“…This is what the Sovereign LORD says: I Myself will search for My sheep and look after them…I will bring them out from the nations and gather them from the countries, and I will bring them into their own land. I will pasture them on the mountains of Israel, in the ravines and in all the settlements in the land.” Ezekiel 34:11-13

The Sovereign LORD has spoken. That is the key to understanding how all of the Old Testament prophecies concerning the nation of Israel, have been, either literally fulfilled, or will be.  We may well say, “The Bible says”, or “The prophet said”, but know this: The Old Testament is the written record of what the Lord said through the mouth of His prophets. When the Creator said, “Let there be light”, light appeared before there was a sun.

“I will place over [My flock] one shepherd, My servant David, and he will tend them…I the Lord will be their God, and My servant David will be prince among them. I the LORD have spoken.” Ezekiel 34:23-24

Some scholars say He is speaking of Christ here, and He might very well be, but know this: if the LORD plans on bringing David back on the scene, He is well able to do it.

Sometime after 70 AD, the LORD scattered Israel among the nations and they remained there for almost 1800 years. Over that period, some notable Bible scholars arose and began to teach that God had rejected the Jews forever, because they rejected and crucified Christ; there are some mainline denominations that still hold to that. But if that were true, how then can they explain the conversion of 3000 Jews on the day of Pentecost, the very ones who called for Jesus’ crucifixion?

Has God rejected Israel forever?

“Hear the word of the LORD, you nations; proclaim it in the distant coastlands: He who scattered Israel will gather them and will watch over His flock like a shepherd…This is what the LORD says: “Only if the heavens above can be measured and the foundation of the earth below be searched out will I reject all the descendants of Israel because of all they have done declares the LORD.” Jeremiah 31:10-37

The regathering of Israel to their land. The LORD gave Ezekiel a vision of a valley full of very dry bones. The LORD identified the bones as the whole house of Israel. (No missing tribes, no divided kingdoms) Here’s what the Sovereign LORD said to Israel: “My people, I am going to open your graves and bring you up from them; I will bring you back to the land of Israel. Then you, My people, will know that I am the Lord.” Ezekiel 37:12

Around 1810, the first Aliyah took place. (Jews en masse returning to Israel) Over the next roughly 130 years there would be four more. Then, on May 14, 1948, Israel officially became a nation. The Sovereign Lord spoke it!

The nation of Israel presently is roughly 10% orthodox Jews and 90% secular and just as worldly and unbelieving as every other nation in the world. That leads us to a sure word of the LORD yet to come. “This is the covenant I will make with the people of Israel…” declares the LORD. “I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God and they will be my people.” Jeremiah 31:33

The day is coming when Israel will be reborn spiritually. They will come to faith in Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord, just like every other sinner that has been born again. The Holy Spirit will move on them corporately in a time of great distress for them, and so all Israel shall be saved.

A word from the Lord about Israel’s future enemies and their final invasion: The agenda of Israel’s enemies is to annihilate them; to wipe them off the face of the earth. That is nothing new; we find that agenda revealed in Scripture 3000 years ago.

“…Your enemies ( an enemy to Israel makes them an enemy to God) plot against those You cherish. “Come,” they say, “let us destroy them as a nation, so that Israel’s name is remembered no more.” Psalm 83

Here is the sure word of the LORD to Israel’s enemies: “In future years you will invade a land that has recovered from war whose people were gathered from many nations to the mountains of Israel…all of them live safely.” You will say, “I will invade a land of unwalled villages; I will attack a peaceful and unsuspecting people…you will come from your place in the far north, you and many nations with you…”

Hear the word of the LORD to Israel’s enemies: “On the mountains of Israel you will fall, you and all your troops and the nations with you. I will give you as food to all kinds of carrion birds and to the wild animals. You will fall in the open field, for I have spoken, declares the Sovereign LORD.” Ezekiel 38-39

Whether the current war raging with Hamas fits into a particular prophecy, I don’t know. But this I do know: the actions of the world heads, both political and religious are leading the world straight into the final events of this age.

Jesus Christ is coming: Be sober, alert and vigilant for His return!

Brother Bill is a Bible teacher and can be contacted at bboldham@sbcglobal.net