ISRAEL and THE HOLY LAND

    Who Should Occupy Canaan?




    WHO SHOULD OCCUPY THE HOLY LAND?

    Although the apparent strife between the Muslims and Jews in the Middle East region, known as the Holy Land, has been headline news for almost five decades since the formation of the modern state of Israel in 1948, the warring there between the various religious sects has been going on for many centuries. Most Bible scholars agree that the roots of Judaism can, in some ways, be traced all the way back to the “creation of man,” who was formed in the image of God himself. While the name “Israel” did not appear until God gave that name to Jacob, the son of Isaac, the son of Abraham, around 1900 B.C., the conquest of Canaan (The Promised Land) had already begun with Abraham’s journey into that region.

    It was not until 610 A.D. that the “prophet” Muhammad introduced Islam, and dictated the Qur'an. But the Holy scriptures that we Christians and Jews hold to be true, make no mention of the coming of Muhammad or any such “new” teachings. As I would surmise, the prophecies and teachings of the Holy Bible have stood the test of time. The claims to the Holy Land, where Israel resides today, put forth by Islamic prophesy, were proved false when the United Nations General Assembly voted to partition the former British Mandate into two states, Israel and Palestine in 1947.

    There are many scriptures that make clear God’s intention of making the Jews ( Jacob [Israel] ) His own chosen people, and the Holy Land of Israel to be a perpetual nation to His Glory. Many Bible theologians will identify certain books of the Bible as being either: Symbolic, Prophetic, Historic, or of acclamation to God Almighty. But the verses that gave me an incentive to write this commentary are found in the Book of Psalms. The one book that appears to offer all the above mentioned attributes found in other books of the Bible.

    Here, in a nutshell, is God's plan for the occupation of the Holy Land:


    Psalm 135:4-12:
    4. For the LORD hath chosen Jacob unto himself, and Israel for his peculiar treasure.
    5. For I know that the LORD is great, and that our Lord is above all gods.
    6. Whatsoever the LORD pleased, that did he in heaven, and in earth, in the seas, and all deep places.
    7. He causeth the vapours to ascend from the ends of the earth; he maketh lightnings for the rain; he bringeth the wind out of his treasuries.
    8. Who smote the firstborn of Egypt, both of man and beast.
    9. Who sent tokens and wonders into the midst of thee, O Egypt, upon Pharaoh, and upon all his servants.
    10. Who smote great nations, and slew mighty kings;
    11. Sihon king of the Amorites, and Og king of Bashan, and all the kingdoms of Canaan:
    12. And gave their land for an heritage, an heritage unto Israel his people.

     This point is also well emphasised in the Book of Exodus, the Book of Numbers, and 1st Chronicles...

    Exodus: 23:31:
    And I will set thy bounds from the Red sea even unto the sea of the Philistines, and from the desert unto the river: for I will deliver the inhabitants of the land into your hand; and thou shalt drive them out before thee.

    Numbers: 33:55:
    "But if ye will not drive out the inhabitants of the land from before you; then it shall come to pass, that those which ye let remain of them shall be pricks in your eyes, and thorns in your sides, and shall vex you in the land wherein ye dwell."

    1st Chronicles: 23:25:
    For David said, The LORD God of Israel hath given rest unto his people, that they may dwell in Jerusalem for ever:



    The Lord God defeated whole nations and tribes in order to establish forever the nation of Israel in the land of Canaan. And the Lord also promised to bless those who pray for the peace of Israel.

    "Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee."

    Psalm: 122:6


    Gary Miller
    May 4, 2004





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