Greetings all:

An question came to me last night as I was pondering upon Israel. Why did God particularly chose the Land that we now know as the land of Israel? I mean, consider: this entire planet and the universe was created by God, therefore everything is rightfully His. Of all the land masses on this planet that He could have chosen, why that particular real estate that is now known as Israel, as His possession? He obviously chose it long before Abraham had came along. I feel it has something to do with the creation story and the meaning itself of the name of Israel (Israel does means, He struggles with God). Any ideas?

Sincerely yours,

Wendy

Someone has said:
it's at the crossroads of 3 continents, africa, europe, asia

so, thre is lots of traffic thru the Land, to spread the Word of God (and Salvation and Love, Wisdom) through-out the world.

there is a Major trade Road thru the Land , between africa and europe/asia, ........again, the traffic spreads the scriptures.

Interesting question. While there are some sensible reasons, I'm actually also puzzled with this small slice of land (comparatively), quite a large part of which is desert.

On the other hand, I have also puzzled over the next: If God had chosen Timbuktu as Israel's Promised Land, would we be asking, "Why Did God choose Timbuktu?"

Could it be oil?

Why not?

It sure beats New Jersey

I like to think that God wants to show His power and might through this land.
Just like how He showed His might through david against goliath.
A piece of small land surrounded by enemies and haters ready to destroy...but what can destroy if it has God? I guess Father is fond of the underdogs

God chose that land, my land, your land for His possession. But He chose the area around the region of the Dead Sea for His 'peculiar' possession. For His chosen people, the 12 tribes of Israel. At the time of the writing of the Old Testament, there was ONLY 72 people who were of the tribes of Israel. ONLY 72! THE BIBLE TELLS YOU THAT! Now, it takes a whole bunch more studying to even come to a conclusion as to why this is the only solar system that can support flesh and bone life. There is a spirit and it lives in places like Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and on out to gas giant stars lie Beetlegeuse, etc. No flesh and bone can survive outside of our atmosphere no matter how many accoutraments of oxygen containers you have.

http://www.cosmicfingerprints.com/audio/newevidence.htm

(Israel does means, He struggles with God). Any ideas?

We do call the bible a prophetic book. What is happening in the area around the state of Israel now?

It is interesting that God took Abraham from UR (where they worshipped the god Sin/the moon; a pagan territory) into another pagan territory, the Canaanite country (Israel)! As if God was telling Satan this is the beginning of the end for him...

Plus I have heard that Heaven's GATE is in Mt Zion/Jerusalem; where Jacob had his dream, where Abraham almost sacrificed Isaac, etc...

Israel was once a holy land given to the jews by God of Jesus Christ but today it is left desolate because the jews killed the prophets sent by God and even killed God's Son, Jesus Christ. Even now, they still will not recognize that Jesus is Christ, the Mesiah. The so-called temple and Zion there are now in ruins. This is the fulfillment of the Lord's prophecy about Jerusalem being left desolate.
Israel is no longer the holy land chosen by God today but is the devil's construction. Don't anyone be deceived by the devil into thinking God is protecting Israel or any other kingdoms of this world. The few remnants of these kingdoms are being built up into a Spiritual House, the Body of Christ. If we worship God in Spirit and Truth, then we will not be deceived by Satan. In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Church tramples on the head of the beast. Amen. The Church is the Kingdom set up and blessed by God today and all Her members are baptized into One Body (having received the three baptisms just as God through our Lord Jesus Christ commanded them to do). Let us all love what God loves and hate what God hates. Obey God daily.

That land still belongs to the Jews to this date. Others may occupy it but it will return back to the Jews.
I can find a passage that declares that if you'd like.

Let us be very careful (lest we be deceived) that we read the Holy Scriptures in the Holy Spirit (if we have received the Holy Spirit baptism evidenced by speaking in tongues) only and not in our flesh (as many false pastors and ministers do today being easily deceived by the devil into constantly "thinking" as he made Eve and Adam do in the Garden of Eden).
Isaiah, chapter 2, verses 1-3 is one of many examples speaking of the True Israel, the House of Jacob, where the Tabernacle of God is with men. Now, this "True Israel" is not in the Middle East (where there is nothing Holy or True).
If a physical Jew wants to come to God, he/she must humble themselves and believe in Jesus Christ(Blood, Water, Holy Spirit) and return to God's Sheepfold, today's House of Jacob. Let us all pray that they do so today.

As to why God chose the land of Canaan for Israel to come into...

It may have something to do with surviving giants (Nephilim) that were living in Canaan, that God wanted destroyed, together with the Canaanites under their control. In the Bible details are not given as to how any Nephilim survived -but some of them must have; they are not described as having lived anywhere else except in Canaan. It may have been their primary abode in the pre-Flood world, which can explain why they returned to it. In any case God wanted them destroyed and he wanted to use Israel as a conquering army to do the job. Only Israel could be trusted (hopefully) to not fall under Nephilim control.

In that case the purpose of God's chosen is not merely for historic reasons -but is symbolic and prophetic for the future as well.

Actually, God's people could live anywhere so far as everyday living is concerned, but a main objective of God was the conquest and destruction of his enemies. Thus Israel was directed to the main zone of spiritual conflict. It is noteworthy that God was VERY DISAPPOINTED that Israel did not fully complete the conquest. So the wipeout of the Nephilim-Canaanite population must have been a primary objective of God.

I would welcome replies to this idea.

What if you received the Holy Spirit out away from all humanity? Out in the wilderness where you were praying and fasting and there was no one else there who spoke a foreign language to speak to. Then the cloven tongues of fire received at Pentecost would not be needed. The day of Pentecost when the apostles and disciples received the Holy Spirit were Men talking to other men in foreign languages to tell them the awesome works of God. Speaking in tongues to foreigners to tell them about the Lord can be a sign that you received the Holy Spirit but so can healing the sick raising the dead and killing the fig tree. Not to mention turning waters to blood and closing up heaven so that no rain falls in the days of your ministry. Casting a mountain into the sea and bringing fire down on the head of the enemy can also be a sign of having the Holy Spirit.

However speaking babel into the air is one of the signs that man can mock.

Again, Godsloft has misinterpreted God's Holy Word and is unable to "eat solid food". Let us all be very careful how we interpret what the Triune God (Three in One) reveals to His holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit. God only reveals His Word, the Mystery, to the above (Ephesians 3:5) not to evangelists, pastors, teachers, saints, etc. You may want to rebel against God or disagree but this is your choice. God doesn't work the way people "think". Apostle Paul had the highest physical position in the Church in the begining days of the New Testament Church. Why? Because it was God's choice on him not man's. Apostle Paul explained (among other things) the difference of "Gift of Tongues" and "Praying in Tongues" to those in the Church of Corinth who had already received the three baptisms. (I have explained the difference between the two in the topic "Let's Talk Tongue" in "Debates and Controversial Issues" page 7 for all who are interested in gaining more understanding from the Holy Father). Man believes in going to seminary schools, theology classes, Bible studies, colleges and universities to learn about God and how to be a pastor, pope, minister, etc., (these places are detestable to God of Jesus Christ because they are unholy). But this is not God's way of working. God looks at the heart.
Now, if anyone has found fault with God (like Godsloft and thousands of others in the denominations), I suggest you come alone before Him now and ask His forgiveness quickly by asking Him to please cleanse away your sins and rebelliousness with the precious Blood of His Son, Jesus Christ. (otherwise, unlike Adam and Eve who lost the Holy Spirit due to their sin, God may not even give It to you due to your unbelief)
God says everyone who has received the Holy Spirit Baptism, pray in tongues. Those who do not pray in tongues do not have the Holy Spirit. (Acts 19:2 testifies of some who didn't receive the Holy Spirit after believing because they did not speak in tongues). (Acts 10:45-48 testifies to those speaking in tongues after the Holy Spirit baptism but before receiving Water baptism).

Now there are only a few of us chosen by God out of the earth's population, the remnant, who are baptized into one Body. "For by the grace of God we are what we are" I Corinthians, 15:10. Israel is not the Holy Land today. There is no land that is holy in the Middle East. But the devil hopes to deceive mankind into "thinking" there is so that he may bring them to death in war and tribulation and destroy God's plan of salvation.
Keep yourselves holy; receive the 3 baptisms (Jesus Christ);
"And do not forbid to speak in tongues" (I Corinthians 14:39)

You got it totally wrong. Israel is still belongs to Jesus. The jews wanted Jesus to destroy the romans, their enemies and they want Jesus to do what jews wanted to do but Jesus did not come for that. He wanted jews to know the truth and to save us. But did jews says ok?. No they did not. They opposed Jesus and threw stone and many things happened. Atleast now the jews are slowly starting to believe in Jesus Christ. Also those who ever say bad things on Israel they will feel God wrath. Already muslim nation such has indonesia is undergoing such wrath. If USA start going to against Israel they will face the same thing. Has you can see so many natural distaster everywhere. Those are God wrath for speaking against Israel. Those who bless Israel Jesus will bless them.

Also remember we are in endtimes. Those who go war with Israel will be slaughtered. Which is going to happen.

Again, you (as well as many Christians today) are seeing (not perceiving) things outwardly not inwardly. There is a lot more that I can write to explain but you have neither accepted nor understood the little that I have written thus far!? How are you going to understand more?!
As the Lord Jesus Christ Himself says..."...for whosoever hath, to him shall be given and he shall have more abundance; but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath..." Matthew 13:12-15
May God of Jesus Christ strengthen your faith and give you a heart to love His Son...Amen.

You are not God and your understanding of the flesh of man is not Gods understanding.
How many of the signs that man can not mock are you displaying as the Power of God?

1 Corinthians 2
4 And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power,
5 that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.

Comeon Jack
Get a clue.

Start with the number 1 (One):

Gen 2:24 Therefore, shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.

Mar 10:18 And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? None good but one God.

Mar 12:29 And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord:

Eph 4:5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism,

There is one God, one Lord, one faith, one baptism.

The number 2 (Two):

Gen 1:16 And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: he made the stars also.

Gen 4:19 And Lamech took unto him two wives: the name of the one was Adah, and the name of the other Zillah.

The number 3 (Three):

Gen 6:10 And Noah begot three sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth.

Mar 9:5 And Peter answered and said to Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah.

Here, Peter is the rock on which the church is built. The church is in the process of dividing into three divisions (Greek – wife, helper, shade). The three divisions are Jesus (mercy), Moses (Law), Elijah (mantle, covering). There are 3 people that were taken to heaven in the bible: Jesus (Mercy), Enoch (Walking with God), and Elijah (mantle, covering).

1Jo 5:7 For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.

I guess my interpretaion of the three in one is 'intent, action, and result.'

Israel became a settlement in 1948 in a spot in the desert. Was the 'intent' for the formation of this settlement to have a Jewish homeland?

I think I see what noname is getting at when he says that we should see things inwardly. Originally in the Old Testament, Israel was 12 disputing tribes; Israel was a corporate setup with one man, Jacob, as CEO. Now, there is another CEO named Ehud Olmert, but he doesn't have 12 tribes to control.

Earth is finite; there's an end to the stuff that comes from the earth. As the stuff that came from the earth dwindled in the thousands of years in the Old Testament and Israel (the corporation) also dwindled down to fewer tribes, there is much less inheritance in the form of physical stuff to go around.

In the Old Testament times, Jacob (Israel) was chosen to distribute the inheritance among the 12 tribes. In all the times and ages of man, there have been the same concepts of survival and all of the ways that we now distribute the wealth among the nations have been, but back in the biblical times, there was not so much scarcity. In fact, everything was plentiful and there was no pollution, cars, factories, etc. so the 'Army of God' that you read about in Joel was massive and very destructive. And there was much more land.

God chose the land, and you can read, because there were pomegranites, figs, and whatever other type of fruit trees that is written in the bible. And maybe that is where the idea came from to 'replenish the earth' and the '12 trees bearing the 12 manner of fruit' comes from.