Jehovah Blesses Abraham's Seed

With Abraham's descendants organized as a nation under the Law, Jehovah blessed them according to his promise to the patriarch.  In 1473 B.C.E., Moses' successor, Joshua, led Israel into Canaan.  The subsequent division of the land among the tribes fulfilled Jehovah's promise to give the land to Abraham's seed. When Israel was faithful, Jehovah fulfilled his promise to give them  victory over their enemies.  This was especially  true during the rule of King David.  By the time of David's son Solomon, a third aspect of the Abrahamic covenant was fulfilled. "Judah and Israel were many, like the grains of sand that are by the sea for multitude, eating and drinking and rejoicing." -1 Kings 4:20.

How, though, would the nations bless themselves through Israel, Abraham's  seed?  As already mentioned, Israel was Jehovah's special people.  his representative among the nations. shorty before Israel marched into Canaan, Moses said:  "Be glad, you nations, with his people." (Deuteronomy 32:43) Many foreigners responded.  "A vast mixed company" had already followed Israel out of Egypt, witnessed Jehovah's power in the wilderness, and heard Moses' invitation to rejoice. (Exodus 12:37, 38)  Later, the Moabitess Ruth  married the Israelite Boaz and became an ancestress of the Messiah.  (Ruth 4:13-22)  The Kenite Johonadab and his descendants and the Ethiopian Ebed-melech distinguished themselves by adherence to right principles when many natural Israelites were unfaithful. (2 Kings 10:15-17; Jeremiah 35:1-19; 38:7-13) Under the Persian Empire, many foreigners became proselytes and fought with Israel against her enemies. -Esther 8:17.

Next time: A New Covenant Needed

From the Watchtower magazine, 1998