Topical Bible: The Jews: Their Country Trodden Under Foot by the Gentiles

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The history of the Jewish people and their land, Israel, is marked by periods of conquest and subjugation by various Gentile powers. This theme is deeply rooted in biblical prophecy and historical events, reflecting both divine judgment and the unfolding of God's redemptive plan.

Biblical Prophecies and Fulfillment

The concept of the Jewish land being "trodden under foot by the Gentiles" is notably prophesied in the Scriptures. In the Book of Daniel, the prophet speaks of successive empires that would dominate Israel. Daniel 9:26 states, "Then the people of the prince who is to come will destroy the city and the sanctuary. The end will come like a flood, and until the end there will be war; desolations are decreed."

Jesus Himself foretold the trampling of Jerusalem by the Gentiles. In Luke 21:24 , He declares, "They will fall by the edge of the sword and be led captive into all the nations. And Jerusalem will be trodden down by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled."

Historical Context

The fulfillment of these prophecies can be traced through various historical periods. After the Babylonian exile, the Jews returned to their land, only to face domination by the Persians, Greeks, and Romans. The Roman destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD was a pivotal event, leading to widespread Jewish dispersion and the city being under Gentile control for centuries.

During the Byzantine, Islamic, Crusader, and Ottoman periods, the land of Israel continued to be ruled by non-Jewish powers. Each era brought its own challenges and changes to the Jewish presence in the land.

Theological Implications

From a theological perspective, the subjugation of the Jewish land by Gentiles is seen as part of God's sovereign plan. It serves as a reminder of the consequences of disobedience, as outlined in Deuteronomy 28:49-52 , where God warns of a foreign nation coming against Israel as a judgment for turning away from Him.

Yet, this period of Gentile domination is also viewed as temporary. The "times of the Gentiles" suggests a divinely appointed period that will eventually come to an end, paving the way for the restoration of Israel. This is consistent with the prophetic hope found in passages like Zechariah 12:10 , which anticipates a future turning of the Jewish people back to God.

Modern Reflections

The establishment of the State of Israel in 1948 and the subsequent control of Jerusalem in 1967 are often seen as significant developments in the context of biblical prophecy. These events are interpreted by many as a partial fulfillment of God's promises to restore His people to their land.

However, the ongoing tensions and conflicts in the region are reminders of the complex interplay between divine prophecy and human history. The land of Israel remains a focal point of spiritual and geopolitical significance, as the world watches the unfolding of events that many believe are tied to biblical prophecy.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Deuteronomy 28:49-52
The LORD shall bring a nation against you from far, from the end of the earth, as swift as the eagle flies; a nation whose tongue you shall not understand;
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Luke 21:24
And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Destruction of Jerusalem Foretold.
... and let not them that are in the country enter therein ... because their condition would
impede their flight] ^c ... up of Gentiles to the almost exclusion of the Jews. ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/cxiii destruction of jerusalem foretold.htm

Matt. v. 1, 2
... who were not known even in their own country: that earth ... us "give none offense, neither
to the Jews, nor to ... wicked, but our good life, will draw their attention ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily xv matt v 1.htm

Letter Xlvi. Paula and Eustochium to Marcella.
... us is familiar and natural to this city and country. ... The Jews of old reverenced the
Holy of Holies, because ... called Sodom and Egypt, where also their Lord was ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter xlvi paula and eustochium.htm

Human Responsibility
... yourselves, in what is called a Christian country, by standing ... be acknowledged the
King of the Jews, for whom ... now they have no cloke for their sin." "Therefore ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/human responsibility.htm

Matt. x. 16
... us, the governors, the synagogues of the Jews, the nations ... to be sold out of the
country, [1420] and ... they were accounted glorious for their heathen philosophy ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily xxxiii matt x 16.htm

A Clearing-Up Storm in the Realm
... The Chinese has long called his country "the Middle Kingdom," in the sense of its
being the central ... At this time the Jews have their national organization ...
/.../vi a clearing-up storm in the.htm

The Story of the Stranger at the Well
... on a man who was coming out of the country into the ... It was the custom among the Jews
to give to men ... die by the cross some medicine to deaden their feelings, so ...
/.../marshall/the wonder book of bible stories/the story of the stranger.htm

The Second vision "On Earth"
... of hosts, hath a sacrifice In the north country by the ... the re-settlement of the Jews
in their Land and ... xi.) the Jews are again in remembrance for the father's ...
/.../bullinger/commentary on revelation/the second vision on earth.htm

Against vigilantius.
... one can do this in his own country, and that ... be distributed to all poor people, even
to Jews and Samaritans ... Can those poor creatures, with their rags and filth ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/against vigilantius.htm

The Mystery
... epi choras tes plateias, on the extensive country, &c ... them out unburied, and especially
among the Jews, as the ... and according to the dignity of their order, much ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mede/a key to the apocalypse/the mystery.htm