Sunday February 24: 19 Adar

It was on this day in 1940 that the so-called McDonald-White paper went into effect. This was a document that restricted the sale of “Arab lands” to Jews in the Holy Land and practically voided the Balfour Declaration, a previous document that promoted the establishment of a Jewish homeland. Ironically on this same date on the Hebrew calendar in 1949, Israeli forces captured the wilderness site of Engedi which, for all practical purposes, brought an end to military conflict during the Jewish War of Independence and secured the fulfillment of the Balfour Declaration. By occurring at Engedi, this climatic battle coincided with something else from Israeli history that is very interesting because it was the place that David hid from Saul after David had been anointed to be king by Samuel.

These events, both modern and ancient, demonstrate that, in spite of the best efforts of kings and kingdoms, Israel will not be stopped from fulfilling her mandate to be a light to the nations. The God of Israel brings fulfills His Word and His purpose, in spite of all who would stand against it. Isaiah said:

“For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven and do not return there, but water the earth, and make it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.” (Isaiah 55:10-11)

In our lives, there are external forces, and sometimes internal forces, that work to disrupt the plans the Creator has for us. Yet, observing Israel’s modern and ancient history and considering our own personal testimonies, we clearly see that the Creator fulfills His purposes in and through His people. We need to take comfort in that.

Nations and governments have their agenda but, in the end, they will unwittingly fulfill His purpose. When it comes to the culmination of that purpose – the Messiah taking His rightful place upon the throne of David – the Psalmist predicted the futile plans of the world and its leaders:

“Why do the nations rage, and the people plot a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord and against His Anointed, saying, ‘Let us break their bonds in pieces and cast away their cords from us.’ He who sits in the heavens shall laugh; the Lord shall hold them in derision. Then He shall speak to them in His wrath, and distress them in His deep displeasure: Yet I have set My King on My holy hill of Zion.’” (Psalm 2:1-6)

The point is that man has an agenda that he plans to carry forward. But in the end, his purpose and plan must bow to the Creator’s purpose for the world and for His people.