Wednesday January 9: 3 Shevat

It was on this day in 1933 that Adolph Hitler was appointed as Chancellor of Germany. Ironically, on the same day and in the same city where Hitler was appointed as German Chancellor, the Society for Youth Aliyah was established. Over time, this group would be responsible for transporting over 115,000 young people from the ages of 12 to 16 to the land of Israel. It is amazing that, on one hand, something ominous happened on this day, and at the same time and in the same city, something wonderful, redemptive, and life-changing occurred. Time and again we see – nothing is coincidental; the Creator oversees all.

Less than two months after Hitler was appointed as Chancellor, he was granted full dictatorial powers. That day on the Hebrew calendar fell exactly 42 months after Black Tuesday – October 29, 1929 – the day of the stock market crash. A lot of people are surprised to learn that the Great Depression was not just an American experience but a global experience. The crash of ’29 affected many other countries, including Germany. This economic crash, coupled with the defeat of Germany in World War I, cast millions of Germans into abject poverty. The sense of hopeless that was so pervasive in Germany at that time played a significant role in the rise of Hitler. It cannot be coincidental that, 42 months to the day after the market crash of 1929, Adolph Hitler was given unlimited power in order to “help” the faltering German people.

Nothing takes our God by surprise. He knew these developments would take shape and so, on the same day that evil men were unleashed, He saw to it that an organization that would play a role in the establishment of the state of Israel was birthed. Nothing is accidental, and regardless of how bleak it looks, the Creator is still in control. He already knows what is going to happen and already has a plan in place. He already has men and women who are equipped to bring about His purpose in position.

The Bible tells us that, in the future, another evil man – the Beast – will arise and perform miraculous signs. He will entice people to come over to his way of thinking. He will promise to give people what they want, all the while plotting to destroy God’s people. Yet, God will not be taken by surprise. As a matter of fact, He has prepared a place for those who listen to His voice and who keep His commands. In Revelation 12:13-14 it says:

“Now when the dragon saw that he had been cast to the earth, he persecuted the woman who gave birth to the male Child. But the woman was given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness to her place, where she is nourished for a time and times and half a time, from the presence of the serpent.”

There is no promise that the future will be easy or pleasant. There is the promise that the God of Israel is not asleep and continually keeps watch over His people. Time and again, He has proven to be faithful even when we have been unfaithful. He protects those who call upon Him and resists those who would seek to destroy His people. In fact, though they may prevail for a season, those who are seeking to destroy God’s people end up being destroyed. Hitler is long gone but Israel lives and thus we say, “Am Yisrael Chai (The people of Israel live).”