The Mystery of Israel and the Middle East by James W. Goll

Author:James W. Goll
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Christian Living/Spiritual Growth;Bible—Prophecies—Jews | Jews—Restoration | Israel (Christian theology) | Christianity and other religions—Judaism | Judaism—Relations—Christianity;REL012120;REL012080;REL085000
Publisher: Baker Publishing Group
Published: 2021-08-06T00:00:00+00:00

The Land of the Heart

I have probably already rattled your cage in one way or another. While I am at it, then, I guess I might as well go for the jugular and ask you this question: Which is more important in the heart of God: the land of Israel or the people of Israel?

To some people, due to a wrong emphasis or flat-out misconception, the answer seems to be “the land.” But if that is your answer, you have failed the test. Although there is a land covenant with the descendants of Sarah, which is extremely important in the ways and purposes of the Holy Spirit, it is forever settled in God’s heart that the “land of the heart” takes priority.

How, then, should intercessors for Israel pray into the quagmire that is the Middle East? Asher Intrater, a Messianic scholar and rabbi who lives in Israel (whom I mentioned in chapter 6), is a voice crying in the wilderness:

All of the land in Israel belongs, by divine covenant, to the Jewish people. Claims of the Islamic world of ownership of the land of Israel are a direct rebellion and challenge to the Word of God.

I agree with the most radical proponents of total land possession for Israel. However, land possession is not the only issue involved. When you stress one issue to the lack of others, you can make a mistake, even when what you are saying is right. There are other issues in Israel, such as the moral collapse in schools . . . unemployment, violence, mental and emotional traumas and on and on. Caring for these issues must also be on the agenda.

Most of all, there is the issue of evangelism. Praying for the land without praying for Israel’s salvation accentuates only one aspect of God’s purposes for Israel. When evangelism is avoided, then other issues get a bigger share of the emphasis than what is due.4

Joseph Rabinowitz, the prominent Jewish leader we talked about in chapter 1 who became absorbed with the Lord Jesus Christ and with Israel, “the land of the heart,” was a forerunner statesman like Jeremiah of old, who cried out that our hearts of stone would be changed into hearts of flesh. In our day, thousands of the Jewish descendants of Abraham, Isaac and Israel have placed their faith in Yeshua Jesus. A worldwide Messianic movement of Hebrew-Christian congregations has sprung forth as the eyes of Jewish people have been opened to behold their glorious Messiah.5

May many sons and daughters of Sarah arise and take their rightful place in leading the processional of praise before the majesty of the one true God.

So which is more important in the heart of God: the land of Israel or the people of Israel? Both—but God’s priority is always the heart first. People who place external things first often end up with a “religious” spirit. But when our priority is people, God can use us to bring in a harvest for His Kingdom. No matter if

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.