Israel is also part of biblical prophecy as it is the centerpiece of God’s timetable. In Zechariah 12:2-3, Jerusalem (representing Israel) was prophesied to always be in the news headlines — and today, we see that when God says something, it will surely happen.

Let us look at some prophecies about Israel and what they reveal about the character of God .

GOD’S GRACE (Israel becoming a nation)

In Genesis 12:1-3, God promised Abram (Abraham) a unilateral covenant where He blesses those who bless them (Israel) and curses those who curse them, thus creating Israel out of grace. His purpose is to bless the world through Israel and promised that the Messiah would come through Abraham’s seed. At present, Jews are less than .03% of the entire world population — yet over 22% of Nobel Prize winners are Jewish! Some of their inventions and innovations include Google, Waze, pacemakers, polio/cholera vaccines, and USB drives, all of which blessed the world!

God also graciously promised land to Abraham (Genesis 15), but many nations still lived there and committed sins such as idolatry, adultery, child sacrifice, homosexuality, bestiality, and witchcraft. God gave these nations time to repent (like the Amorites) while the Jewish people were slaves in Egypt, and after 400 years, His promise was fulfilled when He freed Israel and they took possession of the Promised Land.

GOD’S FAITHFULNESS (Israel scattered & regathered)

Faithful means that God keeps His word — even in disciplining us. God told the Israelites that He would scatter them if they copied other nations and disobeyed Him. They ended up doing so, and God kept His word so that the world would come to know Him (Ezekiel 12:15-16). He also promised in Ezekiel 36:22-24 that the world will know Him as He “gathers” the Jewish people back to their land!

History Timeline shows God’s faithfulness in protecting the Jews:

• 2000 BC - GOD calls Abraham to enter the Land

• 1240 BC - JOSHUA led Israelites to the promised land

• 1040 BC - ISRAEL under kingship of Saul, David, Solomon

• 990 BC - The Kingdom is divided

• 722 BC - Northern Kingdom falls to Assyria – scattered

• 586 BC - Southern Kingdom falls to Babylon - scattered

• 70 AD – Destroyed Temple in Jerusalem by the Romans after Jewish rebellion

• 135 AD - Romans rename Judea “Palestina” after the remaining Jews revolted and were banned from living in Jerusalem

Various empires throughout history took over the Promised Land. Yet the Lord kept being faithful to preserve and restore Israel. What God says, He will do. On May 14, 1948, Israel was recognized as a nation. Ezekiel 36:34-35 prophesied that this desolate land will eventually be cultivated and bear fruit. Israel is now an exporter of fruits and vegetables to Europe and other parts of the world despite the land not being ideal for farming.

GOD’S SOVEREIGNTY (Israel attacked and saved)

In God’s sovereignty, His ultimate control will prevail. God gave a warning to neighboring countries, against those who will attack Israel (Ezekiel 38:1-6) and cited countries who will not (Iraq and Egypt as prophesied by Isaiah 19:24-25). The first Arab country to sign a peace treaty with Israel was Egypt!

God, in His anger, shall step in to defend Israel against its enemies who would want to “capture, spoil, and seize plunder” (Ezekiel 38:12, 18,22-23) in a coming great war. Zechariah 12:8-10 prophesies that Israel will look to Jesus on that fateful day, and He will defend them. As we wait for this war/destruction of Israel’s enemies, Peter reminds us to be holy and godly in the end times (2 Peter 3:9-13). He tells us God does not wish for anyone to perish, but FOR ALL TO COME TO REPENTANCE.

May we receive His love and grace and have the willingness to obey what He says!

LAST WEEK’S MEMORY VERSE

As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve

many people alive. (Genesis 50:20)