Israel Immortal
Thus saith the Lord, Who giveth the sun for a light by day, and the ordinances of the moon and of the stars for a light by night, Who stirreth up the sea, that the waves thereof roar; the Lord of hosts is His name: If these ordinances depart from before Me, saith the Lord, then the seed of Israel also shall cease from being a nation before Me for ever.
JEREMIAH 31. 35, 36.
The sun and moon for ever shine—by day
And night they mark the Eternal’s high design.
Changeless and tireless, speeding on their way,
The sun and moon for ever shine.
Symbols are they of Israel’s chosen line,
A nation still, though countless foes combine;
Smitten by God and healed by God are they:
They shall not fear, safe ’neath the Rock divine,
Nor cease to be, until men cease to say,
The sun and moon for ever shine.
YEHUDAH HALEVI, 1150.
(Trans. Alice Lucas.)
The life of man is numbered by days,
The days of Israel are innumerable.
ECCLESIASTICUS 37. 25.
Kingdoms arise and kingdoms pass away, but Israel endureth for evermore.
MIDRASH.