December 30, 2019
For full passage click: Jeremiah 31:7-14 … “Hear the word of the Lord, O nations, and declare it in the coastlands far away; say, ‘He who scattered Israel will gather him, and will keep him as a shepherd a flock.’” vs. 10
The people of Israel were, and are, remarkably resilient people. Over 2,000 years ago their Prophets showed relentless optimism as they looked into the future. Again and again they proclaim that even though their people have been scattered, one day they will return under the direction of the Lord. And while, for a time it appears that the scattering was so complete that there would never be a return, some have continued to hold on to that dream. In the 1890’s, Jewish visionaries began advocating for their people’s return to Zion, and now, a little more than a century later, the nation of Israel is once more a reality, and is now stronger than ever. Of course all this has happened at a cost. Millions of Palestinians were displaced and removed from their homes in the process, and we still don’t know the final outcome of the Zionist efforts. Modern Israelis, many of whom are secular, don’t all see this as the fulfillment of prophecy; they see it as a matter of justice. But some do and are rejoicing in what they hope will be the complete restoration of their country to its Davidic borders. Their history is complex and there are no easy answers; but all of us are hoping for some resolution of the conflict. We continue to pray for peace!
Thought for the Day: What could be a solution to the Holy Land conflict?
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