Israel Sixty Years Plus
The reestablishment of a Jewish homeland, in 1948, has been an enigma to many, and its very existence continues to defy human reasoning and logic.
Since 1948, the fledgling nation has fought against incredible odds mystifying historians and experts. Logically, the State of Israel should have perished the day after it was re-birthed on May 14, 1948.
At that time, refusing to accept the United Nations decision, the neighbouring hostile Arab-Muslim nations simultaneously attacked the Jewish State, with the aim of obliterating the Jewish homeland, and to wipe Israel from the map.
How the Arab armies failed to achieve their objective remains a mystery to modern warfare experts. Military strategists are bewildered, unable to find a logical explanation.
How is it possible that several nations, with enormous combined resources at their disposal, complete with state-of-the-art war weaponry, large, well-equipped armies, tanks, air craft, and yet, were unable to crush the tiny Jewish State into oblivion?
In reality, the war looked more like something out of the Bible. The giant, Goliath had been felled by the smaller David, again. This is the only "reasonable explanation" for the Arab-Muslim failure.
The prophet Ezekiel was shown a vision of a valley of very dry bones. He was told to prophesy over the bones, such that, the LORD would give life to the bones and raise up "an exceedingly great army".
"Then He said to me, 'Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel. They indeed, say, "Our bones are dry, our hope is lost, and we ourselves are cut off!" Therefore prophesy and say unto them, "Behold, O My people, I will open your graves and cause you to come up from your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel."'" (Ezekiel 37:10-12)
Despite being trapped in Europe during the Second World War, and the subsequent tragedy of the holocaust, where six million Jewish men, women and children were murdered, the Jewish people were raised up, as though their graves were opened, and they returned home to the land of Israel, "an exceedingly great army".
Military experts agreed that the newly-forming State of Israel was not ready for a war, let alone able to withstand a combined invasion from several well-resourced armies.
However, because of the Ezekiel prophecy, and the subsequent raising up of an exceedingly great army, by the LORD – and that this exceedingly great army is identified as "the whole house of Israel" – then Israel's miraculous victory over the massively resourced Arab nations is feasible, understandable. Admittedly, it requires acknowledgement of the supernatural, even the God of Israel.
There is more! The miracle of Israel's survival does not end with a solitary victory of one war.
Remarkably, in 1956, 1967 and 1973 the same enemy attacked, and, yes, they were better equipped, better advised, and yet, on each occasion Israel was victorious. Israel's record in modern times is unique. Where is the nation with at least a similar war history? There is none! What small nation, today, could stand against the more powerful nation? There is none, but Israel! Where is the nation who could defend itself from an invasion by several, allied and well-resourced nations, and survive? There is none, but Israel!
Notwithstanding, Israel's Arab-Muslim neighbours have remained hostile, subjecting Israel to constant terrorist attacks and daily rocket fire. Furthermore, Israel's neighbours have continued to develop weaponry and armaments for the purpose of wiping Israel off the map.
Significantly, not only has Israel survived, it has successfully repelled the enemy, on each occasion. If, at any time, the Arab-Muslim countries had been victorious the Jewish homeland would not exist today. And yet, even though Israel has been the victor, the defeated has been allowed to return home to a normal life. The Arab-Muslim countries were not subject to the "acceptable" constraints of the vanquished foe. Israel did not replace the leadership of any of the Muslim governments, nor restructure any of their economies or cultures so as to neutralize the threat of violence. Indeed, none pay Israel reparations of any description.
Furthermore, as a result of the wars, Israel has won back the Sinai, the Golan and Jerusalem. The Sinai was subsequently handed-back to Egypt after an agreement was signed. And, in the meantime, the tiny Jewish State has become a major contributor to the international economy, modern technology, and research and development.
How could this be? Human rationale is baffled. None can explain, none can find a logical reason for Israel's survival, or for Israel's internationally recognized achievements and contributions. The only explanation is supernatural. The God of Israel has remained faithful to His ancient covenant people, exactly, as the prophets have foretold.
To their own detriment, international leaders and their advisors choose to ignore the God of Israel, therefore, Israel's survival remains a mystery. Subsequently, because there is no fear of the God of Israel, they will continue to make unwise and misinformed decisions, particularly, regarding Israel. Correctly, has the Psalmist declared the attitude and behaviour of the nations toward Israel.
"Why do the nations rage, and the people plot a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD and against His anointed,' saying, 'Let us break their bonds in pieces and cast away their cords from us.'" (Psalm 2:1-3)
From the days of the Babylonian empire until recent times, the Land of Israel has been subject to division and partitioning by the Gentiles. Even today, the international community continues to apply pressure on the State of Israel to cede land to Arab-Muslim control and authority. Clearly, if the international community had its way, a Jewish homeland would not exist. Undoubtedly, Israel lives because the God of Israel is faithful.
In truth, the Promised Land has been home to the Jewish people for more than 3,000 years. Joshua was the first to lead the Jewish people to possess the Land for the first time.
"Moses My servant is dead. Now therefore, arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them – the Children of Israel. Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given you, as I said to Moses. From the wilderness and this Lebanon as far as the great river, the River Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and to the Great Sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your territory." (Joshua 1:2-4)
The commemoration of Israel's sixty years since the reestablishment is important because the Jewish people are home, repossessing their everlasting inheritance. Equally important is the fact that the Promised Land has been home for the people of Israel for more than 3,000 years. They were exiled from the Promised Land because of disobedience. As a father disciplines his son in love, so too, God disciplines the people He loves, Israel – He drove them out of their Land, and scattered them among the nations. The Jewish people were exiled from the Land, but the Land of Israel was never taken away from the Jewish people; it is their everlasting inheritance. May we rejoice in God's goodness toward His people, Israel.