While sitting here studying Hebrew this morning, I realized that I haven't posted in a while. Mainly because between Greek and Hebrew, and working on my buddy's (Mark Z.) Cessna 210 (doing a complete overhaul) I've been keeping busy. Very busy.
I know that in the past I have posted mainly on theological and ecclesial topics, but I would like to take a bit of a turn and share some of my experience that I had last summer when I took a trip to Israel through SWBTS. While this could take days just trying to sort through what we did, where we went, who we met, and the adventure of getting there (and I do mean adventure), for now I just want to hit some highlights and later get more detailed.
One of the most eye opening experiences while there was getting to go to Bethlehem. Now Bethlehem is behind the wall that the Israeli government built. Because of this wall the economy in Bethlehem and the surrounding West Bank has be dealt a devastating blow. They were heavily dependant on tourism and when the wall went up tourism went down 80%.
When our bus arrived at the entrance, we were told by our tour guide (Micky, a Russian Messianic Christian Jew) that we would have to switch buses and tour guides. The reason being that an Israeli could not go in, only a Palestinian tour guide and bus could give the tour through Bethlehem. This kind of surprised us. So we got off the bus and onto the one parked next to us.
As the bus pulled through the gate the scenery changed, as it did when we went to other predominantly Arab towns, only worse. In American terms, it made the "hood" look inviting. We made our way through the city to the outskirts where Herodias was.
Herodias was the hill that Herod (of the time of Jesus' birth) had built a house on top of and inside. 
On the back side is where they recently discovered what they think to be Herod's tomb.
Enough about that. The reason for explaining all of this is to introduce the tour guide. He is Palestinian. He is Christian.
That's right. Christian. (plaid shirt) 
I had the opportunity to visit with him while walking on the outside of the hill and ask him what it was like being a Christian Palestinian. I was amazed. He grew up Catholic, but when he went to Bible college to learn to be a tour guide, he realized his need for Christ. He is part of a non-denominational church that meets in a small store front of about 50 to 80 people. All Palestinian.
Whenever fighting breaks out in Bethlehem, as it did years ago, it's on Palestinian Christian streets. It is Palestinian Christian children in the cross fire. They cannot leave because they are not citizens of a country and they therefore cannot get a passport or visa. The economy is so bad that children beg, and adults greet you when you get off the bus trying to sell trinkets.
They are not liked by their Muslim neighbors and not trusted by the Israeli government.
The reason I say all this is for this reason. Don't think that the current state of Israel is "godly"-it isn't. Most Israeli Jews are secular Jews. They are Jewish by birth-atheist by faith.
We have brothers and sisters in Christ in Israel who are suffering. But don't make the mistake that so many do, that just because there is a state of Israel that God only on the state of Israel's side.
I'll make this statement.
Not all Israel is Israel.
The STATE of Israel is not COVENANT Israel.
