By Elsabeth Hinze
I’m passionate about Israel. That comes as no surprise to you, I’m sure. Yet someone recently challenged me about it. The argument went like this: yes, the Bible instructs us to support Israel, to stand with her, to love her. But does that support justify the unapologetic passion I have for the people, the history, the language, the culture and tradition? My answer was yes. Undoubtedly so. But maybe that’s just me…
See, when I look at Israel, at her history, at her very existence, I see undisputed evidence that God is at work. Yes, I’m fully aware that He is always at work, everywhere. But somehow, in the things we muddle through every day, we sometimes miss that evidence. We look around and see violence, deadlines, never-ending demands and corruption. The hands-on excitement of God coming through and being the epic hero gets diluted in peak traffic and meetings and rising inflation. But we were made to yearn for more. We were created to see, to experience for ourselves that God is Who He says He is, that He is always, at all times fully and absolutely in control.
And that’s what I see when I look at Israel. I see His hand, His essence and His epic heroness lingering everywhere. I’m not talking about the physical land. Rather about the way He shows who He is, what He is capable of and what His heart is towards us through the history, the culture, the Scriptures and the existence of Israel. It’s like Him telling me, “See Elisabeth, here is the evidence. Look, I did it for Israel. I will do it for you too.” Let me explain…
As I walk through the markets and see the abundance of fruits and vegetables, I know that it was Him Who kept His promise – when He returned the people to their land, the desert did blossom (Ezekiel 36:34-35). I see children playing in the streets and old people watching over them with a twinkle in the eye. And I know that these streets where nothing but rubble for thousands of years – until God fulfilled His promises (Zechariah 8:4-5). Amongst the sounds of children laughing I hear His comforting voice, “I am the God of the impossible. Is anything too hard for me Elisabeth? If I did all this, surely I can take care of your problems, your future too?”
I’m comforted by the evidence that although promises tarry – often for what seems like forever – God does not forget. After two thousand years after promising to return the Jews to their homeland, we can literally see that promise being fulfilled today. And I hear God whisper to me, “I know it’s been years since I promised you, but look, this is the evidence. My promises do not come with an expiry date. Although it tarries, you can be sure.”
I see God’s blanket of protection over Israel. He called Himself the Keeper of Israel. And Israel is kept. I look at the overwhelming odds she’s had to face in every war ever fought. From a human perspective, Israel didn’t stand a chance. And yet… As I look at the statistics, the military history, as I hear the air raid sirens wail, I see His message, “Elisabeth, even when the odds are impossible, even when the enemy stand ready to devour you, remember that I hold the fate of armies and kings in My hand. You are safe with Me. I’m your big, strong Abba.”
I see His footprints in the little cultural things – left there thousands of years ago – because He knew that we would one day draw reassurance from it. I’m dumbstruck by His meticulous planning and attention to detail when I see all the Biblical festivals. Each one planned, arranged and executed to give an exact picture of what Yeshua would do and be for us. The planning, the thought and the attention that it required is beyond me. And then, to have Yeshua actually come and actually fulfil the first four – to the last detail. I’m speechless. But God isn’t. “Elisabeth, you can’t even wrap your mind around how in control I am. I have proven able again and again. Those things that you hold so close to your heart, those things that are so dear to you, I can take care of them too. You can let them go. Because I’m in control.”
Yes, I’m passionate about Israel. About the Scriptures, the culture, the history, the stories, the language and the traditions. Because in them, I see God at work. Which is why I share all these little snippets with you. The little bits of evidence, nuggets of proof about His faithfulness, His might and His meticulous attention to detail. And yes, you probably know all about how wonderful He is already. But honestly, who can’t do with a bit of reminding every now and then?
But then again, maybe that’s just me:-)
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Donald Rose says
I agree 100%
Elisabeth says
Thank you Donald.
Sharon Buckland says
Wonderful article, Elizabeth. Wish I’d written it – it conveys my thoughts exactly!
Elisabeth says
Thank you so much Sharon. It’s good to know that people feel the same.
Suzanne Shanks says
You put into words, wonderfully by the way, what many believers feel about God’s chosen nation! Thank you for your heartfelt insights that echo in so many hearts!