Blessed in order to Bless, a reflection on 'Zionism' and Wesleyanism

Blessed in order to Bless
The 2010 Feast of Tabernacles has just finished and has led me to reflect on our pilgrimage to the Feast in 2009.
Chris and I went on this pilgrimage as the guests of dear friends of ours.
It didn't cost us a cent! We praise God for the opportunity we were given
to journey through this amazing land and thank God for the renewal He has brought us.
Health wise 2009 was the worst year of my life and we marvel at how
in God's perfect timing He had this time of refreshing already planned for us.
What a mighty God we serve!
The couple who blessed us in this way are always very quick to tell
us that they bless others because God has blessed them.
They are a reminder to me of the reason why God created this people
called the Jews: "Abraham, I will bless you and you will be a blessing."
We are only ever blessed in order to be a blessing to others. God formed
a nation out of the descendants of Abraham and called them to be a blessing
to the nations, a shining light to the world. They were to show the world
what a nation under God looks like, how a nation under God lives and in
so doing they were meant to attract people to God and point them to God.
This remains their calling, a calling to which they have been disobedient.
In Romans, Paul points out how in His grace God has used the Jews'
disobedience in order to bless us Gentiles and graft us into His Life.
"There is a secret truth, my friends, which I want you to know,
for it will keep you from thinking how wise you are. It is that the
stubbornness of the people of Israel is not permanent, but will last
only until the complete number of Gentiles comes to God." (Rom 11:25)
We are living in exciting times. The return of Jews to the Promised Land
is the fulfilment of many Old Testament prophecies, but sadly in the
Promised Land they continue to live in disobedience to God. Their trust and faith
is in weapons and powerful friends, rather than in their God. When will they learn
(and remember from their history) that when their trust is in God, no weapon
will ever prosper against them? I hope they will learn soon, and then we will
see Paul's prophecy fulfilled: "All Israel will be saved" (Rom 11:26).
We can bless this people through whom we have been blessed by praying
for them and praying for the peace of Jerusalem to return to Jerusalem
and her people. We know that the Prince of Peace, Jesus Himself,
is the source of the peace we pray for. We can also pray for the safe return
of Jews from all over the world to this land and even ask God
to show us how we can help this to happen.
" They will bring back all your people from the nations as a gift to me.
They will bring them to my sacred hill in Jerusalem on horses, mules,
and camels, and in chariots and wagons, just as Israelites bring grain
offerings to the Temple in ritually clean containers."(Isa 66:20)
There is a beautiful Wesleyan hymn based on the verses I have quoted
above which was written to help people like us understand God's plan
revealed in Scripture to return the Jews to the Promised Land.

Almighty God of love,
Set up th’ attracting sign,
And summon whom thou dost approve
For messengers divine;
From favoured Abraham's seed
The new apostles choose,
In isles and continents to spread
The dead-reviving news.

Them, snatched out of the flame,
Through every nation send,
The true Messiah to proclaim,
The universal Friend;
That all the God unknown
May learn of Jews to adore,
And see thy glory in thy Son,
Till time shall be no more.

O that the chosen band
Might now their brethren bring,
And, gathered out of every land,
Present to Zion's King!
Of all the ancient race
Not one be left behind,
But each, impelled by secret grace,
His way to Canaan find.

We know it must be done,
For God hath spoke the word;
All Israel shall the Saviour own,
To their first state restored;
Rebuilt by his command,
Jerusalem shall rise,
Her temple on Moriah stand
Again, and touch the skies.

Send then thy servants forth,
To call the Hebrews home,
From east, and west, and south, and north,
Let all the wanderers come;
Where'er in lands unknown
The fugitives remain,
Bid every creature help them on,
Thy holy mount to gain.

An offering to their Lord
There let them all be seen,
Sprinkled with water and with blood,
In soul and body clean;
With Israel's myriads sealed
Let all the nations meet,
And show the mystery fulfilled,
Thy family complete.