Watchman's Teaching Letter #228 April 2017

This is my two hundred and twenty-eighth monthly teaching letter and ends my nineteenth year of publication. I have resolved to do a series of lessons providing clarifying criticism of Howard B. Rand’s books, tracts and articles published in his Destiny Magazine, which includes several guest writers of varying degrees in excellence. Although I rate Rand and his associate writers only 50%, some of their articles are simply outstanding.

With this lesson, I will continue a critical review of a series entitled “The Book Of The Kingdom” found in Destiny magazines from January, 1949 until April, 1952 in 24 chapters, and oddly enough Rand does not identify an author. He may have written it all himself, or it might have been a team effort by him and some of his associated writers. So Rand either wrote it, or if by the help of others, at least he approved of it, and is responsible for it (and it will be edited by me):

With WTL #227 on “The Book Of The Kingdom”,Destiny, June 1949: chapter VII of XXIV, “Samson The Nazarite”, I was unable to finish in its entirety, which I will do here by starting with Delilah and Samson’s death:

“Delilah waited until Samson had fallen asleep with his head in her lap. She called for a man [probably a barber, C.A.E] to shave off his hair, then, awakening him, she told him that the Philistines were upon him. He arose, expecting to do what he had done before, not knowing that the Spirit of Yahweh had left him. The Philistines seized him and, putting out his eyes, they took him down to Gaza where they bound him in chains and set him to grinding corn in the prison with the slaves. Thus, Samson’s love of a woman who was willing to trade his devotion to her for financial reward brought about his ultimate downfall. Samson himself betrayed Yahweh by disclosing to a daughter of the enemies of his people the source of his strength.

“Samson’s Death

“A day came when the Philistines were giving a great feast to honor Dagon their god. It was to celebrate the fact that Dagon had delivered Samson into their hands. At the height of the merriment they called for Samson to be brought before them so that they might make sport of him. When the people saw him they shouted:

“‘... Our god has now put the foe in our hands, who wasted our lands and slew us in bands!’ (Judges 16:24 Moffatt Trans.)

“Into their midst came Samson, his long hair flowing about his shoulders, stumbling a little perhaps as he was led before the clamorous throng. Did he hear the name of Delilah in the cheers of the riotous crowds? Did his ears detect the words of the toasts to her there in the temple for the part she had played in bringing about Samson’s degradation? We are not given these details in the Biblical account but Samson said to the boy who led him:

“‘... Suffer me that I may feel the pillars whereupon the house standeth, that I may lean upon them.’ (Judges 16:26.)

“The building was filled with men and women and all the Philistine lords were present, while on the roof there were three thousand men and women watching Samson. If Delilah was present, the revenge Samson was about to have upon those who were tormenting him also destroyed her, so the betrayal money did her little good:

“‘And Samson called unto Yahweh, and said, O Yahweh Almighty, remember me, I pray thee, and strengthen me, I pray thee, only this once, O Almighty, that I may be at once avenged of the Philistines for my two eyes.’ (Judges 16:28.)

“And Samson grasped the two middle pillars that supported the house; he braced himself with his right hand on one and his left hand on the other. Then he said: ‘Let me die with the Philistines.’ He pulled with all his might and down came the temple, killing the lords and all the people gathered there to celebrate his capture:

“‘... So the dead which he slew at his death were more than they which he slew in his life.’ (Judges 16:30.)

“The Philistines had failed to take note that Samson’s hair had begun to grow again. Though in disclosing his secret to Delilah he broke his vow as a Nazarite, yet, when in his heart he truly repented and prayed to Yahweh, his strength returned to him. Though he died with the Philistines, he took vengeance upon them for himself and for his people. After his death his brethren came, took his body away and buried it in the burying place of his father.” End of “The Book Of The Kingdom”, ch. VII of XXIV, Destiny July 1949:, “Samson The Nazarite”.

Now for “The Book Of The Kingdom”,Destiny, August 1949: chapter VIII of XXIV, which I will edit thusly:

“The Cleansing Of Benjamin

“The Bookof Judges closes with the record of a state of anarchy existing in Israel. This rebellion against law and order extended to rebellion against the Almighty. The account states:

“‘In those days there was no king in Israel, but every man did that which was right in his own eyes.’ (Judges 17:6.)

“Under such conditions a state of lawlessness, accompanied by violence and bloodshed, developed in Israel. Idolatry became an established practice among many and the standards of morality declined to a very low ebb.

“It was during this period of Israel’s history that the tribe of Dan found their possessions too small for them so they began to enlarge their bordersthrough conquest. It is of interest to note that this tribe named the new territories and cities taken by them after their father Dan. Thus, the name of Dan is to be found in many localities where members of this Tribe established colonies in those early times.

“A Levite and His Wife

“A Levite had taken a wife from Beth-lehem-judah who, after becoming unfaithful to him, returned to her father’s house. Four months later the Levite went to Beth-lehem-judah to claim her as his wife again. He spent a few days at the home of his father-in-law after which he and his wife took up their journey from Beth-lehem-judah to return to their own city again. Because they left in the afternoon, night overtook them before they reached their destination and they turned aside to spend the night in Gilead in the land of Benjamin. But no man invited them in to lodge in his house so they prepared to camp in the street.

“After a time an old man who was returning from the field saw them lodging in the street and he invited them to his home. That night men of Benjamin surrounded the house and seized the wife of the Levite, abusing her so that she died. The Levite divided the body of his wife into twelve parts, sending each part to a tribe in Israel as a witness against the tribe of Benjamin for the evil thing they had done. All Israel was incensed when they heard of the crime that had been committed. The men of Israel gathered to go up against Benjamin to battle, for Benjamin refused to deliver the guilty individuals over to be punished by death.

“Six Hundred Escape

“The Benjamite forces were defeated and of the thousands who fought against Israel only six hundred men escaped. These six hundred took refuge at the Rock Rimmon and there they established themselves for four months for fear of Israel.

“The cities of Benjamin had all been destroyed and their inhabitants slain, yet the Almighy’s hand was in it all, for through this method He was moving to cleanse the tribe of the evil men among them. Men of Benjamin were later to become the lightbearers of the glad tidings of the Gospel and it was essential in the plan of the Almighty that the tribe be cleansed of the gross evil prevalent among the men. Later our Yahshua chose all but one of His disciples from this tribe and the Galileans who accepted Christianity were all Benjamites to whom was entrusted the task of carrying the Gospel beyond the confines of Palestine. The following survey taken from Documentary Studies summarizes Benjamin’s role in the Divine plan:

“When Ahijah told Jeroboam that one tribe of Israel would be given to Rehoboam, the son of Solomon, in conformity with the Word of Yahweh to Solomon, and that all the Kingdom would not be taken away, a tribe of Israel apart from Judah must necessarily remain loyal to the House of David. That tribe was the tribe of Benjamin.

“Benjamin was thus selected by the Almighty for a specific mission; this tribe was to remain with Judah and be loyal to the House of David so that they might be ready to receive the light when it came. The use of the word ‘light’ implies, as set forth in The Companion Bible, the continued existence of the Divine purpose.

“From the beginning Benjamin was chosen for this task. In anticipation of Benjamin’s coming mission, Moses exclaimed:

“‘And of Benjamin he said, The beloved of Yahweh shall dwell in safety by him; and Yahweh shall cover him all the day long, and he shall dwell between his shoulders.’ (Deut. 33:12.)

“‘Moffatt renders this passage: ‘He is the Eternal’s darling, he lives ever in security; the Most High encircles him, seated upon his slopes.’

“‘Ferrar Fenton translates: ‘The Beloved of the Lord[sic Yahweh] rests secure, Relying on Him all the day, And borne safe up in His arms.’

“So Benjamin, the coming bearer of light, carrying the glad tidings of the Kingdom – the story of the redemption of Israel and the blessings of salvation for all who believe – was under special care, with the certainty of Divine security and protection in the performance of the assigned mission. Five hundred years before the division in the Kingdom, the Almighty moved to cleanse Benjamin of all evil in preparing this tribe for the purpose for which they had been selected. The record of that cleansing is in the nineteenth, twentieth and twenty-first chapters of Judges ... The method used was drastic, yet the sin committed required drastic action to cleanse the tribe.

“When the time came for Yahshua to begin His work and select disciples, he walked by the Sea of Galilee and called fishermen, men of Galilee, who were of the tribe of Benjamin, to follow Him. The one exception seems to be [definitely was C.A.E.] Judas Iscariot.

“Judas is the Greek form of the Hebrew, Judah. His second name, Iscariot, indicates he was a native of Kerioth, a city identified with the ruins of elKarjetein to the south of Judaea and therefore Judas was not from Galilee or a Galilean; that is, a Benjamite. Judas carried the money bag and was a thief, though by his craftiness he concealed his true nature from the rest of the disciples. While pretending to be loyal to Yahshua and numbered among His disciples, Judas seemed to be an informer of the High Priest, apparently providing information desired. He finally betrayed our Redeemer.

“Yahshua knew the purpose for which Benjamin had been left with Judah so He said to His disciples,‘Ye are the light of the world’ (Matt. 5:14.). Following His selection of them, they were to begin the task assigned to Benjamin so long ago and for which purpose the Almighty originally selected them to remain with Judah. That mission was to learn all that Yahshua could teach them and then to carry the glad tidings of the Gospel to Israel in the Isles when finally the Edomite-jews completed their part by rejecting Him and bringing about the crucifixion of the Son of Yahweh [in the flesh of Adam-man C.A.E.].

“When the [Edomite]-jews sought to kill Yahshua He walked no more in Jewry but went into Galilee, for there, while He remained among the men of the tribe of Benjamin, He was safe from the subtle planning of the [Edomite]-jews. One needs only to read the four Gospels to recognize that Yahshua’s ministry was as successful in gaining followers in Galilee as it was [mostly] unproductive in Judaea. The multitudes followed Him in Galilee and after His resurrection the Angel at the Tomb said:

“‘He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where Yahshua lay. And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him ...’ (Matt. 28:6-7.)

“As they went to tell His disciples Jahshua met them and said: ‘Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me.’ (Matt. 28:10.)

“In the light of the record, why do Christian men persist in claiming that the [Edomite]-jews gave us Christianity? Yahshua could not walk in Judaea because the [Edomite]-jews sought to kill Him (John 7:1). It was in Galilee that He performed most of His miracles; there also He preached and secured a following. From Galilee He chose all but one of His disciples and there, after His resurrection, He met His disciples again. On that day of ascension the disciples stood on the Mount of Olives looking steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, and suddenly two men stood by them in white apparel:

“‘Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? This same Yahshua, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.’ (Acts 1:11.)

“His disciples were not addressed as ‘Ye men of Judaea’ but rather ‘of Galilee’ and therefore Benjamites. Even Paul, who declared himself to be a Jew [sic a citizen of Judaea] (Acts 22:3), ... stated that by tribal descent he was a Benjamite (Rom. 11:1). Thus, he could not [have been an Edomite]-jew racially and was only one by religious faith, [which the Edomite]-jews corrupted into the Talmud, i.e., “the tradition of the elders”, C.A.E.]. Again, why do ecclesiastical and religious leaders of our day fail to see what is so obvious from a study of the text and the context of Scripture, persisting in calling Paul ‘that little Jew’? Even in Esther’s day many of the Persians became Jews for fear of the Jews: “‘... And many of the people of the land became Jews; for the fear of the Jews fell upon them.’ (Esther 8:17.) [Note: The book of Esther is not historically compatible with Scripture, C.A.E.]

[Critical note by Clifton A. Emahiser: In my flyer Steven M. Collins’ Pretzel Factory #6, I countered Collins on his assertion that the Book of Esther proved Yahweh’s approval of non-Israel “assimilation.” I showed how the prophet Daniel knew the difference between a Canaanite pretending to be of the Tribe of Judah and a true Judahite at Susanna 56-57! To show you how appalling Collins’ mentality is, I shall now continue to quote from his deranged diatribe (which I will not post here). Today, Esther is a known novel, yet George Washington in his Maxims, published by D. Appleton & Co. 1894, used Haman to exemplify his own Edomite-jewish problem.] – Back to Rand.

“These people not change their racial characteristics or nationality, but they did accept the Judahite faith and thus became Judahites religiously. It was in this sense only that Paul and the disciples of our Yahshua were citizens of Judaea; save Judas, who was a [bad-fig] Jew racially.

[Critical note by Clifton A. Emahiser: Evidently, Rand was unaware that he could have documented that the Edomites were converted to what we now refer to as “Judaism” somewhere about 105 B.C., recorded in Josephus’ Antiquities, 13,9,1 thusly:

“... Hyrcanus took also Dora and Marissa, cities of Idumea, and subdued all the Idumeans; and permitted them to stay in that country, if they would circumcise their genitals, and make use of the laws of the Jews; and they were so desirous of living in the country of their forefathers, that they submitted to the use of circumcision,* and the rest of the Jewish ways of living; at which time therefore this befell them, that they were hereafter no other than Jews.”

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* Bottom page note: “This account of the Idumeans admitting circumcision, and the entire Jewish law, from this time, or from the days of Hyrcanus, is confirmed by their entire history afterwards. This, in the opinion’ of Josephus, made them proselytes of justice, or entire Jews; However, Antigonus, the enemy of Herod, though Herod were derived from such a proselyte of justice for several generations, will allow him to be no more than a half Jew. Ammonius, a grammarian, says:– ‘The Jews are such by nature, and from the beginning, whilst the Idumeans were not Jews from the beginning, but Phoenicians and Syrians; but being afterwards subdued by the Jews and compelled to be circumcised, and to unite into one nation, and be subject to the same laws, they were called Jews.” Dio also says:– “That country is also called Judea, and the people Jews; and this name is given also to as many as embrace their religion, though of other nations.

“The use of the name “Idumeans” above is the Greek pronunciation for “Edom” or “Edomite”, the descendants of Esau, brother of Jacob. It wasn’t just a temporary conversion, as it is still in effect at our present time, thus I call them “Edomite-jews”, and Christ WAS NOT an Edomite.Further, the “Phoenicians” and “Syrians” spoken of above are from names of geographic areas which were not originally names for any particular tribe.” End of my critical note.] – Back to Rand.

“The Ekklesia was born at Pentecost and, with the birth of the Ekklesia, [Edomite]-jewry began its persecution of Christians and has been in opposition to Christianity from that day to this. Just why men will teach that the [Edomite]-jews of Judaea accepted Christianity, and yet are unable to explain why the [Edomite]-jews as such have throughout the centuries been consistently opposed to all that Yahshua taught, is a mystery. Nowhere is there any evidence whatever that the [Edomite]-jews racially did other than persecute the early Christians and in every way since have tried to hinder the spread of the Gospel. Because of this persecution, the former friendship existing between the [Edomite]-jews and Galileans was broken, fulfilling the prophecy of breaking the brotherhood between Judah and Israel, for the Galileans, or Benjamites, were a tribe in Israel and were representatives of the Kingdom in Palestine.”

[Critical note by Clifton A. Emahiser: Here Rand confuses Edomites with Judahites, between whom there can be no brotherhood or friendship, as Edomites are Esau-Hittite bastards!] – Back to Rand.

“Zechariah prophesied of the price paid to Judas for the betrayal, the thirty pieces of silver being used to purchase the potter’s field:

“‘Then I cut asunder mine other staff, even Bands, that I might break the brotherhood between Judah and Israel.’ (Zech. 11:14.)

“That broken bond has never been healed and will not be until Jewry acknowledges that Yahshua is the Christ, for the Jews today are as much opposed to Christianity as were their forefathers who fought the early Church. Between Christianity and Judaism there is an impassable gulf which can only be bridged through Yahshua Christ.”

[Critical note by Clifton A. Emahiser: Here, it is quite evident that Howard B. Rand doesn’t fully understand that the Edomite-jews are not racially pure Israelites of the tribe of Judah. Actually, Rand is contradicting himself where he said above: “Nowhere is there any evidence whatever that the Jews racially did other than persecute the early Christians and in every way since have tried to hinder the spread of the Gospel.” It is clear that Rand grasps a racial problem, but he is unable to put his finger on the racial issue. And, as for Zech. 11:14, Rand has taken it completely out-of-context! It’s not speaking of breaking the band of brotherhood between Israel and Judaeans, for most of true Judah were also in captivity. The LXX has possession rather than brotherhood.] – Back to Rand:

“Yahshua warned His disciples:

“‘And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh. Then let them which are in Judaea flee to the mountains; and let them which are in the midst of it depart out; and let not them that are in the countries enter thereinto. For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled.’ (Luke 21:20-22.)

“Jeremiah prophesied that Benjamin was to take warning when these conditions came to pass:

“‘O ye children of Benjamin, gather yourselves to flee out of the midst of Jerusalem, and blow the trumpet in Tekoa, and set up a sign of fire in Beth-haccerem: for evil appeareth out of the north, and great destruction.’ (Jer. 6:1.)

“Both Tekoa and Beth-haccerem were suitable places for setting up beacons as they are near Bethlehem and these beacons could be seen from Jerusalem. This message of the Prophet addressed to Benjamin and the warning given by Yahshua to His disciples are further proof in the chain of evidence that the Galileans and early Christians were Benjamites.

“When Peter, a Galilean, was at the judgment hall where Yahshua was being tried he was accused by a damsel of being one of our Redeemer’s disciples. She said unto him: ‘Surely thou also art one of them; for thy speech bewrayeth thee’ (Matt. 26:73). Moffatt translates this, ‘Your accent betrays you.’ And well it might, for Peter was not an [Edomite]-jew but a Benjamite of Galilee.

“Prior to commissioning His disciples to go into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature’ (Mark 16:15) ...

[Critical note by Clifton A. Emahiser: Evidently, Rand was unaware that Mark 16, vv. 9 through 20 are not in the older manuscripts, so his citing Mark 16:15 is invalid.] – Back to Rand.

“... Yahshua instructed them to go to the lost sheep of the House of Israel (Matt. 10:6). The Prophet Ezekiel has much to say about the sheep of His pasture and informs us they are the House of Israel (Ez. 34:30-31). It is therefore significant that it was to Israel in the Isles that the early Ekklesia, immediately after the crucifixion, carried the knowledge of the Gospel. Men of the tribe of Benjamin, true to their mission and the purpose for which they were lent to the House of David – so that ‘... David my servant may have a light alway before me in Jerusalem, the city which I have chosen me to put my name there.’ (1 Kings 11:36) – carried the light of the knowledge of redemption to Israel and to the House of David in the Isles. The Son of the Almighty had been born of the seed of David and He who would finally take over the Throne and establish [enduring] peace had triumphed over all His enemies. Thus, the House of David and the people of His Kingdom could look forward to the coming day of triumph when the knowledge of Yahweh will fill the earth as the waters cover the sea.

“‘Yahweh sent a word [through Yahshua] into Jacob [in Judaea], and it hath lighted upon Israel ’ (Isa. 9:8.) [for Christianity took root downward and grew upward in the Isles of the sea.] (Isa. 37:31.) [Note: Errantly Rand connects Isa. 9:8 with Isa 37:31, C.A.E.]

“Thus Isaiah could prophesy: ‘For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The Almighty, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of Yahweh of hosts will perform this.’ (Isa. 9:6-7.)

“The disciples performed their mission, completing Jeremiah’s prophecy of fishing for Israel, and now we are in the hunting season as the identity and responsibility is being declared in the Israel lands today:

“‘Behold, I will send for many fishers, saith Yahweh, and they shall fish them: and after will I send for many hunters, and they shall hunt them from every mountain, and from every hill, and out of the holes of the rocks.’ (Jer. 16:16.)

“All of Benjamin did not return to Palestine after the Babylonian captivity. Only a remnant went back from this tribe, which remnant – Christianized – fled before the destruction of Jerusalem. The balance of the tribe of Benjamin, leaving Babylon, settled temporarily in Asia Minor where in the third century A.D. we find them, and to which locality many of the early Christian Galileans fled.

“Herbert Bruce Hannay in his book, European and Other Race Origins, traces the migrations of peoples westward and into this stream of migration Benjamin also moved from Asia Minor, eventually settling in the province of Normandy in France. From there, under William the Conqueror, they went to England: the final tribe of the House of Israel to enter the Appointed Place (2 Sam. 7:10), the Isles of the sea. [This is a British Israel heresy which attempts to limit the predestined home of the 12 tribes to Great Britain, when in fact the word isles is coastlands, and most of the 12 tribes never crossed into Britain.] – Back to Rand:

“Jacob prophesied of the activities of Benjamin as this tribe entered the land of their brethren, a prophecy which was fulfilled in the Norman conquest::

“‘Benjamin shall ravin as a wolf: in the morning he shall devour the prey, and at night he shall divide the spoil.’ (Gen. 49:27.)

“Benjamin’s task as lightbearer is about completed, for the hunting season is on and the identity and responsibility of Israel are being revealed to His people. The day is fast approaching when the fulfillment of the statement made to the men of Galilee as they stood gazing upward will take place, for an age is now coming to a close.

“‘... this same Yahshua, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.’ (Acts 1:11.)

“Let our Christian leaders re-examine the record, not in the superficial and careless way their present findings have indicated it was done by them in the past, but let them study to know the truth. Once that truth is acquired, it will set them free from the bondage and from the prejudices which have been engendered through the promulgation of the traditional doctrines of men. Then, too, there will come a full recognition that the Almighty is still selecting and rejecting men according to their works, so that those who qualify for service may be used in the furtherance of His Divine purposes.

“When men teach that the Almighty has not chosen or selected individuals or groups, and even a race, to carry out special assignments, they but publicly declare their ignorance of the meaning and scope of the story the Bible tells.’ (Documentary Studies,^* pages 257-264.)

“Israel’s Concern

“The six hundred men of Benjamin’s tribe, who were residing at the Rock Rimmon in the wilderness where they had fled, were the very pick of the men of Benjamin, for in the conflict the evil men who had committed the crime against the Levite had all perished. But Israel had sworn before Yahweh that they would not give their daughters to any Benjamite for a wife. Because of this oath, all Israel gathered before Yahweh and wept, complaining that one tribe was now missing in Israel.

“The children of Israel then made inquiry to see if there was any tribe among them that had not warred against Benjamin, for Israel had sworn that if any man failed to heed the call to fight against Benjamin, he would be put to death. Because the people of Israel were now sorry for Benjamin, they were seeking a way to secure wives for the six hundred without violating their oath, for no women of Benjamin had survived the destruction of their cities. Every Israelite had taken an oath saying, ‘Cursed be he that giveth a wife to Benjamin.’

“Securing Wives for Benjamin

“Upon further inquiry it was found that the men of Jabesh-gilead had failed to go up to fight against Benjamin, so the inhabitants of that city were slain with the exception of four hundred virgins. These young women were brought into the camp and a delegation was sent to the men of Benjamin who were residing at the Rock Rimmon. They called to them peaceably to explain their purpose in contacting them and gave them the four hundred young women for wives. The question next arose as to where they could find wives for the remaining two hundred men of Benjamin who still lacked wives.

“‘Then the elders of the congregation said, How shall we do for wives for them that remain, seeing the women are destroyed out of Benjamin? And they said, There must be an inheritance for them that be escaped of Benjamin, that a tribe be not destroyed out of Israel. Howbeit we may not give them wives of our daughters: for the children of Israel have sworn, saying, Cursed be he that giveth a wife to Benjamin ...’ (Judges 21:16-18.)

“Feast at Shiloh

“The Elders and people then remembered that there was to be a feast of Yahweh in Shiloh. Instructions were given to the Benjamites who had no wives to conceal themselves and, as the daughters of Shiloh came out to dance, they were to come out of the vineyard where they were hiding and each man was to catch a wife from the daughters of Shiloh, taking her back to the land of Benjamin with him. The men of Benjamin were informed that when the fathers and brothers of the daughters whom they had taken complained, they would speak in their behalf and the parents of the girls would be told they were not under the curse of the oath because they had not given their daughters to Benjamites. Since their daughters had been stolen, they were free from guilt.

“The men of Benjamin did as they were commanded and took wives from among the maidens who came out to dance at Shiloh until the number needed had been caught. Then they left the rock in the wilderness and returned to their own land to rebuild their cities and re-establish their residence there.

“From that day forward we find that the men of the tribe of Benjamin manifested a higher spiritual conception of things than was in evidence among the rest of the tribes of Israel. The pollution in the blood stream of this tribe had been cleansed and, though severe, their punishment had been permitted by the Almighty in order that Benjamin might later be used of Him as the lightbearers to carry the Gospel to the ends of the earth.” End of “The Book Of The Kingdom”,Destiny, August 1949: chapter VIII of XXIV,

Here’s a sample of Rand’s mind-set in the early 1940s from his Destiny’s Forecast Of The News, with which occasionally I disagree:

“DESTINY, for May 1940:

“The League of Nations became impotent primarily because God was completely ignored and His plans left out of their calculations. Can the nations, who today still refuse to recognize a Supreme Being and His control over the affairs of men, have greater success in the formation of a federation of nations than was possible through the League? There is only one basis for a lasting peace. This is in the recognition of certain principles of righteousness and justice which are fundamental to perfection in administration. These are found only in the laws given to Israel at Mount Sinai. It is hopeless to expect other than strife and war until these facts are recognized. [Treaties with devils are forbidden! C.A.E.]

“Eight years later we see that the failure of the United Nations is as great, if not greater, than that of the League of Nations. –Ed.