Young child: "Abba, why is this day different from every other day?"

Abba: "For many centuries, we used to declare that this day commemorates the deliverance the Lord accomplished to save our people from bondage in Egypt. And while that is still extremely important to remember, it pales in comparison with the deliverance Hashem has performed with a mighty hand and outstretched arm in our own lifetime! Indeed, this amazing new deliverance was predicted by our prophet Jeremiah when he said,

"But the time is coming," says the LORD, "when people who are taking an oath will no longer say, 'As surely as the LORD lives, who rescued the people of Israel from the land of Egypt.' Instead, they will say, 'As surely as the LORD lives, who brought the people of Israel back to their own land from the land of the north and from all the countries to which he had exiled them.' For I will restore them to this land that I gave their ancestors."

Young child: "Abba, but what is this new feat that the Lord has accomplished that even surpasses the Exodus from Egypt?"

Abba: "The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy! He has once again looked down with concern for His people who were in bondage in the nations, and brought us to a good land. Even after decades of opposition from those who did not understand that He had given the land to us once again, He has completed the restoration of the Jewish people to the land He promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and the expulsion of those who had seized it for themselves. According to the words from His own mouth, this is an even greater feat than what He did in the time of Moses!"

When people assess the situation in the Middle East, a common reaction goes something like this: "It's such a shame that those people can't learn to get along and live with each other. They've been fighting for years, and I guess it will go on like this." No, it is not going to go on like this. What is happening in Israel is not primarily about the peace process, or diplomatic initiatives, or international summits, or even terrorism. It is about God accomplishing what He said He would do: the full, complete, comprehensive restoration of all the land promised to the Jewish people. Every event we see on the news is a stepping stone to this.

As I write this piece, I'm very agitated. But not at the terrorists, for they are going to do what they are going to do. I'm agitated because the people who should know better, the people who purport to believe and understand the Scriptures, for the most part don't have much of a clue about what is really happening in the Middle East. Do we realize the import of that prophecy in Jeremiah? When will it really sink it that we are living in amazing times, when God is now doing things greater than at the time of Moses? God is doing a new thing in our day - the liberation of the Holy Land.

"I am the LORD, your Holy One, Israel's Creator, your King." This is what the LORD says-- he who made a way through the sea, a path through the mighty waters, who drew out the chariots and horses, the army and reinforcements together, and they lay there, never to rise again, extinguished, snuffed out like a wick: "Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? (Isaiah 43:15-19 NIV)

To express this in the modern vernacular, God is saying, "Look, what I did at the Red Sea was quite a show indeed, one that I told you to never forget. But look at the new thing I'm doing now! It's happening right before your eyes, but you really don't get it, do you?"

No, we really don't get it. So many people are wringing their hands, wondering how this impossible mess will be solved. Here's my tip to you: Read the Scriptures. He has already outlined the solution. Now all we need to do ask Him to perform it.

During the time of slavery in Egypt, the Bible says, "The Israelites groaned in their slavery and cried out, and their cry for help because of their slavery went up to God. God heard their groaning and he remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac and with Jacob. So God looked on the Israelites and was concerned about them." (Exodus 2:23-25 NIV)

God heard the groaning of the people of Israel, and was concerned. He reiterates his concern for them when He speaks to Moses at the burning bush:

The LORD said, "I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering. So I have come down to rescue them from the hand of the Egyptians." (Exodus 3:7-8 NIV)

All this is old stuff, we've heard it a thousand times. But to me, what is fascinating is that God uses nearly identical words while expressing His conclusion on the current Middle East crisis through the prophet Ezekiel.

"See, I am concerned for you, and I will come to help you." (Ezekiel 36:9 NLT)

Once again He is concerned. Once again He is coming to help Israel. What is He going to do to help Israel now?

He explains further to Ezekiel, 'This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Your enemies have taunted you, saying, 'Aha! Now the ancient heights (the West Bank) belong to us!' Therefore, son of man, give the mountains of Israel this message from the Sovereign LORD: "Your enemies have attacked you from all directions, and now you (Judea and Samaria) are possessed by many nations. You are the object of much mocking and slander." Therefore, O mountains of Israel, hear the word of the Sovereign LORD. He speaks to the hills and mountains, ravines and valleys, and to ruined wastes and long-deserted cities that have been destroyed and mocked by foreign nations everywhere. This is what the Sovereign LORD says: "My jealous anger is on fire against these nations, especially Edom, because they have shown utter contempt for me by gleefully taking my land for themselves as plunder. Therefore, prophesy to the hills and mountains, the ravines and valleys of Israel. Give them this message from the Sovereign LORD: "I am full of fury because you have suffered shame before the surrounding nations." "Therefore," says the Sovereign LORD, "I have raised my hand and sworn an oath that those nations will soon have their turn at suffering shame."' (Ezekiel 36: 2-7 NLT)

The peoples who have usurped the land that God granted to Israel, who are today illegal squatters on that land, and who are responsible for numerous acts of hatred and violence against the Jews, will "soon have their turn" at feeling God's mighty hand. The equation in the Middle East is not just about the Arabs and the Israelis; God says its about Him also. While addressing those who are occupying the land promised to Jacob, God declares, "they have shown utter contempt for me." When He acts, it will not only be out of concern for Israel, but because He has been personally offended by the followers of Allah who have been "gleefully taking my land for themselves".

But He is indeed concerned about the suffering and misery in Israel, and has informed us what He is going to do as He comes to the aid of Israel. The completion of the promise to bring the people back to the land a second time will be in the future described in terms even more glowing and effusive than the vanquishing of Pharaoh and his armies. When this happens, Israel will realize that the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, is still God today, and still their God today. He still hears their voice and sees their misery, and still performs miracles on their behalf "with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, with great terror and with miraculous signs and wonders."