How Do We Sing On Alien Soil?

I’ve been dumping boxes lately, trying to find things I know I have. In the process, I’ve been finding things that I forgot I had, like pieces of paper with prophetic words written on them. One such scrap had Psalm 137:1-6 written on it, stating that verse 4 was especially for me.

How can we sing a song of the LORD on alien soil?

It had little impact on me at the time I received it.

The author of this lament is unknown. It was written during the Jewish exile in Babylon. Tradition gives the authorship to either an observant Levitical priest in exile; or the prophet Jeremiah. Although never having set foot on Babylonian soil, Jeremiah would have understood the pain of being uprooted from the land he loved – Judah. Even as he predicted destruction and exile for Jerusalem and Judah, this prophet, obedient to the LORD God, redeemed land that had belonged to his cousin. (Jeremiah 32:1-15)

This is your home, Jeremiah. This is the land given to your forefathers. This is the land of covenant and promise.

This is where you belong.

I remember my first trip to Eretz Israel, the Land of Israel. It was by the grace and blessing of Abba. I simply knew I had to get to the Land. It was a fire that burned in my

spirit. I did not understand it. I was obsessed with getting to the Land. A neighbour and I had discussed going together. I was putting myself through school and didn’t know from where the funds would come. I recall walking and weeping, asking God for the means to go. The finances came from a very unlikely source, confirming to me that God wanted me in Israel. My neighbour decided not to go, so it was Yeshua and I, backpacking across the land our Abba had given to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

I am a Canadian by birth. I am very proud to be Canadian. My father fought for Canada in the armed forces. He talked little about the war. I do know that his battalion was just outside of Dachau when the end of the war was declared.

I know my freedom to be who and what I am comes with a price.

The plane trip to Israel was a long one. I had a lot of time to think – people, places – the past. Others wanted to go to the Land, so our plane stopped in Amsterdam. There are mysteries embedded in this city. This place is part of me; yet it isn’t. It is a stopover – neither the destination nor the origin.

Israel was still several hours away. I talked to many. A few expressed alarm that I had no family in Israel, and that I didn’t know where I’d be staying during my trip. I told them I’d be fine. I did wonder where I’d stay and what I’d be doing, but that was in Abba’s hands.

I simply needed to plant my feet on ancient soil, the land of Moses, David – and Yeshua.

I had wonderful opportunities to talk with people from every facet of life. The land of Israel is ancient. The state of Israel is in its infancy. I marvelled that I was being afforded the chance to talk to actual pioneers, people who, like Nehemiah of old, had held an agricultural tool in one hand and a weapon in the other. Many with whom I spoke had survived the death camps of Nazi Europe, as well as the British and Arab hostilities resident on the soil the Romans had renamed Palestine. They had fought in the Irgun and with the Haganah. They remembered that glorious day when the United Nations, against all odds, said that the Jews were entitled to a homeland of their own.

The world gave back what was already ours. It says so in the Book.

Thus says the LORD who is planning it, The LORD who is shaping it to bring it about, Whose name is LORD:

Call to Me, and I will answer you, And I will tell you wondrous things, Secrets you have not known.

Thus says the LORD: Again there shall be heard in this place, which you say is ruined, without man or beast –in the towns of Judah and the streets of Jerusalem that are desolate, without man, without inhabitants, without beast — the sound of mirth, and gladness, the voice of the bridegroom and bride, the voice of those who cry, “Give thanks to the LORD of Hosts, for the LORD is good, for His kindness is everlasting!” as they bring thanksgiving offerings to the House of the LORD. For I will restore the fortunes of the land as of old — says the LORD. Jeremiah 33:2-3, 10-11

I stood on soil that had, in the not so distant past, been a malaria infested swamp. Other ground had been desert. It now blossomed with cotton, oranges, and roses. The roses intrigued me. The British, I was told. Oh, yes. The British – and before them the Turks, the Muslims, the Crusaders, the Romans …

I also stood on soil that was soaked with the blood of countless souls down through the centuries.

Because of our sin, we had been scattered to the four corners of the world.

Moreover, the LORD constantly sent all His servants the prophets to you, but you would not listen or incline your ears to hear when they said, “Turn back, everyone, from your evil ways and your wicked acts, that you may remain throughout the ages on the soil which the LORD gave to you and an your fathers. Do not follow other gods, to serve them and worship them. Do not vex Me with what your own hands have made, and I will not bring disaster upon you.” But you would not listen to Me, declares the LORD. Jeremiah 25:4-7

Because of our sin, alien soil was also soaked with our blood.

It was many years before my feet landed again in the Jewish homeland. It wasn’t for lack of desire or trying. As a believer, I have come to know that it is the LORD who makes the final decisions. While on the other side of the world, I continued to pray, study, and teach. My feet were in Canada, but my heart was in Israel. How long, LORD??

I taught the Hebrew Scriptures. I taught about the Jewish roots of the Christian faith. I taught Jewish history. I taught Church history. I taught some very difficult things. The words anti-Semitism and repentance didn’t make me the most popular person in town.

Canada, like Israel, is a baby nation. We turned 136 on July 1st. Despite our tender age, we have committed heinous sins against the LORD God and mankind, too numerous to recount. Until 65 years ago, serious quotas on Jewish entrance into universities, medical schools, and hospitals had been imposed. Toronto, a world-class city in the province of Ontario, and home to a large Jewish population, witnessed a riot at a baseball game played in Christie Pits. Someone raised a swastika during the game. I know many people who were repeatedly beaten up going to and from school, with shouts of kike, sheenie, and Christ killer. Toronto beaches posted signs saying, No dogs or Jews. Toronto, the good, was true only if you were White, Anglo-Saxon, and Protestant. Yes, others besides the Jews suffered under this bigotry, but the other victims didn’t like us either.

Just before the war, the nation of Canada refused to allow a ship full of Jewish souls to dock. These German Jews had already been refused entrance into Cuba and the United States. Canada was their last hope. The nation’s response? None is too many.

Most of us are familiar with the history of the Second World War in Europe. An estimated 13 million were murdered by the Nazi machine. Intellectuals. Gypsies. Homosexuals. Poles. Slavs. Pastors. Priests. Nuns. Protestants. Catholics. Atheists.

And Jews.

Six million.

Thanks to an Egyptian-born Canadian, David Demian, Director of Watchmen for the Nations, and the obedience of intercessors from across the land, Canada was able to come together as a nation and repent for its anti-Semitism. In July 1999, Canada repented for turning back the St. Louis from its shores and safety. David Demian said, “This is the destiny of Canada. Canada will put their arms around the Jewish people and say, ‘It will never happen again.’” Dr. Demian also believes that anti-Semitism needs to repented for, first and foremost, before repentance for other forms of racism can take place. The five-year journey of repentance and reconciliation of the Canadian church with the Jewish people culminated in 500+ Canadians, with representation from 20 other nations, landing on the shores of Israel, in May 2001. I was to go with them.

By the time I returned, the Land had changed dramatically.

I had changed.

I was walking in Eretz Israel as a Canadian who had stood in Winnipeg, Manitoba, and asked the LORD God to have mercy on me, and my nation.

I was praying over Eretz Israel as a believer in Yeshua, knowing the work that needed to be done would be Jew and Gentile, Israel and the nations, hand-in-hand, bringing God’s light to a world in darkness.

I was standing in Eretz Israel as a Jew, knowing that this place was where we had to be.

… And seek the welfare (shalom) of the city to which I have exiled you and pray to the LORD in its behalf; for in its prosperity (shalom) you shall prosper.

For thus says the LORD: When Babylon’s seventy years are over, I will take note of you, and I will fulfill to you My promise of favour – to bring you back to this place. For I am mindful of the plans I have made concerning you – declares the LORD – plans for your welfare, not for disaster, to give you a hopeful future. When you call Me, and come and pray to Me, I will give heed to you. You will search for Me and find Me, if only you seek Me wholeheartedly. I will be at hand for you -declares the LORD – and I will restore your fortunes. And I will gather you from all the nations and from all the places to which I have banished you – declares the LORD – and I will bring you back to the place from which I have exiled you. Jeremiah 29:7, 10-14

Thus says the LORD who is planning it, The LORD who is shaping it to bring it about, Whose name is LORD:

Call to Me, and I will answer you, And I will tell you wondrous things, secrets you have not known.

Thus says the LORD: Again there shall be heard in this place, which you say is ruined, without man or beast –in the towns of Judah and the streets of Jerusalem that are desolate, without man,without inhabitants, without beast — the sound of mirth, and gladness, the voice of the bridegroom and bride, the voice of those who cry, “Give thanks to the LORD of Hosts, for the LORD is good, for His kindness is everlasting!” as they bring thanksgiving offerings to the House of the LORD. For I will restore the fortunes of the land as of old — says the LORD. Jeremiah 33:2-3, 10-11

The LORD told me that I would return to the land sooner than later. As He spoke those words to me, my feet were being refreshed by the Mediterranean waters of Netanya. Overhead, a military helicopter patrolled the area. Terrorists had blown themselves up, and others, at the mall a couple of days earlier.

The Biblical cities of refuge are all under Arab rule. Bethlehem is poor, destitute, and under Arab rule. Arabs and Jews, once business associates and friends, can no longer be in a relationship with one another. People are heart broken.

This is not how I remembered it.

I’m presently sitting at a computer, a cup of coffee beside me. It’s quiet. Canada is not at war. Soldiers with guns are not present. I can go to the mall without concern of being blown up by a suicide bomber. Our borders are safe for the moment. The peace for which my father and others fought is secure. Nevertheless, one thought now haunts me more than ever.

How can we sing a song of the LORD on alien soil?

Books referenced in this issue:
Exodus Cry, Jim Goll, Regal Books, Ventura, CA, 2001
Let My People Go, Tom Hess, Morningstar Publications, Charlotte, NC, 1997
Time is Running Short, Sid Roth, Shippensburg, PA, Destiny Image, 1990
Your People Shall Be My People, Don Finto, Ventura, CA, Regal Books, 2001