“Oh Israel”, sang by Bernie Knee
M. Garzillo
The name Israel needs to be understood as it is presented to us in the word of God. A short overview is a must as to who and what is referred to in the name Israel.
We can read in the book of Genesis 35:10– And God said unto him
“ thy name is Jacob: Thy name shall not be called Jacob, but Israel shall be thy name: and He called his name Israel”. Jacob was already the father of twelve sons and one daughter. These offspring grew in number into a nation that would serve as slaves in the land of Egypt. We can read of the sufferings of these people in the book of Exodus and realize the love and compassion of God that He would extend His hand to free His people from Egyptian bondage. God would be with them in their wanderings in the wilderness and to keep them out of bondage there would be a condition that God required. We can read of that requirement in the book of Jeremiah 7:23–But this thing commanded I them saying “ obey My voice, and I will be your God, and you shall be My people: and walk in all the ways that I have commanded you that it will be well with you”. Verse 24:– “but they harkened not, nor inclined their ear, but walked in the councils and in the imaginations of their evil heart, and went backward and not forward”.
After the reign of Solomon, King David’s son, the twelve tribes were separated into two houses, the house of Judah and the house of Israel. Because both houses were disobedient to God’s leadership, they were scattered until such time that God would restore them to their rightful place.
The house of Judah was restored in the year 1948 and occupies the land that is now called Israel. The lost sheep of the house of Israel including some of the house of Judah is being gathered today.( compare Deut. 30:3–4 with Matthew 24:31). That is to say, to those that have a genuine love toward God and believe His word. These are a type of the promises that were given to the fathers as recorded in the book Genesis that are being fulfilled today. This song “ Oh Israel My Son” ( or daughter) is for today. Our heavenly Father doesn’t change. He has the same love and compassion today as He did then.