Friday, January 19, 2018

Israel: Is it Really the Holy Land?

On my ten hour flight to Israel I had much opportunity to think.  I thought much about Israel being “the Holy Land”.  One of the first things our tour guide talked to us about was that Israel is the Holy Land. Jews, Christians and Muslims each tracing their roots to Abraham consider the area that is basically comprised of modern Israel as the Holy Land.

But is it really holy? I mean there has been so much conflict in this place and it continues to this day. How can it be considered a holy land?

Now we know that God calls us to be holy as He is holy (Lev 11:34) and in the Old Testament there are many references to setting things apart for special/holy purposes.  Jerusalem is referred to as the holy city (Mt. 4:5) and the Mount of Transfiguration is called holy (2Pet. 1:17-18).

When I think of the holiness of God it’s about absolute perfection. In Him there is the complete absence of sin. There is no doubt in my mind that God is holy and there is none other like Him!
  
When I think of the holiness of persons it’s about a life that is lived apart from the way others live because it is lived to God’s standards. But who is able to meet the standard?  That is why our holiness can only come about by a right relationship with God by the salvation we can receive in Jesus Christ.  When we repent our sin and believe in the forgiveness of it by the finished work of Jesus; His life living in us makes us holy!

When I think of holy places and things I see them as set being set apart for special use. The land of Israel had been set apart by God for His special use.  It is the place that God revealed Himself to mankind.  It is the place God began to put in place a plan through His chosen people to redeem the whole world to Himself!  It is the place where God walked among us!  Jesus Christ came walked on this land and gave us a fuller understanding of God and His plan and purposes.

Yes, Israel is the Holy Land for a Holy God has set it apart to use this place to bring His full salvation to all the world!