The course of history was set nearly 4,000 years ago when God made Abram a promise. But before God made the promise, He asked Abram to leave his home and go to a land that God would show him. It was an act of faith that led Abram, at the age of 75, to take his wife and relatives, and all their possessions, to a land that God would show him. After Abram had traveled a very long journey, he stopped at a tree on the hillside of Moreh, overlooking a town called Shechem (modern day Nablus). It was there that “The LORD appeared to Abram and said, ‘To your offspring I will give this land.’” (Genesis 12:7).
Certainly Abram thought it must be some kind of a joke. Abram didn’t have any children. He and his wife, Sarai, were old. How could it be? But Abram built an altar there where the LORD had appeared to him. And then he continued on his journey through the hill country of Canaan, and near Bethel, “He built another altar and called on the name of the LORD.” (Gen 12:8). Abram continued his journey, by faith, and believed God would give him descendants who would one day have the land of Canaan as their own.
Abraham and Isaac
Abram lived to see a part God’s promise fulfilled; he did have children. And the promise was then extended to his son Isaac and to Isaac’s son Jacob. And 600 years passed before the second half of that promise was fulfilled.
“After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, the Lord said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ aide: “Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them—to the Israelites. I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses. Your territory will extend from the desert to Lebanon, and from the great river, the Euphrates—all the Hittite country—to the Mediterranean Sea in the west. No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them.” Joshua 1:1-6
God gave the Promised Land to the Israelite nation, but with conditions. They were instructed to obey the Laws that God had given Moses. “Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:8-9)
Northern Israel
So the Israelites took possession of it and lived and ruled there for over 600 years. The hill country that Abram traveled so many years before became known as Judea and Samaria. The Israelites populated the entire region and into all the borders of the lands that were promised. Jerusalem became their capital and a Temple to the LORD was built there. And the people of Israel worshipped God and followed His Laws. From generation to generation God sent Prophets, Judges and Kings to remind the people to follow the ways of God and to remember what He had done for them.
Then the unthinkable happened, the Babylonians came in 586 BCE and destroyed Jerusalem and their Temple and expelled them from the land. But God was still with them. They were allowed to return a short time later to rebuild their Temple, but not to be rulers of their land. The Persians and the Greeks would rule until the time of the Maccabees, when once again, the Israelites, known then as the Jews, would rule the land, but only for 100 years.
The Romans would come in and rule for 680 more years. During that time, the Jews revolted and Jerusalem and the 2nd Temple were completely destroyed again. Jews were killed or taken captive and used as slaves. Many fled the region to build lives elsewhere, but a Jewish presence continued in the land. Persians, Moslems, Christians, Turks and the British fought over the land for another 1300 years until once again, the Jewish people began to return home to the land that God had promised to Abram’s descendants so long ago. For over 100 years Jews from all over the world have been returning back home to their Promised Land.
The biblical prophecy of Ezekiel has been the hope and prayer of the Israelite nation for millennia.
“The word of the Lord came to me: “Son of man, the people of Jerusalem have said of your fellow exiles and all the other Israelites, ‘They are far away from the Lord; this land was given us as our possession.’ Therefore say: ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Although I sent them far away among the nations and scattered them among the countries, yet for a little while I have been a sanctuary for them in the countries where they have gone.’ “Therefore say: ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I will gather you from the nations and bring you back from the countries where you have been scattered, and I will give you back the land of Israel again.’ Ezekiel 11:14-17
We live in the days of the fulfillment of this prophecy. In 1948, the world agreed to recognize Israel as the sovereign state of the Jewish people. No longer are they strangers in foreign lands, but keepers of the land that God gave them. With this honor comes great responsibility. God intended for the Jewish nation to follow His Laws. The people of Israel are duty-bound to protect and preserve these guidelines as a way of life and leadership.
Through many wars and affliction, the Jewish nation has taken God’s words to heart, “Be strong and of courage.” This week, Israel observes Yom haZikaron (Memorial Day), a day of mourning for the soldiers who lost their lives fighting for Israel’s right to sovereignty. And on the eve of that day comes Yom Ha’atsmaut, Independence Day. This year is the celebration of Israel’s 70th birthday! Both of these holidays combined, ensure that Israel’s return is not taken for granted.
One might ask how a nation can go from mourning to celebration one day to the next. Because where there is hope there is faith. Where there is determination there is courage. The Jewish people have lived with faith and courage for thousands of years. May they always remember the One who brought them back home. May they forever be grateful for having the privilege of living as free men and women in the Promised Land. And may God continue to bless the people of Israel from generation to generation!
