The chief obstacle to peace in the Middle East has been the Arab nations’ unwillingness to acknowledge Israel’s right to exist as a nation. Students of the present situation all speak of this difficulty. When Israel is mentioned, Arab leaders become so emotional that they cannot face the facts objectively. Despite their stunning military defeat, Arab leaders still call for the eventual annihilation of Israel.
Many Christian leaders also say that Israel is no longer a nation of destiny; that because of her rejection of Christ and the emergence of the Church, all of God’s promises once made to Israel now apply to the Church. I believe that this view ignores many clear statements of Scripture and encourages a misunderstanding of what is taking place in our own time.
The Apostle Paul says clearly that there is a spiritual Israel, the Church, and a physical Israel, the Jews. He says, “For not all who are descended from Israel belong to Israel, and not all are children of Abraham because they are his descendants; but ‘Through Isaac shall your descendants be named.’ This means that it is not the children of the flesh who are the children of God, but the children of the promise are reckoned as descendants” (Rom. 9:6b–8, RSV).
In the eleventh chapter of Romans Paul goes on to make clear God’s calling to the Church and his immutable promises to Israel. He says, “Lest you be wise in your own conceits, I want you to understand this mystery, brethren: a hardening has come upon part of Israel, until the full number of the Gentiles come in.… As regards the gospel they are enemies of God, for your sake; but as regards election they are beloved for the sake of their forefathers. For the gifts and the call of God are irrevocable” (11:25, 28, 29).
That there is a deep mystery in God’s dealings with and plans for Israel is obvious to all students of the Bible. Many wild interpretations have come out of the study of the subject. But there has also come rich blessing to those who will let the Scriptures speak for themselves.
In both the Old Testament and the New there are prophecies that speak definitely of Israel as a nation. Many have been fulfilled, and their literal fulfillment strengthens our faith. Other prophecies have yet to be fulfilled.
Our Lord, giving a panorama of the last days (the duration of which is not specifically stated), says in speaking of the Jews, “They will fall by the edge of the sword, and be led captive among all nations; and Jerusalem will be trodden down by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled” (Luke 21:24).
That for the first time in more than 2,000 years Jerusalem is now completely in the hands of the Jews gives a student of the Bible a thrill and a renewed faith in the accuracy and validity of the Bible.
The Jews as a “separate” people demonstrate a mystery and a hope. Their continuance as a people in the midst of all other nations is itself a miracle. The cohesiveness of these Jews is demonstrated by the fact that at least ninety-six countries are represented in Israel today—from the ends of the earth, but Jews all.
I have visited Palestine twice, the last time four years ago, and have been amazed to note the resourcefulness, unity of purpose, and hard work by which Israel has truly made the desert to “blossom as the rose” (Isa. 35:1). These people did not return to Palestine primarily because of religious convictions. It is rather a strong nationalism that has drawn them together. But a small minority in their midst pore over the Old Testament Scriptures and see God’s hand working in their behalf.
The entire world has been impressed with the Israeli fighting forces. Military experts have used such terms as “unbelievable,” “fantastic,” and “overwhelming” in speaking of their brilliant tactics and efficiency in the recent war. We ask. Did this just happen?
Pictures show the pinpoint accuracy of the raids on Arab air fields. In many cases planes on the ground were destroyed one by one (over 400 in all) without great damage to the landing strips.
Just as the Egyptian army was beginning a retreat through the Mitla pass in Sinai, a perfectly placed bomb destroyed a large Egyptian tank in the pass, completely blocking retreat. Hundreds of Egyptian tanks and trucks were either destroyed or stranded. A veteran of Rommel’s retreat at El Alamein said that this spectacle of destroyed or immobilized heavy equipment beggared anything he had ever seen.
The same element of overwhelming military victory is found in every area of the six-day war. We ask again. Did it just happen? One cannot help thinking that in all of this God was working out his own purposes, far above and beyond the capabilities of men or nations!
Christians must remember that in events like this we see only a tiny segment of history. Not only does God move in mysterious ways; with him a day is as a thousand years and a thousand years as a day. For this reason unwarranted dogmatism can lead to foolish conclusions.
At the same time, the events in the Middle East certainly fit—at least in some measure—into the picture revealed in the Scriptures. If we say, as the Arabs do, that Israel has no right to exist, we may prove blind to her peculiar destiny under the providence of God.
Isaiah’s and Ezekiel’s prophecies regarding Egypt seem singularly applicable at this time. Nasser’s dire threats against Israel still ring in our ears: “Israel must be destroyed”; “We will swallow you up”; “You invaders will be driven into the sea”; and “The Gulf of Aqaba is permanently closed to Israeli shipping.” But we read in Isaiah 19, “In that day the Egyptians will be like women, and tremble with fear before the hand which the Lord of hosts shakes over them. And the land of Judah will become a terror to the Egyptians; everyone to whom it is mentioned will fear because of the purpose which the Lord of hosts has purposed against them” (vv. 16, 17).
Neither this prophecy nor the events of recent weeks carry the final story. That too rests in God’s hands. The Arab nations continue their unrealistic attitude toward themselves and toward Israel. Russia has sided with the Arabs, and it would seem that at some time in the future a showdown will come.
Arab refugees will continue to be a problem. Israel will probably offer to make a settlement, but the Arab nations may want to continue the plight of the refugees for its propaganda value before the world. The Old City of Jerusalem will prove a sore point. Israel will not return that area to Jordan, though she may ultimately agree to some kind of “open city.”
Writing in Life magazine, Theodore H. White says: “This country is still suspended between a nightmare and a dream.… Legends have been born.… Prophecy has come true. A flag of Zion floats over Jerusalem for the first time since the Romans leveled the holy city 1,900 years ago.”
It is a thrilling thing to see a segment of prophecy being fulfilled!
L. NELSON BELL
