TRACING BIBLICAL ZIONISM

"Zionism" is one of the most controversial words in today's world, yet there is a Biblical Zionism that cannot only be traced through the Scriptures, but can be a guide in our search for the Zionism approved of God.

"And what great nation is there, that has statutes and ordinances so righteous as all these laws, which I set before you this day?" (Deuteronomy 4:8)

The word "righteous" is the key to the heart of God's Zionism, but God does not work in a vacuum, rather often...as in Pharaoh's day...through what we usually see as mundane history.

The God of Israel is not only the Righteous One Who brings salvation, but very definitely the God in control of human history. Christians, who are familiar with the entire Jewish Scriptures, have a decided insight into God's dealing with man through historical events and processes.

The one recent historical event that has forced the world, and theologians, to re-examine their suppositions concerning the Jews is the physical rebirth of the nation of Israel in 1948. It looked like an unexpected and unpredictable event. In fact it was a prophetic fulfilment.

"And it shall come to pass in that day, that the Lord shall set His hand again the second time to recover the remnant of His people.. .and He shall set up an ensign for the nations, and shall assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth." (Isaiah 11:11)

"And I will bring again the captivity of my people Israel, and they shall build the waste cities and inhabit them...and I will plant them upon their land, and they shall no more be pulled up out of their land which I have given them, sayeth the Lord thy God." (Amos 9:14,15)

How contrary to the ways and plans of man!

The territory in question was part of the Turkish Ottoman empire for 400 uninterrupted years, until the Allies under the Christian General Allenby defeated Turkey (near Megiddo) in 1917. Following the end of World War I it came under the League of Nations Protectorate which in 1922 put the Southern part under the "British Mandate". Britain finally found it impossible to govern and pulled out on May 14, 1948. The Nation of Israel was proclaimed the next day.

Whether we recognize the hand of God in all this or not, it was alluded to by the Prophets of Israel including Jesus himself.

"And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and be lead away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down by the gentiles, until the times of the gentiles be fulfilled." (Luke 2l:24)

The Temple Mount in Jerusalem, the site of the ancient Holy of Holies, was subsequently occupied by Israel in the miraculous 1967 "Six Day War"... started not by Israel but by her enemies.

This is not to say that Israel is yet the righteous nation that God intends her to be; indeed will yet cause her to be. Like the story of the lost traveller being told "but you can't get there from here", many today cannot see how these things can come to pass. Ezekiel however had no such problem as, under the inspiration of the Spirit of God he proclaimed:

"Prophesy therefore concerning the Land of Israel and say... I will settle you after your old estates, and will do better unto you than at your beginnings: and you shall know that I am the Lord." (Ezekiel 36:6,11)

Note the order; first "settled", then coming to "know the Lord". This is once again contrary to our natural thinking and theology which wants to link the return to the land with human righteousness.

"But I had pity for my holy name, which the house of Israel had profaned ... therefore, I do not this for your sakes, 0 house of Israel, but for my holy name's sake ... and I will sanctify my great name.. .and the heathen (Gentiles) shall know that I am the Lord when I shall be sanctified in you before their eyes. For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all the countries, and will bring you into your own land. THEN will I sprinkle clean water upon you... A new heart also will I give you..." (Ezekiel36:21-26)

The issue is not man's but God's integrity and character; His word of honour. And note that the entire world, not just Israel, is God's larger focus; fulfilling His original promise to Abraham:

"and in thee shall families of the earth be blessed." (Genesis 12:3)

The return of the chosen people to the Promised Land is therefore a necessary and scriptural forerunner to the salvation of the remnant from amongst mankind, be they Jew or Gentile.

But the hostile spiritual principalities and powers, and the ungodly, be they individuals or nations, will resist the purposes and plan of God to the uttermost:

"For behold, in those days, and in that time, when I shall bring back the captivity of Judah and Jerusalem, I will gather all nations and will bring them down into the Valley of Jehoshaphat; And I will enter into judgment with them there for my people and for my heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations, AND DIVIDED MY LAND." (Joel 4:1-3)

"And now many nations are assembled against thee, that say: 'Let her be defiled, and let our eye gaze upon Zion'. BUT THEY KNOW NOT THE THOUGHTS OF THE LORD, NEITHER UNDERSTAND THEY HIS COUNSEL..." (Michah 4:11-12)

Let us not be among the scoffers, unbelievers and those who neither know nor harken to the Word of the Lord.

There truly is a Zionism that is of God, which includes the Jewish people back in the Promised Land. While we as Christians need not and cannot sanction all that Israel does, we can generally stand behind the plan of God, support their right to nationhood and peace, and pray and work for their, and the world's Salvation.

"For Zion's sake will I not hold my peace, and for Jerusalem's sake I will not rest, until the righteousness thereof go forth as brightness, and the salvation thereof as a lamp that burneth." (Isaiah 62:1)

"At that time they shall call Jerusalem the throne of the lord; AND ALL THE NATIONS SHALL BE GATHERED UNTO IT, to the name of the Lord, to Jerusalem; neither shall they walk anymore after the stubbornness of their evil heart." (Jeremiah 3:17)

"Yet will I set my King upon my holy hill of Zion" (Psalm 2:6)