Israel – A look at the land and people of Israel

From today onwards, we shall also focus on the Land of Israel and on the People of Israel.

From the Old Times, we do know that The Most Almighty Elohim Hashem Jehovah looked at the world and choose Himself a People. Even if not all the members of that people behaved as God wished, He remained close to them and came to their aid when needed. He also provided that people with prophets and leaders who helped them to continue on their way in life.

When God brought Israel out of Egypt, the Elohim Who had appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, thought at that time by His name JEHOVAH He was not known to them, He established His brit (or covenant) with them, to give them the land of Canaan, the land of their pilgrimage, wherein they were strangers.

Exo 6:2-8 OJB

VAEIRA

And Elohim spoke unto Moshe, and said unto him, I am Hashem; (3) And I appeared unto Avraham, unto Yitzchak, and unto Ya’akov, as El Shaddai, but by My Shem Hashem I did not make Myself known to them. (4) And I have also established My brit (covenant) with them, to give them Eretz Kena’an, the land of their sojourning, wherein they sojourned. (5) And I have also heard the groaning of the Bnei Yisroel, whom the Egyptians keep in bondage; and I have remembered My brit (covenant). (6) Therefore say unto the Bnei Yisroel, I am Hashem, and I will bring you out from under the sivlot Mitzrayim, and I will free you out of their bondage, and I will redeem you with a stretched out zero’a, and with mishpatim gedolim: (7) And I will take you to Me for a people, and I will be to you Elohim; and ye shall know that I am Hashem Eloheichem, which bringeth you out from under the sivlot Mitzrayim. (8) And I will bring you in unto HaAretz, concerning the which I did lift up My hand to swear to give it to Avraham, to Yitzchak, and to Ya’akov; and I will give it to you for a morashah (heritage); I am Hashem.

The ones who Jehovah brought to Himself would be a treasure and a holy nation to Him, and that is something the whole world had to come to know. But they had to listen to Him and keep God’s rules in order to keep that privileged position. Throughout history, it has been somewhat difficult for them to maintain full confidence in God. However, He still treated them as His chosen nation and made appeals to them which He did not make to the nations around.

After they returned from exile Hashem Who had not only made Himself known in His creation, spoke of them as His chosen nation, and promised to help them. He has also shown His concern for mankind. To the nations, He Who has revealed Himself to the descendants of Jacob His servant and of Abraham His friend in righteousness and judgment (Isaiah 41:1-4) displayed His character in grace.

Isa 41:8-10 OJB But thou, Yisroel, art Avdi, Ya’akov whom I have chosen, the zera Avraham Ohavi (My friend). (9) Thou whom I have taken hold of from the ketzot ha’aretz, and called thee from the farthest borders thereof, and said unto thee, Thou art Avdi; I have chosen thee, and not cast thee away. (10) Fear thou not; for I am with thee; be not dismayed; for I am Eloheicha; I will strengthen thee; indeed, I will help thee; indeed, I will uphold thee with My yamin tzedek.

We also got to know that all those who would come to oppose God’s People and all those who are who would be enraged against them shall be ashamed and disgraced; even going so far that they shall be as nothing. And those who strive with them shall perish.

Isa 41:11-13 OJB Surely, all they that were raging against thee shall be ashamed and disgraced; they shall be as nothing; and the anshei rivecha (they that strive with thee) shall perish. (12) Thou shalt seek them, and shalt not find them, even the anshei matzutecha (them that contended with thee): the anshei matzutecha (they that war against thee) shall be as nothing, and as a thing of naught. (13) For I Hashem Eloheicha will take hold of thy yamin (right hand), saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.

In the final book of the Old Testament (Book Malachi), Israel is called upon to acknowledge its privileges and Hashem declares that He has loved Israel specifically (Mal 1:2-3). Already in the first book of Moshe, we come to know that God provided salvation for the curse of death. That salvation would come out of a woman from the tribe of David. Not all of the people who lived in the area of Jerusalem knew who they worshipped and what His promise was, namely salvation from the Jews, and that is what the world should look for.

Joh 4:22 OJB You worship that of which you do not have da’as [MELACHIM BAIS 17:28-41]; we worship that of which we have da’as, because Yeshu’at Eloheinu (salvation) is from the Yehudim [Isa 2:3; Ro 9:3].

Israel failed to keep the covenant that God made with them at Sinai after he had brought them out of Egypt and failed to recognise their promised Messiah and had him crucified, God removed them from the promised land.

At the same time, the gospel with a Brit Chadashah (a New Covenant), refused by the majority of Israel, was offered to the goyim or gentiles (non-Jews). This does not mean that the Jehudiem lost their position, but that others became allowed also to be partakers of that great promise of a kingdom to come. By believing and obeying the gospel preached by Jeshua ben Josef or Jesus Christ and his apostles, gentiles can become heirs of the promise made to Abraham.

The promise God made to Abraham was that of eternal inheritance on the earth, which entails resurrection from the dead and the gift of eternal life.

Gen 13:15-17 OJB For kol ha’aretz which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy zera ad olam (forever). (16) And I will make thy zera as the dust of ha’aretz; so that if a man can number the aphar of ha’aretz, then shall thy zera also be numbered. (17) Arise, walk through ha’aretz in the length of it and in the breadth of it; for I will give it unto thee.

Nothing shall change, the Jews stay favoured for their father’s sake, though the ‘casting off’ of Israel is temporary until the times of the gentiles are fulfilled.

The Nazarene master teacher Jeshua said of them:

Luk 21:20-24 OJB But when you see Yerushalayim being surrounded by machanot (encamping armies), then have daas that the sho’ah of it has drawn near. (21) Then the ones in Yehudah, flee to the mountains, and the ones inside HaIr (the City), let them get out, and the ones in the sadot (fields), let them not enter into HaIr (the City), (22) Because these are the Yemei Nekamah (Days of Vengeance), as a fulfillment of all the Kitvei Hakodesh. [Isa 63:4; Dan 9:24-27; Hos 9:7] (23) Oy to the ones with child and to the ones nursing in yamim hahem (those days). For there will be Tzarah Gedolah (Great Tribulation) upon Eretz Yisroel and kaas (anger) against this people, (24) And they will fall by the edge of the cherev (sword) and they will all be led captive into the Golus, and Yerushalayim will be trampled down by the Goyim, until the times of the Goyim are fulfilled. [YESHAYAH 5:5; 63:18; DANIEL 8:13]

In 70 of this common era, there would be the first destruction of Jerusalem, but later again there would be people willing to destroy the nation of Israel. Hitler tried it but did not succeed. But the holocaust that would come would not be the only ordeal for God’s people. The people shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.

And that is what should get our attention. We may not be blind for what is happening these days. We should not be ignorant of this mystery that God brings over this world. Blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in and so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written in the Book of books.
The whole world shall get to know that there shall come out of Sion the Deliverer from the wrath to come.

Rom 11:25-30 OJB For I do not want you to be unaware, Achim b’Moshiach, of this raz (mystery), lest you be wise in your own estimation, that a hardening in part has come over Yisroel, until the full number of the Goyim has come in; (26) And so Klal Yisroel shall be delivered, as it is written: “Out of Tziyon shall come the Go’el (Deliverer, Redeemer); He will turn away, remove peysha from Ya’akov (Jacob), (27) “And this will be My Berit (covenant) with them, when I take away their sins” YESHAYAH 59:20-21; 27:9. (28) With regard to the Besuras HaGeulah they are oyevim (enemies) for your [you Goyim] sake, whereas with regard to the bechirah (election) they are beloved for the sake of the Avot (Fathers). (29) For the matnat Hashem and the kri’at Hashem are irrevocable. (30) For just as you Goyim were once without mishma’at to Hashem, but now have received chaninah (mercy, pardon) by their lack of mishma’at,

The Scriptures tell us about times we should be on the lookout for. There shall be many signs when those times of the end shall come, and therefore we should be alert and look at what is happening in the world not to miss anything.

The Nazarene Jew gave several parables to warn people not to be asleep when the time would be there. He told his disciples that at the end of this age people will hear of wars and rumours of wars and that they should not be troubled because all these things must happen, but it not being directly the end, for nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. People shall have to face those troubles with its famines, epidemics, and earthquakes in various places, with the knowledge that all these will just be the beginnings of sorrows.”

Mat 24:6-8 OJB But you are about to hear about milchamot (wars) and rumors of milchamot. See to it that you are not alarmed, for it is necessary for this to happen, but it is not yet HaKetz (the End). (7) For there will be an intifada of ethnic group against ethnic group, and malchut against malchut. There will be famines, earthquakes in place after place. (8) But all these things are but the beginning of the Chevlei [Moshiach].

When we see how there have been more natural disasters the last few years and how we have seen how nation came up against nations the present situation with Russia and Ukraine should worry us. Can it be we are coming closer to HaKetz? Particularly when we see the “King of the North” roaring around his neighbours (Russia versus Ukraine) as predicted in the Scriptures.

Vladimir Putin has begun the task long foretold in history of building up the image empire for the latter day battle of Armageddon. The world is in disbelief of Russia’s actions as it moves to conquer Ukraine. As Bible believers we should not only expect it – but anticipate it will continue to eventually include all of Europe.
The Book of books tells us about the evil thought that will come from the heart of the leader of Russia, Gog of the Land of Magog the Prince of Rosh. This has been the cause of war throughout history, the ego driven ambition of men like Hitler, Napoleon, Alexander the Great, and now Putin, have driven men to achieve what they consider ‘greatness.’ 

Gog is probably a common name of the kings of the land like “Pharaoh” in Egypt. “The chief prince” is more properly Prince of Rosh or Russ, which suggests Russia, to say nothing of Meshec and Tubal, which are almost identical with Moscow and Tobolsk. It is more difficult to locate “Gomer” and “Togarmah,” but the whole military combination never having been referred to prior to this time, strengthens the contention in favour of a Russian alliance of some sort.

The bible tells us that in the latter end of the years people shall gather out of many peoples, upon mountains of Israel. They shall have dwelt safely! So Israel has been gathered and dwell in the land and at some point in the past they have dwelt safely, but then…

Eze 38:8-9 OJB After yamim rabbim thou shalt be visited; in the acharit hashanim (future years) thou shalt invade eretz that is recovering from cherev (sword, war), and [whose inhabitants] have been regathered out of amim rabbim, on the harim of Yisroel, which have long lain desolate; but it [the regathered people] is brought forth out of the nations, and they shall dwell securely, all of them. (9) Thou shalt ascend and advance like a storm, thou shalt be like a storm cloud covering ha’aretz, thou, and all thy troops, and many peoples with thee.

It is fitting that following the prediction of Israel’s restoration and blessing, there should come another showing judgment upon her enemies. Only it is doubtful if these enemies are those spoken of hitherto. Those were contiguous to Israel, but this is a north-eastern power that gathers its allies on the mountains of the Holy Land. There is reason to identify it with Russia. She and the northern powers allied with her have been the latest persecutors of dispersed Israel,

“and it is congruous both with divine justice and God’s covenants with Israel that destruction should fall at the climax of the last made attempt to exterminate her in Jerusalem.”

The one who shall come to attack Israel shall say it is not attacking but doing a peace mission. When lots of people will come down to what they call their land (Israel) they had dwelt safely at some point in the past but now Israel may not be dwelling safely when Gog invades.

Eze 38:11 MKJV  And you shall say, I will go up to the land of open spaces. I will go to those at ease, who dwell securely, all of them dwelling without walls, and there are no bars nor gates to them,

Russia has seen Israel living safely (confidently) 1980’s to 2000. But now we can see that at this time Russia’s words are words that we cannot trust, because they so often do not tell the truth and lie to their own people.
We have an evil thought to come down to Israel and take a spoil having had this plan put together when Israel was living safely – 2000 and now the time of safety may have passed when they do come down since 2006. In other words war may have already broken out in the Middle East (possibly an attack on Israel sparks the final conflict this may well cause Israel/America to attack Syria hence no mention of Syria in Ezekiel 38) which then makes Russia put her plan into action to come down and take a spoil. This is surely far more likely.
Why would Russia come down when a peace agreement had been agreed? After the recent Lebanon conflict,
European navies and troops have been gathered to the border of Israel. When war finally breaks out surely Europe would quickly become embroiled in it along with Russia that also now has troops stationed there!
We can see how war could break out soon in the Middle East. Many now predict this event. When war begins we can see how very quickly all nations will become involved especially those listed in Ezekiel 38. America and Britain and the young lions could well be still embroiled in Iraq and Syria, and the onslaught from Russia, Europe and Africa leave them in the weakened position. They are only able to ask if these nations have come to take a spoil!

We may not and can not close our eyes for what is going on in Ukraine and have to be aware that this can be very well the prelude to one of the greatest wars the world will ever know.

War, not peace, could be the trigger that brings down the northern hordes into Israel. It may be sooner than we think!

For that reason, we start now with this series looking at what goes around Israel. The Book of Revelation speaks about ten horn kings (kingdoms) (Revelation 17) which are the European nations, which are in process of becoming a European federation and voluntarily giving their power (sovereignty) to the resurrected eighth head of the beast, which represents a political power, not be ignored.

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Preceding

The attitude of Christians to Jews

This fighting world, Zionism and Israel #4

One man chose to ignite a war

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Additional reading

1. The revival of Israel
2. The Jews have fulfilled Bible Prophecy
3. With all your heart
4. Today’s thought “We are witnesses of all that he did” (May 02)
5. In a time when we must remain in our place
6. Torah hanging on two commandments and focussing on a Mashiach
7. A perfect life, obedient death, and glorious resurrection
8. Memorizing wonderfully 24 the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father
9. King of the North
10. Gog
11. Today’s thought “Do not harm … until” (December 24)
12. Ten European nations form energy alliance
13. Armageddon
14. Armageddon or the Great Tribulation
15. Great tribulation and Armageddon