Glimpses of Israel - The West Bank

by Joseph Hunting

The West Bank of the Jordan, known in Bible times as Judea and Samaria, is the most hotly disputed area of real estate in the world today. The P.L.O. are claiming it for a Palestinian state despite the fact that there is one already in existence in Jordan.

The East Bank in Bible times was occupied by the Moabites and the Ammonites. Today it is inhabited by Palestinians called the Hashemite kingdom of Jordan.

Apart from the pressure and political blackmail being brought to bear upon Israel the West Bank was given in perpetuity by God to Abraham and his seed (via Jacob, not Ishmael) forever.

Prior to 1967, during the period when Jordan annexed the West Bank, the area included almost all the high and holy places of Bible times. These included Hebron wherein is the tomb of the Patriarchs; the Old City of Jerusalem which included Mt. Zion and Mt. Moriah; the Mount of Olives with its thousands of Jewish tombs; Bethlehem, Shiloh, Bethel, Mounts Ebal and Gerizim and many other places.

Ezekiel makes an interesting prophecy that may well refer to that period: "Thus saith the Lord God; Because the enemy hath said against you, Aha, even the ancient high places are ours in possession ... Therefore thus saith the Lord God, Surely in the fire of My jealousy have I spoken against the residue of the heathen (nations) , and against all Idumea (modern Jordan) , which have appointed My land into their possession with the joy of all their heart, with despiteful minds, to cast it out for a prey." (Ezekiel 36:2,5)

In 1967 the West Bank was recovered by the State of Israel and the Bible makes a further prophecy that could well be the blueprint for Israel's development in this area. "But ye, O mountains of Israel, ye shall shoot forth your branches, and yield your fruit to My people of Israel, for they are at hand to come. For, behold, I am for you and I will turn unto you and ye shall be tilled and sown. And I will multiply men upon you, all the house of Israel, even all of it: and the cities shall be inhabited, and the wastes shall be builded." (Ezekiel 36:8-10)