FROM WHERE I STAND – March 27, 2002

President Bush and other politicians are calling for a Palestinian nation to be carved out of modern day Israel.  Religious leaders call for land concessions in the name of “peace and love”, while the average citizen will say that Israel needs to give up land because either “they don’t deserve it” or “they need to share”.

Meanwhile, Yasser Arafat might go to the world’s media and say he wants a Palestinian state in co-existence with the Israelis.  The problem is, for nearly four decades he has continually said, ”from the river (Jordan) to the sea (Mediterranean)”.

Yet as we listen to the rhetoric, and concerned, but uninformed opinions, we must still refer to G-d’s Word as the final authority on this troublesome issue.

G-d told Abram that He would give him and his seed the land defined in the 12th chapter of Genesis.  I have to believe that G-d meant it – when our Heavenly Father uses the word “forever” – it means forever.  Anything less would make G-d a liar, and our G-d is no liar.

But we must see this principle being believed and acted upon long after the days of Abram, Isaac, Jacob and Joseph in the scriptures.

When Naboth was offered the chance to sell his vineyard to a corrupt king, his reply was biblical, “And Naboth said to Ahab, The L-RD forbid it me, that I should give the inheritance of my fathers unto thee.” I Kings 21:3. That decision would cost him his life.

Isn’t it ironic that the king who had access of an entire nation to choose his vineyard had to kill a man to receive that small parcel of land?

The entire Muslim-Arab world has so many millions of square miles of land, yet they are demanding the seed of Abraham give up their “vineyard”…

Again, when the enemies of Israel - Moab, Edom, and Mt. Seir, set out to destroy G-d’s people and nation, Jehoshaphat besought G-d, “And said, O L-RD G-d of our fathers, art not thou G-d in heaven? and rulest not thou over all the kingdoms of the heathen? And in thine hand is there not power and might, so that none is able to withstand thee? Art not thou our G-d, who didst drive out the inhabitants of this land before thy people Israel, and gavest it to the seed of Abraham thy friend for ever?” II Chr 20:6-7

Once again, we return to the word “forever”, as was declared by G-d.  The key is that this principle was deeply instilled in the hearts of G-dly men who still believed in His promises.

I feel that as the Palestinian Authority, European Economic Union, World Council of Churches, secular media outlets, and the Arab-Muslim world are now gathering – it is a parallel to Edom, Moab, and Mt. Seir  - they think it is time to drive out the Jews and occupy the land.
There again, we see the spirit of Ahab, having the wealth of an entire kingdom at his disposal, but still desiring to possess one little vineyard.

When the Arab world has some five million square miles, why do they want or need this tiny piece of real estate called Israel?

I cannot help but refer back to the prophetic utterance that describes G-d’s attitude toward carving up Israel to appease certain people – “I will also gather all nations, and will bring them down into the valley of Jehoshaphat, and will plead with them there for my people and for my heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations, and parted my land.” Joel 3:2

We have seen this pattern for millennia now, but don’t let that distract you from the facts we are seeing in these last days.  For G-d has not changed His mind “one jot or one tittle”. “For I am the L-RD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.” Mal 3:6

To call for a Palestinian state carved out of Israel is to place yourself in the valley of decision.  Knowing that an Israel divided will only scatter G-d’s people, how can we call for it in the first place?

When we review and understand the scriptures referred to in this article, it really comes down to not a religious, financial or political issue – but a G-dly one.

Up to this point, America has stood with Israel.  Perhaps it is best to quote a great political leader who said, “The commitment of the past is the call of the future.”

What else can we do?  Gen 12:3 tells us G-d will bless those who bless the seed of Abraham, and curse those that curse him or his seed.  It is G-d’s land, His people, and His plan.  It will not be man’s opinions, ideas or plans that will bring peace.

For example, if this were the case, the hostilities between Pakistan and India over Kashmir would have ceased long ago.  At this moment, it is as hostile as it has ever been.

Can we say that Great Britain and Ireland are at peace, even after all of the intervention and division?  No.

Peace will only come when our L-rd Jesus comes to this Earth to set up His millennial Kingdom.  Until then, we must pray that our President be surrounded with G-dly people who understand His plan for Israel – AND who are bold enough to continue the stand.

The commitment to stand with Israel in the past, is the call to the Church and our nation – both now and for the future.