Israel to Be “Wanderers Among the Nations”

The ten tribes, long unrepentant, received no promise of complete restoration to their former power in Palestine. Until the end of time they were to be “wanderers among the nations.” But a prophecy through Hosea offered them the privilege of having a part in the final restoration of God’s people at the close of earth’s history. “Many days,” the prophet declared, the ten tribes were to abide “without king or prince, without sacrifice or sacred pillar, without ephod or teraphim. Afterward,” the prophet continued, “the children of Israel shall return and seek the Lord their God and David their king. They shall fear the Lord and His goodness in the latter days.” Hosea 3:4, 5.RR 110.4

In symbolic language Hosea presented God’s plan of restoring to every repentant one the blessings granted Israel in the days when they were loyal to Him in the Promised Land. Referring to Israel the Lord declared, “‘I will give her her vineyards from there, and the Valley of Achor as a door of hope; she shall sing there, as in the days of her youth, as in the day when she came up from the land of Egypt. And it shall be, in that day,’ says the Lord, ‘that you will call Me, “My husband,” and no longer call Me, “My Master.”’” Hosea 2:15, 16.RR 110.5

In the last days of earth’s history, God will renew His covenant with His commandment-keeping people. “I will betroth you to Me forever; ... in righteousness and justice, in lovingkindness and mercy. ... And you shall know the Lord.” “And I will have mercy on her who had not obtained mercy; then I will say to those who were not My people, ‘You are My people!’ And they shall say,‘You are my God!’” Verses 19, 20, 23.RR 111.1

From “every nation, tribe, tongue, and people” some will gladly respond to the message, “Fear God and give glory to Him; for the hour of His judgment has come.” They will turn from every idol that binds them to earth and will “worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water.” They will free themselves from every entanglement and will stand before the world as monuments of God’s mercy. Obedient to the divine requirements, they will be recognized as those who have kept “the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.” Revelation 14:6, 7, 12.RR 111.2

“I will bring back the captives of My people Israel. ... I will plant them in their land, and no longer shall they be plucked up from the land I have given them.” Amos 9:14, 15.RR 111.3