This week the Torah reading is Isaiah 42 v 5 to 43 v 10. The first verse in this reading says ; “ This is what God the LORD says; He who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread out the earth and all that comes out of it, who gives breath to its people, and life to those who walk on it”. What a wonderful verse of scripture. God is telling us that He made all things including man and our very breathe. Chapter 43 v 1 says ; But now, this is what the LORD says– He who created you, O Jacob, He who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine”. God is saying that Israel is His and He that has redeemed her. He also shows us through many othere verses from the prophets that He has promised to restore Israel and it’s people the Jews. We are today privileged to be that generation who is witnessing that very period of restoration and we know that it is God who is the only one who would ever be able to do such a wondrous act. There are many in the Church today who would directly oppose what God has promised such as The Bishops of Exeter, Winchester and Coventry who have written to the Prime Minister revently stating that they believe that only a two-state solution in Israel will create peace. There is not a jot of evidence to prove that but they have also naively accused Israel of undermining the chance of a future Palestinian state. These men either don’t know scripture or don’t believe it. The Prime minister must have realised this as well because he didn’t reply to their letter. However we can be thankful that God has done and can do all things and that we can rely on a God who will accomplish all that He has promised. So we must pray that all in the “Church” including the bishops will join in faith in a God who performs so many miraculous signs and wonders including those for His people Israel.

Mike