The House of Israel
Audio:
https://www.youtube.com/embed/QYyxEdf99VA?list=PL4ByrircmXL4AIWLkRrpeoEq_A6VmA54y
Rich were the rewards, both temporal and spiritual, promised those who should put into practice these principles of righteousness. These promises were conditional on obedience.
How sad the record, that in Malachi's day the Israelites hesitated to yield their proud hearts in prompt and loving obedience and hearty co-operation!
The restrictions which God had given, forbidding intermarriage between His people and the heathen, and prohibiting Israel from joining in the idolatrous practices of surrounding nations, were so perverted as to build up a wall of partition between the Israelites and all other peoples, thus shutting from others the very blessings which God had commissioned Israel to give to the world. Self-vindication is apparent in their response, Wherein shall we return? Malachi 3:7
Today the church of God is free to carry forward to completion the divine plan for the salvation of a lost race. For many centuries God's people suffered a restriction of their liberties. The preaching of the gospel in its purity was prohibited, and the severest of penalties were visited upon those who dared disobey the mandates of men. As a consequence, the Lord's great moral vineyard was almost wholly unoccupied. The people were deprived of the light of God's word. The darkness of error and superstition threatened to blot out a knowledge of true religion. But, thank God, His church is no longer in bondage.
In proclaiming the truths of the everlasting gospel to every nation, kindred, tongue, and people, God's church on earth today is fulfilling the ancient prophecy, Israel shall blossom and bud, and fill the face of the world with fruit. Isaiah 27:6