NL07 – Yisrael Among the Nations

(pages 105-107)

Although man was positioned to learn to know God by studying the patterns of fate and history, man misused his free will, choosing instead to eliminate God from life, placing pleasure and materialism at the center of everything.

To assure that man would ultimately get back on course and arrive at the intended goal of creation, the nation Israel was introduced to the ranks of the nations. Israel’s purpose was to demonstrate by its history and way of life that the only foundation of life is God; that life’s only purpose is the fulfillment of His Will; and that the formal expression of His Will, specifically addressed to this people (the Torah), serves as the exclusive bond of its unity.

By God’s design, this nation was born poor in everything. No land, possessions, strength or independence. Its existence and ability to overcome all opposing forces could only happen by the revealed hand of God. This would demonstrate that God is Creator, Judge and Master of history and nature.

Yisrael was to receive the land of Israel to be used only to fulfill God’s Torah. In response to living by God’s Law the land would flourish and the lives of the people would thrive.  This would demonstrate to the world that the task of man is to live a life of justice and love, in accordance with God’s will.

Israel must remain separate in order to stay true to its mission. It cannot learn from the surrounding cultures and sink down with them to worship material possessions and pleasure.

At the end of history, mankind will have absorbed the lessons of the Torah and Israel’s fate and return to God, no longer self-absorbed. At that time the need for Israel to remain separate will end and Israel will reunite with all of mankind as one family.