Now in this passage which I have quoted at length, we find ISRAEL dwelling securely in "unwalled villages," having "neither bars nor gates." Israel, thus secure, is spoken of, as "brought back from the sword," and gathered out of many people." It would appear also that certain nations will be associated in close friendship with Israel, when God shall stand up against them. Among these are mentioned SHEBA, DEDAN, and TARSHISH. While in league with GoG, against God's people, will be PERSIA, ETHIOPIA, LIBYA, GOMER, and TOGARMAH. That is to say, that when the power of Satan is again allowed to be exerted over the minds of men, very few by comparison will stand firmly on the Lord's side, even though there be in Israel the clearest evidence that He is King indeed, and though His manifested power and justice are beyond the reach of question. But let us examine this, that we may learn something, if it may be, of the power which Gog will be permitted to exercise in the world, as well as of the standing which Israel will take, and the success they will meet with, when the land shall be besieged by the last overwhelming army.

We will speak first of ISRAEL and THEIR ALLIES in the day of the great siege.

I need not call your attention again to the territory which Israel will possess: that great peninsula* with its arid deserts rejoicing and blossoming as the rose, its howling wilderness turned into so many fruitful fields, its people happy in a "quietness and assurance" which the experience of a thousand years *See Chapter III., page 51.

will have taught them to regard as their unceasing portion. But of the nations which are named as Israel's allies, we may do well to speak particularly. Referring to the passage we have quoted from EZEKIEL, we find that these allies of the Lord's people will be three-SHEBA, DEDAN, and TARSHISH.

SHEBA, which is the first mentioned, is said by Josephus to be "Egypt and Ethiopia."* But there are good reasons for considering Josephus to have been mistaken though it is possible (and the annals of Ethiopia referred to by Bruce, confirm it) that the famous Queen of Sheba had dominions in that country. Indeed our Saviour says that this Queen was "the Queen of the SOUTH," and "came from THE UTTERMOST PARTS OF THE EARTH." Now this might be properly asserted, if she came from the Arabian banks of the Red Sea,-but not if she came from Ethiopia,-as a reference to a map will show plainly. Moreover, there is good reason for supposing that although (according to Major Scott Phillips and others) a considerable tract of land on the east of the Red Sea, about one thousand miles in length by an average of three hundred wide, will not be appropriated to any of the tribes of Israel, yet that it will be occupied by nations subject to the king of Israel's sovereignty. Border States ministering to the wants of the twelve tribes. There, perhaps, KEDAR will be in readiness to supply servants. There NEBAIOTH will make folds for flocks. There SEBA will cultivate her land and reap abun

* Antiq. Book viii. Chap. vi. s. 5. † Isaiah lx. 7.

Isaiah lx. 7.

dance, that she may offer gifts.* And there SHEBA too, having the "SOUTH" lands, will dig her mines, and heap her stores of gold, and gather incense for the Temple of a GREATER KING that he whose wisdom in the days of old amazed her Queen.†

The second place mentioned is DEDAN. This seems to be a tract of land about five hundred miles in length and of uncertain width (probably, about one hundred miles), occupying the extremity of the land of Arabia, having the Persian Gulf on the north-west and north-east. A country well fitted for the occupation of those who should serve Israel with the merchandise of India.

Then as to TARSHISH.-"The Merchants" thereof only are spoken of. Hence we may at once conclude that wherever Tarshish may be situated, it is a mercantile country. But of what country at the present time are merchants in such proximity to Arabia (the future land of Israel) as to warrant a reference to them, as the men who will rise up and stand by God's people when they shall be suddenly besieged by Satan's multitudes? I think our eyes will either pass immediately across the sea eastward from DEDAN till we arrive at India: or they will look northward to the shores of "THE GREAT SEA"-the MEDITERRANEAN. But, in either case, the sought for merchants which would more especially attract attention from all nations in the days in which we live, are those pertaining to the people who hold GIBRALTAR,-"the key of the Mediterranean:" for at, or close to, this important stronghold, (not far† Isaiah lx. 6.

* Psalm lxxii. 10.

ther, certainly, than the mouth of the Guadalquiver) was the famous TARTESSUS of the ancients, which, as almost all good commentators are agreed, was the TARSHISH of Scripture, associated so constantly and closely with "The Isles."*

OUR OWN DEAR ENGLAND, then, (there is some ground to hope) may be a nation which God has prepared to stand by those who are, by a peculiar choice, HIS PEOPLE, even to the last.

But there is another matter which adds strength to this most acceptable ground of hope. England is said to have been twice colonized by the descendants of TARSHISH the son of Javan; viz., by the Tyrians and the Carthaginians, agreeably indeed to the declaration-"And the Sons of Javan; Elishah, Tarshish, Kittim, and Dodanim. By these were the Isles of the Gentiles divided."+ A declaration which may fairly be viewed as a prophecy.

When therefore "THE MERCHANTS OF TARSHISH" are spoken of, it will not be considered that we form an opinion foolishly, if we suppose that the people of our own beloved country, who, for purposes of trade, inhabit our Indian Colonies, may be intended. Nor shall we be thought to reason groundlessly, if we argue favorably with regard to the stability of our British Empire, even when so many nations of the earth will be shaken to their everlasting overthrow.

But if there be indeed a basis for an expectation so happy, then let our Christian fellow-countrymen remember, that TARSHISH is to be severely chastened

* Psalm lxxii. 10. Isaiah xxiii. 1, 2 & 6. Isaiah lx. 9. &c. &c. † Genesis x. 4-5.

(although not destroyed) before the dawn of the Millennial peace.* God will chastise her with a rod of bitterness, although in love, and from the burden of her chastisement she will arise and shine in glory, and be well prepared to stand in all the greatness of her strength, when in the latest hour of this world's Evening, SIN BREAKS FORTH WITH SUCH EXCEEDING

MIGHT.

Thus far then for the nations which in the last outburst of evil, shall stand firmly as the friends of Israel.

Now let us observe also the other nations, which will gather under the banner of the deceived monarch GOG. They are PERSIA, ETHIOPIA, Libya, Gomer, and TOGARMAH.

Concerning these countries also, we may be allowed to occupy a few moments in referring to their situation and extent. Of Gog and MAGOG we will speak afterwards.

As to PERSIA, we need only point to any map of Asia, and call to mind the capabilities which that vast country once displayed, and may display again, for obtaining power and greatness.

ETHIOPIA, if we are to comprehend beneath that name the whole of the "Ethiopia Interior" of the ancients, will reach from East to West of Africa, having the "Mountains of the Moon" on the South.

LIBYA, also, if we are to include "Libya" proper, "Libya Deserta," and "Libya Interior," stretches from Egypt, north of "Ethiopia Interior," to the extreme West.

*Isaiah ii. 16. Isaiah xxiii. 1 and 6.