"Our Righteousness"
The Mountains
of Israel
“Prophecy
unto the mountains of Israel, and say, Ye mountains of Israel, hear the word of the LORD:
Thus saith the LORD God; Because the enemy has said against you, Aha, even the ancient high places are ours in possession:”
Ezekiel 36:1-2
If we were ever living in a day and time when this passage is pressed daily upon the heart
of believers in the Land of Israel, and where men and women, who hold covenant with the Land need to speak forth the words
in Ezekiel 36 —it is today!
What is so significant about this chapter? What has G-d purposed upon these mountains, that
He calls believers to prophecy to them at this time?
First of all, there are several terms we need to understand before we look at the three major
Jewish insights regarding the significance of the West Bank. They are as follows:
The significance of the settlements presently existing in Gaza, and the West Bank (Judea and
Samaria) can be exemplified by three important insights that reveal the symbolic and prophetic significance of the settlements. They are as follows:
1. The settlements on the Mountains of Israel are a sign
that the promise of G-d for the gathering of the exiles has begun. The Settlements
will also be used to further gather those in exile back to the land. Because
it is written, “But ye, O mountains of Israel, ye shall shoot forth your branches and yield your fruit to thy people
Israel, for they are at hand to come.” This refers to the gathering of
the exiles after the blessing of the years.
o R. Abba also said: There can be no more manifest [sign of] redemption than this: viz., what is said, But ye, O mountains
of Israel, ye shall shoot forth your branches, and yield your fruit to my people of Israel, for they are at hand to come.
2. The Mountains of Israel are symbolic for “Righteousness.”
1Even as Abraham believed G-d’s promise for the inheritance
of the land and it was accounted unto him as righteousness by faith; likewise, the settlers today establish themselves upon
the Mountains of Israel because they believe the promises of God’s Word. Such is accounted as righteousness by God.
Hence, whether they flourish or fall is representative of Israel’s faith in God and his righteousness in government.
o R. Levi said: It [Scripture] gives a simile for the righteous in their dwelling, and for the wicked in their dwelling.
The righteous in their dwelling: I will feed them in a good pasture, and upon the high mountains of Israel shall their fold
be (Ezek. XXXIV, 14)- The wicked in their dwelling: In the day when he went down
to the netherworld I caused the deep to mourn and cover itself for him (ib. XXXI, 15).
o Thy righteousness [i.e- mercy] is above Thy judgments, just as the mountains of G-d are above the great deep: as the
mountains are endless, so are the righteous endless 1; and as the mountains press back the deep so that it should not ascend
and inundate the world, so do the righteous press back punishment, lest it go forth and burn up the world; and as the mountains
are sown and yield fruit, so do the deeds of the righteous yield fruit; and as the deep is unfathomable, so is the punishment
of the wicked unfathomable [i.e. immeasurable]. R. Jonathan in R. Josiah’s
name.
o “Ulla
said: Jerusalem shall be redeemed only by righteousness, as it is written, Zion shall be redeemed with judgment, and her converts
with righteousness.”
3. The Mountains of Israel will be the place
of final judgment.2 “And when the exiles are assembled,
judgment will be visited on the wicked, as it says, And I will turn my hand upon thee and purge away thy dross as with lye,
and it is written further, And I will restore thy judges as at the first.3
As we can see from the above, the Mountains of Israel hold a significant standing before G-d
and his role in Israel’s redemption. Therefore, let us not be slack in
praying G-d’s word i.e. Ezekiel 36 over the Mountains of Israel, as the enemy of Israel’s soul desires to destroy
G-d’s promises about these Mountains.
For the Hope of Israel,
Kim Johnson
Director, GIA
