Loading...

Jewish Exodus

During the first 50 days of Operation Tsuk Eitan, the recent Jewish defense against the bombing from Gaza, 5,396 ethnic Jews from around the world became citizens of Israel and made an exodus to the land. During a time of great danger, the Jewish people were applying for citizenship and moving into Israel, not moving out. God was gathering His people.

I find this interesting, as I read my Bible, especially the Book Ezekiel:

“‘Thus says the Lord God: “When I have gathered the house of Israel from the peoples among whom they are scattered, and am hallowed in them in the sight of the Gentiles, then they will dwell in their own land which I gave to My servant Jacob. And they will dwell safely there, build houses, and plant vineyards; yes, they will dwell securely, when I execute judgments on all those around them who despise them. Then they shall know that I am the Lord their God.”’” (Ezekiel 28:25-26).

How is it possible for them to think they would be safer in a country being bombed every day than in the countries they are leaving, like France, Canada, Ukraine, Russia, England and the United States? I would think they would be better protected in these countries, but unfortunately, many Jewish families have found the opposite to be true.

I saw a video with a family who were moving from France to Israel, because they were no longer safe in France. They were afraid to send their children out, for fear they would be killed. The mother taught her young daughter to slip her Star of David inside her blouse when she went out and the young son no longer wore his kippah out in public, so he would not become a target.

They kept their faces blurred in the interview because they feared retaliation for their statements. Although the government officials stated they were not an anti-Semitic nation, they admitted they were unable to keep the Jewish people and their business safe. The government realizes they may see more than 5,000 of their Jewish citizens emigrate to Israel and it will be a terrible loss to their country.

As I watched this video, I thought of Ezekiel and the words God gave him to write. Even though Israel is being bombed, it is still the safest place for God’s people, because their government will do everything they can to protect their people—again, God’s people.

Unfortunately, I not only thought of Ezekiel but I thought of the Holocaust. I remembered how the nations around the world restricted the Jews from entering their countries. I thought of the 900 Jewish refugees who arrived in the United States on the St. Louis, but were turned away. Of those 900 people who were refused entrance, 254 died in the Holocaust.

Following the Holocaust and the establishment of the Jewish state in May 1948, about 140,000 Holocaust survivors moved to Israel, in the first few years. They had survived unimaginable and horrific torture, and they finally had a place to call home. They had found their hiding place and God would preserve them from their troubles (Psalm 32:7).

There are so many people who would condemn the nation of Israel for defending themselves against terrorists, but the Jewish people have learned from history. If they do not defend themselves, no one else in this world will protect them. There is not group of people in this world who face the kind of persecution the Jewish people have endured, and yet they are still here. After years scattered around the world, they are coming home. God has preserved His remnant, just as He promised: “But I will gather the remnant of My flock out of all countries where I have driven them, and bring them back to their folds; and they shall be fruitful and increase” (Jeremiah 23:3)

Watching the events told in the Bible unfold before my eyes, I am excited and frightened at the same time. I know the Lord’s plans are taking place, just as He spoke them, so I know greater atrocities are sure to come. Knowing this, I fear for all those who do not know Him. They have no hope without Him.

However, even greater than the fear is the excitement. We are living in the days of biblical prophecy. We know the Lord is coming soon, and my faith and trust is in Him. At this time, every person, both believer and non-believer has to ask themselves, “Will I stand with God’s people or forsake them?”

During the Holocaust, many Christians were sent to the death camps because they assisted the Jewish people. They stood in righteousness; they stood with the Lord. At this critical time in history, as we see the Lord gathering His people back to the land He promised them, we have to purpose in our hearts to stand with the Jewish people and the nation of Israel, no matter what persecution we may face.

Remember what Jesus said: “He who is not with Me is against Me, …” (Matthew 12:30). There is no neutral ground when it comes to this decision. You either walk with the Lord and His people or you are against Him and Israel. Each person will be called upon to make this decision. Events around the world will force every one of us, sooner or later. I pray you seek the Lord in His Word and in prayer. Only those who have placed their hope and trust in Him will be able to stand with Him in the end.

— Staff Writer