By the time you read this article, Lord-willing, Jenni and I will be in Israel, the land of the Bible! We've been very excited about the privilege of visiting the "Holy Land" together. Why is it that this tiny country, about the size of the state of Vermont (and has no oil to export) causes such a stir all over the world, and is in the headlines nearly every day? Why do many in Arab countries want it destroyed? More importantly, why does God call Israel "the apple of My eye"? What is the big deal? Why does this tiny nation matter so much? Should it matter to all of us?

I want to spend the rest of this article listing some Biblical reasons why Israel matters, using the fourth chapter of Deuteronomy as our main text. Then next month, after we have returned from Israel, I will complete our discussion of this subject.

1. Israel Manifests the Credibility of God- vs. 1-5...God says to the Israelites through Moses, the prophet, "Your eyes have seen what the Lord did..." Unquestionably, God has revealed Himself to His own people, but also to the whole world through the nation of Israel. There was the burning bush, the 10 plagues of Egypt, the crossing of the Red Sea, manna coming down from Heaven in the wilderness, etc.



2. Israel Manifests the Closeness of God- vs. 6-7a... "For what great nation is there that has God so near to it, as the Lord our God is to us...?" On countless occasions, God came down and spoke personally to certain prophets, or to the nation gathered at Mt. Sinai, etc. He did not do that with any other nation.



3. Israel Manifests Communion With God- v. 7b... "so near..as the Lord our God is to us, for whatever reason we may call upon Him"? God not only spoke to them, He made it possible for them to communicate with Him directly. There is no other god that has ever been able to do that. Israel, and Israel's God, stood alone in that regard.



4. Israel Manifests the Commandments of God- v. 8... "What great nation is there that has such statutes and righteous judgments as are in all this Law which I set before you this day"? "Keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you" (v. 2). It was to Israel that God originally gave the 10 Commandments, then to the rest of us.



5. Israel Manifests the Chastening of God- vs. 23-28... God warned that if they did not keep His commandments,..."you will soon perish from the land...and the Lord will scatter you among the peoples, and you will be left few in number..." Much of Israel's history is a sad testament to their disobedience and God's subsequent chastisement.



6. Israel Manifests the Compassion of God- vs. 29-31... "You will seek the Lord your God, and you will find Him if you seek Him with all your heart...and obey His voice, for the Lord your God is a merciful God. He will not forsake you, nor destroy you..." Whenever Israel truly repented, God lovingly forgave them (again and again) and restored them to fellowship and blessing.

I'm so thankful for Israel and the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob! He is the same God that "so loved the world that He gave His only begotton Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life". Jesus was a Jew, an Israelite, and He was, and is the Messiah, the Savior of the world!

This month, we commemorate His death, burial and resurrection! It will be a thrill for Jenni and I to walk where He walked, talk where He talked, and see what He saw. Millions flock to Israel every year to do this. Knowingly or unknowingly they are lending testimony to the fact that God is real, the Bible is true, Israel matters, Jesus is the one and only Savior, and the tomb is empty!! Whether or not you ever get to visit the country of Israel in this life, I trust you know the Holy One of Israel, and have responded to His love for you, and have placed your faith in His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, our risen and glorified Savior!