Blessing Israel

As best as I can understand…

It began after the Israelites spent 430 years in slavery. After 40 years in the wilderness. And after the 1st generation died off. When the time came for the Israelites to enter their Promised Land. God spoke to Joshua, the one designated to lead the way. 

“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…No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you.”

This is followed by “Be strong and courageous” four times.

The phrase “will tread” means that they will have to fight for every place their foot sets down. And hasn’t that been true.The Old Testament is one battle after another. One victory to every five losses, depending on the king and his relationship with God. 

But these battles didn’t end with the Old Testament. They continued on. Not only the battle over the land itself, which over time, has shrunk, but the Jews, themselves, have been scattered around the world in order to survive, only to be kicked out of country after country: France, England, Bavaria, Italy, Switzerland, Hungary, Austria, Portugal. And let’s not forget Germany. Or The Crusades, a “Christian” military campaign to eliminate those who were a threat to Christianity. It’s baffling to me why the Jews have always been and seem to continue to be a threat no matter where they go. Simply because they are Jews. “Simply” being an understatement.

I’ve been reading a book entitled, “Why the Jews?” Trying to understand the hatred around God’s chosen people. Does it really just come down to (and I’m simplifying a 247 page book) to their allegiance to One God - the God of Abraham, Issac and Jacob, the Torah, their Promised Land and being the Chosen ones? It’s all so complicated and not meant for someone with my limited mind. But I’m trying.

This week there is more heart breaking news concerning Israel. Another attack, more deaths, more threats. Since God first identified a group of people as his own, their lives have seldom experienced peace. But whether I understand or not, agree or disagree with the choices that the leadership of Israel make, I have been commanded by God to stand with and pray for Israel. 

When I read the Old Testament, I root for Israel despite the horrible decisions the bad kings made so why would I change my allegiance now just because I’m living during this time? It doesn’t matter whether I agree or not then or now, God has charged me with blessing Israel. 

Get out of your country,

From your family

And from your father’s house,

To a land that I will show you.

I will make you a great nation;

I will bless you

And make your name great;

And you shall be a blessing.

I will bless those who bless you,

And I will curse him who curses you;

And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.

There are countless times in my life where I am forced to trust God when I don’t understand or agree with what’s happening in my life or in the lives of those around me. But if I’m a follower of God then I must put my trust in him; believe that as He spoke to Joshua promising that He would never leave him or nor forsake him, then that promise is still true today. I don’t believe for a moment that the resurrection of Jesus changes what God required of me concerning Israel. So I’m taking the Old Testament scripture at its word and blessing Israel. Praying and trusting that God is with them today as he was thousands of years ago. And I’m going to be right by their side.