Why the Children of Noah Endured When the Nations Vanished

[Another interpretation of "And the sons of Noah were" (Genesis 9:18).] This is what Scripture says: "I will make you a terror, and you shall be no more; though you be sought, you will never be found again, says the Lord God" (Ezekiel 26:21). It speaks of the nations of the world. What is the meaning of "I will make you a terror, and you shall be no more"? The nations of the world neither were nor are destined to be, as it is said, "I will make you a terror, and you shall be no more." "A terror" (balahot) — not to be (bal heyot); "and you shall be no more" — now. "Though you be sought, you will never be found again" — in the world to come. But Israel both was and is also destined to be. It was before the world was created, as it is said, "Remember Your congregation, which You acquired of old" (Psalms 74:2). And it exists now, as it is said, "You are standing this day, all of you" (Deuteronomy 29:9). And it is destined to be, as it is said, "And they shall be Mine, says the Lord of Hosts, on the day when I make a treasured possession" (Malachi 3:17). But for the nations of the world there is terror, for they had no being in the world; but the sons of Noah had being in the world, as it is said, "And the sons of Noah were" (Genesis 9:18).