Israel in Bible Prophecy - NetBibleStudy.com

Lesson FiveIsrael and Moses’ ProphecyThe book of Deuteronomy is both a moving personal document and a striking prophecy.Moses, knowing that he would soon die, reiterated God’s covenant with Israel and also face thenew generation that was to enter Canaan with the demand that they pledge their loyalty toJoshua, his divinely appointed successor. He pronounced glorious blessing upon them forobedience, and dire curses for disobedience. In addition to this, he gave a detailed picture ofIsrael’s future that is amazing in its accuracy.Moses predicted that the Israelites would not obey God and that they would be removedfrom their land, scattered among the nations and delivered to their enemies who would bitterlypersecute them. Listen to Moses as he declares in Deuteronomy 28:63-67,“And it shall come to pass, that as the LORD rejoiced over you to do you good,and to multiply you; so the LORD will rejoice over you to destroy you, and tobring you to naught; and ye shall be plucked from off the land whither thou goestto possess it. And the LORD shall scatter thee among all people, from the oneend of the earth even unto the other; and there thou shalt serve other gods, whichneither thou nor thy fathers have known, even wood and stone. And among thesenations shalt thou find no ease, neither shall the sole of thy foot have rest: but theLORD shall give thee there a trembling heart, and failing of eyes, and sorrow ofmind: And thy life shall hang in doubt before thee; and thou shalt fear day andnight, and shalt have none assurance of thy life: In the morning thou shalt say,Would God it were even! and at even thou shalt say, Would God it weremorning! for the fear of thine heart wherewith thou shalt fear, and for the sightof thine eyes which thou shalt see.”This is indeed one of the most amazing prophecies in the entire Word of God, and all ofit has been accomplished to the letter.Moses also foretold that day when the nation of Israel would return to the land ofCanaan. He said in Deuteronomy 30, verses 1 through 3 and verse 6,“And it shall come to pass, when all these things are come upon thee, theblessing and the curse, which I have set before thee, and thou shalt call them tomind among all the nations, whither the LORD thy God hath driven thee, Andshalt return unto the LORD thy God, and shalt obey his voice according to allthat I command thee this day, thou and thy children, with all thine heart, andwith all thy soul; That then the LORD thy God will turn thy captivity, and havecompassion upon thee, and will return and gather thee from all the nations,whither the LORD thy God hath scattered thee…And the LORD thy God willcircumcise thine heart, and the heart of thy seed, to love the LORD thy God withall thine heart, and with all thy soul, that thou mayest live.”Comparing this prediction with that of Ezekiel 36:24-28, and the prophet’s vision of thedry bones in chapter 37, it appears that although a remnant will return to the land of Israel inunbelief, the complete regathering of the Israelites and their permanent establishment in the landwill not be realized unto they have genuinely repented and returned to God.