The peace of Jerusalem
The descendants of Jacob, known collectively as Israel, recently celebrated the 50th anniversary of their nationhood. The small piece of land that had only 800,000 inhabitants in 1948 (year 5708 on the Hebrew calendar) now boasts a population of nearly 6 million. Many of these are immigrants who, after living scattered around the world, have come to what they call home.
The fact that the formation of the state of Israel followed closely after the unspeakable atrocities of the Holocaust holds varying significance for different schools of thought. Some believe the Holocaust directly resulted in the political changes that brought Israel into being as a nation. Others insist the political process was already well on its way; the First World Zionist Congress had called for a Jewish state in the Holy Land as early as 1897.
Regardless, Jews the world over in the mid-20th century felt there would be no safety for them apart from a self-governed state.
For Jews and Christians alike, the birth of a Jewish state is the fulfillment of prophecy: "He who scattered Israel will gather them and will watch over his flock like a shepherd" (Jeremiah 31:10, NIV).
That prophecy is repeated by Amos, who predicts the destruction and restoration of Israel: "I will bring back my exiled people Israel; they will rebuild the ruined cities and live in them. They will plant vineyards and drink their wine; they will make gardens and eat their fruit. I will plant Israel in their own land, never again to be uprooted from the land I have given them" (9:14, 15).
That doesn’t mean Israel has been worry-free. The land has been involved in numerous conflicts in the last half-century. And Christians, whose spiritual roots are in this same land, are far from agreed on theological or political issues surrounding Israel.
Regardless, we can rejoice and celebrate with Israel during this special birthday year.
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem:
May those who love you prosper.
May there be peace within your walls. (Psalm 122:6,7)
Debra
Fieguth
Associate editor
