A Nation Set Apart By God
One of the issues that matters most to me is that of America’s support of Israel. I don’t think of it as a political matter; rather, it’s a moral imperative (and a spiritual one for Jews and Christians). I firmly believe that Israel is a nation set apart by God, and as such, I support Israel and its modern existence.
Early this week in the Eastridge Reading Plan, we read through Isaiah 43, and the first seven verses struck me. I’m not a Biblical scholar…and I don’t think I had anybody fooled before admitting that…but I can’t help but wonder if these verses are a prophecy of the foundation of the modern nation of Israel:
1 But now, this is what the Lord says—
he who created you, O Jacob,
he who formed you, O Israel:
“Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have summoned you by name; you are mine.2 When you pass through the waters,
I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
you will not be burned;
the flames will not set you ablaze.3 For I am the Lord, your God,
the Holy One of Israel, your Savior;
I give Egypt for your ransom,
Cush and Seba in your stead.4 Since you are precious and honored in my sight,
and because I love you,
I will give men in exchange for you,
and people in exchange for your life.5 Do not be afraid, for I am with you;
I will bring your children from the east
and gather you from the west.6 I will say to the north, ‘Give them up!’
and to the south, ‘Do not hold them back.’
Bring my sons from afar
and my daughters from the ends of the earth—7 everyone who is called by my name,
whom I created for my glory,
whom I formed and made.”Isaiah 43:1-7 (NIV)
I firmly believe that God set apart the nation of Israel thousands of years ago, and he does today. That’s why I support Israel…not just because it’s the only true democracy in the Middle East…not just because it’s a beacon of freedom in a area in which liberty is foreign…not just because it’s threatened on all sides and treated wrongly internationally…but also because God expects us to do so. As God told Abraham (emphasis is mine):
2 “I will make you into a great nation
and I will bless you;
I will make your name great,
and you will be a blessing.3 I will bless those who bless you,
and whoever curses you I will curse;
and all peoples on earth
will be blessed through you.”Genesis 12:2-3 (NIV)
Photo by Taylor Brandon on Unsplash