In the rush of everyday life, it is easy to forget that we are living in special times. Inundated by the daily drone of negativity emanating from much of the media, we often lose sight of the remarkable miracles that are taking place before our very eyes.
Perhaps the most momentous of these is the ongoing saga of the return of the Jewish people to the Land of Israel. What the prophets foretold millennia ago is now becoming reality, as God gathers in His people Israel from around the world.
Over the past 60 years, since the founding of the State of Israel, Jews from Russia, Ethiopia, and elsewhere have all heard the sound of the great shofar, and come home to Jerusalem.
But now, a very special group has begun its long journey back.
A people once thought to be lost has been touched by the Lord and their hearts have stirred with yearning for His embrace.
In the farthest reaches of northeastern India, along the border with Burma and Bangladesh, live the Bnei Menashe (Hebrew for "the sons of Manasseh"). They are descendants of one of the Ten Lost Tribes of Israel, the tribe of Manasseh, who were exiled from the land of Israel by the Assyrian Empire some 2,700 years ago (see I Chronicles 5:26).
But throughout their wanderings, the Bnei Menashe remained true to the ways of their ancestors, and God is rewarding them for their faithfulness and bringing them back to Israel.
Over the past decade, Shavei Israel (Israel Returns), the organization I founded, has brought 1,700 members of the community to Israel, where they have been absorbed successfully into the Jewish state. Another 7,232 remain in India, awaiting their chance to return. And now, at last, their dream seems poised to become a reality.
Over the past year, I have been intensively lobbying Israel's new government to allow the community to move to the Jewish state.
Recently, I was informed by Israel's Minister of Immigrant Absorption that the Israeli government would soon pass a cabinet decision that will enable all the remaining Bnei Menashe to come home to Zion!
So it is now very possible that in the coming months we will merit to see the fulfillment of the prophecy contained in Isaiah 35:10: "And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away."
This is a momentous development. It is a miracle of biblical proportions, one that will help to strengthen Israel both spiritually and demographically.
While the plan is still being drawn up, and eventually needs to win final government approval, it is clear that we are steadily moving forward to the great and historic day when the exile of the Bnei Menashe, which began more than 27 centuries ago, will at last come to an end.
But just what, you might be wondering, does any of this have to do with Christians such as yourself?
The answer is: Everything -- if you take the Bible seriously.
It was the prophet Isaiah who predicted that the nations of the world would actively play a role in this historic process, and would help to bring back God's beloved people to His Holy Land.
In Isaiah 49:22, the Bible says, "Thus says the Lord God: Behold, I will lift up mine hand to the nations, and set up my standard to the peoples, and they shall bring your sons in their arms, and your daughters shall be carried upon their shoulders."
From this verse we see clearly and unequivocally that the nations of the world will assist with the return of the Jewish people to Zion.
Its fulfillment most assuredly includes the love and generosity that many Christians show towards Israel, and the support they provide towards facilitating aliyah.
So don't sit back and let history pass you by. The dispersed of Israel have begun their long journey home. You too can play a part in the unfolding of this miracle, and help to make it happen.
How you can help:
Pray: Please pray that God should open the hearts of Israel's decision-makers so that they will vote to allow the remaining Bnei Menashe of India and other "lost Jews" to come home to Zion.
Partner with Shavei Israel: Your donation enables us to bring the Bnei Menashe (members of a Lost Tribe) from India home to Israel. For more information, visit http://www.israelreturns.org/.
Travelujah is the only Christian social network focused on travel to Israel. People can learn, plan and share their Holy Land tour and travel experiences on Travelujah. For further information on Christian tourism to Israel please contact Holy Land Tours -- Travelujah”
This article published on June 21, 2011. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
