Standing in support of Israel, Jews, and believers in all the nations, in the name of Jesus (Yeshua). Sharing biblical truth, encouragement, news and prophecy.
I Hashem, in My grace, have summoned you, and I have grasped you by the hand. I created you, and appointed you a covenant people, a light of nations Isaiah 42:6 (The Israel Bible™)
אֲנִי יְהֹוָה קְרָאתִיךָ בְצֶדֶק וְאַחְזֵק בְּיָדֶךָ וְאֶצָּרְךָ וְאֶתֶּנְךָ לִבְרִית עָם לְאוֹרגּוֹיִם Hear the verse in Hebrew
This famous phrase captures the mission statement of the People of Israel. For most of Jewish history, the role of “light unto the nations” has been understood primarily as a private call to have a positive influence on the world by living an ethical life and setting a personal example of righteous behavior. Rarely was anyone on the outside ever interested in what the Jews as a nation had to say, and so the concept of ‘ohr goyim’ was an ideal that individual Jews strived for. However, Yeshayahu (Isaiah) is calling for so much more. The “light” in his stirring description is capable of opening the eyes of the blind and leading the imprisoned out of darkness. The establishment of the State of Israel and its role on the international stage calls for a transformation of the “light unto the nations” metaphor from a passive, individual candle, to a powerful blaze, firing up the nations and igniting the world with righteousness. The State of Israel represents the historic opportunity for the People of Israel to fulfill their religious destiny as a nation. Read more about the mission of the Jewish People in Israel365's Daily Inspirations devotional.
Connect to Israel With These 4 Inspirational Study Guides
“I Hashem have called thee in righteousness, and have taken hold of thy hand, and kept thee, and set thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the nations.” Isaiah 42:6 (The Israel Bible™)
A spectacular photo of Israel and the Middle East, taken from the Space Station and released by NASA on Wednesday, prove what much of the world already knows: Israel is quite literally a light unto the nations.
The photo, showing Northern Egypt, the Sinai Peninsula, and the whole of Israel, as well as other neighboring countries, provide a stark contrast between Israel’s tiny yet brightly glowing crescent and the large swathes of dark, empty land surrounding it on all sides.
NASA’s photo of the Middle East from space. (NASA)
The northern tip of Egypt is visible, with a network of lit and developed areas branching out from the massive glow of Cairo, though the rest of the country is noticeably dark. The vast but empty Sinai Peninsula boasts only a few pockets of light on the coasts, marking the Suez Canal and the Egyptian towns of El Tor, Sharm El-Sheikh, and Dahab.
The point of light on the eastern coast of the Sinai where it meets Jordan shows Eilat, an Israeli resort town at the country’s southernmost tip.
Israel itself, a fraction of the size of its Middle Eastern neighbors, is a brightly lit from the bottom of the Negev to its northern point. The lights of Jerusalem to the east are easily visible, and the coast is illuminated from north to south, with Tel Aviv and Haifa marking two of Israel’s largest population centers. A network of glowing towns, roads, cities and villages spreads throughout the entire country; even the barren Negev is dotted with small points of light.
Surrounding Israel, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria are noticeably dark, with proportionally fewer signs of life.
Israel, though very small and very young, is known for its innovative technology and the “start up” culture that has made it one of the most important high-tech centers in the world. Its Middle Eastern neighbors, however, generally less prosperous and with lower standards of living, are noticeably absent from the world stage when it comes to technological and agricultural advances. This latest image illuminates a principle first spoken by God and brought to life in modern times. Israel’s fate, spiritually, intellectually and literally, is to shine a divine light unto the nations of the world.
I am the Lord; I called you with righteousness and I will strengthen your hand; and I formed you, and I made you for a people's covenant, for a light to nations.
"I am an answer to those who attack and slander Israel." says new Ethiopian Knesset member, Abraham Naguise, "I grew up in a village in Africa as a shepherd, and moved to Israel, got a higher education with the support of the Israeli government, and reached the Knesset, as a lawmaker. That’s Israel. We help the weak. The slander of Israel is baseless. No country in the world does what Israel does." Israel's national blood bank, Heart to Heart, provides life-saving blood to all people in need, regardless of race, religion, or ethnicity. Stand with the "light to the nations" and help Israel continue to save lives and be prepared for emergencies.
CNN reports on how one Syrian boy owes his life to Israel. Features the Israeli phenomenon of granting compassionate medical care to all, even Syrian militants.
The Covenant Journey is a new initiative set to bring young Christians to Israel this summer in order to strengthen their faith and encourage them to become goodwill ambassadors for Israel.
Love learning Hebrew? This wonderful bilingual English-Hebrew pocket book is suitable for English speakers in any stage of their Hebrew learning process. Its compact size and great selection of entries make this dictionary the perfect thing to have around in your school/work bag or on your office desk. Just crack it open for a quick consultation. This is a wonderful present for someone who’s learning Hebrew!
Thank you very much for making Israel365 available to us. It makes the Bible come alive. Thanks once again and God bless. Blessings, Emegha
Dear Rabbi Weisz, Thank God for your obedience in giving us so much information about the land of ISRAEL. Very interesting and a blessing to me. Ken Shrimpton from U.K.
Hi, I am in Cape Town, South Africa....I really enjoy Israel365. Soon I would like to visit Israel. Nico Kriegler
