The Patriarchs, Other Religions and Authority of Prophecy

“For thus saith the LORD; Sing with gladness for Jacob, and shout among the chief of the nations: publish ye, praise ye, and say, O LORD, save thy people, the remnant of Israel” (Jeremiah 31:7).

If one were to list all the promises God has given the Jews regarding their return to their land, it would easily fill a book. We quote this one important verse to unmistakably recognize God’s message to the nations: “Hear the word of the LORD, O ye nations” (v. 10a).

First and foremost, the neighboring nations are meant by this declaration. Quite obviously, however, that is not all; the prophet adds: “declare it in the isles afar off.” These are not named. We must assume it’s the last two continents discovered, settled, and established by Europeans: America and Australia.

The first three continents (Europe, Africa, and Asia) were well-known to the writers of the Old Testament as well as the New Testament. They traveled to Europe, Asia, and Africa proclaiming the wonderful news: the availability of individual freedom, or as we read in Philippians 4:7: “And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

We—that is, the Church—have occupied ourselves with studying the Bible relating to the re-establishment of the State of Israel. The writer of the introductory Scripture puts the responsibility of Israel’s scattering and return into the hands of the Creator, the Almighty God of Israel.

Here we are reminded of Jesus’ words: “I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living” (Matthew 22:32). The individuality aspect is clearly revealed, for Jesus does not say, “the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob,” but names each individual and his relationship to God the Creator. It is for that reason this writer feels the often-repeated statement, “In God we trust,” to be in error. Why? Because of the little word “we.” God is not the God of a collective group but of individuals. Permit me to ask one question: Is that your God?

When we study the various and repeated promises in Scripture regarding the return of the Jews to the land of their fathers, we will notice that the promise of the return is always yoked to the people and the land, Eretz Israel.

The Patriarchs

Back at the beginning, we see God making an everlasting covenant with Abraham: “And I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, the land wherein thou art a stranger, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God” (Genesis 17:8).

Next in line is Isaac, Abraham’s son. Again, the blessing is passed on by God Himself: “in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed” (Genesis 26:4b).

Isaac’s son Jacob likewise receives this promise: “in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed” (28:14b).

The Bible is unique among all other religious literature. It is precise; it gives dates; it identifies geographical details. Take, for example, Daniel. In his second vision, he states the facts: “In the third year of the reign of king Belshazzar a vision appeared unto me, even unto me Daniel, after that which appeared unto me at the first. And I saw in a vision; and it came to pass, when I saw, that I was at Shushan in the palace, which is in the province of Elam; and I saw in a vision, and I was by the river of Ulai” (Daniel 8:1-2). The year of the political leader is mentioned; the place—Shushan; the province—Elam; even a river is given: “the river of Ulai.”

Other Religions

When doing some research on other religions such Hinduism, we learn their ultimate goal is Moksha, which is liberation from the cycle of rebirth (samsara) to unite with the supreme reality (Brahman). In plain words, individualism ceases to exist.

About Buddhism, we learn: “Buddhism views death not as an end, but as a transition within the endless cycle of rebirth (samsara).”

What about Islam? A Google search returns: “The Quran was revealed to the prophet Muhammad in Arabia between 610 and 632 AD.” Obviously, that religion is a latecomer, and copies of the Old and New Testament were available.

Of interest is the Quran’s description of the establishment of Israel: “And after him, We said to the Children of Israel, ‘Inhabit the land, and when the promise of the Hereafter arrives, We will bring you all together’” (Surah 17:104). Muslims should realize that “the Children of Israel” are inexorably destined to “inhabit the land.”

Authority of Prophecy

When it comes to the Bible, AI Overview states: “The Bible was written by approximately 40 different human authors—including kings, prophets, fishermen, and scholars in the span of over 1,500 years. Traditional belief holds that God inspired the content. Key authors include Moses (Pentateuch), David (Psalms), Solomon (Proverbs), and Paul (Epistles).” That sets the Bible apart. Until this very day, we have a people—the Jews—and a land (Israel) testifying to the truth of that prophetic Word.

We conclude with a citation from 2 Peter 1:19-21: “We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.”