The Foundation of Israel’s Hopes

As the very foundation of Israel’s every hope, the mainspring of that people’s courage, the motive power of their energy, their perseverance and their pride, has been the Divine promise made to Abraham, their illustrious ancestor, "the friend of God." To Abraham, after certain tests of character—obedience, loyalty, faith—God made a Promise which constitutes the hope, both of Israel and the Gentiles. It reads, "In thy Seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed." (Gen. 22:18.) Abraham’s son Isaac was indicated by the Lord to be the channel through which this blessing should proceed. Later on, Isaac’s son, Jacob, was indicated as a further channel. At Jacob’s death the Divine blessing passed, by Divine direction, not to a single one of his posterity, but to them all as a whole nation.

Jacob’s name was changed to Israel, which signifies a prince influential with God—in Divine favor. This name Israel, indicative of so much of honor and Divine favor, was subsequently applied to the whole nation of Jacob’s descendants, who became known as Israelites, or Children of Israel. It was understood by that nation that they were the seed, the posterity mentioned in the promise made to Abraham—in whom "all the families of the earth should be blessed." They correctly understood that this would signify a great exaltation for their little nation. They had full confidence in that great Promise, because the Lord had secured it to them in a most remarkable manner—he made oath to it.

Overland Monthly, pages, 66, 67