Palestine and the Jew -- By: Bert C. Kreller

Journal: Bibliotheca Sacra
Volume: BSAC 105:417 (Jan 1948)
Article: Palestine and the Jew
Author: Bert C. Kreller


Palestine and the Jew

Bert C. Kreller

Introduction

“When the Most High divided to the nations their inheritance, when he separated the sons of Adam, he set the bounds of the people according to the number of the children of Israel. For the Lord’s portion is his people; Jacob is the lot of his inheritance” (Deut 32:8, 9).

This portion of Scripture impresses one with the pivotal position Israel has in God’s sovereign dealings with the nations of earth. One might expect to find Israel prominent, if not dominant, in the pages of recorded history, but, on the contrary, most secular histories devote little space to the story of this ancient people. Instead of occupying a place of influence and blessing in the affairs of nations, we see today the spectacle of the “wandering Jew,” lonely, unsettled, uprooted and homeless. For centuries upon centuries this has been his lot. It is true he has prospered in many places where he has resided, but, in general, persecution and suffering have attended him in almost every place. Among the nations they of Israel find no ease, the sole of their foot does not have rest. There is a trembling heart, a failing of eyes, and sorrow of mind for them. In every century they have posed a problem for some nation or nations, and now today the whole world focuses its attention on this people who continue to exist in spite of efforts to do away with them. What to do with the Jew?—that is a problem. The nations may meet to devise ways and means to solve this problem, but we prefer to search the Scriptures to determine the answer. It is not insignificant that the ancient land of this people has been discussed pro and con by the nations since

World War I as the solution for Israel’s troubles. It is also the belief of the student of Scripture that the land, Palestine, is the key to the problem, explaining much of Israel’s past and clarifying the otherwise beclouded destiny of this people.

It is our endeavor, therefore, to study the Israelite from the viewpoint of his land, Palestine, and to demonstrate that the history and future of Judaism is integrally bound up with this land.

Claims to the Land

When discussing the claims of any nation to Palestine, it is proper and helpful to put first things first. Before any nation may put forth a claim of any kind, certainly the word of the Eternal God who has made the earth and all that is in it should be considered. In Leviticus 25:23 the Lord declares, “The land is mine.” This provides us with a good starting point, for we believe G...

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