This upcoming 76th Independence Day is different from all past years. It’s been a very challenging year for the Jewish people, both in Israel and abroad. Many have said that the hostility rising from some groups against the Jewish people reminds them of the 1930s, just before Hitler rose to power.
But actually, we could find a parallel in every generation since the Hebrews lived in Egypt.
My brothers and sisters, who love the GOD of Israel and the people of Israel: You and I know that for thousands of years now, the enemies of the Jews have tried to exterminate them, simply because they are GOD’s people (Ps. 83:1-5). It’s nothing less than a miracle of GOD that the people of Israel returned to their ancestral land and experienced what Isaiah thought to be impossible: “Who has heard such a thing? Who has seen such things? Can a land be born in one day? Can a nation be given birth all at once?” (Isa. 66:8)
The whole story of Israel’s existence through the centuries, their return to the Promised Land, and their ability to succeed and thrive up until this very day, is not political, nationalistic, or any other earthly category that we use to describe other nations. It’s the result of the oath GOD swore to our forefathers, which passed to us as an inheritance: “For He remembered His holy word to His servant Abraham; and He led out His people with joy, His chosen ones with a joyful shout.…” (Ps. 105:42-43)
For thousands of years, when the people of Israel were scattered to the four corners of the earth, they prayed for GOD to lead them out again to their inheritance, as He promised:
“So it will be when all of these things have come upon you, the blessing and the curse… and you return to the LORD your GOD…. If any of your scattered ones are at the ends of the earth, from there the LORD your GOD will gather you, and from there He will bring you back. The LORD your GOD will bring you into the land which your fathers possessed, and you shall possess it; and He will be good to you and make you more numerous than your fathers.” (Deut. 30:1-5)
For this reason, Israel’s Independence Day is a time to be joyful: “When the LORD brought back the captives of Zion… Then they said among the nations, ‘The LORD has done great things for them.’ The LORD has done great things for us; we are joyful!” (Ps. 126:1-3)
Make no mistake: Believers among the nations have just as much reason to rejoice as the Jewish people do. Why? Because Israel’s rebirth is a guarantee that our GOD is absolutely and eternally dependable!
What’s more, in the return of Israel to the land, the LORD Himself comes with them. This is hidden in the prophecy: “Listen! Your watchmen raise their voices, they shout joyfully together; for they will see with their own eyes when the LORD restores Zion.” That’s how it reads in English. But the literal Hebrew says: “They will see eye to eye in the LORD’s return to Zion.” (Likewise, the Hebrew in Ps. 126 above can also read: “In the LORD’s return with the restoration of Zion…”)
Even without knowing Hebrew, we see His plan clearly declared elsewhere: “For the LORD has chosen Zion; He has desired it as His dwelling place. ‘This is My resting place forever; here I will dwell, for I have desired it.'” (Ps. 132:13-14)
To deny this is to reject the words of the Creator; or worse, to claim that He indeed promised these things, but He changed His mind because of Israel’s sins. Why is that worse? Because if He cancelled His promises to Israel, He can change His mind about any of us when we fall into sin. May it never be said!
“Forever, LORD, Your word stands in heaven. Your faithfulness continues throughout generations.” (Ps. 119:89-90) Even if He delays the fulfillment, we are to confidently wait for Him: “So let’s learn, let’s press on to know the LORD. His appearance is as sure as the dawn…” (Hos. 6:3)
When the Creator makes a promise, no power in the universe can keep that promise from coming to pass. Even our own sins cannot short-circuit His plans:
“This is what the LORD says: ‘If the heavens above can be measured, and the foundations of the earth be searched out below, then I will also reject all the descendants of Israel for everything that they have done,’ declares the LORD.” (Jer. 31:37)
Do the Jewish people need cleansing? Certainly – and that is why GOD gets personally involved in returning them:
“For I will take you from the nations, and gather you from all the lands; and I will bring you into your own land. Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols. Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put My Spirit within you and bring it about that you walk in My statutes, and are careful and follow My ordinances. And you will live in the land that I gave to your forefathers; so you will be My people, and I will be your GOD.” (Ezek. 36:24-28)
“Moreover, the LORD your GOD will circumcise your heart and the hearts of your descendants, to love the LORD your GOD with all your heart and all your soul, so that you may live.” (Deut. 30:6)
Israel’s circumcised heart and new spirit will be conclusive proof to the world that the LORD is GOD:
“My dwelling place also will be among them; and I will be their GOD, and they will be My people. And the nations will know that I am the LORD who sanctifies Israel, when My sanctuary is in their midst forever.” (Ezek. 37:23-28)
If we look with the eyes of faith, we can already see Him walking among the people of Israel at this time, preparing them for the Great Restoration. On this celebration of Israel’s Independence Day, let us say with the Jewish people: “Blessed are You, O LORD, who gathers the dispersed of His people Israel!” And: “Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His mercy is forever!”
May the blessings of the Most High be upon you, your family, and your community. From the House of Good Deeds (Sabra House), the Land of Zion and the City of Jerusalem,
