Editorial - A Banner To The Nations

by Joy Hunting

The Israel nation has always been a demonstration people, their role being to show the world the greatness, the power, the lovingkindness and the righteousness of Almighty God. The Word to them was: "'You are my witnesses,' says the LORD, 'and my servant whom I have chosen, that you may know and believe me, and understand that I am he. Before me there was no God formed, nor shall there be after me. I, even I, am the LORD, and beside me there is no saviour ... therefore you are my witnesses ...'" (Isaiah 43:10-12).

In other words "He will lift up a banner to the nations from afar ..." (Isaiah 5:26), His people being set to show like a banner, an ensign, God's wonderful works and attributes to all other peoples.

What a challenge! What a privilege!

And speaking of a future day when "the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD as the waters cover the sea" (Isaiah 11:9), the prophet states that "in that day", that is, "in that day that the LORD shall set his hand again the second time to recover the remnant of his people ... there shall be a Root of Jesse, who shall stand as a banner to the people; for the Gentiles shall seek him ... he will set up a banner for the nations, and will assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth" (Isaiah 11:10-12).

The Messiah, the Root of Jesse, will be the banner, the ensign round which the nations will gather; He will be the rallying point for them; He will be the One to whom they will come and in whom they will put their trust.

It is Israel's prerogative to point the way to this matchless One; they need first to rally to His banner themselves, for as the Psalmist said: "You have given a banner to those who fear you, that it may be displayed because of truth" (61:4). He Himself announced: "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:6).

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