Jerusalem, November 18 2009. It is remarkable how many people visit Israel, and especially Jerusalem at this very time. Also in the past few weeks watchmen who are searching for God’s direction in their lives walked along with us. They were put aside through different circumstances. Often individually. Some were dismissed, others set on non active…

Anyway, it would appear that God takes these people aside.

They are not relegated to Jerusalem as a pilgrim. Of course they visit the old, familiar Biblical sites, but that is not the main goal. They want to discover God’s determination for their lives. Exactly during the walks over the walls of Jerusalem scales fall off many eyes. Many pennies drop while proclaiming the prophecies that are so appropriate for today.

You could draw an interesting comparison with the days, at the time of the trip of God’s people out of Egypt through the desert. At one time 12 spies are sent out to spy out the land of Canaan. 40 days these men hike through the country. They are very impressed. It is truly a land of milk and honey. They lug pomegranates and huge bunches of grapes along. Fertile land, but alas, they encounter tall, strong people. Giants… when it comes to the point they recoil at the thought they should beat these giants; “The country we have crossed during our exploration, devours its inhabitants”, they wail. Caleb and Joshua are opposed to this anxious reaction of the 10 spies; ”We can raise to the land and take possession of it without any problem. We can easily handle those people”. The whole nation bursts into tears and complains; “If only we had died in Egypt,” they complain against Moses and Aaron, “Or in this desert. Why is the LORD bringing us to this land only to let us fall by the sword? Our wives and children will be taken as plunder. Wouldn’t it be better for us to go back to Egypt?” And they said to each other, “We should choose a leader and go back to Egypt”.

Joshua and Caleb speak up, “The land we passed through and explored is exceedingly good. If the LORD is pleased with us, he will lead us into that land, a land flowing with milk and honey, and will give it to us. Only do not rebel against the LORD. And do not be afraid of the people of the land, because we will swallow them up. Their protection is gone but the LORD is with us. Do not be afraid of them”. The people threatened to stone them, but then came the majesty of the LORD in the tent of meeting to the Israelites. The LORD said to Moses: “How long will this people have rejected me?” The people don’t decline the Promised Land as much as they reject God himself!

Today again we stand for an important choice. Do we support Israel and the Jewish people unconditional, or do we look at the circumstances? Do we see the fulfillment of God’s ancient prophecies, or do we see the ‘political reality’? Do we see Samaria and Judea, the Heart Land of Israel, or do we see ‘occupied Palestinian land’? We will have to take a strong stance. Do you belong to the 10 ‘Christian’ tribes who, in a critical and self-satisfied mode, consider Israel’s legitimacy as a political mistake, or are you a Caleb or Joshua?

By rejecting Israel, the people rejected the God of Israel. Is it any different today? No, by rejecting Israel, you decline the God of Israel! You can also reverse; by standing in the breach for Israel, you stand in the breach for the God of Israel. By ‘no longer remaining silent for Zion’s sake’, you lift your voice in reality for the God of Israel. Where are you standing?

See you on the walls of Jerusalem!