Recently my car radio was tuned to a well-known talk show host who was on. A call came from a caller who was making a suggestion to the host. Because the radio host frequently talked about Israel, she asked that he consider explaining in more detail why it is important for the U.S. to support, and stand with the country of Israel. The caller went on to say, while she herself felt the importance was valid, she did question how many listeners better understood the need of the U.S. to do so.
While in due respect to the talk show host…I will say…my opinion is…he did a rather poor job with his explanation. In part, he spoke to the issue as; He believed it was the right for everyone to choose the ‘religion’ they want…whether Christian, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, while naming others. While it didn’t matter to him which they chose, however, “as a Christian that if a person was living in the U.S. they should support Israel as Israel is our best ally in the Middle East.” With only a very few more comments, that basically was his response to her question, stating again that “It was just the right thing to do since Israel was the most stabilizing factor in the Middle East.”
This caused me to think there are possibly others who are not quite sure just what the importance for the U.S. to attach itself so strongly with Israel. Why us? What do we gain? What does the tiny nation of Israel have to offer the U.S.? Why does it matter whether we do or do not support Israel? Does the Bible have anything to say to us about such a situation? While I realize that some reading this “Moment” along with a couple of follow up CRA Moments to come, may have little interest in such questions, it continues to be on my heart to look at some answers, especially for anyone searching for these answers.
To begin, we need to go back to the very beginning of Genesis 3:15 where the Bible shares these words: “And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed. He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel.” In the NKJV Bible, the word enmity is used for hostility. It means hate, antagonism, bad feeling, along with other descriptive words. Who, or what is the “seed” referred to in this verse. Verse 15 points to Jesus as Seed as we are introduced to the wonderful news of Messianic hope, and is sometimes called the ‘mother prophecy’ as Jesus will crush the head of Satan. This refers to Isaiah 7:14, “Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.” The problems the world has is that ever since that prophecy was spoken, the devil has been on defense trying to overcome nations, countries, individuals, leaders, pastors, on-and-on with his lies of deception. Who is the seed of that woman that is mentioned? We have already been told His Name will be called Immanuel, God with us! His Name is Jesus!
Then comes what is called the Abrahamic blessing found in Genesis 12:1-3: “The Lord had said to Abram, ‘Leave your native country, your relatives, and your father’s family, and go to the land that I will show you. I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and you will be a blessing to others. I will bless those who bless you and curse those who treat you with contempt. All the families on earth will be blessed through you.” (All underlining, mine).
In the book of Genesis when the children of Israel left Egypt, God transferred the wealth of that country to many countries not yet even in existence. How so? Psalm 122:6 instructs that we are to “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: May they prosper who love you.” When you and I pray for Jerusalem, we are praying for there to be peace in the U.S. along with any others from other countries who are praying on behalf of their nation. The word “pray” in this verse means to ‘ask!’
As for this “Devotional”, you may want to read verses 1-8 in the O.T. book of Zechariah to read about how the Lord views the land and people of Israel.
Blessings, Psalm 20:7 Dale & Jeannie