was foretold. It was intimated when it was said
concerning the Messiah,--"Unto him shall the gathering of the people
be."[764] Many prophecies uttered concerning the restoration of Israel,
refer to the present dispensation; and consequently, the predicted
exercises of Covenanting which these contain, to it also belong.[765]
Corresponding to the prophetic intimation concerning a people who should
be created to praise the Lord, is that of a new heavens and a new earth;
both are to be fulfilled in gospel times, and by those who were to be
created, engaging in the duty of taking hold on God's covenant.[766] The
Saviour was promised for a covenant of the people, and for a light of
the Gentiles; and also that he might establish the earth, to cause to
inherit the desolated heritages.[767] The last of the Old Testament
prophets, at the same time that he speaks of the covenant of the
priesthood having been broken by the Jews, who were unbelievers,
uttering the prediction,--"My name shall be great among the
Gentiles,"[768] pre-intimates that all the heathen nations shall use the
name of God in vowing and swearing unto him. Early was uttered the
prophecy,--"God shall enlarge Japheth, and he shall dwell in the tents
of Shem."[769] An illustration of it is given in these words,--"Is he
the God of the Jews only? is he not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the
Gentiles also?"[770] Its reference to Covenanting is therefore manifest.
Many passages besides, from the Old Testament prophets, show that the
Gentiles in their national capacities shall vow and swear to God.[771]
And in the book of Revelation, the same is foretold.[772] Explicit
predictions are made concerning the Egyptians vowing a vow and
performing it, and concerning the Assyrians along with them and Israel
being reckoned as the Lord's people, which fall to be fulfilled in the
later times.[773] And by the voice of prophecy we are assured, that by
Covenanting, in the last days, Israel and Judah shall be gathered and
united as the Lord's people. By the breaking of the staff "Beauty," a
prophet was called to signify that the Lord's covenant with Israel was
broken; and by the cutting of the other staff, "Bands," he was directed
to show, that the brotherhood--certainly one which had been professedly
by covenant, between Judah and Israel should be broken.[774] But even an
earlier prophet, by the use of the corresponding emblems,--of one stick
for Judah and Israel his companions, and ano