Just as the Lord’s blessings on Israel as a result of their obedience to God would leave an impression on the nations and future generations, so also the Lord’s destruction of Israel because of their disobedience would leave an impression.
Future generations of Israel and future generations of the nations in distant lands will “see the calamities…and the diseases” the Lord afflicted on Israel. Israel was chosen, called and set aside to serve God’s purpose. God’s purpose for Israel was revealed to Abraham in Genesis 12:3:
“All peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” – Genesis 12:3
Israel could fulfill this purpose by being obedient and amazing the nations with their wealth, their power and their people. Or, Israel could fulfill this purpose by being disobedient, in which case, the Lord would shock the world with his destruction of Israel through calamities, diseases and by striking the Promised Land so that it became a burning waste.
The nations would see the Lord’s work through Israel either by being blessed because of obedience
or by being cursed through disobedience. |
