 The term comes from traditional Jewish teaching that describes the historic and divinely given Land of Israel in Hebrew as Eretz Yisrael. The name Israel comes from Jacob who wrestled with God and was named Israel as found in Genesis 35:9-15 -
"Then God appeared to Jacob again, when he came from Padan Aram, and blessed him. 10 And God said to him, “Your name is Jacob; your name shall not be called Jacob anymore, but Israel shall be your name.” So He called his name Israel. 11 Also God said to him: “I am God Almighty. Be fruitful and multiply; a nation and a company of nations shall proceed from you, and kings shall come from your body. 12 The land which I gave Abraham and Isaac I give to you; and to your descendants after you I give this land.” 13 Then God went up from him in the place where He talked with him. 14 So Jacob set up a pillar in the place where He talked with him, a pillar of stone; and he poured a drink offering on it, and he poured oil on it. 15 And Jacob called the name of the place where God spoke with him, Bethel."
The map above and the following article comes from Wikipidia:
"The Land of Israel and the State of Israel During the British Mandate of Palestine, the name Eretz Yisrael (abbreviated א״י Aleph-Yod), was part of the official name of the territory, when written in Hebrew. That name was (פלשתינה (א״י. The government of the British Mandate of Palestine wanted the name to be פלשתינה (Palestine) while the Yishuv wanted ארץ ישראל (Eretz Yisrael). The compromise eventually achieved was that the initials א"י would be written in brackets whenever פלשתינה is written. Consequently, in 20th century political usage, the term "Land of Israel" usually denotes only those parts of the land which came under the British mandate, i.e. the land currently controlled by the State of Israel, the West Bank, and the Gaza Strip, and sometimes also Transjordan (now the Kingdom of Jordan). The Declaration of the Establishment of the State of Israel commences by drawing a direct line from Biblical times to the present: The Land of Israel was the birthplace of the Jewish people. Here their spiritual, religious and political identity was shaped. Here they first attained to statehood, created cultural values of national and universal significance and gave to the world the eternal Book of Books. "
As tensions in the world mount it is clear from Bible prophecy that the world will continue to grow in its hatred of Israel until the end of time when all the nations of the world try to destroy it. That is when God will intervene and show His power and save Israel and bring lasting peace. It will not be by Israels' might or the might of man but by the power of God. When Israel follows God it can not be defeated. Just as Elijah challenged the prophets of Baal and demonstrated the power of the God of Israel so shall these next days be in challenging those who oppose God. The world will continue to fall for the lies that have been part of the battle between God and Satan since the creation of the earth. The nation of Israel is nearing the time when God will make peace in the land that He has given them and be united together with His son and His church for eternity.
Pray for the church that we will know how to support the plans of God and do our part from our neighbor out into the world and finally to Israel. Pray that the leaders and people of Israel will follow their God and be strong in Him.
For us, as Christians, now is the time to pray for the strength of the people. Now is the time to support them and bring comfort to them, in part to repay the terrible wrongs that have been done in the name of Jesus for thousands of years. Jesus was born into the land as a Jew and in the last book of the Bible He is called the Lion of Judah (Revelation 5:5). We need to not condemn Israel for following the plan of God but rather demonstrate the love that God has for us all by blessing Israel as He has blessed us. In Romans 11:11 Paul shares that "by their transgression salvation has come to the Gentiles, to make them (Israel) jealous."
Pray for Israel. "Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: May they prosper who love you. May peace be within your walls, and prosperity within your palaces." (Psalm 122) is one of many scriptures that point to the need for prayer for Israel. God is doing a work in this land and in His people. Pray for the fulfillment of His purposes in them as well as in us. Support Israel and when you get a chance to visit Israel pray and see if God is calling you to the land. If you go you will be blessed and you will also bless Israel which will provoke them to jealousy for the joy and the truth that we now enjoy will clearly be seen as from God. As the root remains strong so shall the branch that is grafted into it.
Shalom
In His Name
Keith Wills
(The comments on this page are my own and not necessarily those of Calvary Chapel.) |
