To Ponder Israel

Mark Twain on a visit to the Holy Land in 1867 described “A land that is desolate and Devoid of both vegetation and human population.” throughout his journey from Damascus to Jerusalem. He wrote “Evidence of cultivation here is a rare sight –an acre or two of rich soil studded with last season’s corn stalks, about the thickness of your thumb. A herd of Syrian goats that appear to graze on gravel, because there seems to be nothing else to eat. So barren as to have no grass, no trees, no flowers, no birds, not even dew. I saw nothing to cheer the eye, every outline is harsh, every feature is distinct, there is no perspective and even distance works no enchantment here.” This is the land after God’s people were scattered all around the world. Ezekiel 36:33 On the day I cleanse you from your sins, I will settle your towns and the ruins will be rebuilt. 36:34 the desolate land will be cultivated instead of laying desolate in the sight of all who pass through. Ezekiel 12 prophecy states that when Israel returns to the land, the land will produce fruit again, the Jewish people will multiply, and the desolate places will be rebuilt and Inhabited. Israel became a nation in 1948 and defeated 1000 Arabs the next day in Palestine. Israel is a perfect example of what God can do to make his plan come together. Israel’s survival and dramatic natural change from a waste land to what it is today could only be seen as “supernatural.” God said that he would make the desert bloom again. before Israel became a waste land, the land received former rain and a latter rain giving them two rainy seasons. the latter rain ceased and the land dried up. after Israel became a state the latter rains returned and alone with irrigation the land is green and growing crops again. This is clearly Israel today, therefore, as I ponder on Israel it seems to testify of creation and of God.