THE APPOINTED PLACE

A little study about Israel's "appointed place". This place has nothing to do with a return to the land of their fathers, but to a future ( and presently fulfilled prophecy about a final resting place for God's people, Israel - which leads us to the USA.

Right in the midst of Nathan's utterances to David concerning the unconditional Davidic Covenant, we find a verse ce which, at first sight, seems to be out of place and which therefore requires a separate analysis. (see 2 Samuel 7:10) This promise is an integral part of the Davidic Covenant and consists of 5 main themes :

I. "Moreover I will appoint a place for my people Israel,2, And will plant them3. That they may dwell in a place of their own4. And move no more;5. Neither shall the children of wickedness afflict them any more as beforetime."

Now remember that when this promise was made Israel (the 12 tribes) was dwelling in, and was in possession of the land of Palestine; and that David's Kingdom was then approaching the height of its power and prosperity, and "The Lord had given David rest round about him from all his enemies."

Therefore, the "Appointed Place" prophecy must have sounded strange and extraordinary to both David and Nathan.

What did God mean, "I will appoint a place"? Note the future tense. Were they not THEN in their own place - in their own home? - in the land promised under the Abrahamic Covenant? Yet God says HE WILL - therefore future - definitely appoint a place for His people Israel.

Where, and what is this Appointed Place? Clearly it cannot be Palestine, because they were then in actual possession and occupation of the land. Where then is this other land? This does not do away with the promise to Abraham regarding the land, but enlarges it; adds to it; gives something extra; and guaranteed in the same way by the Word of God Himself.

God says that He Himself will plant them in this new place; not by way of punishment, but by way of blessing; "That they may dwell in a place of their own."

Therefore it must be another place which will be as much "their own" as Palestine was. And further, this new appointed place is to be a permanent home, "that they may dwell in a place of their own and MOVE NO MORE"; which clearly means everlasting occupation; and that last clause clearly promises safety from ALL THEIR ENEMIES.

None of the promises of the Davidic Covenant, nor in the verse under discussion, have been fulfilled in the Jews. But, as God's Word is true then we must look for the fulfilment of the promises in those people who were taken captive to Assyria, i.e. ALL ISRAEL (10 tribes) and the greater portion of the House of Judah, between 745 and 704 B.C. God does not lie, so His promises must be fulfilled, and they most definately were.

The future restoration of the captive Israelites is foretold in many passages of scripture quite apart from any union with the Jews. As God has never given the Jews an appointed place or land of their own for a permanent home where they would be safe from oppression, it is quite evident that the promise must apply to the true Israel of the people of David's Kingdom; the people who fulfill all the prophecies about Israel and have all the earmarks of the covenant people. Therefore the term ISRAEL in Nathan's prophecy cannot mean the Jews. (As a matter of fact there were not any Jews on the earth at that time - even the word itself had not been as

yet coined.)

Isaiah 11:11,12 and Ezekiel 37 plainly refer to a future gathering of both Houses when God shall SET HIS HAND THE SECOND TIME to recover His people. The first gathering of Israel must therefore be to the Appointed Place. Where, then, is the Appointed Place? A study of some of the prophets should reveal it.

Hosea tells us it will be a "wilderness". This does not mean an arid waste or sandy desert, but any great uncultivated or unpossessed land. Read carefully Hosea chapters 1 and 2, where we learn that God will ALLURE Israel and speak comfortingly unto her, and betroth her unto Him for ever. This occurs after the migrations; evidently when they had been gathered into a place of safety. Jeremiah 31 : 1, 2 is evidently referring to the same place.

Ezekiel 42:33-37 closely resembles the luring into. the wilderness as prophesied by Hosea and Jeremiah; the place of blessing and restoration.