Real pioneers

Where you find the pioneering spirit the most vibrant is in Judea and Samaria. "No one said it better than Rabbi Heschel in his brilliant work, Israel; An Echo of Eternity. "What is holy about the Holy Land? It is not only because its space is filled with frozen echoes of a voice heard in the past. Eretz Israel is a prelude, an anticipation. The Holy Land is regarded as the place where the divine plan of history can unfold its pristine and unique meaning".

"The land of Israel has been sanctified by the words of the prophets, by the suffering of a whole people, by the tears and prayers of thousands of years, by the labor and dedication of pioneers. Such sanctity is precious to God, vital to the people, a light within history. The state of Israel is not only a place of refuge for the survivors of the holocaust, but also a tabernacle for the rebirth of faith and justice, for the renewal of souls, for the cultivation of knowledge of the words of the divine."

A visit to Israel becomes a bridge from the temporal to the eternal. The covenant God made with Abraham, and His oath to Isaac, which He confirmed to Jacob, is the voice that still echoes in the wind over the mountains of Israel. When I stand on those hills I become immersed in that reality. When I look into the eyes of the residents of these hills I see a reflection of the Almighty. I experience in the most practical of terms the continuation of the enduring covenant.

I have had the privilege to experience, to be an eyewitness to the realities in Judea and Samaria. The truth is most residents from the nations have never visited the area and yet they have formed an opinion about this so-called "West-Bank". An opinion based on gross distortions and outright lies. This year Israel may break tourism records. The early 90's was the last time I saw so many tour buses in Jerusalem. But sadly we never encountered another group while traveling on the Road of the Patriarchs.

I submit to you, that you have not really experienced Israel until you have visited the Heartland. Therefore I issue this challenge to the nations. This is a challenge to all Christians and especially to those who consider themselves Christian Zionists. Be a pioneer yourself. Lead the way for your church or organization. Come with me the next time I return to His Mountains. We call ourselves people of faith yet our faith is so rarely challenged. The people of faith I encounter in Judea and Samaria are challenged every moment of their lives. Their environment and many of their Arab neighbors challenge them daily. Tragically most foreign governments are also challenging their very right to exist.

After a visit to Judea and Samaria you will also be an eyewitnesses to the reality on the ground. You will be better equipped to challenge your national leaders' policies concerning Israel. Then the next time some arrogant world leader talks about 1967 borders, you too can say, "it's not going to happen".