Israel : The Center Of The World

Israel: The center of the world.

It has been said that if space aliens were to come and visit this world and go to the UN they would discover that Israel, one of the smallest nations in the world, was the center of this world, and the source of all it's problems.

The UN ,on any given day, is condemning Israel for something, usually for defending itself from it's multitude of enemies and terrorists. The fact that no other nation would sit still for continuous attacks is irrelevant and ,in fact, since the rebirth of the nation of Israel 70 years ago, they have been attacked time and again by the surrounding nations who have vowed that they would wipe Israel and the Jews off the map.

There are any number of passages that have the prophets, through the words of G-d, declaring that the nations would abhor and be disgusted by the Jewish people because they were being punished for straying after other gods, yet He also says that “in those days” he will restore Israel, both Judah and Israel, to their former glory and that they would be respected around the world. It doesn't seem possible because we can't even seem to have peace in the middle east. But what if told you that there are passages that show a very different world in the time of the messiah and the establishment of G-ds kingdom?

Isaiah 19:19-25

In that day there will be an altar to the Lord in the midst of the land of Egypt, and a pillar to the Lord at its border. And it will be for a sign and for a witness to the Lord of hosts in the land of Egypt; for they will cry to the Lord because of the oppressors, and He will send them a savior and a mighty one, and He will deliver them. Then the Lord will be known to Egypt, and the Egyptians will know the Lord in that day, and will make sacrifice and offering; yes, they will make a vow to the Lord and perform it. And the Lord will strike Egypt, He will strike and heal it; they will return to the Lord, and He will be entreated by them and heal them.

In that day there will be a highway from Egypt to Assyria, and the Assyrian will come into Egypt and the Egyptian into Assyria, and the Egyptians will serve with the Assyrians.

In that day Israel will be one of three with Egypt and Assyria—a blessing in the midst of the land, whom the Lord of hosts shall bless, saying, “Blessed is Egypt My people, and Assyria the work of My hands, and Israel My inheritance.”

The first part of this passage speaks of the time of the messiah “in that day” and how the Egyptians will be saved from a great “oppressor” by G-d and that they will in turn worship the G-d of Israel just as the people of Israel do and the land of Egypt will be healed. Imagine Egypt restored to what it once was.

It is interesting to note that Egypt was the first country to make peace with Israel back in the late 70's, this despite much Arab and Islamic ugliness.

It's the second half of this passage though that really gives me some hope for the future.

It is saying that there will be a road going from Egypt through Israel and into Assyria “ in that day.”

Now some of you might be thinking that it's impossible because the Assyrian empire doesn't exist any more, and you'd be right, however it's not about the name of the nation, it's about the territory involved. That would include Jordan, Syria,Iran, Iraq,Kuwait, Saudi Arabia etc. In other words there will be peace in that neck of the woods once the time of the messiah has come. In some ways it's starting to happen,as some of the Arab nations have started to realize that Israel is not their enemy, so it is entirely possible for this to become a reality in our time.

I know for myself, I want to see that day. The thought of “peace in the middle east” no more war and a universal knowledge of G-d in the world has a great deal of appeal to this old warrior, I hope it is true for you as well.

Shalom