I love living in Israel and am grateful to God and to the Israeli people for opening the door for me to reside and raise my family here. There is nowhere in the world I would rather call home. That’s a statement that would raise some cynical eyebrows, but it’s true, and I know there are many non-Jews who feel as I do and would give a great deal to be here too.
Israel is the country of “Hatikvah†(“The Hopeâ€). That is an unusual name for a national anthem – a far cry from the songs of patriotism and praise the citizens of so many other countries sing to their lands. It is a different kind of name, but this nation, these people, could not have a more appropriate one.
Israel’s very existence – in the physical – is attributable more to hope than to anything else. It was always hope, out there, as they wandered the dark, dangerous, deadly roads of exile, that kept a light, a purpose, the flicker of a dream alive in the heart of the Jews.
It was hope against hope. Hope against all odds. Hope against reason. But it burned. It could not be quenched. And it was realized – that hope – when after 2000 long and excruciating years, the Jew returned to his home, and his home was returned to the Jew.
Israel’s rebirth as a nation in 1948 should have vindicated the centuries of hoping, and marked the beginning of the end of the need to hope, and the start of the time when the Jews could have begin to enjoy all they had been hoping for.
But that was not to be. They grasped hold of and clung to hope then, as the world recognized them, and as their new society began to take hold and grow on the long abandoned homeland of the Jews.
And for the last 59 years, they have had to keep hoping – hope for peace, hope for acceptance, hope for an end to fear, an end to war.
So they have continued to hope.
Until now.
Five weeks ago, I boarded a plane for the United States. Settling into the roomy extra-leg area I had requested, I noted with satisfaction the two seats adjacent to mine were empty.
But as I relished the prospect of being able to lie down for the long flight over the Atlantic, two Israelis who had been assigned seats elsewhere noticed the vacancies and quickly came over.
Sighing inwardly, I smiled a greeting and, a few minutes later, the gleaming 747 bearing the name “Jerusalem” lifted off the runway and banked west. Within moments the Mediterranean was beneath us; the Tel Aviv coastline dropping away behind.
The young man next to me introduced himself as Golan and we began to talk. I learned that he was born in Israel and raised in a family of Zionists. He had served in an elite army unit, proud to be Israeli, and thankful for the opportunity to defend his country. Two of his brothers, Golan informed me, were high-ranking officers in the IDF.
I was somewhat taken aback, then, when with elation in his voice he told me how happy he was to be “heading home.”
“Home?” I asked. “But we are flying away from Israel.â€
“Oh,” Golan answered. “I’m married to an American Jew. We have two lovely children. We own a large house not far from New York, and I am a very successful financial advisor.
“America is now my home.â€
“But what about Israel?†I wondered.
“Israel?!” It was nearly a snort. “There is no future there.”
“Well,” I answered cautiously, after a few minutes. “I have heard one or two of your countrymen over the past years tell me despairingly how they believe Israel will no longer exist in 50 years’ time. Is that how you feel?”
“We don’t have another 50 years,†he said, sounding resigned. “Maybe 20.”
His words hit me hard. Surely there were not many who felt this way?
But I would hear the same thing again, from two more Jews, on my travels in the following days.
One of them, a woman in upper New York State, wanted to know whether I foresaw another national exile for her people and, if so, whether I thought they could survive it.
For her it was already on the way. Last year – and she was right about this – for the first time since 1948, more Jews left Israel than made aliyah (immigrated).
“It won’t be the end of the world,†she said. “As we survived the second Diaspora, we will survive the third.”
An orthodox Jew in St Louis, MO, said more or less the same thing. “The political Zionist state has proved to be a failure, as many devout Jews long believed it was. Within two decades it will be gone.”
Less than 60 years after they danced in the streets of Jerusalem and Tel Aviv to celebrate the unprecedented miracle of their rebirth, Jews are preparing to leave. They are losing their hope.
It is not really surprising that they are.
Instead of the safe haven and new home eretz yisrael was meant to be, it has become the most dangerous place on earth for Jews to live, and is a target for the intensifying hatred of billions around the globe.
No wonder so many are leaving.
No wonder they are losing their hope.
And yet, as I told my flying companion, Golan, there is every reason to hope.
“I have hope,†I said. “Great big buckets full of hope for the future of your land and your people. This is why I live in Jerusalem with my family. I may be a gentile, but to me Israel, not South Africa (my old homeland) is home.â€
He was astounded by my outlook, my optimism, even my smile, and so I reminded him of what his Bible, his God, had promised.
“More than 3500 years ago,†I said, “Moses, and in the ensuing centuries your prophets, foretold your global dispersion, and the persecution and suffering the Jews would experience and endure. God promised Israel, through these prophets, that after their exile and trials in foreign places, He would bring them back to their land where they would rebuild the ancient wasteplaces, raise up the ruined cities, and make the desert blossom like a rose.â€
“Well,†I asked, “did it happen as He said it would? Did God keep His promise or didn’t He?
Golan nodded.
“Well then, that was not all He promised, was it? He promised something else, something that would follow, and even exceed, your return home.
“God promised that when He brought you home to eretz yisrael the second time, that He would keep you there ‘as a shepherd keeps his sheep’ and that He would plant you there, never to uproot you again.â€
Was God, who had so amazingly kept the first half of His promise, not be able to also keep the second half, every word of it?
“Israel is your home, and although it may not look like it just now, God has promised you a hope and a future, a glorious future, in that land.
“Don’t give up on Israel,†I urged him.
After sitting silently for a while, apparently digesting what he had heard, Golan leaned over to me one more time.
“When I boarded this plane I had no hope for my country,†he said, and his next words brought tears to my eyes.
“I want to thank you,†he said slowly, intensely.
“You have given me some hope again.â€
this made me cry…. God bles you! God bless you.
Our marvelous God brought these Jewish men to you, Stan, for revelation. After talking with you, Golan now has hope for Israel again. If the Israelies could only turn to their Almighty God instead of the puny nations and their puny leaders, they would then see their hope become reality. As He led them out of Egypt, He can lead them to a free, safe, and prosperous land of their own again.
As Joshua and Caleb said many years ago, “If the LORD delight in us, then he will bring us into this land, and give it us; a land which floweth with milk and honey. Only rebel not ye against the LORD, neither fear ye the people of the land; for they are bread for us: their defence is departed from them, and the LORD is with us: fear them not.” Numbers 14: 8,9.
Stan:
The example you set by living in Jerusalem AND being as positive you are must be a blessing to so many Jews in Israel (and around the world). I know it encourages me. We know “G-d is not a man that He should lie…”. He keeps His Word. All of us should keep our faith and encourage those who have none.
Praying for the people of Eretz Israel ,
Delta
Never to be uprooted again!
i feel like you stan.wish i would never have to leave.besrad ha shem!shalom!
BS’D
S-HALOM, Stan
ALTHOUGH YOUR COMMENTARY HAS SO BEAUTIFULLY
AND INSIGHTFULLY EXPRESSED THE REASONS THAT JEWS SHOULD
VALUE AND APPRECIATE OUR G-D GIVEN LAND, ERETZ YISRAEL.
AND NOT EMIGRATE TO THE DIASPORA…
I BELIEVE IT IS FAITH, RATHER THAN HOPE, WHICH HAS ENABLED OUR
PEOPLE TO SURVIVE MILLENIA OF UNPARALLELED PERSECUTION PRIOR TO
THE REBIRTH, WITH G-D’S HELP, OF THE STATE OF ISRAEL…AS WELL AS
NUMEROUS ARAB INSTIGATED WAR AND TERROR.
ISRAEL B’TACH B’HA-SHEM …IS MORE THAN A MERE SLOGAN!
IT IS OUR RALLYING CALL AND COMMITMENT TO THE AL-MIGHTY AND OUR
ETERNAL JEWISH HOMELAND WHICH , BLESSED IS HIS HOLY NAME
HE HAS DEEDED FOREVER TO THE JEWISH PEOPLE
!
THE G-D OF ISRAEL IS NOT (L’HAVDIL) A POLITICIAN)
HE KEEPS HIS PROMISE !!!
With love of G-D and Eretz Yisrael
SHIFRA HOFFMAN
Founder
VICTIMS OF ARAB TERROR INTERNATIONAL (VAT)
(website: victimsofarabterror.ocom)
Thank you Stan for this mighty peice of encouragement, as a Chritian Zionist my eyes filled with tears at Golan’s statement, Yes, there is much Blessed Hope for this troubled nation, G-d will not be mocked for long. Amen?
Our God is a God of hope. Jesus has brought us gentiles hope and He will deliver hope to Israel too. The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob is faithful to His Word and will perform it. Thank you, Stan, for the hope that your “light” provided to the young man. You were showing him Jesus.
Thanks and God Bless,
Jamie
See! There you go! It’s contagious…keep talking. Israel needs to be reminded of God’s promises (as do all of us!!). You spoke life and encouragement to that man. He’ll think alot about that I’m sure.
You’re being in Israel is an amazing testimony in itself. I bet it floors a lot of people.
Keep up the encouragement.. You’re doing a great job!!!
Kate
HOPE—-the mere mention of the word calls for shouts of joy!
After all, HOPE means that a person believes that God is able to do what He says He will do in His Holy Word, the Bible.
If we cannot believe that God is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow….then we are not believers. The just shall live by faith…..Faith and Hope go hand in hand. They are inseparable—–INSEPARABLE..
Because the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob said that He would bring the Israelites home and they would never again be displaced……that is EXACTLY what He meant. “God is not a man that He should lie.”
It is a done deal…..God said it—-I believe it—-and if you are a true believer, and believe the Word of God, you cannot possibly not believe it.
Remember: “A double-minded person is unstable in all of his/her ways.” Book of James, I believe without running to get my Bible.
Israel will SURVIVE because it is God’s Plan and Purpose for His Chosen Land and People. Anyone who doubts this needs to call a “time-out” in their busy schedule/close themselves up somewhere and study God’s Word. Again, I quote the scripture: “God is not a man that He should lie.”
Israel will survive inspite of incompetents like Olmert. God’s hands are not tied because of Olmert, but Olmert may be in for a great shaking very soon. God cannot be pleased with his “job performance” in light of Olmert’s continued bad decision making on behalf of GOD’S LAND AND GOD’S CHOSEN PEOPLE.
Stan, you are a chosen vessel of our Lord Jesus Christ. When He sends you on a mission—things happen!!! God bless you and your dear family/guide, guard and protect and defend you…amen and amen
PRESS ON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ISRAEL YESTERDAY, ISRAEL TODAY—–ISRAEL FOREVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ahmein, Brother! And thank you for instilling hope in all those who come here and read your wonderful story.
This is so encouraging, we have our own ideas, but our Heavenly
Father has a plan to give
Israel a hope & a future
Marion
Plse send me your
e-mails Thanks
Toda you Stan for listening to the Ruach Hakodesh ,standing in the gap, and being a light to our people! It brought tears to my eyes also! Shalom!
Stand firm Israel, Stand Firm. Many many are with you and not against you. But most importantly of all…HaShem stands for and with you and fights for you. May we all bend our knee to Him and Believe as Abraham did.
Shalom, Nancy
GOD is with Israel the GOD of Abraham Issac and Jacob the name He gave to Moses Israel’s future lies in much more than just hope the GOD that created the Universes is with Israel HIS name is there look on a satellite map of Israel just East of BethEl guess who’s name is seen it’s not allah the mouse god it is Yahweh the GOD of Israel remember Jacob’s name was changed to ISRAEL
and ISRAEL the people are modern day Joshua and Calebs it may look bad right now but just remember what took place in ISRAEL’s recent history concerning their enemies Praise the GOD of ISRAEL in YAHSHUA’S name
Shalom: Just by accident I opened your story about your return visit to the USA,and the remaks by your Israeli neighbors. I am Jewish and a veteran of the US Army ,I hav been to Israel many times and always planned one day to live out my life in the land of my ancestors even though I do love the USA. I do believe that the Alliance of the USA and Israel is gift of Hashem and not a coincidence, it was predestined like the prophecy in the Bible. My neighbor is Israeli, and he and his familly only speak Hebrew but never intend to return to Israel because of economic reasons. Only when the Ultra Orthodox Jews of the world accept that Hashem has given us this land and has ordered us to rebuilt the Holy Temple to show the world that at least we the remnants of the Jewish People believe in his promises wiill the the words of our prophets come true. If we do not believe in the promises of Hashem and ourselves how can we ask the rest of the world to believe in us. Thank you for your kind words, Michael
Stan, Thank you for standing up for Israel, the reason the people was takeing out OFFthe land to begain with was un-blieved and they would not blieve G-D . But G-D put you right where you needed to be on that day, G-d BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY IN ISRAEL. BECAUSE YOU GAVE THIS YOUNG MAN HOPE , THANK YOU AND OUR ALL MIGHT HASHAM THE FATHER OF ISRAEL AND OUR FATHER TOO. JERI CARTER
Shalom Stan,
Well done my brother. An excellent witness. With your permission I would like to copy and send this post to my friend Boaz a member of a kibootz of Israelis linving in Costa Rica .
Shalom Jeremy
Stan,
Tears here as well. I have seen God use you in so many ways. I too thank you for being open, praise Him for that word, encouragement that will grow in Golan.
I am a christian in the US who has many talks with a muslim neighbor about christianity and islam. I also have told my muslim friend (although he may not view me that way) that for 2,000 years before 1948 he could have said my Bible and faith were wrong. But the Bible is the Word of God and His Word prevails! I also told him that His Word also says that Israel (jews) would not be uprooted, ever again! Unfortunately, my neighbor believes that Israel (jews) have shown a weakness over the lost war with Hizbullah/Hamas and he believes muslims will eventually wipe Israel out…soon. It is with regret that I don’t share your optimism for hope of Israel since my understanding of scripture reveals that 2/3 jews will die from an eventual enemy assault (Ezekial 38-39?). However, the hope I do have is that scripture says the 1/3 that will survive will be refined like gold and silver as going through a furnace. Then, when they call on Jesus (Yeshua), He will come to save them. Shalom and may God be with you.
Because G-d said it, I believe it. It is not far away that all enemies of Israel will perish..G-d promised that too, yet gave everyone a chance to love HIM and His Firstborn, but so much hate and hearts grown cold. False teacher everywhere and all chasing the dollar. My prayer is they turn it all around and the only way they can do that is get into G-d’s scripture and find their strength and future there…Some day I will rejoice with Israel and have peace forever. We all have a choice who we will worship..G-d or Money..He is coming !!! Thank you Stan.
Dear Stan, encouraging Jewish people to remember God’s plans for Israel and for them as a people is a “mitzvah” that God will honor. We must continue to encourage them and pray for them until Messiah returns!
Jolene Belferman, Eternal Flame Ministries (Lev. 24:1-4)
I hope,and plan to be visiting Jerusalem soon .November I think.
My family thinks i’m crazy. I really enjoyed the article. This Article reminded me of the verses Malachai 3:16,17 and Ezek 9:4 Its good to be remembered and marked. Shalom
It was a great article on hope Stan. You were in the right place at the right time. The Jews need all the encouragement and hope that they can get.
Below are some interesting comments from an old book I found, written in 1927 by the Rev W. LAMB?
The Sign of the Jew.
Romans 11:2 God has not cast away His chosen people.
Regarding the Jew’s presence in the world, great thinkers have really been very much perplexed. The French philosopher, Renan, wrote: “The philosophy of history fails utterly to account for the Jew.†The German, Hegel confessed that, like a dark enigma, the history of the Jew had tormented him all his life. Charles lamb also declared that “the Jews are a piece of stubborn antiquity, compared with which Stonehenge is in its nonage.
The Jew there is no more interesting personality in the world. Those with the eye to see know that the Jew is right at the centre of the strange conditions into which this old world has recently entered. Exiled from their own land, and scattered far among other nations, the Jewish people have ever dwelt quite apart and distinct from all others and none have suffered greater hardship and more awful persecution than have they.
When Frederick the Great said to his chaplain one day at a table, “give me an evidence of Christianity in a word†the reply was “The Jew†No wonder this infidel king afterwards wrote to the governor of one of his provinces: “Let those Jews alone; no man ever touched them and prospered.â€
What an interesting article - I relished every word and was misty eyed at the end of it. You’re a true man of God. I’m sure He must be very pleased with you. May He keep you and your family in the palm of his hand and may God protect Israel.
Hello Stan,
I have been recently in Jerusalem for 2 months and with great reluctance had to return to New Zelaand after an awesome time in His Land with many friends.
Thank you for the encouragement of this article. I believe this is the role of those of us who love Israel and to ‘comfort those who mourn in Zion”. God’s Word clearly states that when He brings the Jewish people home to Israel, they are to settle and He will not allow them to be uprooted ever again. But they can uproot themselves through lack of faith. I pray daily that the tremendous, (and I don’t underestimate) extent of the pressures each israeli who loves his country lives under daily. But the Scriptures are to be their comfort and Nehemiah says that the ‘joy of the Lord is to be their strength. Hebrews 11v1 is the key, faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Lets stand with our beloved Israeli friends and challenge them to keep their eyes on their Creator and He will not disappoint them. I believe that those who are leaving Israel will soon be forced back by not the fishers but rather the hunters as this world becomes more and more antisemetic. Meanwhile we trust in a loving, caring and ighteous God and seek to turn our Jewish friends to their own God.
Jerusalem Newswire website is a light in a world filled with not only ignorance, but much darkness. Thanks a million to you Stan, and to Ryan for having been here through the years. You have opened up the minds and hearts of all who have visited this wonderful, annointed website.
Because you both have not sought fame nor fortune, only to be humble servants of God—to get the truth out to all who will listen, I am believing that God’s favor is covering you and your familites..
Thank you for the gift of your time and love for Israel. You have opened the eyes of my understanding in so many ways. I am blessed and I know everyone who “stops by” feels the same way. God bless you and your families today and everyday. amen and amen
hope is an anchor to the soul. Without it we are tossed to and fro with any wind of doctrine or opinion. This is in the hope of God and His promise/
You really had a Divine appointment.
Dina
Shalom Stan, your words of hope for Israel are inspired from our LORD. The comments of your readers give me joy as I hear people of faith who are holding our dear Israel up in prayer. You are indeed a Watchman on the Wall! Keep your shofar at hand, as we all need to hear it’s call these days especially as we know in our hearts the approach of our Messiah Yeshua is near.
Thank you brother Stan for showing such love to Golan & to my people! It made me cry too, as I see the fading hope in many Jews…oh Lord have mercy! He has used you as an instiller of hope to Golan & many others. People today are so quick to condemn Israelis & the Jewish state, yet so slow to speak comfort to my people: NAHMU NAHMU AMI..DABRU AL LEV YERUSHALEM (Isaiah 40). How many are quick to recall that Israel was blinded in part, so salvation could come to them..!!?? Israelis feel so isolated & hated today, they need to hear more words of hope, encouragement, and esp. the Good News of Yeshua - MEVASERET TSION (Isaiah 52-53)! Praise God He has raised up many watchmen & labourers in the field, who are faithful to their Master & ready to put that faith into practice! May His Kingdom come, may His will be done on earth…! -Mikhah
I am an American, and I fear for my country. I and my fellow Christians here realize that God will punish the nations who go against God’s chosen people and attempt to disperse their land. I have wept for Israel and am ashamed of what our president is doing. As Christian Jews there, please pray for God to have mercy on those of us here who still stand behind your land, at what will likely become great personal risk. I worked in SAR-EL a few years back, and it’s something that I will never, ever forget. What a privilege to help in some small way! As dark as these days are, it’s truly wonderful to know that God has held Israel close to His heart thorughout history, and He WILL fight for you! I think we are all sitting holding our breath, knowing that He is about to wrap up prophesy.
Dear Stan,
Thanks for this story.
There are many in Israel who share the worries of this man, but SO MANY understand that the redemption of God comes in a twinkling of an eye.
A well known joke making the rounds in May 1967 was, whoever leaves Lod Airport last, please turn out the lights.
No need to remind Watchman’s readers what a turnabout happened in June 67!
And things are at a much better position now.
Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem!
Gidon Ariel
http://www.holycityprayer.com
this was very moving…. I am also an Israeli American living in Israel and this really touched me…
you must remove all arabs from isreal,from judea samaria and the gaza only then will you be safe from muslim killers.i am afraid we in america will have to do the same.