I have often felt that the effect of praying for Israel goes far beyond the boundaries of the land and the Jewish people. Somehow praying for Israel at this time is imperative not only for salvation of the Jews, but also for the culmination of the purposes of God in the nations, and the speeding of Christ’s return. To better understand this, let’s stand back and take a broad view of history. After the flood, mankind quickly degenerated again into pagan ways. In Genesis 11 we find the people of the earth all speaking the same language and having a unity which is enabling them to build a city, ‘whose top is in the heavens’. They want to make a name for themselves apart from God’s help, (verse 4.) Quite an insight into the power of unity, even ungodly unity has power to build great things. It is not surprising then that the enemy fights to keep it from us. Knowing the terrible fruit this ‘unity’ will produce, God steps in to, ‘confuse their language and scatter them over the face of the earth.’ Chapter 11 continues with some genealogies, leading us then immediately into the call of Abraham, that is, into God’s plan to bring true unity among the nations. At the end of verse 3 we have it! ‘….in you all the families on the earth shall be blessed.’ We need to remember the weight of the word, ‘blessed’. The word is used almost flippantly these days. The earth had been cursed, and here God is saying that through this man He will revert that curse and bring blessing.
And so begins Israel’s long and awesome journey. A nation is born, chosen by God. Separated out from the rest of the nations it will always be different and apart. Moses asserts this when he requests that the Presence of the Lord goes with them. ‘For how then will it be known that Your people and I have found grace in Your sight, except You go with us? So we shall be separate, Your people and I from all the people who are upon the face of the earth.’ Exodus 33;16 Balaam also ‘sees’ this; ‘From the top of the rocks I see him, and from the hills I behold him; there! A people dwelling alone. Not reckoning itself among the nations.’ Numbers 23:9 The word for ‘reckoning’ also means, to plait, to weave, to interpenetrate. This was something Israel was not to do. Later King David also recognizes Israel’s difference. ‘And who is like Your people, like Israel, the one people on earth whom God went to redeem for Himself as a people, to make for Himself a name------ and to do for Yourself great and awesome deeds for Your land--- before Your people whom You redeemed for Yourself from Egypt, the nations and their gods?’ 2 Sam. 7:23 Imagine a pagan earth in David’s time. Only one people group worshipping the True God. Only Israel knew the Maker of the universe and only to Israel had God -given instructions and the knowledge of Himself. Psalm 147:19-20 ‘He declares His word to Jacob, His statutes and His judgments to Israel. He has not dealt thus with
