“Also I will ordain a place for my people Israel, and will plant them, and they shall dwell in their place, and shall be moved no more; neither shall the children of wickedness waste them any more…”. (1 Chronicles 17:9)
“From where does one run to when He’s already in the Promised Land?” (Claude Brown – Author of acclaimed book, Manchild of the Promised Land)
Does the Land Really Belong to the Jews?
The above question is asked by so many in today’s anti-Semitic world and media. I would like to answer the question by quoting the Abstract of a Dissertation discovered in our personal library, written in 2005, entitled “The Historical and Legal Right of the Jews to the Land of Israel” by (Richard E. Bristol, PhD). He also gives the answer! “While the Bible provides satisfactory proof of rights to the current Land of Israel and much more to those who believe the Bible, it provides no justification for the current State of Israel for the millions who do not recognize the Bible as inerrant truth. Establishing the Jews as a nation and tracing the history of the Jews in the territory in question is the only way to prove a historic and legal claim to the Land as a Nation-State. The Jews have a national identity as defined in scholarly definition. They have a historic tie to the Land. By international law as accepted by the League of Nations, the United Nations, international treaties, and right of conquest, Israel has rights to all of the Gaza Strip and Judea-Samaria, currently referred to as the West Bank.” This is the premise on which I build my own case in defense of Israel.
So much of the anti-Israel and anti-Zionist propaganda one reads in the media today stems from decades of violence and crocodile tears presented to the world, by the “Palestinians”. On July 2nd, 2015, by the admission of his own mouth on MEMRI TV, Hamas’s Interior Minister stated: “There is no such thing as a Palestinian people…Brothers, half of the Palestinians are Egyptians and the other half are Saudis.” And yet, members of million-member churches such as “the United Church of Christ, the Episcopal Church and the Mennonite Church, USA, as Eric Adler reports, have turned to a forceful tool: money–and are using it in the BDS movement against Israel, and yet call themselves “Christian.” In the latter part of February, the “International Research Group” (IRG) meeting of the World Council of Church’s Pilgrimage of Justice and Peace held in Bethlehem, set the tone of discussions about stories of struggle to end occupation of Palestine by Israel. None of these people met with any Israeli representatives; however, in short, the meeting invited the Christian world to join in an assault upon the State of Israel. Our question would be how can the German Protestant Church, owner of the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer in Jerusalem, and supposedly committed to reconciliation with Israel, tolerate the WCC meetings without raising a voice?
Our firm foundation, as genuine followers of Jesus, needs to be God’s Word. It was recorded that after the flood, God focused on one man, Abraham. Through this one individual, God gave promises that He granted to no other man or nation on earth. Out of nothing God made something. Out of a small nation, He birthed today’s modern nation of Israel. It is to this Land many people will one day gather to travel to up to Jerusalem, from the four corners of the earth, and will say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the temple of the God of Jacob. He will teach us His ways, so that we may walk in His paths. “The Law shall go out from Zion, the Word of the Lord from Jerusalem” (Isaiah 2:3, NIV).
Out of Israel’s sacred soil, the Name of the One True God will flood the earth and the world will overflow with spiritual light about the God of Israel, His Land and His Chosen People. It should be natural for Jews and Christians, to love the Land and protect it. How can any true “Christian” join a BDS movement? The Israelis are the chosen ones responsible for holding onto and guarding the Land and should never be pressured or forced to relinquish it or told to go somewhere else, especially by so-called “Christians.” Just where would they go? There is nowhere else to proceed to…they are already in the Promised Land!
A Jewish lady living in Israel recently stated, “All I wanted to do was to come home to Israel!” In a recent article in the Jerusalem Post, Isi Leibler, so aptly and candidly spoke to his people in an article posted on February 4, 2016, entitled, “No More Illusions: Come Home!” This catchword cry, “Come Home!” to the Jewish people remaining in the nations, (the Diaspora), should roar in the ears of those who were never ever meant to put down such deep roots that they could not again uproot. God is calling His People, yes, to a disputed Land–in the hearts of those who do not recognize the Bible as inerrant truth. The trend line so many churches follow is–without a doubt–deception of the latter days, a failure to correlate the promises of God to Israel and the circumstances that are occurring in the homecoming of the Jewish people from all over the world. These two signs of the times have a complimentary relationship with one another. To awaken to this truth, would mean that all BDS churches would have to admit that Bible prophecy is coming to pass and that Israel still has a divine place in God’s plan for mankind. If they continue to be unwilling to acknowledge this truth, they run the chance of being among those who are “cut off” as stated in Romans chapter 11:18-22. We were never to boast against the branches (vs. 18) because they were broken off for us (vs. 20), but they will be grafted back into their own olive tree (Romans 11:24) through the fulfillment of Biblical prophecy. My hope for Israel, after living so many years in the Land, and watching the promises come to pass is that the words of Job would be recognized by “men of the cloth” – our clergy and spiritual leadership, who deny God His Heart’s desire. “For there is hope of a tree, if it be cut down, that it will sprout again, and that the tender branch thereof will not cease. Though the root thereof wax old in the earth, and the stock thereof die in the ground; Yet through the scent of water it will bud, and bring forth boughs like a plant” (Job 14:7-9). When they smell the scent of water, may all Diaspora Jews respond and act by listening to the call Isi Leibler gave: no more illusions: come home!
These Men Are Our Teachers?
It is so sad, because some Christian clerics and Covenant Theologians don’t even know their geopolitics regarding this God-Given Land. I have heard some claim that there are no references to the Land of Israel in the New Testament, let alone, that it belongs to the Jewish people.
Obviously, these uninformed leaders, fail to read or they do not grasp, the understanding of what Peter said about Jesus. “And we are witnesses of all things which He did both in the Land of the Jews and in Jerusalem…” (Acts 10:39).
This “Land of the Jews” was not only seen by the Apostles–they lived there. However, many Christian clergy and theologians remain spiritually blind when it comes to being squarely confronted with scriptures like these. Nevertheless, it does not alter the words of Peter.
Matthew also stated that the coming of Jesus fulfilled the words of Isaiah and that the Land of Israel’s northern kingdom (Isaiah 9:1) had seen a great light. “The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali…” (Matthew 4:14-15). Matthew also informs us that Herod inquired of Jewish chief priests and scribes where the Christ Child was to be born. They responded to Herod by saying “…in Bethlehem of Judea…” (Matthew 2:6). Judea was a province first mentioned in the book of Ezra (Ezra 5:8) (Smith’s Bible Dictionary). “Its identification originates from the Hebrew…and the Persian name “Yehudah” or “Yehud” for the Biblical Israelite tribe of Judah…The term Judea was revived by the Israeli government…as…Judea and Samaria.” (Wikipedia).
We see further references to Israel’s Land in the New Testament. “…when Herod was dead behold an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream…saying, Arise, and “…take the young child…and go to the Land of Israel…” (Matthew 2:20-21). Amazingly, Arnold Fruchtenbaum, Founder of Ariel Ministries, states there are a total of 73 references to the Land of Israel in the New Testament. Claims by Christian clerics that there are no references to the Land of Israel is simply unwarranted in view of the amount of evidence. How much more succinct does Scripture need to be for spiritual leadership?
The Promises Need To Be Accepted
It is time for all genuine followers of Jesus to insist that the many branches and denominations that developed out of Christendom “put back” the promises of the Prophets, into the Jewish Promised Land. After all, these promises were never rescinded, but only ignored by the Church.
Christianity wandered in the dark in regard to Israel’s restoration to her Land until the last quarter of the preceding century. Much of the Church had left the straight path and centuries of deception regarding Israel were allowed to permeate “Sunday-going-to-church” people, in the form of Replacement Theology. We rejoice today that a significant part of the true followers of Jesus located the light switch and the lights have been turned back on for many. Those who presently see God’s plans and purposes for Israel and the Land are enjoying solid meat from God’s Word. It places the truth seekers where they can see the perpetual promises being fulfilled, in the Great Restoration of the Promised Land, People and ultimately, Kingdom to Israel, in the latter days on the earth.
“No power in the world, no League of Nations and not any commission can suspend the Divine right for Israel to possess the Land” (Rabbi Kook). The call to come home is open for all Jewish people to return and discover the imprints of Israel’s history lying everywhere in this amazing Land. Its coat of many colors presents a beautiful tapestry far and wide. It is a Land where the trees of the field clap their hands. Its hills break forth with joy energizing the spirit of man. It’s a place where even the soil is called “holy ground” and Rabbis say “the very soil…possesses a certain spiritual vitality.”
“A Land that the Lord your God scrutinizes constantly; the eyes of the Lord your God are on it from the beginning of the year until the end of year.” (Deuteronomy 11:12, Hebrew translation). “If I forget thee O Jerusalem…” (Psalm 137:5). According to these promises God is on duty as the Chief Watchman of the Land 24/7. We are to join with Him in praying for His Land.
The Flow of Life
It is asserted that “going to the Land of Israel entails moving toward one’s self, one’s truest, deepest self.” (Or HaChaim). Over the years, whenever my husband and I traveled outside of Israel, our vigor slowed. The moment we returned to Israel’s borders and touched down on its sacred soil, we hit the ground running…as the flow of life, from this unique nation re-entered our veins, as our yearning for her was realized. It seems to energize and stretch those who live in her. The longer we live in Israel, the more there is a sense of being a stranger in every other land. This matchless spiritual power and energy belongs to this powerful and ancient Land.
The Promised Land also draws itself into people’s hearts. Christian pilgrims often express their arrival in Israel as “I feel I’ve come home.” Obviously, all Christians cannot live in Israel as it is the Land of the Jewish people; however, it is natural that the bond with the Land and People be felt. Concern for the Jewish homeland, as well as the Jewish people’s desire to possess it, is part of the redemption process. Try to imagine the heart of the Jewish person making aliyah and how it feels as it finally reaches the borders of the Promised Land. The longing to be “next year in Jerusalem” is over! I conclude that there should never be a thought in any Christian’s heart that the reborn nation of Israel is not the home of the Jewish people or that they should be asked to go elsewhere. The flow of life in the form of strength and energy, which God gave the Jewish people to rebuild the Land, has miraculously helped them to develop the nation which continues to blossom and bloom each year. Today Israel has given rise to a standard of computer technology and creative projects that labels Israel as a leading start-up nation in the world. God has put the spirit of Daniel into many in Israel to the extent few in other nations have been able to meet.
A Love of Zion is Stirring
The soul of the Jewish people is definitely bound up with the Land. Now home, they will never depart again (Amos 9:15). How can they really reside anywhere else? Likewise, for those from the nations who have awakened to Bible prophecy and Israel, and are witnesses to the modern day miracles. Yes, it is natural for us, as Christians, to seek the Land’s welfare and its good.
Why An Islamic Holy War?
The establishment of God’s Kingdom “on earth” is the greatest cause of the present Arab-Israeli conflict. The battle for truth is being waged. How many openly challenge Arab lies and propaganda (so often accepted as truth) about Israel? “People will believe a big lie sooner than a little one; and if you repeat it frequently enough people will sooner or later believe it” (Goebbels, Hitler’s propaganda minister). And so it is! Take for instance, Judea and Samaria – Israel’s heartland is well known to be presented as “occupied” Arab land, or even an “occupied Palestinian” state! “Never mind that…Eretz Yisrael is historic Jewish land; and never mind the fiction of a “Palestinian people.” (The Indictment, Sabina Citron, 2006). Getting the truth out today is indeed one of our greatest challenges. Strong worldwide resistance against Israel fuels the powerful lies being told in the Islamic war against Israel.
The Key to Understanding
For Christians the Return of Jesus is our blessed hope; however, it can never happen without the Jews and the Land being together. When He comes, He returns to “…his own country…”. (Mark 6:1). This is a truth with which “Christian” BDS’ers must come to grips.
We call for all Christian leaders who are able, to make at least one pilgrimage to Israel. The Land cannot be treated as if it is just like “any other place.” This special Land carries a unique Jewish identity and must be accepted. Here is where God will establish His Kingdom on Earth and meet with His People. What a glorious day when Heaven comes down to earth and God establishes His Reign.
As Christian friends of the Jewish people, we need to be active in helping Jewish people who want to “come home” to their Promised Land. The Land of Israel is the Land of Promise, it is their place and they (the Jewish people) have every right to call it “home”.
-Sharon Sanders-