seek after the Lord God of Israel, out of all the tribes of Israel, disgusted with the idolatry of Jeroboam, came to Jerusalem to sacrifice unto the God of their fathers. 2 Chron. 11:13-16.

3. At the end of the seventy years' captivity, when Cyrus made proclamation for the restoration of the house of the Lord at Jerusalem, he gave liberty to all the people of Israel throughout his realm, who were so minded, to return to their native land. Ez. 1:2, 3. And this favor was granted throughout all Media where the ten tribes were in captivity, as well as in Chaldea and Assyria where the Jews were in captivity. Prideaux's Con., Vol. 1, Book 3. Many of those who belonged to the ten tribes availed themselves of this decree; and hence we read in 1 Chron. 9:1, 3 that there dwelt in Jerusalem, not only the children of Benjamin and Judah, but also of Ephraim and Manasseh; and we find again still later (Neh. 7:73), that all Israel (an expression never applied to any other than the twelve tribes) dwelt in their cities.

4. We learn from the history above quoted, p. 160, that, according to the authority of Jewish writers, the "Urim and Thummim" was established "to seek counsel only about that which belonged to the common interest of all Israel; and therefore, whenever the high priest asked counsel of God in this way, it was with the names of all the tribes of Israel upon his breast to denote that what was asked was for the common interest of all of them." Let us apply this fact to the question under consideration. In the ministrations of the Sanctuary, this side the captivity, did not the high priest on the day of atonement, bear into the most holy place upon his breast the breast-plate of judgment which contained the names of the twelve tribes of Israel? Of course; as much as he did before. Then was not the ministration

then performed, for the common interest of all Israel? Certainly. Every tribe whose name was on the breast-plate of judgment, had an interest in the services therewith performed; and had there been but two tribes recognized as existing about Jerusalem at that time, it would have been proper that they only should be represented on the breast-plate. But as we find no notice of anything of this kind, we conclude that each tribe retained its name upon the breast-plate of judgment, and maintained its existence in the land, and that those only were recognized as Israel, who still persevered in adhering to the worship of the true God, as ordained for that dispensation.

From these few considerations alone, regardless of many others which might be offered, it is sufficiently evident that the twelve tribes maintained an uninterrupted existence in the land of Canaan, except, perhaps, during the seventy years' captivity, till the days of Christ, since which time he is an Israelite indeed who is one at heart, and not outwardly. And the view, therefore, which claims that there are ten tribes of literal Israel somewhere existing, who must at some time in the future be restored, in order that great and gracious promises which are supposed to concern them, may be fulfilled, is a dangerous fallacy, unworthy of our serious belief. U. S.