Can a country be born in a day or a nation be brought forth in a moment?
On May 14, 1948, the British withdrew from overseeing the land designated by the United Nations to be returned to the Jewish people as a national homeland. A fledgling government declared its independence as the sovereign State of Israel.
After thousands of years, the people of Israel (the Jewish people) once again possessed the Land of Israel – in direct fulfillment of Bible prophecies found in Isaiah 66:8.
After a ceremony that lasted only 32 minutes, leaders who had labored toward the day signed The Declaration of the Establishment of the State of Israel. It offered full and equal citizenship to all Arab inhabitants of the Land, appealing to them and the surrounding Arab nations for peace, even amid their ongoing attacks on the Jewish State.
The Declaration also proclaimed that the Jewish State would
- ensure social and political equality of all its inhabitants irrespective of religion, race or gender
- guarantee freedom of religion, conscience, language, education and culture
- protect the holy sites of all religions
One of the most notable declarations of the newly formed State of Israel is that it opened its doors to welcome Jewish immigrants from the world over to come and make Israel — the Land of their forefathers, heritage and faith – their home. In the State’s first four years, nearly three-quarters of a million people immigrated to Israel, and the influx of Jewish people moving “home” continues today. It is the fulfillment of prophecies spoken of in the Scriptures:
Why it’s important for Believers to stand with Israel
God chose Israel to set His affection on. He called them to be set apart as His own people. Gentile Believers are grafted into the metaphorical “natural tree” that is Israel, but Romans 11 clearly states that God has not forsaken Israel, and His gifts and callings are irrevocable. Israel remains the apple of God’s eye, and His covenant with her is everlasting.
So, if Israel is beloved of God, all Believers in the God of Israel and the Father of Messiah Yeshua should love Israel too. To read these and many more verses about God’s love for Israel and His faithfulness to His promises, see “God’s Love for Israel” on our website.
Nakba Day
In November of 2022, while Israel and those who support her looked forward to celebrating her 75th anniversary in the spring, the United Nations passed a resolution approving a day of mourning for Arab people regarding the very same occasion. Nakba Day is May 15, 2023, and the Arabic word means “catastrophe.”
It’s hard to see this word choice as anything but an insult to the tragedy of the Holocaust, which spurred the rebirth of Israel and has been known in Israel ever since as HaShoah, meaning The Catastrophe.
While Israel goes about building and protecting herself, those who hate her have not ceased raising their voices against her in a world prone to listening to and believing whoever shouts the loudest. This is one more reason we must pray and do what we can so that the voice of support for Israel and historical truth rises above the voices of her enemies wishing to disparage and destroy the Jewish State and her people.
What does standing with Israel mean?
Among other things, standing with Israel means:
- Supporting her right to the Land God gave the Jewish people
- Being attuned to even subtle forms of anti-Semitism and lovingly speaking the truth of God’s forever-heart for Israel and the Jewish people
- Thoughtfully voting for candidates who support Israel’s right to exist, protect and defend herself
- Being informed about Israel’s history and all sides of the story regarding the conflict with her enemies
- Praying for Israel and the Jewish people
- Blessing Israel and the Jewish people through supporting organizations that share the Gospel of Messiah Jesus with Jewish people and meet their practical needs in His name
To learn more about Israel’s history of independence and standing with Israel, check out these other Jewish Voice articles and TV shows.
