Stand with Israel

I attended a wedding reception last weekend for two of my former students. The bride teaches preschool at a Jewish school and invited all of her students and their parents to the reception. Her students were so excited about going to their teacher's reception that they insisted that their parents take them. The rabbi and his family were among those who attended the reception.

The mother of the bride welcomed everyone to the reception and especially the Jewish guests. Then she made some comments that were very interesting to me. She said something similar to the following: "We are all aware of events taking place in the world. We want all of our Jewish guests to know that these people [she gestured to all the rest of us] are good people who stand with Israel. You are not alone."

I knew that I personally stand with Israel, but I didn't consider the many people that I know who also understand the importance of standing with Israel. I took a quick glance around the room at all my friends and associates; then I realized that I too could say, "These people are good people who stand with Israel."

Why is it important for Americans as individuals and the United States of America as a nation to continue to stand with Israel in their battle to survive as a nation? Three good reasons to stand with Israel are: 1) Israel or the Jews are God's chosen people. 2) Israel is the only nation in the Middle East that is a true democratic state. 3) What happens to Israel will eventually happen to the United States of America. Now I will enlarge on my three reasons.

My first reason for standing with Israel is purely a religious one. The scriptures are full of references to the covenant that God made with Abraham and then renewed with his son Isaac and Isaac's son Jacob (also known as Israel). The Lord spoke to Abram and said: "… Get thee out of thy country … unto a land that I will shew [show] thee:
"And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:
"And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all the families of the earth be blessed." (See Genesis 12:1-3.)
Abram took his wife Sarai, his nephew Lot, and other people who joined them and went into the land of Caanan. The Lord appeared to Abram and said, "Unto thy seed will I give this land …." (See Genesis 12:5, 7.)
When Abram was 99 years old, the Lord appeared to him again and said, "I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect.
"And I will make my covenant between me and thee, and will multiply thee exceedingly."
Abram "fell on his face," and God continued to talk: "As for me, behold my covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be a father of many nations.
"Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee.
"And I will make thee exceeding fruitful….
"And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant….
"And I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, the land wherein thou art a stranger, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God….
"And God said unto Abraham, As for Sarai thy wife, thou shalt not call her name Sarai, but Sarah [meaning Princess] shall her name be.
"And I will bless her, and give thee a son also of her: yea, I will bless her, and she shall be a mother of nations….

Abraham was 100 years old when Isaac was born, and his wife Sarah was 90. Sarah died at age 127, and Abraham lived until age 175.

Abraham had children with three different women for a total of eight sons and great posterity. His first son, Ishmael, was born to Hagar, Sarah's Egyptian maid, who became his concubine. His second son, Isaac - the covenant son - was born to his wife Sarah. After Sarah's death, Abraham married Keturah, who bore him six sons. The house of Israel comes through Isaac, the son of Sarah. The Arab nations come through the lines of Ishmael, the six sons of Keturah, and Esau, one of the sons of Isaac.

The Abrahamic covenant continued through Isaac, Isaac's son Jacob (whose name was changed to Israel), and the twelve sons of Israel to the twelve tribes of Israel, otherwise known as the house of Israel. The Jews are descendants of Judah and are part of the house of Israel; therefore, they are part of the covenant people of God. Everyone who fights against the Jews is also fighting against God. Since God is more powerful than any number of humans, God's side will win! If Americans want to be on the winning side, we must stand with Israel!

My second reason for standing with Israel is the fact that it is the only nation in the Middle East that is a true democratic state. "According to the "Democracy Index" (published by the Economist, a British journal), the country in the Middle East with the highest Democracy Index score is Israel, with a score of 7.48, corresponding to the status of `flawed democracy", the only one in the region. The next highest scores of countries of the region are held by Lebanon (5.82) and Turkey (5.73), classified as `hybrid regimes.' Also in the `hybrid regimes' category are the Palestinian territories, Pakistan, and Iraq. The remaining countries of the Middle East are categorized as authoritarian regimes, with scores below 2 held by Libya, Iran and Saudi Arabia." (See Wikipedia.org.)

Wikipedia states that there are many theories on this subject that include the following: 1) "… democracy is incompatible with Islamic culture and values." 2) "… the lack of a clear cut difference between religion and the state stifles democracy in the region." 3) The Ottoman Empire, Britain, France, and the United States are "blamed for preferring authoritarian regimes because this simplifies the business environment, while enriching the governing elite and the companies of the imperial countries." 4) There is a "resource curse" in the nations of the region. 5) "… a gradual political opening is more efficient to reach democracy."

Participants in the recent revolutions in the Middle East apparently thought that they were rioting for democracy, but they are not being given democracy. Therefore, Israel is the only true democratic state in the Middle East. Israel is therefore our only true friend in that region.

My third reason for standing with Israel is the unfortunate fact that whatever happens to Israel will eventually happen to the United States. Israel is like the canary in the mine. If there was enough oxygen for the canary to live and be happy, it was safe for the miners to work there. If the Islamists, with the help of Barack Obama and other such leaders, succeed in destroying the nation of Israel, they will continue their evil ways by working to destroy the United States. As long as Israel stands, the full frontal attack will not come to the USA.

I am grateful to know that most Americans still stand with Israel. When Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed a joint session of Congress recently, he receive a positive and supportive welcome from both sides of the aisle. This reception is consistent with the feelings of most Americans although other nations are becoming more and more anti-Semite. This worldview is shown by the nearly universal hatred, condemnation and discrimination against the state of Israel and its Jewish citizens.

Ron Lipsman [American Thinker, May 27, 20ll] wrote: "The people of America continue to recognize in Israel a kindred spirit - a nation devoted to freedom, justice, the rule of law, religious tolerance, equal opportunity, economic growth and the finer aspects of Western Civilization. … the American people [are] a truly exceptional nation - and our eagerness to stand with Israel is a testament to that fact."

There are probably other reasons why the United States should continue to stand with Israel, but I believe these are the most important reasons. I will continue to stand with Israel. I hope that you will join me.