SECTION VII. Comment on the preceding Prophecy. As the Israelites descended by twelve distinct tribes, from the twelve sons of Israel, so the Ishmaelites descended from the twelve sons of Ishmael. The rite of circumcision was ordained by the Almighty, not for Isaac and his seed only, but for Ishmael and his descendants also. Both the Jews and the Arabs have constantly adhered to this institution, which is a perpetual mark of the descent of both from Abraham. These are the only two nations, as Bishop Newton observes" who have subsisted as a distinct people from the beginning. In these two races, we have, as it were, ocular demonstration for our faith," in the scriptural account of their origin. 7-9. 66 SECTION VIII. Fulfilment. ROM. IX. They are not all Israel, which are of Israel. Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children" but "in Isaac shall thy seed be called." JOSHUA xxiv. 2, 3. They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God; but the children of the promise are counted for the seed." "For this is the word of promise"-" Sarah shall have a son." "Thus saith the Lord God of Israel," "I took your Father Abraham," "and multiplied his seed and gave him Isaac." AMOS vii."Prophecy not against Israel, and drop 16, 9. not thy word against the house of Isaac." "The high places of Isaac shall be desolate, and the sanctuaries of Israel shall be laid waste." B.C. 1804. cir. GEN. XXVI." And the Lord appeared unto Isaac, and 2-4. said:-Go not down into Egypt, dwell in the land which I shall tell thee of." "Sojourn in this land and I will bless thee; for unto thee and unto thy seed, I will give all these countries: and I will perform the oath which I sware unto Abraham thy Father." And I will make thy seed to multiply as the stars of Heaven, and will give unto thy seed all these countries and in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed." |