by Alan Langstaff

The land of Israel is a small area on the eastern side of the Mediterranean Sea. Although in comparison to other nations and their land masses, it is small. Yet this small area of land has a history going all the way back to Abraham. It is also the center of much of the conflict in the Middle East.

ABRAHAM & THE PROMISE OF LAND

You have to go back to the time of Abraham in the Old Testament to discover God’s promise to Abraham.

Genesis 12 gives God’s initial call to Abraham, where God calls him to a new country. It is, however, not till we get to Genesis chapter 15:18-21 do we learn the extent of the land promised to Abraham:

“On the same day the Lord made a covenant with Abram, saying: “To your descendants I have given this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the River Euphrates.”” (NKJV)

Then follows a list of the nations that occupy the land. It is not their land; God has designated it to Abram and his descendants. It is clearly spelled out.

This is foundational to the nation of Israel – this is their land, for God has promised it.

The Lord gives further insight into the land in later portions of the Old Testament. For example, in Isaiah chapter 2, we read:

“Now it shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established on the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow to it.

Many people shall come and say,
“Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; He will teach us His ways, and we shall walk in His paths.”
For out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.” (Isaiah 2:2-3 NKJV)

Likewise, he declared in Deuteronomy 3:4-5:

“If any of you are driven out to the farthest parts under heaven, from there the Lord your God will gather you, and from there He will bring you. Then the Lord your God will bring you to the land which your fathers possessed, and you shall possess it. He will prosper you and multiply you more than your fathers.” (NKJV)

So we see that God promised a land to Abraham and his descendants that extended from the River Euphrates in the East to the Mediterranean Sea in the West.

Hence, the phrase used by the enemies of Israel: “From the River to the Sea.”

There are many other references to the land:

“I have also established My covenant with them, to give them the land of Canaan” (Exodus 6:4 NKJV)

For those who want to stress the question of the boundaries of the Land of Israel from a biblical point of view, they are outlined in: Ezekiel 47, Genesis 18, Exodus 23, Numbers 34, Deuteronomy 19, 2 Samuel 24.

“Jewish religious belief defines the land as where Jewish religious law prevailed and excludes territory where it was not applied.” 
(Wikipedia)

THE LAND LOST TWICE

During the time from Abraham, the land experienced Prosperity, as under David and his son Solomon, and also Plunder. It was twice taken over by other nations.

The first time was when the Babylonians conquered Israel (King Nebuchadnezzar). But under Cyrus, they were allowed to return to the land again.

The second time was when the Roman empire conquered the whole world of that day and occupied it, including during the birth, life, and death of Christ. It was in His land that Christ died for us on the cross and rose triumphant from the grave – the very center of our faith, of what we believe and experience.

THE FUTURE VIEWS

On the one hand, those who hold to a “Replacement Theology” (see last Langstaff Letter) believe that the Old Testament was superseded by the coming of Jesus. Thus, for many of them, the church has taken the place of the nation of Israel in God’s plan for the end times.

On the other hand, there are those who believe that a covenant is a covenant and that Israel has a title to the land by divine right. As already stated, this is my position.

THE HISTORY

The history of the land is long and requires a great story that can’t be included in this short letter. For example, the Israel-Jordan treaty of peace signed in 1993 brought about an agreed border between the two nations. Consequently, Israel makes no territorial claims to lands east of the Jordan River.

AN INTERESTING PARALLEL

A good friend of mine has studied the times when Israel has had to give up land and the subsequent effect on America. Let me give you his report (which I have not yet checked it all out). I give it to you to consider. It directly involves America, which is the only nation that has consistently supported Israel, even in the latest conflict with Iran. It highlights the times that Israel was pressured into giving up land and the events that happened in America.

“U.S.-Israel Sovereignty Events and Subsequent Crises”

Carter Administration (1979)

#1 – March 1979: UN Resolution & Nuclear Disaster

  • March 22: U.S. abstains from vetoing UN Resolution 446, which condemned Israeli settlements.
  • March 26: Egypt-Israel Peace Treaty signed in Washington; Israel gives up territory.
  • March 28: Three Mile Island nuclear meltdown – worst in U.S. history.

George H.W. Bush Administration (1991-1992)

#2 – October 30, 1991: Madrid Peace Conference & Perfect Storm

  • Bush promotes territorial compromise for peace.
  • Same day: “The Perfect Storm” forms, slamming Bush’s home in Maine.

#3 – August 23-24, 1992: Peace Talks & Hurricane Andrew

  • Peace talks resume in D.C.
  • Next day: Hurricane Andrew strikes Florida, then the costliest U.S. natural disaster.

Clinton Administration (1994-1999)

#4 – January 16-17, 1994: Golan Talks & Northridge Earthquake

  • Clinton discusses Israel giving up Golan Heights.
  • Next day: Northridge Earthquake hits California, second worst U.S. disaster at the time.

#5 January 21, 1998: Netanyahu Snub & Lewinsky Scandal

  • Netanyahu receives cold reception at White House.
  • Same day: Monica Lewinsky scandal breaks, derailing Clinton presidency.

#6 – September 28, 1998: Land-for-Peace & Hurricane Georges

  • U.S. pushes Israel to give up 13% of Judea/Samaria.
  • Same day: Hurricane Georges hits Gulf Coast with 175 mph winds.

#7 – May 3, 1999: Palestinian State Announcement & Deadly Tornadoes

  • Arafat expected to declare Palestinian state with Jerusalem as capital.
  • Same day: Record-breaking tornadoes hit Oklahoma and Kansas.

George W. Bush Administration (2001-2005)

#8 – September 9, 2001: Roadmap for Peace & 9/11

  • Bush publicly commits to “Roadmap to Peace.”
  • 48 hours later: 9/11 terrorist attacks strike the U.S.

#9 April 30-May 7, 2003: Road Map Delivered & Record Tornado Cluster


  • “Quartet” delivers peace roadmap to Ariel Sharon.
  • Next 7 days: U.S. hit by 412 tornadoes, largest cluster ever recorded.

#10 – August 23, 2005: Gaza Evacuation & Katrina


  • Israel removes all Jewish settlers from Gaza
  • Same day: Tropical Storm Katrina forms. Destroys much of New Orleans and Gulfport and Biloxi MI.

Olmert Administration & Global Economic Crisis (2008)

#11 – October 2008: UN Peace Push & Market Crash

  • Olmert presents progress on Quartet peace plan at the UN.
  • Same time: U.S. financial crisis explodes – worst since 1929.

Obama Administration (2011-2016)

#12 – May 19-22, 2011: Pre-1967 Borders & Joplin Tornado

  • Obama demands Israel return to pre-1967 borders.
  • 3 days later: EF-5 Joplin Tornado, deadliest single U.S. tornado.

#13 – December 23, 2016: UNSC Resolution 2334

  • U.S. fails to veto resolution condemning Israeli settlements.
  • Context: Alleged Obama-Muslim Brotherhood deal to delay response until after Trump.

Trump Administration & Global Pandemic (2020)

#14 – Early 2020: Trump Peace Plan & COVID-19

  • Trump releases peace plan dividing Israeli land and sovereignty. January 28th 2020, meeting with Netanyahu at the White House. That same day the White House became overwhelmed with COVID response.
  • Same time: COVID-19 pandemic spreads globally. February 20, 2020, which was the 24th of Shevat began the market collapse. February 23, 2020 with Ambassador Friedman in Israel drawing the Israeli borders, COVID was contagion and the markets were collapsing, to warn and stop the violation of Israel’s sovereignty over the land and its people.

Biden Administration (2022)

#15 – October 27, 2022: Maritime Surrender to Lebanon

  • Under U.S. pressure, Israel gives 860 km2 to Lebanon.
  • Shortly after: Israeli PM loses office, Yesh Atid party diminished.