Even though Israel’s skies opened on March 1st, 2022, the country remained strangely empty for several months. During Passover in mid-April, I was in Jerusalem, and the streets were very quiet. The two years of the pandemic left Israel with very few tourists, and people were challenged to believe that Israel was really open, not to mention the fact that the tiny nation was struggling with multiple terrorist attacks and people were afraid to visit. Even Israel’s citizens were afraid to get out in public on national holidays, due to the terrorist attacks that were happening on a weekly basis.
Recently however, all of that changed.
After more than two years of lockdowns and mandates, tens of thousands of people hit the streets on Jerusalem Day at the end of May. Not only that, but the tourists have returned. While on a film shoot in Jerusalem recently, I saw thousands of Jews in Birthright groups. Every time I turned a corner, there was another one. Birthright brings young Jews to Israel on a free experience that is designed to connect them with the land of their heritage.
I also saw tour groups. Church groups, Christian tours and private groups filled Jerusalem’s streets. It’s as if the fire hydrant that had been turned off for two years was suddenly turned back on. Thousands of tour buses are once again driving throughout the beautiful country of the holy land, and tens of thousands of people are once again making their plans to visit.
As an organization whose mission it is to bring Christian volunteers to serve the Jewish farmers of Israel’s heartland, we could not be more excited. We already hosted an incredible group of Israel-supporters for two weeks for our Heartland Experience, and everyone left inspired and encouraged by the amazing things that God is doing in Israel.
Registration is now open for our fall volunteer programs, and the trips are filling up. We’re looking forward to hosting 300 or more volunteers in September, October and November to participate in the grape harvest, plant trees and experience Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria for a “boots on the ground” trip to Israel like none other. If you’d like to check out the opportunities that we have to offer, don’t wait! Registration is filling up, and we have a 50-person capacity for each program. Visit www.ServeIsrael.com/volunteer to find out more about the trips.
I’ve recently been reading through the book of Isaiah, and have been struck with just how emphatic God is about the good that will come to Israel. Over and over again Isaiah’s prophecies are filled with how Israel’s enemies will no longer trample her, and that the time for Jerusalem to rise up out of the dust has come.
Shake yourself from the dust, arise; sit down, oh Jerusalem! Loose yourself from the bonds of your neck, oh captive daughter of Zion! For thus says the LORD: ‘you have sold yourselves for nothing, and you shall be redeemed without money.’” (Isaiah 52:2-3)
The time of Israel’s desolation and exile is over!
“For you shall expand to the right and to the left, and your descendants will inherit the nations, and make the desolate cities inhabited. Do not fear, for you will not be ashamed; neither be disgraced, for you will not be put to shame; for you will forget the shame of your youth, and will not remember the reproach of your widowhood anymore. For your Maker is your husband, the LORD of hosts is His Name; and your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel; He is called the God of the whole earth.” (Isaiah 54:3-5)
As those from the nations, we even have a mandate from Isaiah to come and be a part of the prophetic restoration of Israel.
“Also the sons of the foreigner who join themselves to the LORD, to serve Him, and to love the name of the LORD, to be His servants; everyone who keeps from defiling the sabbath, and holds fast My covenant. Even them I will bring to My holy mountain, and make them joyful in My house of prayer….For My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations.” (Isaiah 56:6-7)
Israel has received a lot of criticism for the way they handled the pandemic over the last several years, including keeping their borders closed for such a long period of time. I’m not going to get into whether Israel was right or wrong in how they handled this. I would, however, like to present a simple case. I listed just a few of the positive prophecies that fill our Bible regarding God’s plans for Israel and the Jewish people. These only scratch the surface. The evidence is irrefutable.
God has a good plan for Israel. His covenant that He gave to Abraham is irrevocable. The sun, moon and stars that we see each day and night are a constant reminder of that (Jeremiah 33:19). The time of Israel’s desolation is over. And, the prophets extend an invitation for us – those from the nations – to come and be a part of the physical restoration that is taking place in the Holy Land.
So disregard the wars and rumors of wars, the violence and terrorism, pandemics and lockdowns. Remember, no matter what happens, God has an incredible plan for Israel that invites those from the nations, including you!
Align yourself with God’s promise to Abraham, and you can be confident that you’re on the right side of history.
