CALLING TO MIND GOD'S FAVOURS (VERSE NO. 40)

      The course of events of the children of Israel, then their PASS OVER, and bringing them out of hand of bondage and their settlement in peace and order in the promised land (CANAAN), is in many aspects and respects, similar to that of ADAM and EVE, and therefore God addresses them here saying:

      ``O, Children of Israel! call to mind the favours that I have bestowed upon you, and be faithful to your covenant with Me, I will fulfill my promise to you.''

WHY ARE THE JEWS CALLED `THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL?'

      Israel is an alternate name of JACOB. Non-Muslims have given some false and superstitious description about it:

      ``Then a man came and wrestled with JACOB until before daybreak. When the man saw that he was not winning the struggle, he struck JACOB on the hip, and it was thrown out of joint. The man said: ``Let me go; daylight is coming.''

``I won't unless you bless me! answered JACOB. What is your name?'' The man asked. ``JACOB'' he answered.

      The man said: ``Your name will no longer be JACOB! you have struggled with God, and with man, and you have won! So your name will be ISRAEL''. (GENESISِ32:26ِ28)    TRANSLATOR'S NOTE

      Obviously the above mentioned struggle of Israel with God which is quoted from the BIBLE, is a childish false story which is fabricated, and a Divine Scripture cannot contain and carry such false tales.

   Our famous commentator - TABARSI - has said: ``ESRA'' means servant, and IL is from the root Allah, and therefore it means the Servant of Allah.