Does US stand with Israel?
(Part III)
OMarch 25, 2019, US President Donald Trump signed a proclamation officially granting US recognition of the Golan Heights as Israeli territory. Before President Trump’s proclamation, Golan Heights was held by Syria. Golan Heights towers 3,000 feet above Galilee. Syria used Golan Heights to hit Israel farms and villages. Golan Heights is a mountainous plateau strategically of interest to Israel not only for military purposes. Golan Heights supplies Israel with over one third of its water. Not mentioning the fact that Golan Heights which has a spectacular landscape and described as a land of beauty has been the site of many important battles.
The name Golan Heights is taken from the Biblical place Golan in Bashan. (See Deuteronomy 4:43 and Joshua 20:8, King James Version)
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US President Trump has been openly supporting Israel even before his election as US president. It will be recalled that US President Trump also recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. History will show that many earlier US presidents were friends of Israel. To name a few: Presidents George Washington, Woodrow Wilson, Harry Truman, Abraham Lincoln, and Lyndon Johnson.
Of all the presidents who were friends of Israel, I find the relationship of George Washington, first US president, very touching and colorful. George Washington is best remembered and loved by Americans for leading an army against the British during the American Revolution. From historical account, we know that General Washington’s army was freezing and dying of hunger in the snows of Valley Forge. It was a Jewish banker by the name of Haym Salomon who gave his personal fortune together with the big funds he raised through his shrewd business transactions buying and selling financial papers both in the European and American markets. Haym Salomon donated all his financial riches to buy the food, clothing, arms, and ammunition that George Washington’s army needed. The financial aid of the Jewish banker turned the tide of the war in favor of America.
In return, grateful Washington did a memorable act to document the contribution of Haym Salomon, the Jewish banker. I am quoting from the book by John Hagee titled “Final Dawn Over Jerusalem,” Page 24-25, to wit:
“Washington was so appreciative of the Jewish contribution to the birth of America that he instructed the engravers of the American one-dollar bill to engrave a tribute to the Jewish people over the head of the bald eagle. If you look carefully above the eagle’s head you’ll see the star of David surrounded by the brilliant light of the Shekinah glory that dwell above the Mercy Seat in the Holy of Holies in the Jewish tabernacle.
“If you turn your one-dollar bill upside down and place your thumb over the eagle’s head, the shield becomes the menorah, the seven golden candlesticks of Israel. Placing your thumb completely over the shield leaves the tail of nine feathers that represent the flames of the Hanukkah Menorah.
“But the symbolism doesn’t stop there. To the Israelites, the number thirteen was a significant number…. Now look on the one-dollar bill – there are thirteen leaves in the olive branch in the right talon of the eagle, thirteen arrows in the left talon, thirteen stripes on the shield, thirteen stars in the cloud representing the thirteen colonies. Every American who carries a single dollar bill holds a constant reminder that in Israel, ‘all the nations of the earth shall be blessed.’”
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Dr. David Jeremiah, a Christian author and speaker, once said: “I believe one of the reasons America has been blessed as a nation is that she has become a homeland for the Jewish people. Here the Jews can retain their religion. Here they have economic, social, and educational opportunities. Today the Christian church in America stands firmly between the Jews and the repetition of any further anti-Semitism.” Dr. Jeremiah further says: “To this very day, the issue of who controls the Promised Land is the most volatile in international politics. But we need not worry; the right to he Promised Land has already been determined by the only One who has the authority to determine it. The land is called holy because it belongs to God. The Bible to tells us that the earth is the Lord’s to do with as He wills (Psalm 24:1; Exodus 19:5). In His covenant with Abraham, God designated who would control this land: He gave it to Abraham and his descendants, the people of Israel.”
One may ask: What does the Bible say? Does it authorize Israel to give their land away? The book of Ezekiel says: “And they shall not sell of it, neither exchange, nor alienate the first fruits of the land: for it is holy unto the Lord.” (Ezekiel 48:14, King James Version). Another biblical verse says: “This is the land which ye shall divide by lot unto the tribes of Israel for inheritance, and these are their portions, saith the Lord God.” (Ezekiel 48:29, King James Version)
(To be continued)
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This column continues to give out copies of the Holy Bible for free to those who cannot afford to buy their own copies. If interested, please send your letter-request to Ms. Nelly Favis-Villafuerte, 5233 Fahrenheit St., Palanan, Makati City. Kindly mention if it is the Tagalog, English, Cebuano, or Ilocano Bible that is preferred.
Be joyful and forgiving!
(Comments may be sent to Ms. Villafuerte’s email: villafuerte_nelly@yahoo.com.)