Page 261 - Neglected Arabia (1911-1915) Vol II

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Again, in that wonderful picture of Jehovah’s redemption, the
sixtieth chapter of Isaiah, who are more specifically mentioned as the
beneficiaries of this great redemption than the inhabitants .of Araby
the Blest? Xo comment is necessary on the following inspired and in­
spiring words: “The multitudes of camels shall cover thee, the
dromedaries of Midian and Ephah; all they from Sheba shall come;
they shall bring gold and frankincense, and shall proclaim the praises
of Jehovah. All the flocks of Kedar shall be gathered together unto
thee, the rams of Xebaioth shall minister unto thee; they shall come
up with acceptance on mine altar; and I will glorify the house of my
glory/’
• •* But not only the direct patriarchal promises and the prophetical
utterances give us assurance of the final redemption of Arabia, but
* these are strongly supported by indirect historical references. The
generations of Ishmael as mentioned in Genesis 25:12 are as noble as
those of any Bible heroes. Ishmael’s sons were princes and his tribes
were nations, and they occupied their land much sooner and more
securely than the sons of Isaac. Unto them was fulfilled the divine
promise that they should be a great nation and that they should dwell
over against all their brethren. And as God fulfilled unto them these
!;#
promises of wordly success and advancement, so he undoubtedly ful­
filled unto them the more important spiritual promise that they should
dwell before him. And we cannot escape the conviction that some of
the faithfulness and piety of Abraham clung to Hagar and her nomad

*

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* ON THE EDGE OF AN ARABIAN TOWN

son, and that the blessing of God has always shown itself in the re­
ligious nature of many of the inhabitants of Arabia. It is^ true that
many of them seek God in a way in which He is not to be found, but
that makes it the more essential that the cross of Christ should be lifted
up among them for their guidance and redemption.
There is also a significant reference in the Xew Testament to the
*