A Nest Among Thorns
This article was originally published in 1985.
For the LORD’S portion is his people; Jacob is the lot of his inheritance.
He found him in a desert land, and in the waste howling wilderness; he led him about, he instructed him, he kept him as the apple of his eye.
As an eagle stirreth up her nest, fluttereth over her young, spreadeth abroad her wings, taketh them, beareth them on her wings:
So the LORD alone did lead him, and there was no strange god with him.
Deuteronomy 32:9-12
When viewing a nest among thorns one notices the danger the thorns present to the bird and to its young. Yet, a nest entangled with thorns keeps predators away; thus, providing a safe haven. In this article I am not concerned with the history of Israel, nor her future glory, but with the present Israel. The Arab world presents a network of tangled thorns to this small nation of Israel. They are truly enemies of Israel being descendants of Ishmael, Esau and Ham. Israel is vastly outnumbered and out armed, yet the sovereign God protects Israel in her dilemma.
The weeping of Rachel continues because of an unrepentant heart towards God. Prophecy has been fulfilled, is being fulfilled, and will continue to be fulfilled; yet, His people cannot see the mercy and love of God.
We should take courage, as Christians, not only in our faith, but in the Word of God. Although we are not Israelites, according to the Word of God we are linked to Israel because of our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Every Christian should have a tender heart for the Jew and for the nation of Israel. The gospel was sent first unto the Jew, and then to the Gentiles; therefore, the dispensation of grace is open to all.
When Israel bombed Iraq’s nuclear power plant, the thought was that the enmity of the Arab world would soon spew out against Israel. God, working behind the scenes, stirred up Iran and Iraq to engage in a bloody conflict against each other. When Israel marched into Lebanon in an action to protect herself against the attacks on her border, many again thought that Israel was over stepping her bounds. The purpose, however, was to disrupt and dislodge the Palestinian Liberation Organization, who were actively organizing and committing acts of terrorism against Israel. God again upheld His ancient people, Israel.
If Israel is in such favor with God, why has she suffered and why does God not shed His glory and His blessing on Israel now? The answer lies within our text in Deuteronomy, chapter 32. The Lord took Israel out of Egypt into a desert place; He established them as His covenant people, and as along as they held Him as their God, He blessed them. However, they soon left the blessings of Jehovah, and instead followed after many gods; thus, the judgment of God has been against His covenant people since the days of their last kings.
In the prophecy in Hosea 1:9, we read these words: “Then said God, Call his name Lo ammi: for ye are not my people, and I will not be your God.” Israel not only rejected Jehovah, but they rejected God’s dear Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, their Messiah; nevertheless, God continues to deal mercifully with Israel today.
Though these thorns, the Arab world, are being held back from the nest at the present time, it is quite possible that with the rising power of President Mubarak of Egypt plus the strong relationship he has with the king of the North (Syria), and the ties that the Arabs have with Russia — soon Israel will be put through the threshing floor of judgment once more.
The biggest misunderstanding in this time period for the Jew is that they cannot conceive a time period of grace. A nation that was placed under the law and sacrificial ordinances cannot see the pure mercy and love of God, not only for Israel (the Jew), but for all mankind.
The Sinai has been given back to Egypt, the Arabs desire Jordan, a home on the West Bank, and total control over the city of Jerusalem. Squeezing Israel from the north is Lebanon and Syria, and from the south is Egypt. This is truly a time for the Jew to give serious attention to the cannon of Scripture, especially the law and the prophets. The understanding of Israel’s prophetic destiny can only lead to the realization that Christ is their only answer and their only hope.
To all Christians, I encourage you to pray for Israel that her eyes would be opened, and her heart enlarged towards her Messiah, her Saviour.
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem!
Shalom!
© 2012, Michael Haigh
This article may be used, but not for gain. Freely ye have received, freely give.
All Scripture references are from the King James Bible (KJV).