BUT God's "thoughts" are far from universally accepted. His voice has been for so long silent that both His purposes and the way by which He will bring them to pass have been lost sight of. The very practical nature of the promises is ignored or rejected. The Hope of Israel is not understood. Yet the language could not be plainer than that employed by the prophets concerning God's special care for His land and people. "My land" and "my people," He describes them. Yet nations cast longing eyes on the land and persecute the people.
A change is coming, to be introduced by the year of recompense for the controversy of Zion. Wherefore God says, "I am jealous for Jerusalem and for Zion with great jealousy. And I am very sore displeased with the heathen that are at ease: for I was but a little displeased, and they helped forward the affliction. Therefore thus saith the Lord; I am returned to Jerusalem with mercies; my house shall be built in it, saith the Lord of hosts, and a line shall be stretched forth upon Jerusalem." (verses 14-16)

JOHN CARTER, Prophets after the Exile, page 32D