Photo caption: Israel’s Prime Minister Ehud Olmert (R) and opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu attend a memorial ceremony in Jerusalem July 31, 2008. (REUTERS/David Furst/Pool)

Everyone who reads and understands the Holy Bible knows that Israel, Jerusalem and it’s people play a pivotal role in our history (and future). Israel is GOD’s first born and HE loves her dearly.

Israel (Abraham) received the first covenant, and although many Jews seem to reject Jesus of Nazareth as Messiah and the LIVING SON OF GOD ALMIGHTY (and the truth that one can indeed die for the sins of another… but only ONE is fully worthy and sinless to do that, Jesus the Christ), the LORD revealed to the prophets that HE will indeed redeem HIS people. Because they won’t be able to deny the Truth forever. They will embrace the Truth — Salvation through Jesus the Christ, the spotless lamb sent from GOD whose blood makes atonement for all who seek to be saved. Jesus, our High Priest forever.

But, based on what I have read in the prophecies, Israel will have to be torn down and humbled before she is glorified. Under whose watch will this happen?

Ehud Olmert, the current Prime Minister of Israel, has announced that he’s stepping down in September (read JPost) and not seeking re-election (and he’s facing several charges related to contribution funds).

“Bibi” (good, old Benjamin Netanyahu), a former Prime Minister, is itching to get back into office (read IHT). He’s a hardliner when it comes to negotiation over land with the Arabs. If you can call it negotiating.

Either way, it’s interesting to see what unfolds. Hold fast.

Jeremiah 31-32

1 “At the same time,” says the LORD, “I will be the God of all the families of Israel, and they shall be My people.” …3 ” Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you. 4 Again I will build you, and you shall be rebuilt, O virgin of Israel! …

20 Is Ephraim My dear son? Is he a pleasant child? For though I spoke against him, I earnestly remember him still; Therefore My heart yearns for him; I will surely have mercy on him, says the LORD. 21 ” Set up signposts, Make landmarks; Set your heart toward the highway, The way in which you went. Turn back, O virgin of Israel, Turn back to these your cities. 22 How long will you gad about, O you backsliding daughter? For the LORD has created a new thing in the earth- A woman shall encompass a man.” …

31 “Behold, the days are coming, says the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah- 32 not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt, My covenant which they broke, though I was a husband to them, says the LORD. 33 But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the LORD: I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. 34 No more shall every man teach his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, ‘Know the LORD,’ for they all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them, says the LORD. For I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more.”

Jeremiah 32: 38 They shall be My people, and I will be their God; 39 then I will give them one heart and one way, that they may fear Me forever, for the good of them and their children after them. 40 And I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from doing them good; but I will put My fear in their hearts so that they will not depart from Me. 41 Yes, I will rejoice over them to do them good, and I will assuredly plant them in this land, with all My heart and with all My soul.’