26:44 not cast them away. The chosen people Israel have continued their existence as a distinct people for 3500 years, despite being without a homeland for most of that period. This constitutes an amazing testimony to divine inspiration and fulfilled prophecy. Before they had even entered their promised land, God had warned them they would be scattered away from it if they disobeyed. They were, indeed, scattered among the heathen again and again, yet God refused to “destroy them utterly” or to “break my covenant with them,” for He had made this promise to Abraham before they were born (Genesis 17:4-8).