The following is an excerpt from volume 2 of The Christian’s Reasonable Service by Wilhelmus à Brakel (hardcopy).

The Future Conversion of the Jews Examined in Light of Hosea 3:3-4

Proof #6: “For the children of Israel shall abide many days without a king, and without a prince, and without a sacrifice, and without an image, and without an ephod, and without teraphim: afterward shall the children of Israel return, and seek the Lord their God, and David their king; and shall fear the Lord and His goodness in the latter days” (Hos 3:4-5). This text speaks of the children of Israel, the Jewish nation. It is prophesied to them that they will experience a lengthy desertion during which they will be devoid of a leader, true religion, and idolatry. Hereupon it is prophesied that they will return in the latter days and will acknowledge and receive Christ as the Messiah. From this it can be clearly perceived that we are to anticipate a general conversion of the Jews who as yet are in this state as is described here. One could advance the evasive argument here that the reference is to the deliverance from Babylon, but the texts show the contrary to be true.

(1) While in Babylon, Israel had not been in the state which is described here. They still had princes and governors who ruled them with the permission of the kings of Babylon. They still had priests and prophets to teach them, and also their captivity did not last long.

(2) Neither during nor after their Babylonian captivity has Israel turned to the Lord in the manner described.

(3) Their restoration was to be after the coming of the Messiah. They would seek and turn to David their king—the Messiah—and would acknowledge Him to be the true, promised Messiah.

(4) This would transpire in the latter days, which is an expression generally understood to refer to the New Testament (cf. Isa 2:2; Joel 2:28 in conjunction with Acts 2:17; Mic 4:1; Jer 23:20). Thus, this cannot be understood as referring to the restoration from Babylon. Rather, it proves that such a conversion is yet to be anticipated.

He who wishes to have at his disposal more texts wherein this conversion is prophesied ought to consider the following texts which we will make note of in order to prove that not only will the Jews turn to the Messiah, but also that they will again dwell in Canaan.

Proof #7: In addition to the above six Scripture passages pointing to the anticipated conversion of the Jews, consider the following:

(1) Throughout the world the Jewish nation remains isolated, even though the genealogies have been lost. The Jews do not intermingle with the nations among whom they live—neither by marriage, nor by way of religion. They also stand out among all the nations, no matter in what land they reside.

(2) They still adhere to the externals of the Jewish church, such as circumcision, feast days, distinction among foods, and a careful avoidance of idolatry.

(3) They preserve the Holy Scriptures very carefully and acknowledge their divinity.

(4) They still expect the Messiah to come to deliver them.

Even though these matters do not prove that their conversion will occur, nevertheless, when added to the quoted prophecies, the heart will be inclined all the more quickly and powerfully to believe these prophecies. God‟s providential dealings with this nation are still very evident. He is preserving her until her conversion, in order that the fulfillment of the prophecies concerning her will be all the more obvious.