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| THE LAND BELONGS TO G-D By Rabbi Esther Boucher |
Why should we concern ourselves with what is going on in the Middle East? For everyone who loves the
L-rd, the G-d of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the events unfolding in the Middle East are important. It's hard
to know what is really happening. The news we hear about the Arab - Israeli conflict is incomplete and often
inaccurate. It is reported by people who do not necessarily believe in the Bible or have an understanding of
the 4,000 year old conflict. Without an overall picture of the conflict the events in the news are meaningless.
We are going to look at Ezekiel chapters 35 & 36 today. These chapters are two halves of a whole. Chapter
35 is a prophecy against Mt. Seir and Chapter 36 is a prophecy to the mountains of Israel. Both locations are
the homelands of twin brothers Esau and Jacob, ancestors of today's Arabs and Jews. Let us read these two
chapters.
Let us go to the beginning. Abram also know as Abraham in the heart of the area sometimes referred to as
the West Bank when the L-rd promised him the land. Gen. 13:17 Arise, walk in the land...for I give it to you.
The boundaries of the land promised to Abraham included all of modern day Israel, the disputed territories
and more. Gen. 15:18 to your descendants I have given this land. Abraham had seven sons in addition to
Isaac that we can read about in Genesis 16:15, and 25:1-2, but the covenant was established with Isaac. In
Gen. 17:18 before the birth of Isaac, Abraham asked the L-rd to give the promise to Ishmael, but the L-rd had
other plans. Gen. 17:19 tells us the everlasting covenant will be with Isaac and his descendants. The promise
passed from Isaac to Jacob and his descendants the Jewish people. Gen. 28:3-4 we see the blessing Jacob
receives from Isaac. In verse 13 we see the promise to Jacob confirmed by g-d. G-d promised the land from
the river of Egypt to the great River Euphrates. The promise of land to Abraham's descendants is
unconditional. It is a covenant between the L-rd and Himself. In Abraham's time when two people made a
binding covenant, they cut animals in two and walked between the pieces. Both parties were bound by the
agreement. In Gen. 15 we see the covenant being made. The Bible tells us that only the L-rd moved
between the pieces. Only G-d was bound by the covenant. The promise was guaranteed by the L-rd.
Nothing was required of Abraham. So did the L-rd change His mind when Israel sinned? No, he punished
them. Eze. 36:19 states He scattered them among the nations. But verse 24 states He promises to bring
them back to the land. The promise cannot be broken for Romans 11:29 states the gifts and the calling of G-d
are irrevocable. In Jer. 31:35-37 the L-rd says his love for the Jewish people is as dependable as the sun,
moon and stars. The L-rd will keep his promise. If G-d broke his promise to Israel how could we followers
of Jesus be sure He would keep His promises to us? The L-rd is keeping his promise to the Jewish people.
Ezk. 11:17 states I will gather you from all the nations and bring you back from the countries where you have
been scattered, and I will give you back the land of Israel again.
While the L-rd has promised the land to the children of Israel as an inheritance, they are not free to give it or
sell it to others permanently because the land belongs to the L-rd. Lev. 25:23 states the land shall not be sold
permanently for the land is mine. In the year of Jubilee the 50th year land was returned to the original
owners. When the land was sold, it could be held only until the Jubilee. Verse 8-17. In Ezekiel 36:5 the L-rd
reminds us that the land is His. Although the Bible clearly states that Jews will settle in Judea and Samaria,
the West Bank, the media and the world proclaim that it is wrong for them to settle there. But Ezek. 36:12
tells us G-d will cause men to walk on and possess Israel. In Jeremiah 31:5 G-d promises You shall yet plant
vines on the mountains of Samaria. In 1948 after the destruction of 6 million Jewish people in Europe, a tiny
remnant formed a Jewish state in the Holy Land. They were attacked by 6 surrounding Arabic Islamic
nations. Arabic forces captured Judea and Samaria and called them the West Bank. But the State of Israel
banded together to destroy the Jewish state. Miraculously in six days the L-rd returned Judea and Samaria
to Israel and gave them the Golan Heights, the Gaza Strip and Sinai. Clearly in their time of need the L-rd
was there to bring about the fulfillment of His world. How did tiny Israel survive against overwhelming
opposition? G-d used the weakness of Israel to show His great power to save. Those who fear G-d and
know His word and his plan for the mountains of Israel understand that through Jewish settlements in the
West Bank G-d is showing His faithfulness. Those who try to stop the fulfillment of prophecy, stand against
G-d. Ezek 36 the l-rd speaks clearly. Verse 7-36. "I have raised my hand in an oath, I will turn to you, I will
multiply men, I will make you inhabited, I will cause men to walk on you, I had concern for my Holy Name,
I will sanctify. I will take you, I will sprinkle, I will cleanse I will give, I will put, I will deliver you, I will call
for the grain and multiply it, I will multiply the fruit, I do this I will increase their men lie a flock, I the L-rd
have spoken it, I will do it." The L-rd Himself is bringing Jewish people home and settling them in the
mountains of Israel. Israel shall possess the mountains of Israel, because it is the will of the L-rd. The truth
must be accepted before events in the Middle East can be understood. In Ezekiel 6 Ezekiel prophisied that
G-d would scatter the children of Israel throughout the nations and make the mountains of Israel throughout
the nations and make the mountains of Israel desolate. In 70 and 135 A.D. in fulfillment of His world the
L-rd scattered the people of Israel around the world. A small remnant remained in the land. For nearly
2,000 years the Promised Land lay desolate. Where once great forest stood, the hills were empty of trees
and covered with rocks. The land was under Turkish control from 1517 to 1917 and Turkey destroyed the
land. The rulers required taxes to be paid for live trees. The people cut the trees down so they wouldn't
have to pay taxes. The once fertile Jezreel Valley was a swampland infested with mosquitoes carrying
Malaria. Thousands died. In the mid to late 19th century increasing numbers of Jews began to return to the
land. The barren land took the lives of many of the early settlers through sickness and over work as they
drained swamps and planted trees. In 1920 the League of Nations designated British - occupied Palestine as
a home land for the Jewish people. Jewish settlements created jobs. Arabic workers from neighboring lands
were drawn to the area for Jobs. As Jewish settlements grew, Arabic settlements grew up around them.
The Turkish tree tax caused great barrenness by the 19th century. Some sources say less than 1,000 trees
were left in the land. Ezek 36:8 the L-rd promises that the land would once again shoot forth branches.
From 1906 to 1990 again shoot forth branches. From 1906 to 1990 Jewish settlers and visitors to Israel have
planted 256,000,000 trees in Israel. Today forest are spreading across the land. Orange and grape fruit trees
grow in the plains along the coast. Banana plants and date palms bear fruit in the Jordon valley. Ezk. 36:9
The soil will be tilled and sown. Grains, cotton, flowers and vegetables now grow in fertile fields. Each year
corn and wheat fields are pushing south into the desert. Isa. 35:1, 6-7 states the desert shall rejoice and
blossom as the rose... waters shall burst forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert. The parched land
shall become a pool and the thirsty land springs of water. Roses and tulips are now exported from the
negeu to places around the world. In 1992 record breaking rain and snow in Israel caused waters to burst
forth in the wilderness and streams to run through the dessert. In the spring the hills were carpeted with
grass and flowers. New methods of irrigation developed by Israel have blessed the world.
Eze 35:2-3 Mt Seir was the homeland of Esau also called Edom. Gen. 36:8 says Esau dwelt in Mt Seir, Esau is
Edom. Esau is one of the ancestors of the Arabic people. After WWI the British occupied land in the Middle
East was called Palestine. Palestine is an English name derived from the Roman name Palaestina. When the
Romans captured Judea in the first century they called it Syria Palaestina to erase any Jewish connection to
the land and insult the Jews by using a name derived from the Philistines. Until 1948 residents in the area
Jews, Gentiles and Arabs were Palestinians. Today most people who identify themselves as Palestinians are
Arabic Moslems.
In chapter 36 other nations are mentioned in addition to Edom. These verses speak of a group of nations
that will band together against Israel. Psm 83:3-5 also states, "they have taken crafty counsel together against
your sheltered ones. They have said come and let us cut them off from being a nation, that the name of
Israel may be remembered no more. For they have consulted together with one consent they form a
confederacy against you." The United Arab Republic a confederacy of Egypt and Syria was formed in 1958.
G-d is always merciful. Psm. 38:16,18 the psalmist calls G-d to punish Edom and the nations all around but
the punishment has a purpose. "That they may seek Your Name, O L-rd, that they may know that You
whose Name alone is the L-rd are the Most High over all the earth." The L-rd wants to bring Arabic people,
who are deceived by Islam to acknowledge Him as L-rd. Most Arabic people are Moslems and do not have
the Bible. Most do not understand that they are offending the L-rd when they attack Israel. Young Arabic
people who are trying to live good lives are told by Islamic religious leaders that they will be in Paradise if
they are killed while fighting against Israel.
In Ezek. chapter 35 the L-rd tells Edom that He is against them because they hated Israel since ancient times,
they shed the blood of Israel, they want Israel's land, they spoke blasphemies and boasted against eh L-rd.
In Gen. chapter 25-27 the Bible tells us that almost four thousand years ago Esau despised his birthright and
sold it to his brother Jacob for a bowl of stew. Laster Jacob tricks Isaac and steals Esau's blessing. Esau
plans to kill Jacob and Jacob is sent away. We also see in Numbers 20 when Moses and the children of Israel
were close to the promise land they asked the King of Edom to pass through the land and they refused
causing the Israelites to circle around Edom. The ancient hatred spoken of by G-d can be traced throughout
Bible times. It continues today as schools in Arabic countries teach children to hate Jewish people. Jewish
people have suffered many calamities. Arab Moslem leaders encouraged Hitler's evil deeds and pressured
British occupying forces to stop Jewish refugees from entering the Holy Land. The British turned away boats
full of refugees attempting to escape from Nazi extermination. After WWI England occupied the Holy Land
known as Palestine. In 1917 England promised the area to the Jewish people for a homeland. In 1920 the
League of Nations agreed to the creation of a homeland for the Jewish people in Palestine. Two years after
the League of Nations mandate Britain gives 7790 of Palestine east of the Jordon River to the Arabs calling it
Transjordon. Arabs could settle anywhere in Palestine but Jewish people were no longer allowed to settle
east of the Jordon River. Transjordon became Jordan. Today the territory once known as Palestine is two
nations Jordon and Israel. Ezek. 35:10-12 You have said these two nations and these two countries shall be
mine and we will possess them although the L-rd was there. Arab forces have tried to destroy Israel in 1948,
56, 67, 73 and 1991. They band together to push Israel into the sea. Israel survived and captured additional
land. Only with the help of the L-rd could Israel have won against such powerful enemies. Yet Islamic
Arabic leaders do not accept the L-rd's power and authority to set aside a land for His special purpose. The
PLO and Palestinians ignored the L-rd's World. In 1988 they claimed the mountains of Israel as an Arabic
State, naming Jerusalem as its capital. In claiming the land given by the L-rd, PLO leaders have set
themselves against G-d. To reject the L-rd's word is to reject the L-rd. It is to call the L-rd a liar. This is
blasphemy. This issue is a measuring line which determines who accepts G-d and who rejects Him. Verse 13
speaks of them boasting. The Arabs have boasted the destruction of Israel since its birth and continues
today. Palestinian leaders boast they will use peace negotiations to destroy Israel. Islamic leaders continue
to believe that they are only fighting against and boasting against men. They fail to recognize that they are
opposing the L-rd. Slander against Israel is constant. But G-d says that those who slander will bear their
own shame. Some insist that Israel's possession of the land is the cause of unrest in the Middle East. They
want Israel to give the mountains of Israel (West Bank) the Golan Heights and Gaza Strip to Arab
Palestinians. They think the land is Arab land. The Bible says the Holy Land belongs to the L-rd. The L-rd
is not unfair to Arab Palestinians an Arab Palestinian state exists. 7790 of Palestine is ruled by Arabic people
in Jordon only 2390 of Palestine is ruled by Israel. Arabic people who rule these lands want Israel's land too.
Islamic Arab leaders have rebelled against the L-rd and they want western nations, the US, Judaism and
Christianity to rebel against Him too. Islamic Arabic leaders in effect are asking us to deny our faith in the
truth of the Bible. In the last 22 verses of chapter 36 the L-rd reminds us of the history of His relationship
with Israel. When they were in their own land, Israel sinned. The L-rd punished them and scattered them
among the nations. The nations profaned G-d's name. Because the Jewish people were exiled from the land,
the people of the nations mistakenly assumed that the L-rd had rejected them forever. To believe that the
L-rd cannot or will not keep His promises is to profane G-d's name - damaging His reputation and hindering
those who would believe in Him. The L-rd had concern for His Name and wanted everyone to know the
truth about His power and faithfulness. Therefore he brought back the Jewish people. Not because they
deserved to be brought back, but for His Holy Name's sake. G-d wants everyone to know He is L-rd. After
Israel is back in their land, G-d will sprinkle clean water on them, give them a new heart and put His spirit in
them. We are in the midst of what the L-rd describes to us in chapter 36. A Jewish state exist for the first
time in more than 2,000 years. Its very existence is a miracle. The L-rd is gathering Israel into the land.
They are not perfect. Some do not believe in G-d. The new heart for Israel is still in the future. But if the
L-rd is able to gather His people from the nations, who can doubt His power to pour out His Spirit upon
them? The nations do not know that He is L-rd. They are unaware that prophecy is being fulfilled daily in
Israel. Western leaders do not understand the consequences of opposing the return of Jewish people to the
West Bank. To them it is a political problem with economic rewards. The leaders of America and other
western leaders to force Israel to stop Jewish immigration into Israel, stop Jewish settlements in the West
Bank and force Israel to give the west Bank or mountains of Israel to the descendants of Esau, Ishmael and
Moab. The L-rd is keeping His promises because He loves all of us and wants to show us He is faithful.
One day the nations around Israel will realize that the L-rd Himself has rebuilt the ruins and put Israel back
in their land for He is the L-rd of all nations.
L-rd, the G-d of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the events unfolding in the Middle East are important. It's hard
to know what is really happening. The news we hear about the Arab - Israeli conflict is incomplete and often
inaccurate. It is reported by people who do not necessarily believe in the Bible or have an understanding of
the 4,000 year old conflict. Without an overall picture of the conflict the events in the news are meaningless.
We are going to look at Ezekiel chapters 35 & 36 today. These chapters are two halves of a whole. Chapter
35 is a prophecy against Mt. Seir and Chapter 36 is a prophecy to the mountains of Israel. Both locations are
the homelands of twin brothers Esau and Jacob, ancestors of today's Arabs and Jews. Let us read these two
chapters.
Let us go to the beginning. Abram also know as Abraham in the heart of the area sometimes referred to as
the West Bank when the L-rd promised him the land. Gen. 13:17 Arise, walk in the land...for I give it to you.
The boundaries of the land promised to Abraham included all of modern day Israel, the disputed territories
and more. Gen. 15:18 to your descendants I have given this land. Abraham had seven sons in addition to
Isaac that we can read about in Genesis 16:15, and 25:1-2, but the covenant was established with Isaac. In
Gen. 17:18 before the birth of Isaac, Abraham asked the L-rd to give the promise to Ishmael, but the L-rd had
other plans. Gen. 17:19 tells us the everlasting covenant will be with Isaac and his descendants. The promise
passed from Isaac to Jacob and his descendants the Jewish people. Gen. 28:3-4 we see the blessing Jacob
receives from Isaac. In verse 13 we see the promise to Jacob confirmed by g-d. G-d promised the land from
the river of Egypt to the great River Euphrates. The promise of land to Abraham's descendants is
unconditional. It is a covenant between the L-rd and Himself. In Abraham's time when two people made a
binding covenant, they cut animals in two and walked between the pieces. Both parties were bound by the
agreement. In Gen. 15 we see the covenant being made. The Bible tells us that only the L-rd moved
between the pieces. Only G-d was bound by the covenant. The promise was guaranteed by the L-rd.
Nothing was required of Abraham. So did the L-rd change His mind when Israel sinned? No, he punished
them. Eze. 36:19 states He scattered them among the nations. But verse 24 states He promises to bring
them back to the land. The promise cannot be broken for Romans 11:29 states the gifts and the calling of G-d
are irrevocable. In Jer. 31:35-37 the L-rd says his love for the Jewish people is as dependable as the sun,
moon and stars. The L-rd will keep his promise. If G-d broke his promise to Israel how could we followers
of Jesus be sure He would keep His promises to us? The L-rd is keeping his promise to the Jewish people.
Ezk. 11:17 states I will gather you from all the nations and bring you back from the countries where you have
been scattered, and I will give you back the land of Israel again.
While the L-rd has promised the land to the children of Israel as an inheritance, they are not free to give it or
sell it to others permanently because the land belongs to the L-rd. Lev. 25:23 states the land shall not be sold
permanently for the land is mine. In the year of Jubilee the 50th year land was returned to the original
owners. When the land was sold, it could be held only until the Jubilee. Verse 8-17. In Ezekiel 36:5 the L-rd
reminds us that the land is His. Although the Bible clearly states that Jews will settle in Judea and Samaria,
the West Bank, the media and the world proclaim that it is wrong for them to settle there. But Ezek. 36:12
tells us G-d will cause men to walk on and possess Israel. In Jeremiah 31:5 G-d promises You shall yet plant
vines on the mountains of Samaria. In 1948 after the destruction of 6 million Jewish people in Europe, a tiny
remnant formed a Jewish state in the Holy Land. They were attacked by 6 surrounding Arabic Islamic
nations. Arabic forces captured Judea and Samaria and called them the West Bank. But the State of Israel
banded together to destroy the Jewish state. Miraculously in six days the L-rd returned Judea and Samaria
to Israel and gave them the Golan Heights, the Gaza Strip and Sinai. Clearly in their time of need the L-rd
was there to bring about the fulfillment of His world. How did tiny Israel survive against overwhelming
opposition? G-d used the weakness of Israel to show His great power to save. Those who fear G-d and
know His word and his plan for the mountains of Israel understand that through Jewish settlements in the
West Bank G-d is showing His faithfulness. Those who try to stop the fulfillment of prophecy, stand against
G-d. Ezek 36 the l-rd speaks clearly. Verse 7-36. "I have raised my hand in an oath, I will turn to you, I will
multiply men, I will make you inhabited, I will cause men to walk on you, I had concern for my Holy Name,
I will sanctify. I will take you, I will sprinkle, I will cleanse I will give, I will put, I will deliver you, I will call
for the grain and multiply it, I will multiply the fruit, I do this I will increase their men lie a flock, I the L-rd
have spoken it, I will do it." The L-rd Himself is bringing Jewish people home and settling them in the
mountains of Israel. Israel shall possess the mountains of Israel, because it is the will of the L-rd. The truth
must be accepted before events in the Middle East can be understood. In Ezekiel 6 Ezekiel prophisied that
G-d would scatter the children of Israel throughout the nations and make the mountains of Israel throughout
the nations and make the mountains of Israel desolate. In 70 and 135 A.D. in fulfillment of His world the
L-rd scattered the people of Israel around the world. A small remnant remained in the land. For nearly
2,000 years the Promised Land lay desolate. Where once great forest stood, the hills were empty of trees
and covered with rocks. The land was under Turkish control from 1517 to 1917 and Turkey destroyed the
land. The rulers required taxes to be paid for live trees. The people cut the trees down so they wouldn't
have to pay taxes. The once fertile Jezreel Valley was a swampland infested with mosquitoes carrying
Malaria. Thousands died. In the mid to late 19th century increasing numbers of Jews began to return to the
land. The barren land took the lives of many of the early settlers through sickness and over work as they
drained swamps and planted trees. In 1920 the League of Nations designated British - occupied Palestine as
a home land for the Jewish people. Jewish settlements created jobs. Arabic workers from neighboring lands
were drawn to the area for Jobs. As Jewish settlements grew, Arabic settlements grew up around them.
The Turkish tree tax caused great barrenness by the 19th century. Some sources say less than 1,000 trees
were left in the land. Ezek 36:8 the L-rd promises that the land would once again shoot forth branches.
From 1906 to 1990 again shoot forth branches. From 1906 to 1990 Jewish settlers and visitors to Israel have
planted 256,000,000 trees in Israel. Today forest are spreading across the land. Orange and grape fruit trees
grow in the plains along the coast. Banana plants and date palms bear fruit in the Jordon valley. Ezk. 36:9
The soil will be tilled and sown. Grains, cotton, flowers and vegetables now grow in fertile fields. Each year
corn and wheat fields are pushing south into the desert. Isa. 35:1, 6-7 states the desert shall rejoice and
blossom as the rose... waters shall burst forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert. The parched land
shall become a pool and the thirsty land springs of water. Roses and tulips are now exported from the
negeu to places around the world. In 1992 record breaking rain and snow in Israel caused waters to burst
forth in the wilderness and streams to run through the dessert. In the spring the hills were carpeted with
grass and flowers. New methods of irrigation developed by Israel have blessed the world.
Eze 35:2-3 Mt Seir was the homeland of Esau also called Edom. Gen. 36:8 says Esau dwelt in Mt Seir, Esau is
Edom. Esau is one of the ancestors of the Arabic people. After WWI the British occupied land in the Middle
East was called Palestine. Palestine is an English name derived from the Roman name Palaestina. When the
Romans captured Judea in the first century they called it Syria Palaestina to erase any Jewish connection to
the land and insult the Jews by using a name derived from the Philistines. Until 1948 residents in the area
Jews, Gentiles and Arabs were Palestinians. Today most people who identify themselves as Palestinians are
Arabic Moslems.
In chapter 36 other nations are mentioned in addition to Edom. These verses speak of a group of nations
that will band together against Israel. Psm 83:3-5 also states, "they have taken crafty counsel together against
your sheltered ones. They have said come and let us cut them off from being a nation, that the name of
Israel may be remembered no more. For they have consulted together with one consent they form a
confederacy against you." The United Arab Republic a confederacy of Egypt and Syria was formed in 1958.
G-d is always merciful. Psm. 38:16,18 the psalmist calls G-d to punish Edom and the nations all around but
the punishment has a purpose. "That they may seek Your Name, O L-rd, that they may know that You
whose Name alone is the L-rd are the Most High over all the earth." The L-rd wants to bring Arabic people,
who are deceived by Islam to acknowledge Him as L-rd. Most Arabic people are Moslems and do not have
the Bible. Most do not understand that they are offending the L-rd when they attack Israel. Young Arabic
people who are trying to live good lives are told by Islamic religious leaders that they will be in Paradise if
they are killed while fighting against Israel.
In Ezek. chapter 35 the L-rd tells Edom that He is against them because they hated Israel since ancient times,
they shed the blood of Israel, they want Israel's land, they spoke blasphemies and boasted against eh L-rd.
In Gen. chapter 25-27 the Bible tells us that almost four thousand years ago Esau despised his birthright and
sold it to his brother Jacob for a bowl of stew. Laster Jacob tricks Isaac and steals Esau's blessing. Esau
plans to kill Jacob and Jacob is sent away. We also see in Numbers 20 when Moses and the children of Israel
were close to the promise land they asked the King of Edom to pass through the land and they refused
causing the Israelites to circle around Edom. The ancient hatred spoken of by G-d can be traced throughout
Bible times. It continues today as schools in Arabic countries teach children to hate Jewish people. Jewish
people have suffered many calamities. Arab Moslem leaders encouraged Hitler's evil deeds and pressured
British occupying forces to stop Jewish refugees from entering the Holy Land. The British turned away boats
full of refugees attempting to escape from Nazi extermination. After WWI England occupied the Holy Land
known as Palestine. In 1917 England promised the area to the Jewish people for a homeland. In 1920 the
League of Nations agreed to the creation of a homeland for the Jewish people in Palestine. Two years after
the League of Nations mandate Britain gives 7790 of Palestine east of the Jordon River to the Arabs calling it
Transjordon. Arabs could settle anywhere in Palestine but Jewish people were no longer allowed to settle
east of the Jordon River. Transjordon became Jordan. Today the territory once known as Palestine is two
nations Jordon and Israel. Ezek. 35:10-12 You have said these two nations and these two countries shall be
mine and we will possess them although the L-rd was there. Arab forces have tried to destroy Israel in 1948,
56, 67, 73 and 1991. They band together to push Israel into the sea. Israel survived and captured additional
land. Only with the help of the L-rd could Israel have won against such powerful enemies. Yet Islamic
Arabic leaders do not accept the L-rd's power and authority to set aside a land for His special purpose. The
PLO and Palestinians ignored the L-rd's World. In 1988 they claimed the mountains of Israel as an Arabic
State, naming Jerusalem as its capital. In claiming the land given by the L-rd, PLO leaders have set
themselves against G-d. To reject the L-rd's word is to reject the L-rd. It is to call the L-rd a liar. This is
blasphemy. This issue is a measuring line which determines who accepts G-d and who rejects Him. Verse 13
speaks of them boasting. The Arabs have boasted the destruction of Israel since its birth and continues
today. Palestinian leaders boast they will use peace negotiations to destroy Israel. Islamic leaders continue
to believe that they are only fighting against and boasting against men. They fail to recognize that they are
opposing the L-rd. Slander against Israel is constant. But G-d says that those who slander will bear their
own shame. Some insist that Israel's possession of the land is the cause of unrest in the Middle East. They
want Israel to give the mountains of Israel (West Bank) the Golan Heights and Gaza Strip to Arab
Palestinians. They think the land is Arab land. The Bible says the Holy Land belongs to the L-rd. The L-rd
is not unfair to Arab Palestinians an Arab Palestinian state exists. 7790 of Palestine is ruled by Arabic people
in Jordon only 2390 of Palestine is ruled by Israel. Arabic people who rule these lands want Israel's land too.
Islamic Arab leaders have rebelled against the L-rd and they want western nations, the US, Judaism and
Christianity to rebel against Him too. Islamic Arabic leaders in effect are asking us to deny our faith in the
truth of the Bible. In the last 22 verses of chapter 36 the L-rd reminds us of the history of His relationship
with Israel. When they were in their own land, Israel sinned. The L-rd punished them and scattered them
among the nations. The nations profaned G-d's name. Because the Jewish people were exiled from the land,
the people of the nations mistakenly assumed that the L-rd had rejected them forever. To believe that the
L-rd cannot or will not keep His promises is to profane G-d's name - damaging His reputation and hindering
those who would believe in Him. The L-rd had concern for His Name and wanted everyone to know the
truth about His power and faithfulness. Therefore he brought back the Jewish people. Not because they
deserved to be brought back, but for His Holy Name's sake. G-d wants everyone to know He is L-rd. After
Israel is back in their land, G-d will sprinkle clean water on them, give them a new heart and put His spirit in
them. We are in the midst of what the L-rd describes to us in chapter 36. A Jewish state exist for the first
time in more than 2,000 years. Its very existence is a miracle. The L-rd is gathering Israel into the land.
They are not perfect. Some do not believe in G-d. The new heart for Israel is still in the future. But if the
L-rd is able to gather His people from the nations, who can doubt His power to pour out His Spirit upon
them? The nations do not know that He is L-rd. They are unaware that prophecy is being fulfilled daily in
Israel. Western leaders do not understand the consequences of opposing the return of Jewish people to the
West Bank. To them it is a political problem with economic rewards. The leaders of America and other
western leaders to force Israel to stop Jewish immigration into Israel, stop Jewish settlements in the West
Bank and force Israel to give the west Bank or mountains of Israel to the descendants of Esau, Ishmael and
Moab. The L-rd is keeping His promises because He loves all of us and wants to show us He is faithful.
One day the nations around Israel will realize that the L-rd Himself has rebuilt the ruins and put Israel back
in their land for He is the L-rd of all nations.