IT'S BIRTH

The birth of the Nation of Israel (the Jewish people) took place approximately 4000 years ago, when, the Lord called 'one' man by the name of Abram, in union with his wife, Sarai.

Their son of promise was born, whose given name was Isaac, and from Isaac and his wife Rebekah, Jacob was born. The birthright episode always reminds us that the Lord God from eternity through this present day, weaves the pattern of History and it's events to bring to pass His good pleasure, thus, Jacob became the father of the twelve tribes of Israel.

Four generations passed, in order for God's plan to develop in reference to His holy, chosen and special people, as they began to grow into a Nation that would represent Him, in spirit and in truth before the whole world.

Prior to this, the Lord had informed Abram that his seed would become strangers in a land that is not theirs, and that they would serve their captors for four hundred years, afterwards they would come out with great substance. The Almighty God also said that He would judge this Nation that they served. We know that these judgments came in the form of ten plagues upon the whole Land of Egypt.

It is wonderful to read and know that from a couple, who was faithful to the Lord, the Nation of Israel came forth and multiplied to approximately over two million souls. This miracle could only come from the Creator God, whose purpose we know according to the Holy Word of God was to have a people with whom he could fellowship with and bless their obedience as they traveled down the path of experience and hope.

Indeed this is an enigma to the rest of the world, then and now, but truly the work of grace and love for all true believers is in the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, Who is the Messiah of Israel.

IT'S BOUNDARY

The boundary of Israel is two fold: First, before the Lord, and secondly, before the Land.

Since it was the God of heaven and earth that formulated and carried out the birth of Israel, then it stands to reason that He had all the right to set forth a boundary for them in respect of their obedience before Him. These of course we may find in the Book of Deuteronomy when He set forth the blessings and cursings as recompenses for the peoples obedience or disobedience to His laws and statutes.

When the people left the Land of Egypt it looked for a moment that they would be on the receiving end of blessing after blessing. Oh, how proud the Lord must have been in His holy Nation, even though it was for a brief moment in History.

Once the Nation of Israel experienced a little freedom from slavery and captivity, like most human beings they forgot their maker and began wishing themselves back into the doldrums of captivity, thinking that where the Lord had led them was worse than what they had experienced for four hundred years.

They broke the boundary that the Lord had established for them, time and time again.

We know according to Scripture that each time they sinned before the Lord, they briefly repented, the Lord forgave them and within a matter of a brief moment they were back to their old tricks of disobeying and disregarding the boundary that the Lord had established for them.

In respect to their boundary before the Land, the Lord had exhorted the Nation of Israel through Moses and Joshua not to compromise themselves with the Gentile Nations in marrying their daughters and taking unto themselves their idolatrous practices, but they did.

The Land that had been given to them, by covenant, from the Wadi el Arish, which divides the Sinai desert to the great river Euphrates, they never possessed, because of disobedience. How sad that it was only in the days of King Solomon did the Nation of Israel possess most of the Land grant, but even then, they never were able to call the entire covenant Land their own.

How often through History we read that the Nation (the Jewish people) were dethroned off of their own Land, that is, the Land of Israel, time and time again, and all because of their unwillingness to surrender to the Lord their heart and soul.

As it was long ago, so it is today, we who are believers need to be so careful to always follow Him where he leads us and as we do, may it always be with a full surrender of heart and mind to the incorruptible Word of God. We surely will be so much better off in this life and in the life to come.

IT'S BEHAVIOR

The behavior and attitude of the Nation of Israel is recorded in Holy Writ, from Genesis through Revelation, yes, from the Old Testament and even through the New Testament, we can readily witness a half hearted sentiment before the Lord.

You see, one's behavior always shows forth in the form of attitude, and within the Nation of Israel, there has always been a religious fervor while at the same time, the most important quality that pleases the Lord which is, true faith, has been missing time and time again.

For example, in the Book of Deuteronomy 32: 20b, we read that the Nation of Israel is 'a very froward generation, children in whom is no faith'.

This indictment of God's people has resounded from the days of Moses until today.

In the Book of Romans 10: 1 - 4, we read thusly, 'Brethren, my hearts desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. For Messiah (Christ) is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth (exercises faith).'

There it is in a nutshell, the most important aspect of having a good and Godly relationship with the Lord is, the daily performance of faith, which by the way, is a free gift of God by His wonderful grace. Imagine anyone refusing a free gift, especially one that proceeds from the throne of God.

In conclusion, Israel's behavior of yesteryear cannot be relived, but today's Israel (the Jewish people) could indeed have a wonderful walk with the Lord, if only they as a Nation and as individuals would be willing and obedient to the Ruach Ha Kodesh (the Holy Spirit) call to surrender and serve God with all of their heart and soul through the Messiah of Israel (the Lord Jesus Christ). Please Lord, bring many of Abraham's children unto yourself before it is to late.

IT'S BLESSING

The ultimate blessing for the Nation of Israel is yet to come, for, 'God hath not cast away His people which he foreknew'. Thank you Lord that there is coming a day of redemption for (those who are living at that time) the children of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob that will ultimately bring them into the Kingdom of God, 'And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Zion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.' (Romans 11: 26 -27).

What a glorious day that will be, when by the grace of God through faith, the complete and absolute blessing upon the Nation of Israel (then living) will be a reality.

There are many passages in the Old and New Testament that speak of this great event which will follow, the gathering of all believers, the tribulation period of seven years and then, in the not to distant future we will witness this wonderful blessing as the feet of the Messiah of Israel touch the mount of Olives, and they (the Jewish people) will ask, 'What are these wounds in thine hands? Then He shall answer, Those with which I was wounded in the house of my friends.' (Zechariah 13: 6b). 'And His feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east ... 'And the Lord shall be King over all the earth: in that day shall there be one Lord, and His Name One'. (Zechariah 14: 4, 9).

In the meantime there is much work to be done until that final day of blessing for the Nation of Israel, as believers we have a duty and responsibility to reach out to both Jewish and Gentile individuals with the Gospel of our Messiah, that many individuals might have (today) the opportunity to hear, receive and believe the glorious message of salvation, which is given as a trumpet call to all who will listen. Y'shua (Jesus) often said, 'He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith'. (Revelation 2: 17a).

Yes, there are many voices clamoring for the ears of individuals. This was true long ago as well as for today, but we must understand that unless we as God's children are willing to speak out in spirit and in truth, the world of Jewish and Gentile individuals will continue listening to the father of lies, through religions and rudiments that bring damnation.

Help us Lord to be bold for you as we propagate your Truth to a lost and dying world, for we, as your children, are accountable to you for every moment of our newborn life in telling all those that you bring into our lives that Y'shua (Jesus) is Lord and that He is waiting with outstretched arms for the lost and condemned, that they, like us, might enjoy the joy of salvation, here and now and for all eternity.