What does history show about God's chastening of Israel?
History shows God has chastened Israel repeatedly, using other nations as the rod of men and stripes of the children of men. Though Israel often fell short and was unbelieving, God's mercy did not depart from them, and they remain under His thumb.
Les explains from II Samuel 7 that God promised to be a father to Israel, and if they committed iniquity, He would discipline them. Just as a good earthly father disciplines his children, God would chasten His son, the nation of Israel. He would do it with other nations, with the rod of men, and with the stripes of the children of men. Yet verse 15 begins with “But”: no matter how far Israel fell short or how unbelieving they became, God's mercy would not depart from them. History shows God chastened them time after time, but they are still under His thumb.
But my mercy shall not depart away from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away before thee.