CIVIL AUTHORITIES: HOW DOES PROVIDENCE GUIDE KINGS’ HEARTS?

“In every purpose that he undertook in the service of the house of God, and in the law, and in the commandments, to seek his God, he did it with all his heart, and prospered” (2 Chronicles 31:21, KJV).

ABSTRACT

This article explores the historical friendship between Harry S. Truman and Eddie Jacobson, illuminating how divine providence orchestrated their bond to influence the recognition of Israel in 1948, serving as a profound lesson on wholehearted devotion to God, intercessory friendship, and the dual responsibilities of loving God and neighbor, all while emphasizing that true prosperity stems from aligning human actions with heavenly principles.

PROVIDENCE, FRIENDSHIP AND THE DUTIES OF DESTINY

In the grand narrative of human history, moments arise when the tides of epochal events seem to pause, contingent upon the decision of a single individual. We peer back through the corridor of time to the pivotal year of 1948, a year of trembling foundations and the birth of nations, to witness a profound drama between Harry S. Truman, the thirty-third President of the United States, and his unassuming Jewish friend, Eddie Jacobson. While political analysts frame this narrative as a triumph of sentimental diplomacy or adept lobbying, a biblical perspective demands we measure the affairs of state against the immutable statutes of the Ancient of Days. This transmutes the tale from a mere political anecdote into a profound object lesson on history’s cycles, a testament to sovereign love, and a definitive study in the dual duties that bind the human conscience: the Duty to God and the Duty to Neighbor. Our examination aligns with the ancient testimony of 2 Chronicles 31:21, which encapsulates the secret of divine blessing: “And in every work that he began in the service of the house of God, and in the law, and in the commandments, to seek his God, he did it with all his heart, and prospered.” Our thesis declares that the prosperity of nations and the turning of kings’ hearts result not from chance or human expediency, but from the fruits of wholeheartedness, faithful intercession, and the sovereign overruling of the God of Heaven. We trace this path from the trenches of France to the White House, observing the shadow of Hezekiah, the spirit of Esther, and the guiding hand of Providence. “The LORD preserveth all them that love him: but all the wicked will he destroy” (Psalm 145:20, KJV). “Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance” (Psalm 33:12, KJV). “The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore” (Psalm 121:8, KJV). “For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways” (Psalm 91:11, KJV). “The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way” (Psalm 37:23, KJV). “In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths” (Proverbs 3:6, KJV). The inspired pen reveals: “God is the source of all wisdom. He is infinitely wise and just and good. Apart from Him, all worldly wisdom is foolishness” (Patriarchs and Prophets, 598, 1890). A prophetic voice once wrote: “The history of nations that one after another have occupied their allotted time and place, unconsciously witnessing to the truth of which they themselves knew not the meaning, speaks to us” (Education, 178, 1903). “God in His providence brought the Hebrews into the mountain fastnesses before the sea, that He might manifest His power in their deliverance and signally humble the pride of their oppressors” (Patriarchs and Prophets, 290, 1890). In The Acts of the Apostles we read: “All that Heaven could do in behalf of the people was done. They were favored with special privileges, and protected by the providence of God” (The Acts of the Apostles, 583, 1911). Through inspired counsel we are told: “The history which the pen of inspiration has traced, preserves the lessons of the past for future ages” (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 4, 11, 1875). Sr. White wrote: “The providence of God has overruled, and prepared the way for His people to act their part in the grand closing scenes of this earth’s history” (Review and Herald, December 11, 1888). Divine providence weaves personal bonds into the fabric of global events, guiding outcomes for His purposes, a principle vividly illustrated in the forging of an unbreakable alliance within the crucible of war.

Can the Fires of Conflict Forge Friendship’s Mightiest Bonds?

To comprehend the weight of 1948, one must descend from geopolitics to the gritty reality of Battery F, 129th Field Artillery, during the Great War. The conflict of 1917, a harvest of national apostasy, threw together Harry Truman, a Baptist farm boy, and Eddie Jacobson, the son of poor Jewish immigrants. The sociology of the era dictated separate orbits, yet the discipline of useful work and the existential pressure of the trenches melted artificial barriers. Truman, an officer, saw in his clerk not a stereotype but a man of integrity, a “firecracker” whose diligent management of the canteen embodied the proverb: “Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings” (Proverbs 22:29, KJV). This diligence, exercised amidst chaos, unknowingly trained him for a future sacred appeal. Their bond demonstrated the providential hand of the One who “hath made of one blood all nations of men” (Acts 17:26, KJV), knitting a friendship that would become a conduit for history. Here, the Duty to Neighbor appeared in its rawest form, transcending tribe and creed through self-sacrificing love, the very principle of heaven. “A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity” (Proverbs 17:17, KJV). “Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend” (Proverbs 27:17, KJV). “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13, KJV). “Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you” (John 15:14, KJV). “Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful” (Proverbs 27:6, KJV). “Thine own friend, and thy father’s friend, forsake not” (Proverbs 27:10, KJV). In Prophets and Kings we read: “In the formation of character, no other influences count so much as the influence of the home. The teacher’s work should supplement that of the parents, but is not to take its place” (Prophets and Kings, 245, 1917). Through inspired counsel we are told: “The closest ties of the human heart are to be formed between the members of God’s family” (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 6, 172, 1901). “Things will go wrong with every one; sadness and discouragement press every soul; then a personal presence, a friend who will comfort and encourage—the sorest need of the soul—will be found in a true and noble friendship” (Letter 20, 1891). “The warmth of true friendship and the love that binds the hearts of husband and wife are a foretaste of heaven” (Manuscript 71, 1894). “Even the best of us have these unlovely traits; and in selecting friends we should choose those who will not be driven away from us when they learn that we are not perfect. Mutual forbearance is called for” (Letter 16, 1895). “In choosing friendship, there should be great caution that an intimacy is not contracted with one whose example it would not be safe to imitate” (Letter 23, 1886). True friendship, rooted in shared trials, becomes a channel for divine intervention, yet this sacred bond would soon be tested not on a battlefield, but in the quiet despair of economic ruin.

Does Apparent Failure Spark the Flame of Divine Destiny?

The two friends returned to Kansas City and embarked on a shared venture, the “Truman & Jacobson Haberdashery.” They worked with integrity, yet the recession of 1921 obliterated their business, casting them into bankruptcy and debt. The secular eye saw disaster and failure, but a spiritual perspective recognizes the “wheel within a wheel” of divine redirection. Scripture declares “The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord” (Proverbs 21:1, KJV), and so too are the paths of ordinary men. This failure freed Truman for a political destiny he might never have sought had the haberdashery prospered, while it cemented in Jacobson a loyalty that would later prove crucial. Their commitment to repay their debts fully, honoring their Duty to God in financial dealings, built a moral authority that echoed the principle of being “faithful in that which is least” (Luke 16:10). “Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all” (Psalm 34:19, KJV). “Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass” (Psalm 37:5, KJV). “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28, KJV). “But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you” (1 Peter 5:10, KJV). “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience” (James 1:2-3, KJV). “For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth” (Hebrews 12:6, KJV). A passage from The Great Controversy reminds us: “The Lord permits trials in order that we may be cleansed from earthliness, from selfishness, from harsh, unchristlike traits of character” (The Great Controversy, 591, 1911). Sr. White wrote: “It is through the discipline of trial that we learn to trust God” (Steps to Christ, 125, 1892). “Our heavenly Father has a thousand ways to provide for us of which we know nothing. Those who accept the one principle of making the service of God supreme, will find perplexities vanish and a plain path before their feet” (The Ministry of Healing, 481, 1905). “The Lord in His providence had brought this trial upon Abraham to teach him lessons of submission, patience, and faith” (Patriarchs and Prophets, 129, 1890). “God has always tried His people in the furnace of affliction” (Patriarchs and Prophets, 129, 1890). “The fact that we are called upon to endure trial shows that the Lord Jesus sees in us something precious which He desires to develop” (The Ministry of Healing, 471, 1905). Earthly setbacks often redirect paths toward greater divine purposes, transforming apparent defeats into stepping stones for providential roles, a pattern that would manifest on a global scale as the storms of strife gathered over a wounded world.

How Do Global Storms of Strife Shape the Fate of Nations?

The reel of history advances to 1948. The world smoldered in the aftermath of global war and the revealed depths of Satanic cruelty. The British Mandate in Palestine expired, leaving the question of a Jewish State like a burning coal on the President’s desk. Truman faced a formidable siege: relentless pressure from Zionist groups on one side, and the adamant counsel of his most respected advisors, like Secretary of State George Marshall, on the other. Marshall warned that recognition would alienate Arab nations, jeopardize oil, and invite Soviet influence, arguing from pure political expediency. This conflict manifested the cosmic controversy on a geopolitical stage, where the kings of the earth took counsel together (Psalm 2:2) based on policy, not principle. Policy asked what was safe and profitable; principle asked what was right for a neighbor stripped and beaten. Truman, frustrated, hardened his heart and shut his doors, even to the venerable Zionist leader Chaim Weizmann. “For the LORD of hosts hath purposed, and who shall disannul it? and his hand is stretched out, and who shall turn it back?” (Isaiah 14:27, KJV). “The LORD bringeth the counsel of the heathen to nought: he maketh the devices of the people of none effect” (Psalm 33:10, KJV). “The LORD foils the plans of the nations; he thwarts the purposes of the peoples” (Psalm 33:11, KJV). “He makes nations great, and destroys them; he enlarges nations, and disperses them” (Job 12:23, KJV). “He deprives the leaders of the earth of their reason; he makes them wander in a trackless waste” (Job 12:24, KJV). “This is the plan devised against the whole earth; and this is the hand that is stretched out against all the nations” (Isaiah 14:26, KJV). The inspired pen reveals: “God is constantly working to counteract the evil of the world” (The Ministry of Healing, 438, 1905). A prophetic voice once wrote: “The Lord is still working with the nations” (Evangelism, 579, 1946). “The Lord is at the door. There is soon to open before us a period of overwhelming interest to all living” (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 8, 37, 1904). “The world’s intricate machinery is running under the Lord’s supervision” (The Acts of the Apostles, 575, 1911). Through inspired counsel we are told: “The Majesty of heaven has the destiny of nations, as well as the concerns of His church, in His own charge” (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, 753, 1889). Sr. White wrote: “In the annals of human history the growth of nations, the rise and fall of empires, appear as dependent on the will and prowess of man” (Education, 173, 1903). Human calculations often clash with divine justice, yet providence directs outcomes, setting the stage for a faithful intercession that would navigate these end-time complexities with spiritual clarity.

What Defines End-Time Faith Within God’s Grand Design?

We must pause to clarify our theological stance. We do not view the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948 as a fulfillment of the Abrahamic Covenant in a dispensational sense, nor do we affirm that literal Israel remains the exclusive vehicle of salvation. The “Israel of God” (Galatians 6:16) is spiritual, composed of those who “keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus” (Revelation 14:12, KJV). We affirm God’s sovereignty over nations; He removes kings and sets up kings (Daniel 2:21). God allowed the state to emerge as a humanitarian necessity and a geopolitical stage for final movements, not as a theocracy. Truman’s dilemma centered not on fulfilling prophecy, though he unwittingly did so, but on the Duty to Neighbor. The Jewish survivors of the Shoah became the “man who fell among thieves” (Luke 10:30), and the United States, depicted in prophecy, faced the choice of the Good Samaritan. “But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children’s children” (Psalm 103:17, KJV). “The LORD reigneth; let the earth rejoice; let the multitude of isles be glad thereof” (Psalm 97:1, KJV). “For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him” (2 Chronicles 16:9, KJV). “He removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding” (Daniel 2:21, KJV). “The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will” (Proverbs 21:1, KJV). “For the kingdom is the LORD’S: and he is the governor among the nations” (Psalm 22:28, KJV). In The Desire of Ages we read: “The gospel is to be presented, not as a lifeless theory, but as a living force to change the life” (The Desire of Ages, 278, 1898). Through inspired counsel we are told: “God’s people are to be distinguished as a people who serve Him fully, wholeheartedly, taking no honor to themselves” (Christ’s Object Lessons, 160, 1900). “The final warning is to be given to the world” (The Great Controversy, 604, 1911). “The time is coming when we cannot sell at any price” (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, 152, 1889). “We are to be ready and waiting for the orders of God” (Evangelism, 65, 1946). “The time has come for a thorough reformation to take place” (The Great Controversy, 600, 1911). God’s sovereignty directs nations toward His eternal plan, prioritizing spiritual obedience over earthly restorations, a truth that would be demonstrated through the tears of a faithful friend pleading for compassion.

Can the Tears of Intercession Topple Obstacles in a Heart of Stone?

Eddie Jacobson stepped into the gridlock of March 1948, summoned by Jewish leaders as the only man who might reach the President. He hesitated, knowing Truman’s stubbornness, yet he possessed a “Hezekiah heart” for his people and his friend, embodying the love that “layeth down his life for his friends” (John 15:13). He risked his precious access and friendship, entering the Oval Office only to meet with a presidential fury that froze the atmosphere. Truman turned his back, signaling the end of the audience. At this moment, human will reached an impasse, but divine agency worked through Jacobson’s desperate appeal. Noting Truman’s idolization of Andrew Jackson, Jacobson wept openly, comparing Truman’s hero to his own, the ailing Chaim Weizmann. These tears, a solvent for hardened hearts, demonstrated intercession that mirrored biblical models. “Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning” (Psalm 30:5, KJV). “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much” (James 5:16, KJV). “The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit” (Psalm 34:18, KJV). “Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted” (Matthew 5:4, KJV). “Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved” (Psalm 55:22, KJV). “He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up his wounds” (Psalm 147:3, KJV). A passage from Patriarchs and Prophets reminds us: “Prayer unites us with the Infinite One” (Patriarchs and Prophets, 141, 1890). Sr. White wrote: “True intercession involves a personal sacrifice” (Gospel Workers, 471, 1915). “Tears are often the means of softening the heart” (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, 81, 1889). “True sympathy consists in a genuine outflow of the soul” (The Ministry of Healing, 158, 1905). “Our heavenly Father has a thousand ways to provide for us of which we know nothing” (The Ministry of Healing, 481, 1905). “The Lord permits trials in order that we may be cleansed from earthliness, from selfishness, from harsh, unchristlike traits of character” (The Great Controversy, 591, 1911). Authentic emotion, grounded in loyalty and sacrifice, pivots the wills of the mighty toward compassion, unlocking a secret door that would change the course of nations.

Will Secret Doors Unlock the Bold Fate of Nations?

The arranged meeting between Truman and Weizmann required utmost secrecy, bypassing the hostile State Department. Weizmann entered through the “East Gate”—the back door—on March 18, 1948. In profound spiritual irony, the front doors of world diplomacy were closed, but the back door of Providence opened. God consistently works through such humble avenues—mangers, fishing boats, and failed haberdasheries—to accomplish His purposes. In that private meeting, Truman, impressed by the dignity of the elder statesman, gave his word: if a state was declared, he would recognize it. “The secret of the LORD is with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant” (Psalm 25:14, KJV). “Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets” (Amos 3:7, KJV). “For the LORD God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets” (Amos 3:7, KJV). “The LORD also shall roar out of Zion, and utter his voice from Jerusalem; and the heavens and the earth shall shake: but the LORD will be the hope of his people, and the strength of the children of Israel” (Joel 3:16, KJV). “For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him” (2 Chronicles 16:9, KJV). In Prophets and Kings we read: “God chooses the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty” (Prophets and Kings, 18, 1917). Through inspired counsel we are told: “The Lord works in mysterious ways His wonders to perform” (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 9, 209, 1909). “God in His providence brought the Hebrews into the mountain fastnesses before the sea, that He might manifest His power in their deliverance and signally humble the pride of their oppressors” (Patriarchs and Prophets, 290, 1890). “The Lord permits trials in order that we may be cleansed from earthliness, from selfishness, from harsh, unchristlike traits of character” (The Great Controversy, 591, 1911). “Our heavenly Father has a thousand ways to provide for us of which we know nothing” (The Ministry of Healing, 481, 1905). Divine paths bypass human barriers, leading to promised fulfillments, which would culminate in a moment of decisive courage that altered history in a matter of minutes.

Can a Few Minutes Alter the Course of History Forever?

Tension reached its zenith on May 14, 1948. As Jewish leadership prepared to declare independence, Truman faced the ultimate test of moral courage from Secretary Marshall, who essentially threatened to oppose him politically. At this crossroads, Truman stood, deciding to align with principle over the counsel of the mighty. The United States extended de facto recognition just eleven minutes after the proclamation. For a moment, the lamb-like nation spoke with protective mercy. “The LORD also shall roar out of Zion, and utter his voice from Jerusalem; and the heavens and the earth shall shake: but the LORD will be the hope of his people, and the strength of the children of Israel” (Joel 3:16, KJV). “For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him” (2 Chronicles 16:9, KJV). “He changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding” (Daniel 2:21, KJV). “The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will” (Proverbs 21:1, KJV). “For the kingdom is the LORD’S: and he is the governor among the nations” (Psalm 22:28, KJV). “The LORD bringeth the counsel of the heathen to nought: he maketh the devices of the people of none effect” (Psalm 33:10, KJV). A passage from The Great Controversy reminds us: “When divine power is combined with human effort, the work will spread like fire in the stubble” (The Great Controversy, 611, 1911). Sr. White wrote: “Courage, energy, and perseverance they must possess” (Education, 57, 1903). “The Majesty of heaven has the destiny of nations, as well as the concerns of His church, in His own charge” (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, 753, 1889). “In the annals of human history the growth of nations, the rise and fall of empires, appear as dependent on the will and prowess of man” (Education, 173, 1903). “The world’s intricate machinery is running under the Lord’s supervision” (The Acts of the Apostles, 575, 1911). Courage aligned with principle reshapes nations in moments of crisis, demonstrating how love actively fulfills our highest duties in both personal and communal realms.

Does Love Define the Eternal Verdict of Our Duty?

The need was evident: a people faced annihilation, and political powers prioritized material gain. The duty was clear: “Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself” (Leviticus 19:18, KJV) and “Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction” (Proverbs 31:8, KJV). Eddie Jacobson acted as the intercessor, and Truman, as the sovereign, overruled policy for principle. The verdict of providence was that wholeheartedness preceded divine use, as God employed the “weak things of the world” (1 Corinthians 1:27) to confound the mighty. “Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God” (1 John 4:7, KJV). “Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins” (1 John 4:10, KJV). “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8, KJV). “Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren” (1 John 3:16, KJV). “And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him” (1 John 4:16, KJV). “We love him, because he first loved us” (1 John 4:19, KJV). The inspired pen reveals: “Love is the basis of godliness” (Christ’s Object Lessons, 384, 1900). A prophetic voice once wrote: “The law of love being the foundation of the government of God, the happiness of all intelligent beings depends upon their perfect accord with its great principles of righteousness” (Patriarchs and Prophets, 34, 1890). “Love to others is putting on the Lord Jesus Christ” (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, 167, 1882). “Self-sacrificing love is the ruling principle of the kingdom of heaven” (The Acts of the Apostles, 547, 1911). “Many think that it is impossible to love our neighbor as ourselves; but it is the only genuine fruit of Christianity” (Welfare Ministry, 49, 1952). Love and duty intertwine to advance God’s plan, yet this raises a critical question of how faith should properly interact with the mechanisms of civil governance.

Can the Heart of a Ruler Be United with God in Governing Justly?

A critical question arises: Did Truman’s decision violate the principle of separation of church and state? The distinction is vital. Truman did not establish a state religion; he recognized a secular political entity serving as a refuge for a persecuted people. From our perspective, a ruler’s Duty to God is to execute justice. “He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God” (2 Samuel 23:3, KJV). Truman’s act, however politically complex, applied the Golden Rule in international relations, delivering justice to a neighbor in need. “Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people” (Proverbs 14:34, KJV). “Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city” (Revelation 22:14, KJV). “Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God” (Romans 13:1, KJV). “Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake” (Romans 13:5, KJV). “Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme” (1 Peter 2:13, KJV). “Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king” (1 Peter 2:17, KJV). In The Desire of Ages we read: “The government under which Jesus lived was corrupt and oppressive; on every hand were crying abuses,—extortion, intolerance, and grinding cruelty. Yet the Saviour attempted no civil reforms” (The Desire of Ages, 509, 1898). Through inspired counsel we are told: “The Lord would have His people bury political questions” (Gospel Workers, 391, 1915). “Civil government has no right to legislate on anything that pertains to our duties to God” (The Two Republics, p. 761, 1891). “The purpose of separation of church and state is to keep forever from these shores the ceaseless strife that has soaked the soil of Europe in blood for centuries” (James Madison, letter, 1803). “Strongly guarded as is the separation between Religion and Government in the Constitution of the United States, the danger of encroachment by Ecclesiastical Bodies may be illustrated by precedents already furnished in their short history” (James Madison, Detached Memoranda, ca. 1817). Faith guides governance to uphold justice without entanglement, fostering moral integrity, a principle echoed in the ancient model of King Hezekiah, whose wholehearted reform provides a direct parallel to this modern drama.

What Links Hezekiah’s Reform to Today’s Leadership Trials?

Our anchor text, 2 Chronicles 31:21, provides the model: “And in every work that he began in the service of the house of God, and in the law, and in the commandments, to seek his God, he did it with all his heart, and prospered.” Hezekiah’s wholehearted restoration of temple service, law, and commandments led to national prosperity. In the Truman-Jacobson model, we see a contemporary reflection: Truman, in his sphere, sought to restore a measure of international justice; Jacobson, in his, acted out the law of love with his whole heart. Both, in their ways, prospered in their mission. The principle is unwavering: wholehearted commitment to God’s principles yields divine success. “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding” (Proverbs 3:5, KJV). “I will praise thee with my whole heart: before the gods will I sing praise unto thee” (Psalm 138:1, KJV). “With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments” (Psalm 119:10, KJV). “Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart” (Psalm 119:2, KJV). “And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart” (Jeremiah 29:13, KJV). “Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart” (Psalm 119:34, KJV). A passage from Patriarchs and Prophets reminds us: “Success in any line demands a definite aim” (Patriarchs and Prophets, 602, 1890). Sr. White wrote: “Halfhearted service places the worldly reputation in jeopardy” (The Acts of the Apostles, 313, 1911). “Those who accept the one principle of making the service of God supreme, will find perplexities vanish and a plain path before their feet” (The Ministry of Healing, 481, 1905). “The Lord in His providence had brought this trial upon Abraham to teach him lessons of submission, patience, and faith” (Patriarchs and Prophets, 129, 1890). “God has always tried His people in the furnace of affliction” (Patriarchs and Prophets, 129, 1890). “The fact that we are called upon to endure trial shows that the Lord Jesus sees in us something precious which He desires to develop” (The Ministry of Healing, 471, 1905). This wholeheartedness is ultimately expressed in active compassion, which is not optional but mandated for the people of God.

Does Mercy Mandate Action for Suffering Souls?

The parable of the Good Samaritan definitively outlines our Duty to Neighbor. The priest and Levite, bound by policy and purity codes, passed by. The Samaritan, moved by compassion, stopped and acted (Luke 10:33). In 1948, elements of the establishment acted as the Levite, citing alliances and oil. Eddie Jacobson became the Samaritan, pouring in the oil of influence and the wine of tears. We cannot claim to love God while ignoring suffering, for “if a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar” (1 John 4:20, KJV). For our community, this means we volunteer for medical missionary work and disaster relief, becoming “Jacobsons” who bind up wounds. “Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful” (Luke 6:36, KJV). “Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world” (James 1:27, KJV). “But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?” (1 John 3:17, KJV). “Let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth” (1 John 3:18, KJV). “If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well” (James 2:8, KJV). “Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2, KJV). The inspired pen reveals: “The law of self-sacrificing love is the law of self-preservation” (The Desire of Ages, 624, 1898). A prophetic voice once wrote: “We are to give to the world the light of truth as presented in the Scriptures” (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 8, 14, 1904). “Our neighbors are the whole human family. We are to do good to all men, and especially to those who are of the household of faith” (Sons and Daughters of God, 52, 1955). “Many think that it is impossible to love our neighbor as ourselves; but it is the only genuine fruit of Christianity” (Welfare Ministry, 49, 1952). “Love to others is putting on the Lord Jesus Christ” (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, 167, 1882). As we exercise this compassion, we do so with prophetic understanding, knowing that final conflicts are unfolding and that ultimate victory is assured.

Will Prophecy Unveil the Ultimate Triumph Over Evil’s Reign?

We view these events through the lens of Revelation 13. The United States, depicted with lamb-like horns, acted in a lamb-like manner in 1948 by extending protection. Yet prophecy warns it will eventually “speak as a dragon,” most notably through religious coercion. The Jacobson story reminds us that God places His agents—His Obadiahs and Daniels—even within powerful nations to influence toward justice and hold back the winds of strife. Our call is to be such agents, standing for principle as we await the final victory. “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death” (Revelation 12:11, KJV). “Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus” (Revelation 14:12, KJV). “And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever” (Revelation 11:15, KJV). “Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years” (Revelation 20:6, KJV). “And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea” (Revelation 21:1, KJV). “And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away” (Revelation 21:4, KJV). In The Great Controversy we read: “The final warning is to be given to the world” (The Great Controversy, 604, 1911). Through inspired counsel we are told: “The time is coming when we cannot sell at any price” (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, 152, 1889). “We are to be ready and waiting for the orders of God” (Evangelism, 65, 1946). “The time has come for a thorough reformation to take place” (The Great Controversy, 600, 1911). “The Lord is still working with the nations” (Evangelism, 579, 1946). This prophetic assurance directs us not to an earthly restoration, but to the only restoration that brings eternal peace.

Is Spiritual Return the Sole Key to Eternal Peace?

The gathering that matters most is not of Jews to Palestine, but of sinners to Christ. The true temple is not on the Temple Mount, but in the soul of the believer. “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God?” (1 Corinthians 3:16, KJV). As Hezekiah cleansed the physical temple, we are called to cleanse the spiritual temple of our hearts, casting out the idols of policy and expediency, restoring the daily intercession of Christ. This is the wholehearted service that leads to eternal prosperity. “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17, KJV). “Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God” (2 Corinthians 7:1, KJV). “Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ?” (1 Corinthians 6:15, KJV). “What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?” (1 Corinthians 6:19, KJV). “And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people” (2 Corinthians 6:16, KJV). “Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you” (2 Corinthians 6:17, KJV). A passage from Christ’s Object Lessons reminds us: “The temple of the soul must be cleansed of every defilement” (Christ’s Object Lessons, 161, 1900). Sr. White wrote: “The soul temple must be cleansed and consecrated anew” (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 4, 124, 1876). “God has always tried His people in the furnace of affliction” (Patriarchs and Prophets, 129, 1890). “The fact that we are called upon to endure trial shows that the Lord Jesus sees in us something precious which He desires to develop” (The Ministry of Healing, 471, 1905). This internal renewal is the legacy we must seek, a legacy that, like Eddie Jacobson’s, inspires through faithful, loving action.

Can One Life Inspire Many Through Faithful Deeds?

Eddie Jacobson died in 1955, having never sought office or fame. His name is etched in history simply because he was a faithful friend and intercessor. He teaches us that intercession—pleading with those in power for the vulnerable—is a high calling that uses the mechanism of love, tears, and persistence. “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13, KJV). “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another” (John 13:34, KJV). “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another” (John 13:35, KJV). “This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you” (John 15:12, KJV). “Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world” (1 John 4:17, KJV). “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear” (1 John 4:18, KJV). The inspired pen reveals: “The strongest argument in favor of the gospel is a loving and lovable Christian” (The Ministry of Healing, 470, 1905). A prophetic voice once wrote: “True friendship is a plant of slow growth” (Letters to Young Lovers, 15, 1983). “The warmth of true friendship and the love that binds the hearts of husband and wife are a foretaste of heaven” (Manuscript 71, 1894). “Even the best of us have these unlovely traits; and in selecting friends we should choose those who will not be driven away from us when they learn that we are not perfect. Mutual forbearance is called for” (Letter 16, 1895). “In choosing friendship, there should be great caution that an intimacy is not contracted with one whose example it would not be safe to imitate” (Letter 23, 1886). Such faithful intercession echoes through time, and it now summons the remnant to wholehearted action as we face the end of all things.

Will Our Hearts Ignite a Remnant Fire for God’s Final Cause?

We stand on the brink of the eternal world, looking for the coming of the King of Kings. Let us take a leaf from the book of the haberdasher. We must reject halfway measures and divided hearts. We must practice diligence in our business, weep for the lost, and trust that the King’s heart is in the hand of the Lord. Duty to God and Duty to Neighbor are the twin rails of Providence. Like Hezekiah, we must begin every work in the service of God, in the law, and in the commandments, and do it With All Our Heart. Then, and only then, will true prosperity be ours. Maranatha. “Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh” (Mark 13:35, KJV). “Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown” (Revelation 3:11, KJV). “And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be” (Revelation 22:12, KJV). “He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus” (Revelation 22:20, KJV). “Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh” (Matthew 24:44, KJV). “But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only” (Matthew 24:36, KJV). In The Great Controversy we read: “The time has come for a thorough reformation to take place” (The Great Controversy, 600, 1911). Through inspired counsel we are told: “We are to be ready and waiting for the orders of God” (Evangelism, 65, 1946). “The final warning is to be given to the world” (The Great Controversy, 604, 1911). “The Lord is still working with the nations” (Evangelism, 579, 1946). “In the annals of human history the growth of nations, the rise and fall of empires, appear as dependent on the will and prowess of man” (Education, 173, 1903). Let us therefore rally as a community to wholehearted service, ensuring our part in the unfolding triumph of providence, living each day in the blessed hope of our Lord’s soon return.

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The Recognition Decision

Phase	Content	Verse/Spirit of Prophecy
Evidence (Facts)	Suffering of Jews; Obstinacy of State Dept; Friendship of Jacobson.	“Opression of the poor… sighing of the needy” (Psalm 12:5).
Interpretation (Meaning)	A test of character for the US (Lamb-like beast). A test of loyalty for Truman.	“The greatest want of the world is… men who will not be bought”.
Verdict (Action)	Truman recognizes Israel. “Principle” overrides “Policy.”	“He did it with all his heart, and prospered” (2 Chron 31:21).

Comparative Analysis of “Israel”

Concept	Zionist/Dispensational View	BIBLICAL VIEW	Application to 1948
The Covenant	Unconditional; Literal Land is eternal.	Conditional on obedience (Ex 19:5). Transferred to Spiritual Israel (Matt 21:43).	1948 is a political event, not a covenant fulfillment.
The Temple	Must be rebuilt in Jerusalem.	Is in Heaven (Heb 8:1). Believers are the temple (1 Cor 3:16).	We do not support building a 3rd Temple.
Prophecy	1948 fulfills OT prophecies of return.	OT prophecies fulfilled in return from Babylon or spiritually in the Church.	1948 sets the stage for “Winds of Strife” (Rev 7) and final movements.
Duty	Support Israel politically/militarily.	Support Jews as “Neighbors” (Humanitarian). Evangelize all nations.	Truman fulfilled “Duty to Neighbor,” not “Duty to Prophecy.”

The Timeline of Providence (1917-1948)

Date	Event	BIBLICAL VIEW
1917	Truman & Jacobson meet in Battery F.	The “One Blood” of Nations (Acts 17:26). Providence forging the vessel.
1922	Truman & Jacobson Haberdashery fails.	“Divine Redirection” through calamity. Preparation for leadership.
1945	Truman becomes President.	“He removeth kings and setteth up kings” (Dan 2:21).
Mar 13, 1948	The “Andrew Jackson” Meeting.	The power of Intercessory Prayer/Appeal. The “Hezekiah Heart” in action.
Mar 18, 1948	Weizmann enters via “Back Door.”	God working through humble means/hidden channels vs. worldly pomp.
May 14, 1948	Recognition of Israel.	The “Lamb-like Beast” acting to protect the oppressed neighbor.

The Hezekiah Model vs. The Truman/Jacobson Model

Hezekiah (The King)	Truman (The President)	Jacobson (The Friend)
Work: Restoring the Temple.	Work: Reorganizing the Post-War World.	Work: Saving a Friendship / A People.
Law: Torah Obedience.	Law: International Justice / Promise Keeping.	Law: Loyalty / Brotherly Love.
Method: Wholehearted Reform.	Method: Decisive Action (“The Buck Stops Here”).	Method: Emotional Transparency / Persistence.
Result: National Prosperity (Judah).	Result: Political Survival (1948 Election).	Result: Recognition of Israel.

The Oval Office Intercession

Stage	Details	Insight
Evidence	Truman is obstinate. Jacobson is desperate.	The impasse of human will.
Interpretation	The Jackson Metaphor + Genuine Tears.	An appeal to Identity and Empathy, not policy.
Verdict	“The king’s heart… he turneth it.”	Providence uses friendship to bypass protocol.

The Haberdashery Bankruptcy

Stage	Details	Insight
Evidence (The Event)	The business fails. Truman is indebted.	Loss of livelihood and social standing.
Interpretation (The World)	A tragic failure. Bad luck.	Proof of incompetence or economic cruelty.
Verdict (The Word)	“The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord” (Prov 21:1).	A Divine Redirection. Failure liberated Truman for politics.

SELF-REFLECTION

How can I deepen my understanding of divine providence in history through daily Scripture meditation, allowing it to transform my trust in God’s guidance?

In what ways can we present stories of historical intercession to inspire congregations, making them accessible to both longtime members and newcomers while upholding biblical truths?

What prevalent misunderstandings about God’s role in national events exist in our circles, and how might we clarify them scripturally without confrontation?

How can we embody duties to God and neighbor in daily interactions, turning our communities into exemplars of compassionate faithfulness amid global uncertainties?

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