After spending a few days in Tel Aviv we were, of course, anxious to visit Jerusalem. We therefore hired a taxi and set off for a drive of about forty-five miles through country that for the most part is very hilly. On the way, we traveled over the road where the heaviest fighting of the War of Independence took place. Truly the Israelis were fighting for their lives. I asked our guide why they had fought so tenaciously, and he remarked : “We were fighting for our homes, because we are the dispersed, the exiles and the unwanted who came to this one little corner of the earth where the word ‘Jew’ is not slander.”
There were quite a number of trucks and tanks lying on the banks of the highway, a grim reminder of the terrible struggle that had taken place. The government leaves these disabled vehicles as memorials to those who gave their lives in the unequal battle. The more we read and study the exploits of the Jews in their War of Independence, the more we realize they must have felt that God was their Helper.
On each side of the highway are new forests that have been planted because of the gifts of those who subscribe one dollar or more per tree. There are now millions of such trees. Our guide told us about one lady who had subscribed a dollar visiting the country and asking if he would show her the tree for which she had made the gift. He stopped his cab, Walked back into the forest, pointed out one little tree and said : “That’s it, mam.” She went away satisfied and quite happy. We thought of the words of God in Isaiah 17 :10 ; “Because thou hast forgotten the God of thy salvation, and hast not been mindful of the rock of thy strength, therefore shalt thou plant pleasant plants, and shall set it with strange slips.” Truly they are strange slips brought from many lands.
As we drew nearer to Jerusalem, we became so eager that we wished our driver would drive faster. What a magnet this city is to all believers ! As we approached the city, the hills became higher, stonier, and rather uninviting. There are still some Arab villages perched on the hillside. The hills are terraced and cultivated, and are quite productive. Finally we arrived. To think that we were in the City of the Great King! What a history it has ! Volumes have been written, and still more could be written about this city where God has chosen to put His Name. Many thoughts came into our minds when we finally realized that we were actually in Jerusalem. Jesus loved the city, and when he saw what was going to happen to it He wept. Well might it be said today : “O Jerusalem, why did you reject your Messiah ? Not for what you have done, but for what you will be, we love you still.”
The hotels in Jerusalem are splendid, and the service good. We took up our abode at the President Hotel where we found a group of fellow Canadians who were there for the opening of the new law school at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, the funds for which had been donated by a Canadian benefactor.
Up to this point we had been on our own without any definite program, but determined to see as much of the land and the people as possible. Fortunately we were asked to join the Canadian group. They had a wonderful itinerary and we felt very happy at the prospect. We were the only Gentiles in the party, and they could not have been more considerate and kind. They, of course, were anxious to know why we were so very interested in the Holy Land. This gave us a splendid opportunity to tell them that we were Christadelphians and what we believed. Christ and the New Testament are a great stumbling block, exactly as Paul said in 1 Cor. 1 :23; “But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumbling block and unto the Greeks foolishness.” We think, however, that there is at least a shadow of a change. They believe that Christ came, although not as their Messiah. They also believe that the times of the Gentiles are almost, if not fully expired. It may be as Paul said in Romans 11 :25; “Blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles be come in.”
We made an extensive visit to the new Hebrew University, a wonderful layout of buildings. The first Hebrew university and also the Hadassah Hospital built on Mount Scopus are in plain view, but are in Jordan territory and practically abandoned. Only a caretaking staff is allowed in the buildings, and once a week under armed convoy the Jews are allowed to take in supplies. The Jews do not complain about this apparently foolish attitude on the part of the Arabs. They believe that the location of the new university makes it more accessible than the one on Mount Scopus.
There can be no question about Jerusalem becoming the medical center of the world. This is due to the fact that large numbers of doctors and specialists, the majority of whom are outstanding in their profession, have been driven out of the countries where they practiced, and are now located in Israel. In fact, we were told there is a great surplus of doctors in Israel. We visited the new hospital, a large and architecturally fine building. Strange as it may seem, there are more Arabs than Jews cared for there. Provision has been made so that, in the event of an air raid, the patients could be quickly removed to well equipped rooms five stories below ground. Does this precaution create any thoughts in our minds when we read Ezekiel, Chapters 38 and 39? When reading Zechariah, Chapter 14, we wondered if, when they provided these emergency rooms, they, too, had read this chapter, for it commences with gloom and despair, and ends with joy and victory.
There are many points of interest at the university. One large room is filled with relics taken from the ancient city of Razor. Dr. Ya-din, the man who unearthed these findings, met our group and explained everything concerning them in detail. He also stated that three identical cities had been built on the site of the original city of Razor which was destroyed by Joshua (see Chapter 11:10-11). There were tablets, earthenware and sculptural work. What an answer this is to those critics who frantically try to prove that the Bible is not the work of inspiration!
The language of the land is pure Hebrew. We talked to the students at the university and discovered that their chief difficulty is Hebrew, which is a very hard language to learn. Inasmuch as all studies are in Hebrew, they find it hard work. However, they are in earnest about it, in fact they work at some productive labor in the morning, go to classes at 2 p.m. and carry on until 9 p.m. What a cry would go up if we asked our students to work like this ! It was also interesting to see the stadium where the international Bible Quiz was held, and, incidentally, the contest was won by a Jew. We heard the Israeli symphony orchestra. It is a well known fact that Jews are very capable musicians. Agriculture is given a very important and prominent place in the university training.
The crowning thrill was a visit to the “Shrine of the Book” where we saw the original Dead Sea Scrolls preserved in earthen vessels as they were commanded in Jeremiah 32 :14,15; “Thus saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel; Take these evidences, this evidence of the purchase, both which is sealed, and this evidence which is open__ and put them in an earthen vessel, that they may continue many days. For thus saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel; Houses and fields and vineyards shall be possessed again in this land.” The history of their discovery is no doubt known by most believers, and it appears to be one more evidence of the visible hand of God in these last days when men seem to think that God has no interest in the earth or in mankind. The scrolls contain the prophecy of Isaiah and two chapters of the book of Habakkuk. It is rather significant that, after an elapse of nearly two thousand years in which nations have disputed Israel’s claim to the land, these ancient scrolls should be uncovered, indicating a miraculous bridging of the gap in time. Are these the latter day evidences given to us to strengthen our faith ?
The Jewish people, notwithstanding their past and present sufferings, have a sense of humor. While looking at some of the buildings at the university we saw in the distance a rather good looking building, quite new. We asked the guide what the building was. He explained that the ancient wailing wall was in Jordan territory and was now inaccessible to the Jew. “So,” he continued, “we have built a new wailing wall and that is it. We pay our income tax there.”
We attended a reception given by Mayor Agron of Jerusalem, a middle-aged man full of enthusiasm. He presented us with an autographed copy of a book on Jerusalem, its history and hope for the future. He spoke to us about the Mayor of Toronto, who, by the way, is also Jewish. Since our visit with Mayor Agron of Jerusalem, he passed away very suddenly in December.
Among the most attractive buildings in Jerusalem is the Y.M.C.A. with its tower from which an imposing view of the city can be obtained. What a pity the city is divided, and so many parts, interesting to believers, are inaccessible except on very special occasions. However, this is how it was decreed. Zechariah 14:2 states in part : “And half of the city shall go forth into captivity.” It will remain so until the Prince of Peace returns.
Our main interest at this point is Mount Zion, about which we will speak in our next article. We sincerely hope that our next visit will be when we, together with our beloved brethren and sisters, shall be redeemed and return to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon our heads (Isaiah 51:11).
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One