Israel Celebrates 66th Birthday!

66 years ago today, Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion announced Israel's independence at midnight (May 14, 1948 on the Hebrew calendar). Below is an excerpt from his speech:

"The Land of Israel was the birthplace of the Jewish People. Here the spiritual, religious, and national identity was formed. Here they achieved independence and created a culture of national and universal significance. Here they wrote and gave the Bible to the world....

"We, the members of the National council...hereby declare the establishment of a jewish state in Eretz-Israel, to be known as the State of Israel."

 On this exciting day 66 years ago, Israel was reborn, that ended 2,000 years of exile, which was clearly written about by the prophets in Scripture, even as far back as Moses. Although there was always a remnant in the land, most were exiled by force and brutality.

God has regathered the Jewish people who were scattered, from the four corners of the earth. They continue to return, fulfilling God's promise, right before our eyes.  A clear prophecy currently being fulfilled is Amos 9:14-15:

"'I will bring back the captives of My people Israel; They shall build the waste cities and inhabit them; They shall plant vineyards and drink wine from them; They shall also make gardens and eat fruit from them. I will plant them in their land, and no longer shall they be pulled up from the land I have given them,' Says the Lord your God."

This is yet one more testimony that God will do what He says He will do. We can trust Him because He has proven this over and over again. Throughout the ages, the Jewish people have been persecuted, with repeated attempts to annihilate them. However, God preserved this people group and is now fulfilling His promise to return them to the land of Israel! 

Happy Birthday, Israel!