• What Is the Purpose of Prophecy?
    The Watchtower—1987 | May 1

    • Why to the Israelites?

      Jehovah started off his “witness to Jesus” by his prophecy regarding the promised “seed.” God later revealed the earthly lineage of the “seed” as being through Noah, Shem, Abraham, Isaac (not Ishmael), and Jacob. These men remained loyal to the true religion, proving themselves faithful prophets of Jehovah while all the nations were corrupted by the worship of false gods. (Genesis 6:9; 22:15-18; Hebrews 11:8-10, 16) The lineage continued through descendants of these men​—the nation of Israel and particularly the family of David, Israel’s most prominent king.​—2 Samuel 7:12-16.

      Showing why he chose Israel, Jehovah said: “It was not because of your being the most populous of all the peoples . . . [but] because of his keeping the sworn statement . . . to your forefathers,” Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. (Deuteronomy 7:6-8; 29:13) Obviously, only one nation could provide the lineage for the promised “seed.” However, true religion was not limited to the Israelites. While revelations of truth were not given to other nations, individuals from among them could join Israel in worship, and some of these were even included in the lineage of the “seed.” (Numbers 9:14; Ruth 4:10-22; Matthew 1:5, 6)