Israel

“The Lord loved Israel forever” (Hosea 11:1)

As I sit here writing this blog, the majority of the world is celebrating the return of four female Israeli soldiers who had been held hostage by Hamas.  A few days ago, three other women were returned.  And once again, the world’s eye is on this tiny nation called Israel.  Why is that?  It is not the oldest country in the world.  Iran holds that distinction.  It is not the largest country in the world.  Russia has that covered.  Israel is only about the size of the state of New Jersey.  Yet, in 1948 the eyes of the world were on this tiny plot of land as it became a nation once again.  And again in 1967 the world eagerly watched a six-day war in June as Israel defeated a coalition of Arab states. 

So, what is so special about this tiny nation that keeps the rest of the world watching and waiting for its every move?  How does a speck of land the size of New Jersey receive more attention than New Jersey sitting on the east coast of America does?  It happens because God placed his claim upon this land in the Middle East.  Israel literally means, “one who struggles with G-d.”  God told Jacob, “Your name is Israel, because you struggled with G-d and with man, and prevailed.” (Genesis 32:22-32).  Zachariah 2:8 refers to Israel as “the apple of God’s eye.”  Israel is the only nation that God has promised to fight for. (Deuteronomy 20:4)

So here we have this tiny nation on the other side of the world, that just happens to be the center of the world’s attention, as well as the center of the majority of the world’s contention.  This tells us that whenever we hear about what is happening in Israel, we are seeing God’s sovereignty unfolding.  We are watching God’s plan of revelation coming off the pages of scripture and onto our television screens. 

And as we watch what is happening in this tiny nation, we are watching our future as well.  Paul wrote in Romans 11:17 – “But some of these branches from Abraham’s tree – some of the people of Israel – have been broken off.  And you Gentiles, who were branches from a wild olive tree, have been grafted in.  So now you also receive the blessing God has promised Abraham and his children, sharing in the rich nourishment from the root of God’s special olive tree.”  That verse grafts us as followers of Jesus Christ, into being a vital part of that tiny nation called Israel, therefore also making us the apple of God’s eye. 

So watch closely what goes on in the tiny nation on the other side of the world, for it is not only the future of the Jewish people – but it is the hope of our future also.

                                                          Darlene