It may be useful to remember, when we are forming an opinion respecting minute particulars of unfulfilled prophecy, that the utmost caution, forbearance, and reverence become us, lest we intrude upon the glories and peculiar attributes of Jehovah, and go a step beyond what he has authorized or revealed. "V. They shall have the victory over all their enemies, and all kings and nations of the earth shall submit unto them. For which see Isai. xi. 13, 14; xiv. 1, 2; xli. 14, 15, 16; xlix. 23; lx. 12; xxv. 10, 11, 12; Joel iii. 7, 8, 19, 20; Obad. 17, 18; Mic. iv. 6, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13; v. 5, 6, 7; vii. 16, 17; Zec. ii. 13; ix. 13, 14, 15, 16; ix. 5, 6; xii. 6; Num. xxiv. 17; Isai. xlix. 23; lx. 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16; lxvi. 19, 20. "VI. The Jews, restored, shall live peaceably, without being divided into two nations, or contending with one another any more. Isai. xi. 13, 14; xiv. 1, 2; Jer. iii. 18; 1. 4; Ezek. xxxvii. 21, 22; 2. They shall be very numerous, and multiply greatly. Isai. xxvii. 4. They shall be very glorious, and a blessing in the whole earth. Isai. xix. 24, 25; lxi. 9; Jer. xxxiii. 9; Ex. xxxiv. 26; Zeph. iii. 19; Zec. viii. 13. "VII. The Land of Judea shall be made eminently fruitful, like a Paradise, or the Garden of God. Isai. xxix. 17; xxxv. 1, 2, 7, 9; li. 3, 16; liv. 11, 12, 13; lv. 12, 13; lx. 17; lxv. 17, 25; Ez. xxxiv. 26, 27; xxxvi. 36, 37; Joel iii. 18; Amos ix. 13, 14. "VIII. Jerusalem shall be rebuilt, and after the full restoration of the Jews shall never be destroyed, nor infested with enemies any more. Isai. lii. 1; xxvi. 1; lx. 18, xxxiii. 6; Joel iii. 17; Obad. 17; Zec. xiv. 10, 11; Jer. xxxi. 38. 39, 40; Ezek. xxxviii. 11. "IX. A little before the time of the Jews' call and conversion, there shall be great wars, confusion, and desolation throughout all the earth. Isai. xxxiv. throughout; Joel iii. 1, 10; Zeph. iii. 8, 9; Ezek. xxviii. 25, 26; Hag. ii. 21, 22, 23; Jer. xxx. 7, 8, 9, 10; 2 Chron. xv. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. "So that we may say, as Balaam did, prophecying of that very time: Alas, who shall live when God doth this! Num. xxiv. 23." E The result may shew that any interpretations which would refer the main promises concerning the Jews to any state of mere worldly glory and splendour, fall far short of the event, just as their expectations respecting an immediate temporal kingdom of the Messiah were disappointed by that spiritual kingdom which he established, and which is righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. It appears, however, from a careful consideration of the whole series of prophecy in the Old Testament, to be very probable, that several of the prophecies delivered before the captivity, may have even a primary reference to a yet future return of Judah and Israel to their own land. The expressions in the Old Testament on this point are the most strong. The returns from Babylon, both of Judah and of Israel, were very limited, but especially those of the ten tribes, so as hardly to seem to meet the promises in any literal fulfilment. The expressions in Deut. xxx. 1—6, (following that remarkable prophecy of their dispersion among al nations) naturally lead our minds to a return from their present dispersion to their own land. The declaration, (Isaiah xi. 11.) that the Lord will again put forth his hand a second time to recover the remnant of his people that remaineth, from Assyria, and from Egypt, and from Pathros, and from Cush, and from Elam, and from Shinar, and from Hamath, and from the Islands of the sea, received not, as far as we are 1 Josephus says, (Book xi. chap. 5.) "The entire body of the people of Israel remained in that country; [where they were carried captive] wherefore there are but two tribes in Asia and Europe subject to the Romans, while the ten tribes are beyond the Euphrates till now, and are an immense multitude not to be estimated by numbers." informed, a full literal accomplishment in the return from Babylon: neither did that recorded in Jeremiah, chap. xxx. and xxxi. where the distinction made between the captivity of Israel and of Judah, (xxx. 3.) leads us to expect the return of Israel,2 an event which appears to us yet to be accomplished. The Apostle (Rom. xi. 26.) quotes Isaiah lix. 20, as referring to their future conversion, and thereby justifies our taking such a view of that prophecy, and others of a similar kind. The whole series of chapters, Ezekiel xxxvi. to xxxix. inclusive, with 1 The situation of Egypt at the present moment cannot but be one of much interest to the Christian; not only from its ruler having now possession of the Holy Land, but also from the peculiarly vigorous, active and enterprising spirit of the pacha and his son, and the power. ful army and navy that they have got together, connected as these are with the state of Turkey and Russia; and with the predictions in the latter days respecting Israel, Assyria, and Egypt, (Isaiah xix. 18-25.) Bishop Lowth considers Isaiah xviii. as referring to Egypt. Bishop Horsley and Faber refer it to a maritime country, meaning Great Britain. A little time may more develop these remarkable prophecies. 2 In the Quarterly Review of Burne's Travels into Bokhara, the following remarks occur respecting the ten tribes-" It has been for some time past a current opinion in the East, that the offspring of the lost tribes of Israel survive among the Afghans. Mr. Burne after shewing some anachronism in the genealogies, and that there are similar corruptions in those of Greece and Rome, &c. says: "The Afghans look like Jews; they say that they are descended from Jews, and the younger brother marries the widow of the elder, according to the law of Moses. The Afghans entertain strong prejudices against the Jewish nation, which would at least shew that they have no desire to claim without a just cause a descent from them. Since some of the tribes of Israel came to the East, why should we not admit that the Afghans are then descendants converted to Mahomedanism. I am aware that I am differing from a high authority (W. Elphinston). [Mr. E. declined the investigation, but thought the accounts of their origin fabulous], but I trust that I have made it to appear on reasonable grounds." Vol. I, page 164. The Baptist Missionaries Carey and Marshman, quote a learned Afghan as saying, "his nation are Beni Israel, but not Yahood;" sons of Israel, but not Jews; and inform us that in the Pushtoo or Afghan language, there are more Hebrew words than in that of any other India nation. several other instances, might be added, as prophecies that have yet, as far as we can at present judge, to receive their chief accomplishment. In the New Testament, though but little is said on this subject, there is nothing to throw doubt upon our hopes respecting the Jews; and two strong passages in oblique hints, however, rather than by positive assertions, confirm this hope. Both proceed from our Lord. One is, Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled, Luke xxi. 24. The other is his reply to the inquiry of his disciples, Wilt thou, at this time, restore again the kingdom to Israel? And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times, or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. Acts i. 6, 7. The book of Revelation, the last discovery given to the Church of future events, says little or nothing on this part of our subject, unless the 7th chapter, and the Kings of the East (Rev. xvi. 12) refer to the Jews; and the songs of praise in chapter xix., include them. The general tendency of what we read in the New Testament is to lead our minds from any temporal kingdom and earthly glory, to that spiritual kingdom which is to be established in every believer's heart, as a preparation for his possessing an heavenly inheritance; but still with this is clearly predicted, in harmony with Old Testament prophecies-a kingdom which shall one day universally prevail,—for a day is coming when it shall be said, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign for ever and ever: and the inheritance of this kingdom is our great reward in the day of Christ, (Mat. xxv. 34; Rev. iii. 21; v. 10) Respecting the future CONVERSION of the whole Jewish nation, as distinct from their national restoration, there can also be no reasonable doubt; the prophecies are sufficiently clear and decisive. For the children of Israel shall abide many days without a king, and without a prince, and without a sacrifice, and without an image, and without on ephod, and without teraphim. Afterward, shall the children of Israel return, and seek the Lord their God, and David their King, and shall fear the Lord and his goodness in the latter days. The New Testament does not here speak obscurely. Nevertheless, when it (the Jewish nation) shall turn to the Lord, the veil shall be taken away. 2 Cor. iii. 16. If they have in part now fallen, their fulness shall hereafter come in. Rom. xi. 12. If they are now cast away, they shall be received; (ver. 15.) if they have been broken off, they shall be again grafted in ; (ver. 23.) and so all Israel shall be saved, ver. 26. How cheering are such promises; and they are accompanied with the delightful assurance, that their recovery shall be a blessing to the world even as life from the dead. It is to be feared, that some who are warm friends to missions among the heathens, have not sufficient faith with regard to efforts among the Jews, and think it almost a hopeless undertaking. But is not this directly contrary to the plain argument of the Apostle on this very point;-They also, if they abide not in unbelief, shall be grafted in; for God is able to graft them in. For if thou wert cut out of the olive-tree which is wild by nature, and wert grafted contrary to nature into a good olive-tree, HOW MUCH MORE shall these, which be the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive-tree. Rom. xi. 23, 24. The promised future conversion of the Jews, with its effects on the world, should both encourage our |