No fewer than 18 times, the Bible refers to this land as “a land flowing with milk and honey”. We can argue about what “milk and honey” means, but it would be difficult to interpret the positive perspective of “flowing” in any way other than what the rational mind would understand it to be, namely, abundance and, when combined with “milk and honey”, abundantly fertile. Twice, within the context of describing the land that God gave to the Israelites, He refers to it as “flowing with milk and honey, which is the glory of all lands.” (Ezekiel 20:6, 15).

There is a proper place for trying to understand what is meant by that phrase. We can take it apart, word by word, and attempt to explain what we think it means today, what we think it meant to those who were living in Bible times and were about to enter this land, as well as what we think was understood by those who actually did enter. There is a beauty that the Scriptures reveals and proper examination of it illumines the eyes of our understanding and quickens our heart to anticipate “the glory of all lands” that still awaits us.

When the Israelites entered the land after forty years of wandering in the desert, there was work to be done. It had to be “cleared” before it could be properly enjoyed. The Israelites faced constant opposition and attempts to steal and destroy what they sowed and wanted to reap. Their enemies encouraged one another, saying “Come, let us wipe them out as a nation, that the name of Israel be no more.” (Psalm 83:4) The more things change, the more they remain the same. 

After two thousand years of diaspora “wandering”, the descendants of Abraham, Isaach and Jacob returned to the land. It needed to be “cleared” before it could be properly enjoyed. They met considerable opposition, yet they persevered. The “dry bones” (Ezekiel 37) were revived and once again, the land began to flow with milk and honey. Agricultural cooperatives were set up “from Dan to Beersheva” (i.e., from the north to the south of Israel). We taught a multitude of countries how to cultivate their lands, fatten their cows and irrigate their deserts. In the midst of opposition and despite and multitude of wars, this country grew, developed industry, cultural programs, technology and centers for higher education. The dry areas were fertilized and yielded produce, which was exported to nations all over the world. Israel was becoming a physical and material blessing to the nations. 

But, there is another consideration that cannot be overlooked, namely, that Israel is to be a spiritual blessing whereby all the families of the earth will be blessed by it. (Genesis 12:1-3). “Thus says the LORD of hosts, ‘In those days ten men from all the nations will grasp the garment of a Jew, saying, “Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.”‘” (Zechariah 8:23). This remains an event for a future day. Hopefully, it is not too far off.

Yet, today, efforts are being made to turn blessing into cursing. Movements abound that try to delegitimize Israel and to condemn the Jewish people. If some could have their way, we would be blamed for every evil under the sun. The “father of lies” is very good at what he does and is not without gullible adherents. Most people tend to condemn what they do not fully understand. Some are taught to hate from childhood on. Blame is always put on “the other guy”, who, more often than not, turns out to be a Jew or the nation of Israel. So it is today.

During the last two months, our neighbors to the southwest, in Gaza, have attempted to breech the security fence between Gaza and communities in Israel. They have been warned not to approach the security fence, but those warning went unheeded. Stirred on by the terror organization Hamas, civilians are used as human shields. Weapons are used against Israeli troops, who are doing their job to defend our population from terrorist infiltration. Some people are killed, many are wounded. Israeli is blamed by the community of nations, who condemn Israel for continuing to exist. The latest i

n the arsenal of weapons used by “Palestinians” is the “terror kite”. It is a regular kite, usually with a swastika put on it, to which a Molotov cocktail is attached. It is sent over the fence, explodes and causes severe fire damage to agricultural and other lands and property in civilian areas, resulting in considerable economic loss and severe ecological pollution.

Look at the contrast: This is what some of Israel looks like, because of the desire to build a nation and an infrastructure that will benefit the population of Israel. This, on the other hand, is what Hamas desires to do to Israel.

Billions of dollars have been pumped into the “Palestinian” Authority, which has been used to fund three wars against Israel since Hamas took over Gaza in 2007. It has been used to develop a terrorist infrastructure, instead of one that will help to improve the life of the citizens of Gaza. They don’t have anything that they want to protect, so they try to take what we have and what we want to protect. And that totally useless organization, the U.N. (I won’t even credit it with its full name) once again is being asked to condemn Israel for its actions to protect what belongs to it. This is where I live and I will do what I can to protect my home and my family. If this were your home, wouldn’t you do the same?

Please keep my two sons in your prayers. One is on active duty and the other is on reserve duty. Thanks.

Have a long life, peace be to you, and peace be to your house, and peace be to all that you have. (1 Sam. 25:6)

The LORD said to Abram … “Now lift up your eyes and look from the place where you are, northward and southward and eastward and westward; for all the land which you see, I will give it to you and to your deascendants forever.” (Genesis 13:14-15)

Now Moses went up from the plains of Moab to Mount Nebo, to the top of Pisgah, which is opposite Jericho. And the Lord showed him all the land, Gilead as far as Dan, and all Naphtali and the land of Ephraim and Manasseh, and all the land of Judah* as far as the western sea, and the Negev and the plain in the valley of Jericho, the city of palm trees, as far as Zoar. Then the Lord said to him, “This is the land which I swore to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, saying, ‘I will give it to your descendants’;” (Deuteronomy 34:1-4)

* For those who may think that we are occupying “Palestinian” land, it should be noted that “the land of Judah” includes Gaza (Joshua 15:1, 47), which they are temporarily occupying.

Have a great week.

Bless, be blessed and be a blessing,

Marvin