For I will take you from among the heathen, and will gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land. Ezekiel 36:24
What a joyful day it was when Zerubbabel and his faithful band returned from Babylon to Israel. It marked the first group of Jews to be restored to their homeland since their expulsion by Nebuchadnezzar. Over the next decades, other Jews migrated home to at least a partly restored nation of Israel. Is this what our text today is speaking about. Perhaps, in a limited way, but it didn’t last because the Romans scattered the Jews to the winds when they destroyed Jerusalem. Does our text apply to the restoration of Israel to nationhood in 1949? In a much greater way, yes, because at that time, and ever since, Jews have migrated homeward from virtually every part of the planet. But this prophecy’s fullest fulfillment remains to occur, because the Jews in modern day Israel are there in unbelief and continued rejection of their Messiah. That is all going to change.
I was recently asked if i wanted to go with a group to Israel next year. Of course i would, although it is unlikely I will be able to do so. For Christians, the holy land has a wonderful fascination for the events of the past and the events of the future. What transpired there some two thousand years ago makes all the difference to us for all eternity. Everything that we hope and long for depends on the great sacrifice that our Saviour provided for our sins. Calvary is everything and all that matters. What will transpire there in the future will make all the difference to the Jews for all eternity. The revelation to Israel of their King will bring them back into God’s favour and blessing. Nothing will or can withhold that blessing that God has promised. The Word of God stands sure.
Events in the past and events in the future stand as great monuments to the faithfulness and provision of God. We can’t really tell how much we will appreciate of God’s blessing for Israel, but we can rejoice in it, just the same. Rejecters and doubters now, they will enter into the same appreciation of Jesus Christ as we do. Today, we look around us and give thanks that we will not perish with this perishing world. Neither will the Jews.
We are just a small part of a great plan and program that God has for the future. Many of the details we don’t have and none of the timing details are at all clear, but we have the certainty of the Word of God that His people will be blessed. Let us be thankful. -Jim MacIntosh
I am thankful for His people, the Jewish people and His land Israel! I am also interested in them because I have a Jewish aunt in Toronto whom I’ve only seen once, when I was about 8 yrs old. I pray that she will come to that all important knowledge of saving faith! Would you please pray for her and my uncle who was converted to Judaism when he married her. Their names are Mel and Ricki Barriault.