What does Israel's history show about how God has dealt with them?
Israel’s history shows that God has dealt with the nation as a Father: when they committed iniquity, He disciplined them through other nations, the rod of men, and the stripes of men. Yet despite repeated failure and chastening, His mercy has not departed, and they remain under His hand.
Les explains that in II Samuel 7 God makes a covenant with David, and the promise centers on God’s sovereign “I will,” not David’s action. God says He will be a father to the son and to the nation of Israel, and if iniquity comes, He will discipline as a good earthly father disciplines his children—using other nations, the rod of men, and the stripes of the children of men. Les points out that verse 15 begins with “but”: no matter how far Israel falls short or how unbelieving the nation becomes, God’s mercy shall not depart. Israel’s history demonstrates this pattern: God chastened them time after time, yet they remain under His thumb.
But my mercy shall not depart away from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away before thee.
More Questions
What does history show about God's repeated chastening of Israel?
History itself shows that God has chastened Israel again and again, yet Israel is still under His thumb rather than being cast off.