Whose Land Is It? The Jews, Palestinians, or Both

In order to answer that question one must know who owns the land. According to the God of the Bible, the earth is owned by the Lord and everything in it. Psalm 24:1, Ezekiel 38:16. God declares that Israel is His land and the Jews are His people. God spoke to Abraham in Genesis 17:7-8 that He was giving him and his seed all the land of Canaan for an everlasting possession. God, who does not break His promises made a covenant with him. The covenant was the land from the river of Egypt unto the river Euphrates, Genesis 15:18. It was to be given unto his seed.

The promise God gave Abraham was a son who was going to be born supernaturally by God Himself. It didn't happen when Abraham and Sarah thought it should. Sarah then gave her handmaid Hagar, an Egyptian, to her husband to bare a child. The child, Ishmael, was born of the flesh. After the birth, they all lived together. Ishmael at 13 was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin. The year after this procedure, Sarah gave birth to a son who God promised would inherit the land. Even though she was 99 years old. The Bible declares, for with god nothing shall be impossible Luke 1:38. Isaac was born.

Now Sarah got mad at Ishmael for mocking his younger brother Isaac. Sarah then told Abraham to separate Ishmael and Isaac. Sarah told her husband that Ishmael shall not be heir with Isaac. It grieved him very much because of the love he had for both sons. God told Abraham to obey Sarah, but not before God pronounced a word about Ishmael. God's word was, "Because he is thy seed (part Jewish) I will make him a great nation. So at 14, Ishmael and Hagar departed and wandered in the wilderness with bread and a bottle of water. After the water was finished, she threw her son in the shrubs to die. God then spoke to Hagar from heaven and assured her the boy was going to survive. God heard his voice and told his mother He knew where he was when she held him up in her hands. Then God announced to Hagar the promise He told Abraham. God was going to make him a great nation. At one time in the history of the world, Egypt was the most powerful nation. But they along with other nations (whose were the most powerful during different times) all made the same mistake, they came against the Jew. It was just a matter of time after that God reduced their kingdoms to nothing. After His declaration to Hagar about making Ishmael a great nation, God opened her eyes, she then saw water and drew from it. She then gave it to her son. God was with the lad and dwelt in the wilderness, and he became an archer.

Even though Ishmael was forced to leave his father, I'm sure that Abraham talked to him about his God. He probably told him to always trust his God and shared with him the faith walk that God called him to. I believe Ishmael was a worshipper of the God of his father and half brother.

When Abraham died at 175 years old, both his sons buried him. Ishmael was 89 and Isaac was 75. Were they enemies when Ishmael departed? I don't think so. Did they stay in contact those years apart? I don't know for the Bible is silent on that question. At the time of their father's death would Ishmael come back if they were enemies? Wouldn't Ishmael have been mad at his stepbrother, because he was not allowed to be an heir to the promised land? I believe they dwelled together in peace as they served the same God.

Somewhere along the way the devil got into the minds of the Arabs and turned around their love to hate! The Palestinians of today were the Philistines of the Old Testament. Goliath the 9' 6" giant (represented the Arabs of today) couldn't conqueror David (who represented Israel). As the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob watched over David and Israel so is he doing the same today. Psalm 121:4, Psalm 125:2, Zechariah 2:18B. God says he that touches Israel touches the apple of His eye. Put your finger in the center of your eye, it's painful. God's anger stirs up against those that want to wipe out the Jews like Goliath, Hamen, Hitler, Sadam Hussein and other people and nations. All those that hate the Jew are under a curse Genesis 12:3B. Those people and nations are doomed for destruction, as they are fighting God. On the other side of the coin those people and nations that support and love Israel and the Jewish people are blessed. Genesis 12:3A.

Because of the Jewish peoples' rebellion towards God the Lord removed them from the land He promised into different nations (Psalm 105:13). It was a temporary move. In 1948 God brought his people back from the 4 corners of the world to establish once and for all the nation of Israel. They will never be uprooted again. There will never be a Palestinian state in that land. It doesn't matter how hard man trys to have that happen, God will never allow it to come to pass.

The only way peace will come to any people is through the only one that can reach the human heart. His name is Yeshua (Jesus the Messiah). In the book of Jeremiah it states in chapter 17 verse 9 that the heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it? The only one that knows the heart and can fix it is the Creator of mankind, Yeshua (Jesus). Colossians 1:13-17 who hath delivered us from the power of darkness and hath translated us into the Kingdom of His dear Son: In who we have redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of sins: For by Him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by Him, and for Him: and He is before all things, and by Him all things consist.

When a person recognizes that the Prince of Peace Yeshua (Jesus), died for their sins they are a step away from gaining a clean heart. David said in Psalm 51:10, create in me a clean heart. A clean heart takes place when one comes to faith in the Messiah, Jesus. Then ones sins are forgiven, that starts a personal relationship with Jesus their Creator. The void up until that point starts to be filled with the love of God. Now one has peace with God, be at peace with themselves and others. Then the Jew and Arab, Black and White, Catholic and Protestant will have a changed heart towards each other.

Wake up world, Satan is the author of hatred and murder from the beginning of time. He is the God of this world and his fruits of darkness and evil are evident. He first showed his hatred toward man by causing Eve to disobey God (which produced both her and Adam's banishment from the Garden of Eden). Then he showed hatred when Cain killed his brother Abel. Thank God many Jews and Arabs are coming to faith in the Messiah. This is causing them to love one another both in the flesh (half brothers and sisters) and in the spiritual.

God gave His word that the land all belongs to the Jewish people. There will never be a Palestinian state in Judea and Samaria (the West Bank). The place for them to go is Jordan. Jordan is Arab Palestine just as Israel is Jewish Palestine. The deceased king Hussein once said, "The truth is that Jordan is Palestine and Palestine is Jordan."

The following scriptures continue to show God's heart in regards to the land Scriptures Regarding god's Covenant With Israel Who Owns The Land?
Joel 3:1-2
The Lord's land and the Lord's people.

Genesis 26:33-4
Covenant with Isaac - confirming God's oath with Abraham.

Genesis 35:11
Covenant Jacob, name changed to Israel.

Psalms 105:7ff
God carries out what He has determined in all the earth.

Jeremiah 30:2
God will restore Israel and give them the land given to their father.

Jeremiah 31:31
Regathering associated with the New Covenant with Israel.

Ezekiel 36:17
It was Israel's land but they defiled it. Still their land while they were disobedient. It is the same land to which Israel will be restored. God will do this because of His Holy Name and His great mercy. Increase of fruit & field. No more famine.

Amos 9:13-15
Restored to their own land never again to be uprooted! Vineyards and gardens.

Deuteronomy 32:8-9
God set the boundaries of the nations based on His relationship with Israel.

Acts 17:26
God has determined the location for all nations beginning with Israel. If Israel is not rightly placed, other nations are out of order, and there is disorder in the world. There will be no real peace in the world until Israel is properly reconciled both to its land and to God who gave them the land.

Genesis 16:12
Ishmael's descendants described: "...a wild donkey of a man, his hand against every man, and every man's hand against him."

Isaiah 43:1-7
God will bring from north, east, south, west - called by His name, created for His glory!

Isaiah 44:1-4
First step is restoration in natural and geographic. The objective, however, is spiritual.

Jeremiah 16:14
First exodus was from Egypt, second (still in process) from ends of earth.

Jeremiah 18:1-7
God's dealings with Israel compared to potter's work on wheel. Pressure forms the pattern the potter desires. Out of the pressure, Israel will be saved and restored.

Jeremiah 30:7
Time of Jacob's trouble, Israel shall be saved out of time of distress.

Jeremiah 3:17
Jerusalem to be the throne of the Lord, and all nations shall gather to it.

Joel 3:1
Nations gathered for judgment in Valley of Jehoshaphat, judged for scattering Israel among the nations.

Zechariah 12:2-10
Behold, I am going to make Jerusalem a cup that causes reeling to all the people round about. I will make Jerusalem a heavy stone for all the peoples, all who lift it will be severely injured. And all the nations of the earth will be gathered against it. In that day the Lord will defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem and will set about to destroy all the nations who come against her. I will pour out upon the house of David the Spirit of grace and of supplications, so they will look on Me whom they have pierced and will mourn for Him as one mourns for an only son.

Zechariah 14:16-17
The battle at Jerusalem. Messiah will stand on Mount of Olives, mountain will split, half to the north and half to the south. Great changes in landscape. Continuous day, not hot or cold, living waters to flow out of Jerusalem - half to western sea. Destruction of those who came against the city.

Isaiah 60:12
Any nation that will not serve Israel will be utterly wasted.

Jeremiah 33:7-9
God will cleanse and forgive Israel, Jerusalem shall be a name of joy to God, a praise and glory before all the nations of the earth.

Zechariah 14:16
All nations to come to Feast of Tabernacles in Jerusalem or no rain will fall on their lands.

Zechariah 2:1-13 & Deuteronomy 32:7-10
Israel called the apple of God's eye. Refers to land and people. The center of the eye is shaped like an apple with a stem. It is the most sensitive part of the body. God is very sensitive to the way men treat His people.

Isaiah 61:3
They will receive beauty for ashes, oil of joy for mourning, garment for praise for spirit of heaviness. Will build old waste places, raise former desolations and repair the cities. Strangers shall stand and feed the flocks and sons of the aliens shall be your plowmen and vinedressers. (Gentile kibbutz volunteers may be part of this fulfillment.)

Isaiah 62:6-7
"Upon your walls, O Jerusalem, I have set watchmen, all the day and all the night they shall never be silent. You who put the Lord in remembrance (pray) take no rest, and give Him no rest, until He establishes and makes Jerusalem a praise in the earth."

Isaiah 29:18
Tells us that the Word of the Book (Bible) will go forth from Lebanon and the deaf will hear the words of the book and out of gloom and darkness the blind shall see. (Radio and TV stations in Lebanon may be part of this fulfillment.)

Isaiah 43:18-21
Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing, now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?...I give drink to My Chosen People, the people whom I formed for Myself that they might declare My praise. (The reason for God's work in Israel, and in us.)

Isaiah 27:6
"In days to come Jacob shall take root, Israel shall blossom and put forth shoots, and fill the whole world with fruit." (Jaffa oranges shipped throughout the world.)

Isaiah 41:18ff
I will open rivers on the bare heights, and fountains in the midst of the valleys; I will make the wilderness a proof of water and the dry land springs of water. I will put myrtle, and the olive; I will set in the desert the cypress, the plane and the pine together; that men may see and know, may consider and understand together, that the hand of the Lord has done this, the Holy One of Israel has created it.

Jeremiah 31:10-14
"Her the word of the Lord, O nations, and declare it in the coastlands afar off; say, 'He who scattered Israel will gather him and keep him as a shepherd keeps his flock.' For the Lord has ransomed Jacob, and has redeemed him from hands too strong for him. They shall come and sing aloud on the height of Zion, and they shall be radiant over the goodness of the Lord, over the grain, the wine, and the oil, and over the young of the flock and the herd; their life shall be like a watered garden, and they shall languish no more. Then shall the maidens rejoice in the dance, the young men and the old shall be merry. I will turn their mourning into joy, I will comfort them, and give them gladness for sorrow. I will feast the soul of the priests with abundance and My people shall be satisfied with My goodness, says the Lord."

Isaiah 65:17ff
For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; and the former things shall not be remembered or come into mind. But be glad and rejoice forever in that which I create, for behold, I create Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people a joy. I will rejoice in Jerusalem and be glad in My people, no more shall be heard in it the sound of weeping and the cry of distress.

Psalm 102:13-16
"Thou shall arise, and have mercy upon Zion, for the time to favor her, yea, the set time has come. When the Lord shall build up Zion, He shall appear in His glory."