Beyond All Odds - The Story Of Israel Proves The Accuracy Of The Bible

Is it a mere coincidence that Israel is successful in unparalleled ways, and at the same time, the object of hatred throughout much of the world? Is there any significance to the survival of the Jewish people who have been mercilessly hunted, and targeted for elimination not once or twice, but repeatedly throughout history? Is Israel’s return to their ancestral homeland something common among people groups? And this return was not once, but twice. Even more remarkable than the first return (from Babylonian captivity) was the second return of the people to the land beginning in the late 19th century and culminating in the establishment of the modern day State of Israel after 1900 years without a nation. Is it just good luck that Israel has survived the consistent and relentless attacks meant to destroy her since the day after she was declared a nation?

These truths are more than just bits of history trivia. They reveal the uniqueness of the Jewish people and the blessing of God that was promised to the first Jewish person, Abraham in Genesis 12, I will make of you a great nation… those who bless you I will bless, those who curse you I will curse.

I believe that the blessing on the Jewish people and the simultaneous hatred of anti-Semitism is a powerful proof of the accuracy of the Bible.

Scripture speaks with prophetic surety about the restoration of the nation at a time when the southern Kingdom of Judah and Benjamin were in captivity in Babylon. The “valley of dry bones” which speaks of Israel’s restoration was written to a people in captivity in Babylon. Not only is their return to the land of Israel prophesied, but the prophecy clearly reveals that ALL of Israel will be restored, all twelve tribes. This is fascinating because the ten northern tribes have never been identified since being taken into captivity in 722 BC. But that day is coming.

Then he said to me: “Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel. They say, ‘Our bones are dried up and our hope is gone; we are cut off.’ 12 Therefore prophesy and say to them: ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: O my people, I am going to open your graves and bring you up from them; I will bring you back to the land of Israel. 13 Then you, my people, will know that I am the Lord, when I open your graves and bring you up from them. 14 I will put my Spirit in you and you will live, and I will settle you in your own land. Then you will know that I the Lord have spoken, and I have done it, declares the Lord.’ ” Ezekiel 37:11-14

This was written to people in captivity.

This promise was not fulfilled when the Jews returned from Babylon, because members of all 12 tribes are specifically mentioned as returning to the land (37:15-23). The promise of Ezekiel 37 has been unfolding right before our very eyes in our lifetimes.

The prophecy of Ezekiel 37 has not yet been completely fulfilled, and it does not refer to either the return from Babylonian captivity, or the overthrow of the Seleucid Empire in 165 BC. Ezekiel 37 fits the historical return of Israel to the land over the past 135 years! The PHYSICAL life of Israel began in 1948. But the SPIRITUAL life is still future and will occur when Israel turns to Christ as King.

All this raises the question of PROBABILITY. What are the chances of rolling a 7 with two dice? 1 in 6. What are the chances of winning the lottery? 1 in millions.

The chances of Bible prophecy being randomly fulfilled? Mathematically absurd.

Prophecies of Messiah? Peter Stoner calculated the possibility of 8 Messianic prophecies being fulfilled: one in one hundred quadrillion (1 with 17 zeroes after)

Prophecies of the destruction of Tyre in Ezekiel 26? 5 with 59 zeroes following.

TODAY: another proof of the accuracy of the Bible: The amazing story of Israel and the Jewish people.

God’s Promises to Israel.

Abraham’s Blessing

People Gen 12:2 “I will make of you a great nation”

Place.

Genesis 12:1 “go to the land that I will show you”

Genesis 15:18–19 (ESV) “To your offspring I give this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the river Euphrates, the land of the Kenites, the Kenizzites, the Kadmonites,”

Promise (blessing). Genesis 12:3 “I will bless those who bless you, and curse those who curse you”

QUESTION: Has this blessing been consistently fulfilled in history?

The Birth of a Nation. Israel is born out of captivity in Egypt

Return from Captivity. Israel is restored back to their land, not ONCE, but TWICE!

The Odd Defying Success of Israel’s People. No nation on earth has ever been so disproportionally blessed!