Israel and the Palestinians: Ancient Promises, Modern Pain
Understanding current events through Scripture, not politics.
Introduction
History and faith often converge upon the ancient land once known as Canaan, the soil that now encompasses modern-day Israel and parts of its surrounding nations. It was here that God first called Abraham, promising him a homeland for his descendants (Genesis 12:1–3). Across thousands of years, empires rose and fell, yet Scripture held fast to a divine promise rooted in this land.
What follows is not political commentary but a journey tracing how biblical prophecy and recorded history intertwine, revealing that today’s events echo words spoken long ago.
The Promise to Abraham
Around 1700 BC, God established a covenant with Abraham, pledging to make of him a great nation and to give his offspring the land of Canaan. This promise was both physical and spiritual, a heritage of land and faith, setting the stage for God’s redemptive plan.
Applicable Scripture:
Genesis 12:(1–3) — God calls and blesses Abraham
Genesis 15:1(8–21) — Land covenant established
Genesis 17:(7-8) — Everlasting covenant confirmed
From Covenant to Nation
God reaffirmed His promise to Isaac and Jacob, ensuring that the covenant would continue through generations. Later, when their descendants were enslaved in Egypt, God remembered His word and delivered them through Moses, leading them toward the land “flowing with milk and honey.”
Applicable Scripture:
Genesis 26:(2–5) — Covenant reaffirmed with Isaac
Genesis 28:(10–15) — Promise extended to Jacob
Exodus 3:(6-10) — God delivers His people
Deuteronomy 7:(9) — God’s faithfulness endures forever
The Roman Destruction and Dispersion (70 AD)
Rome destroyed Jerusalem and the Second Temple, scattering the Jewish people throughout the world, just as Jesus foretold. By 135 AD, Jews were banned from Jerusalem, and the land was renamed Palestine.
Applicable Scripture:
Luke 21:(5-6) — Jesus foretells destruction
Luke 21:(24) — Jerusalem’s fall and dispersion
The Islamic Conquest (638 AD)
Muslim armies captured Jerusalem, ruling for most of the next 1,400 years. The Dome of the Rock and Al-Aqsa Mosque were built on the Temple Mount, a site sacred to Jews, Christians, and Muslims alike.
Applicable Scripture:
Daniel 2:(21) — God raises and removes kings
The Two-State Proposal (1947)
Under British rule, tensions rose between Jewish and Arab communities. The UN proposed a partition: Jewish and Arab states, with Jerusalem internationalized. Jews accepted; Arabs rejected. Conflict ensued, yet prophecy continued to move forward toward Israel’s rebirth.
Applicable Scripture:
Psalm 33:(10–11) — God’s counsel stands forever
Daniel 2:(21) — God controls rulers and times
Return to the Land — The Modern Era (Late 1800s–1948)
Jewish settlers returned in waves, reviving the land and language. After the Holocaust, the world witnessed the miraculous rebirth of Israel in 1948, “a nation born in a day.”
Applicable Scripture:
Ezekiel 37:(21–22) — God gathers His people
Isaiah 66:(8) — Nation born in a day
Amos 9:(14–15) — Restored, never to be uprooted
The War of Independence (1948)
Five Arab nations attacked the newborn state. Against overwhelming odds, Israel survived, proving that divine promises endure through adversity.
Applicable Scripture:
Isaiah 41:(10) — Fear not, I am with you
Deuteronomy 31:(6) — Be strong and courageous
Psalm 124:(2–3) — The Lord was on our side
The Reunification of Jerusalem (1967)
In the Six-Day War, Israel regained East Jerusalem, united for the first time since 70 AD. Soldiers wept at the Western Wall as prophecy met fulfillment.
Applicable Scripture:
Zechariah 12:(2–3) — Jerusalem, a cup of trembling
Psalm 83:(4) — Enemies seek to erase her name
Modern Conflicts and Peace Efforts
Wars, peace accords, and shifting alliances mark Israel’s modern journey. Yet prophets spoke of a day when weapons would cease and true peace would come through God alone.
Applicable Scripture:
Psalm 46:(9) — He makes wars cease
Isaiah 2:(4) — Swords into plowshares
Micah 4:(1–3) — Nations learn war no more
Israel’s Enduring Promise and Hope of Peace
From Abraham to the present day, Israel stands as a testament to God’s faithfulness. Beyond politics, Scripture points to peace through the Messiah, the Prince of Peace.
Applicable Scripture:
Genesis 17:(7) — Everlasting covenant
Isaiah 54:(10) — Covenant of peace
Romans 11:(29) — God’s calling is irrevocable
Zechariah 14:(9) — The Lord shall reign over all
The Holy Places and the Call for Peace
Jerusalem, sacred to Jews, Christians, and Muslims, remains the center of faith and conflict. Yet Scripture calls all hearts toward peace and unity.
Applicable Scripture:
Genesis 22:(2) — Abraham’s faith tested
2 Chronicles 3:(1) — Solomon builds the Temple
Luke 19:(41–44) — Jesus weeps over Jerusalem
Revelation 21:(2) — New Jerusalem revealed
Micah 4:(1–4) — Nations learn war no more
Isaiah 2:(4) — Swords into plowshares
Romans 12:(18) — Live peaceably with all
Closing Reflection
The story of Israel is not merely historical; it is a divine testimony to God’s unchanging faithfulness. Through dispersion, return, and conflict, His plan unfolds. Ultimately, peace will not come from nations, but from the sovereignty of God.
Applicable Scripture:
Psalm 33:(11) — The Lord’s counsel stands forever.
Zechariah 8:(3) — Jerusalem is called the City of Truth
Revelation 22:(5) — The Lord gives eternal light
A Prayer
Lord, give us wisdom to see history through Your eternal plan. Teach us to pray for peace for Jerusalem, for all nations, and for every heart in need of healing. Let us seek Your Word above the noise and walk humbly in Your light. Amen.