Already in 1811,
Françoise-René de Chateaubriand had discovered and understood the
prophetic role of the Jewish people for the future world that believers are
waiting for.
(note: the
chronological mistake you might find below is minor and to put on the account
of the Romanticism of which Chateaubriand is the founder.)
"While the new Jerusalem comes out of the desert, shining brightly,
cast your eyes between mount Zion and the temple and see these little people
who live apart from the rest of the inhabitants of the city. They do not complain
while they suffer all insults without asking for justice, they let themselves
be overwhelmed with blows without sighing, if they are asked to offer their
head: they present it to the scimitar. If any member of this proscribed society
dies, his companion will go, during the night, bury him furtively in the valley
of Jehoshaphat, under the shade of the temple of Solomon.
If you enter the dwelling of these
people, you will find them in a frightful misery, reading a mysterious book to
children who, in turn, will read it to their children. What they did 5000 years
ago, these people are still doing it today. The Jewish people have seen the
ruin of Jerusalem seventeen times, but nothing can discourage them; nothing can
stop them from turning their eyes to Zion.
When one sees the Jews
scattered on the earth, according to the word of God, one is undoubtedly
surprised; we must see these legitimate owners of Judea, slaves and strangers
in their own country; we must see them waiting, under all oppressions, a king
who must deliver them
The Persians, the Greeks, the
Romans have disappeared from earth; but this little nation, whose origin
preceded that of those great nations, still exists unmixed in the ruins of
their country. If anything among the nations bears the character of a miracle,
we think that character is here.
"Journey to the Orient,
Itinerary from Paris to Jerusalem and from Jerusalem to Paris"
Chateaubriand 1811
Editor's note: It is also important
to note that Chateaubriand makes no mention of the Palestinian people and their
eventual connection with the Holy Land and Jerusalem, for those who will
understand the truth!