THE MOUNTAINS OF ISRAEL

by Norma Parrish Archbold

This useful little book offers a clear scriptural perspective on the events that
have been unfolding in the Middle East and what is to come. The similarity
between developments there and the prophecies in chapters 35 and 36 of the
book Ezekiel are becoming ever more striking. Truly remarkable
correspondences are becoming clear which is good news for Israel.

Enhanced by explanatory maps, the book argues that the scriptural name for
the so-called West Bank is the Mountains of Israel. This area forms part of the
land promised to Abraham's descendants through Jacob (Israel) in Genesis. This
is an unconditional promise that will be fulfilled just like the restoration of
Israel has been fulfilled.

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In the chapter The Desolate Land, the pitiful state of the area prior to the
return of large numbers of Jews is described with reference to the reports of
visitors like Mark Twain in the 1860s, W M Thompson in 1866 and Samuel
Manning in 1874. This was under the Ottoman Turkish occupation of the land
which lasted from 1516 to 1917.

The chapter Promises deals with the return of Jews to Israel from the middle
of the 19th century, the League of Nations' designation of Palestine as a
homeland for the Jewish people and their return from Europe, the Arab world,
Ethiopia and Russia. Mount Seir explains the identity of the Biblical Esau or
Edom and contains genealogical charts of Arab and Jewish ancestors. Israel's
other neighbors are also discussed here.

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The next chapter examines the ancient historical roots of the hatred for Israel,
the creation of Transjordan in 1922 and the UN vote to create Israel in 1947.
On its day of birth in 1948, six Arab states moved to destroy the infant state.
Outnumbered and poorly armed, Israel repulsed them, although Jordan
occupied most of Judea and Samaria.

Again in 1967, Israel defeated numerically superior Arab armies and finally
gained control of the Mountains of Israel, plus the Golan Heights and the Sinai
Peninsula. Although caught by surprise in 1973, Israel again triumphed over its
enemies in the Yom Kippur War. Only the willfully blind fail to recognize that
some kind of intervention took place.

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The chapter They Boasted Against The Lord analyses the statements of Arab
leaders from the 1930s and the never-ending demonization of Israel that has
now reached fever pitch. This section looks at the plight of the Palestinian
refugees in a compassionate way by comparing the absorption of Jewish
refugees from Arab lands to the situation of Palestinian refugees today.

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In Balaam And The First Exodus, the author observes that this story of Balaam
and his donkey is so well known for a definite purpose, pointing out how the
scenario is repeating itself. The United Nations has been condemning Israel for
its every move whilst ignoring atrocities and genocide worldwide like those in
Chechnya and Sudan. Western leaders ought to take note too; it is unwise to
try and force dangerous "Auschwitz" borders on Israel.

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The text includes Ezekiel 35 and 36, an extensive bibliography and three
indices: by year, by Biblical books and alphabetical. The maps and illustrations
make the text come alive and easy to understand.

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This book is a most informative and enlightening brief resource on the history
of modern day Israel. Not only does it clear up the ignorance and dispel the
myths, it also establishes an undeniable link between Biblical prophecy and ME
history of the last few decades. What's more, it points toward some awesome
developments that will take place in that area in coming decades, events that
will have an effect on the whole world.

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It is becoming increasingly difficult to argue that the rebirth of Israel, its
victories in 1948, 1967 and 1973 and the return of its people from all corners of
the globe have happened by accident.

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Also, the increase in antisemitism and the pathological hatred of Israel and the
USA in certain quarters form part of a pattern. These phenomena become clear
in the context of the book.

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The Mountains Of Israel will assist Christians and Jews to make sense of
developments on the international stage and ought to give open-minded
secularists a lot of food for thought.

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