Posted on November 9, 2008 - by Calvin L. Smith

It’s All Happening in Israel Right Now

Hello, haven’t posted for a while but it is all happening in Israel right now, where I am at the moment, so I thought I’d post a brief comment about events so far. As always with Israel (regardless of how many times one has visited before) it has been an eye-opener. Whatever your theological views this is a quite amazing place, full of history, contradictions, polemics and passion (oh, and excellent food, hotheads, crazy drivers, lovely weather, and just how many recipes include chick peas . It has also been a pleasure to meet so many Christians from so many different walks of life, together with godly people who have devoted their lives to sharing the Gospel here.OK, I began by saying a lot has happened while I’ve been here. Here goes. First, over the past couple of days Condoleeza (have I spelt that right?) Rice was here, staying just 300 yards from where I was staying (though I hasten to add in far superior accommodation).

Also, today in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre (reputed site of Jesus’ death and burial) two Christian sects (Greek and Armenian Orthodox, I think) held pitched battles in the church over jealously guarded rights to certain areas. So intense is the rivalry between the various groups there that they can’t even agree on who should hold the keys to this most ancient of churches. So to keep everyone happy these denominations have an Arab family to act as keyholders. Neither is this the only instance of the need for a ‘middle man’. So intense was their fisty-cuffs today that nonplussed Israeli soldiers had to step in and break up this Christian fracas. The Israelis must think we are mad. I don’t know much about the Armenians (though staying near Jaffa Gate on Shabbat, when most stuff is closed, I found an Armenian tavern and can confirm they served quite excellent food, quite Greek though, consisting of meat-stuffed vine leaves in yogurt).  Watching the fights on TV, I must admit admiration for both sects’ fighting skills, especially the older monks. It all made those more famous Bhuddist fighting monks look quite tame

Also today I went to Shechem to one of two surviving Samaritan towns, where on Mount Gerizim I met with the Samaritan High Priest briefly at his home.  It was almost like meeting Moses himself (his beard came down to his waist, and when I walked in he put on his turban…the only thing missing was a good dash of olive oil on his beard and face by way of anointing). We also visited their synagogue, which was an eye opener. No shoes allowed, super-tick carpetting, quite Muslim-style, but ancient (reputedly) Hebrew script everywhere and a Torah scroll, but on paper, not vellum.

Then I met with David Ortiz and his wife, parents of the boy nearly killed by a bomb likely planted by Ultra-Orthodox Jews who objected to their Gosepl outreach in Ariel (one of Israel’s biggest settlements). Saw pictures of the horrific effects of the pipe bomb taken just minutes after the event. Pray for this young lad, who is improving rapidly but has years of therapy to go.

To top it all, I finished the day watching news of our old pal Tony Blair speaking to reps of the Quartet on talks concerning Israel and the Palestinians. Forgive me if I seem cynical, but after wrecking our country I can’t help but feel he is here wrecking theirs. (If you feel this is unfair and unduly political, just be glad I didn’t dwell on the view that he reminds me of Revelation’s false prophet… oh, sorry, thought I was whispering there).

Actually, far more important than Mr Blair was the meal eaten at Baruch’s and Jay’s home. He is half-Jewish, half Indian, she is a full Indian believer. Both live in Israel. What a meal!!! Indian food cooked properly at home makes Indian restaurants look silly. Even among the home3-cooked variety Jay’s food was above and beyond most Indian food I’ve tasted.

All this demonstrates just how cosmopolitan Israel actually is. I chatted in Spanish (I was raised there and speak it fluently) with Mexican and Argentinian Jews. In fact, I speak Spanish frequently every time I come here. Also, we chattted yesterday with an Ethiopian Jewess Israeli soldier. Today it was Samaritans. Europeans can be found anywhere also. Moreover, the place is full of U.S. Jews who have made this their home., Actually, I could go on and on, but I think you get the point.

So as you can see it was all go here. It hs also been a blessing to spend time with MBCDS students who came over to complete a B.Th. module. We had a great time doing all sorts of stuff. I hope they will be contributing some comments soon.

It was also good to spend time with my good friend Antony. He always delivers, and today I saw a lot. He and I are working on a trip to israel next Autumn. This will be our biggest trip ever, visiting more sites than ever, as well as offering a chance to engage in evangelism for those interested. So start letting me know who plans to come to Israel next October. Places are limitred and this promises to be our best trip ever. I already have the accommodation lined up in the Judaean hills near Jerusalem.