Lessons from the Holy Land

I have recently returned after leading my 10th tour to Israel.  There were 23 of us in our tour group and we were blessed to be in Israel from May 17-28.  A great majority of our tour members were "first-timers" to the Holy Land.  It is always fun to see the Land once again through their eyes - eyes of amazement and wonder; eyes of faith as they seek to recall those biblical stories heard many years ago. 

I never cease to be amazed at how the Land changes.  More of the desert is being reclaimed and one will find date palms and grape vines growing where they should not - yet, there they are and producing in abundance.  More of the spaces in and around Jerusalem are being settled.  In fact, one hardly knows where one is leaving the city limits of Jerusalem any longer.  And, what really fascinates me, is the growth in the field of archaeology, not only around Jerusalem, but throughout the countryside.  Using both the Bible and the archaeological brush, researchers are reaching even deeper into Israel's past and making some startling discoveries.  Life in the times of King David, who was once considered just to be a folklore legend, has been brought to life in The City of David.  If one closes his/her eyes and listens carefully, the sounds of a much earlier time echo among the rocky ruins. 

One of the new places we visited on this tour was the Armor Museum located at the Latrun Police Station.  If you have read Larry Collins and Dominique LaPierre's book, "O Jerusalem!", you will remember the incredible battle that was waged at this very spot.  One can still see some of the residual damage caused back there in 1948.  So, we touched base with the War of Independence there - truly some amazing stories arise from those days.  I highly recommend that book to you.  And, we visited the display and development of the Israeli tanks over the years.  The early ones were French made and American made (the Shermans) and left-overs from World War 2.  Our guide, Amnon, had a great time showing us the tank that he was part of during his days of military service.  It was the Centurion.  On a large wall at Latrun were inscribed the names of those Israelis who had died while in the Armor Division of the IDF.  There were quiet moments as one gazed on those men and women who paid the ultimate sacrifice for their nation. 

Speaking of wars, a highlight for many of us was our visit to ancient Megiddo.  This strategically located city had been destroyed and rebuilt dozens of times over the course of ancient history.  The Egyptians had fought here.  Gideon fought the Midianites here.  Saul met his demise on Mount Gilboa which was near here.  The Assyrians fought here, followed by the Babylonians, followed by the Greeks, followed by the Romans, followed by the Crusaders.  As he looked out over this broad, expansive valley of Jezreel, Napoleon is heard to have said that this is one of the greatest locations in the world for a battle.  As we stood on the top of that tel overlooking what is today a fertile, lush valley filled with barley and wheat fields, I read from portions of Revelation that deals with what we know as Armageddon.  To be honest, it is very difficult to envision all the carnage that John describes.  But it will happen...and then the Messiah will come.  He will usher in a new Kingdom that will be based upon righteousness and justice. 

Since returning I have been asked if the people living in Israel are fearful.  Perhaps the best way for me to answer that is to say that our final night in Jerusalem we walked down Ben Yehuda Street.  This street is lined with little shops and ice cream cafes.  Although there was a rather biting northwest wind, crowds filled the streets.  Mostly of young people hanging out with friends, sipping a cup of coffee or eating an ice cream bar.  The music was loud.  Everyone seemed to be having a great time.  If there was any sense of fear, it was well masked.  I think, for most Israelis, they have chosen not to let their lives be governed by fear.  And fears do exist.  While we were in Israel, the Ayatollah in Iran made the boastful claim that he could destroy the entire state of Israel in 8 minutes.  ISIS is nearing the Golan Heights border line - it might already be there.  Hamas keeps threatening from Gaza.  And Hezbollah is just across the border in Lebanon.  Not exactly the best neighborhood in which to live.  The strong majority of the Israeli people, it seems to me, have chosen not to let fears dominate their lives.  They have chosen to go on living - going to classes at the university, attending the theater, dining in one of the many fine restaurants, having fun at the beach, and shopping a variety of specialty stores. 

Friends, there is much we should learn from the attitudes of the Israeli people.  Everyday is a gift to us from God.  And, most amazing of all, He allows us the choice of how we will use each day.  We can choose to allow our fears to become the foundation for that day, or we can choose to allow our faith in God to become that foundation.  I am reminded of what Jesus said in His Sermon on the Mount:  "Man cannot serve two masters."  One cannot serve both fears and faith.  Many of today's Israeli people have chosen the pathway of faith - perhaps in their military preparedness, perhaps in their educational abilities, perhaps in their own ingenuity more than in a personal God, yet even religious zealousness is growing in Israel.  I chose faith and not fear!  How about you?

A tour to Israel - I highly recommend it.  It is a trip you will never forget.  People have already inquired as to when I will be returning with another group.  Although no official dates have been set, it will probably be sometime in either late winter or early spring of 2018.  If you would like to be on a list to receive information when it become available later this year, just let me know.