FROM DAN TO BEERSHEBA (and then some)

Then all the people of Israel came out, from Dan to Beersheba, including the land of Gilead, and the congregation assembled as one man to the Lord at Mizpah (Judges 20:1).

The phrase, from Dan to Beersheba, occurs 9 times in the Old Testament, being a general description of the area settled by the Hebrew people, Dan being the northern most and Beersheba being the southern most. It is not a precise description, but is a good general one.  This description was advocated by the Brits following WW1 as a mandate for a homeland for the Jewish people.  On our 2014 trip we pretty much covered that description.  We could have gone further north and south, but none of us desired to.

Israel is a tiny country, being as much a county as a country, yet it is a mighty country for its size.  In terms of its economy in the middle east, only Iran's might surpass it.  In terms of technology, it is a world leader, advancing in computer tech, medical tech and the sciences.  In terms of military might, it is thought, though no one knows for sure, that Israel could be the world's 4th leading nuclear power.  Though the Palestinians resent a powerful Israel and think the Israeli's should give up more, being so tiny they could not exist otherwise.

I have wondered why the Jews in America generally support liberal lefties in American politics.  Our present president's administration has not been a big supporter of Israel, to say the least.  To my Jewish seatmate I asked why Jews supported Obama while his policies have imperiled Israel rather than empowering Israel.  He said, "We have been imperiled for 2,500 years."  The modern State of Israel was started as a socialist democracy.  The Jews are comfortable with it so they support socialist government.  I think the reason socialism seems to work for Israel is that there is a thin line between existence and nonexistence and everyone feels the need to contribute, while in America socialism produces a lot of people with their hands out wanting more.  Israeli's practice the wisdom of John F. Kennedy much more than Americans, "Do not ask what your country can do for you, but what can you do for your country."

"From Dan to Beersheba" Israel is a museum.  That statement is not meant to be derogatory, but rather, to be complimentary.  To muse is to think deeply, to ponder or to meditate.  A museum is a place that stimulates one to think, and

that is what Israel does.  I cannot go there without thinking about history, examining my faith and thinking about the future--from history to hope.  (Doesn't this "hanging tree" in Jaffa stimulate your thinking?  Well, I had to use the picture somewhere.)

Our Father's Love,
Tom