In review, the most beautiful of the Lord’s created beings rebelled against Him. Bible scholars believe one-third of the created beings we call angels followed the Devil. This occurred before the creation of the world in which we live. But the all-knowing Lord had a plan.

Seventy Nations

After the Flood of Genesis in chapters six through nine, the descendants of Noah are listed in Genesis chapter ten. This chapter is known as the Table of Nations. There are seventy nations listed. In Genesis chapter eleven, at the Tower of Babel these seventy nations were dispersed over the world.

The Lord appointed created spiritual beings of a certain rank to rule or govern or watch over these various nations. In Daniel chapter ten they are called “princes.” (sar Strong’s H8269 – prince, ruler, chief) Two such rulers are noted in Daniel 10:20; the prince, or ruler, of Persia and of Greece. For twenty-one days the “prince” of Persia withstood the mighty angel who was speaking to Daniel. This was a spiritual being. Human beings can not and do not withstand angels.

When, because of the famine, the Children of Israel came to Egypt during the regency of Joseph, son of Jacob, the Bible tells us that seventy souls came to that country. (Genesis 46:26-27) A few generations later, as Moses was leading the Children of Israel out of Egypt and to the Promised Land, the Lord appointed seventy elders from the Children of Israel to be judges or magistrates among the people. (Numbers 11:16-17) The number “seventy” appears to be associated with judges and leadership.

Here is an interesting passage that gives us a clue as to the Lord’s Plan:

“When the most High divided to the nations their inheritance, when he separated the sons of Adam, he set the bounds of the people according to the number of the children of Israel.” – Deuteronomy 32:8

To be continued . . .