The Return of IsraelSample

Day 3 – Another Return to Israel

When God called Abram, he went to Canaan, to the Promised Land. But a famine came over that land, and Abram went to Egypt. (Genesis 12:10) Later he returned, “until he came to Bethel, to the place between Bethel and Ai where his tent had been earlier.” It is a kind of pattern that we come across multiple times in the Biblical account. Jacob and his children also traveled to Egypt because of a famine in Canaan and later returned. The book of Exodus is all about this return from Egypt.

Jesus’ life was often a repetition of the history of His people. When Jesus was a baby, Joseph and Mary fled to Egypt because King Herod wanted to kill Him. Afterwards He returned from Egypt. “Out of Egypt I called My son,” wrote the prophet Hosea. Matthew applies this to Jesus’ return from Egypt. In this way he emphasizes that Israel and Jesus belong together.

When Jesus spoke about the coming Kingdom of God after His resurrection, the disciples asked Jesus whether He would restore the Kingdom of Israel in their time. In His answer to the question Jesus did not deny that the Kingdom of Israel would be restored. However, many other things had to happen first. Today we are witnesses of another return of the people of Israel, as has happened before. God’s plans never fail.

Something to think about: What do you think the current return of the people to Israel means?