Does it seem that middle eastern events, especially ones focused on Israel, are routinely highlighted in the news. Modern Israel is an anomaly of history. In the 6th century BC, both northern and southern kingdoms were exiled to Babylon for more than four hundred years. Two thousand years ago they were again driven from their land following the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD and the Kochba rebellion in 132-136 AD. Yet today we find them restored to their ancient homeland. There is much interesting history[1] that made this a reality, laying the foundation for “last days” prophetic fulfillment. For example, Israel’s rebirth as a nation occurred May 14, 1948, just as the prophet foretold. Read a short summary here.
Both Isaiah and Ezekiel spoke of these days.
“Shall a land be born in one day? Shall a nation be brought forth in one moment? For as soon as Zion was in labor she brought forth her children. Shall I bring to the point of birth and not cause to bring forth?” says the LORD; “shall I, who cause to bring forth, shut the womb?” says your God.
Isaiah 66:7-9
In Ezekiel 37 the prophet spoke of a time when the dead and dried bones would come back to life. This was not a singular event but a process. After their national birth it took time to build infrastructure, governmental systems, agriculture, commerce, etc. According to the word of the Lord, at first it was a sound, then a rattling, followed by bone to bone, sinews were laid down, then flesh followed by skin then breath. As they were being brought back to life it was not without opposition. Immediately after their declaration as a nation by Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion, five of their Arab neighbors (Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, and Egypt, Saudi Arabia) attacked, attempting to prevent the establishment of the Jewish state.
The accuracy of the scriptures never ceases to amaze. Following the rebirth of the Jewish state, Ezekiel described them as an army. God knows they had to fight and repel an invasion from five better equipped countries, a modern-day David and Goliath story.
So I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived and stood on their feet, an exceedingly great army.
Ezekiel 37:10
Eventually, as the prophet foretold, God will place his Spirit in them, and they will know him as Lord. This process began almost eighty years ago (God working through human agency1) and Ezekiel’s vision is still being worked out today.
The prophet Amos also spoke of these days…
And I will bring again the captivity of my people of Israel, and they shall build the waste cities, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards and drink the wine thereof; they shall also make gardens and eat the fruit of them. And I will plant them upon their land, and they shall no more be pulled up out of their land which I have given them, saith the LORD thy God.
Amos 9:14-15
A Pivotal Question
The question I’d like to consider as we begin this journey is quite simple, but profound with supernatural and eternal implications. Was Israel’s restoration as a nation on May 14, 1948, a historical anomaly or was God directing human affairs to fulfill his ancient promises? And if God is behind these events, why? What ancient story is being played out in our world? As Bible believing Christians, should we not be aware of the implications of his story so that we are able to cooperate with his purposes.
In this series of articles, I will attempt to develop a biblical framework for Israel’s right to exist, their right to possess the land and the holy city, setting the stage for Messiah’s coming kingdom and the ultimate establishment of his kingdom on earth.
I hope you will join me on this journey as we unpack elements of this incredible story.
[1] Events leading to the establishment of Israel as a nation include the: Zionist movement of the early 20th century, British mandate and Balfour declaration, UN partition plan, Israel’s declaration of independence, followed by Arab attack and subsequent war.
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