In the distance clouds of dust and debri billow upward as a bulldozer rips into a building that was once part of the former township of Ganei Tal. In the foreground of the same picture stands an empty, abandoned, little red baby carriage.
This haunting picture was posted on the Jerusalem World Review website, August 23, 2005, along with the article, Displaced Gazan Jews Struggle To Come to Grips With Surrender, by Joel Greenberg.
Fruit
The communities of Gaza and the Northern Shomron have been emptied of all Israeli families. There are no more infants in carriages, or children playing in the streets. Although there is pain and many tears, fond memories and strong determination remain in the hearts of the uprooted settlers.
But, the lonely, abandoned, red baby carriage stands as a reminder that, although now empty, Jewish families will return to Ganei Tal, and indeed to all the communities of Gaza, and the Northern Shomron.
The baby carriage is red, the color of the price of redemption. Therefore, the little baby carriage represents the generation of divine deliverance and salvation for the entire Israeli nation.
Yes, even the young children were forced out of their homes by the misguided, cruel, faithless, human Israeli government decree. But there is a greater edict of blessing already promised by the L-rd G_D of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The families, including the children of those now removed, will return in absolute victory over their enemies, to live forever in Gaza and the Shomron, and Jews will dwell securely throughout all the Land of Covenant. Israeli families will build houses and plant gardens, and no one else will live in the homes they have built, or make their communities desolate, or take over their agriculture and businesses.
Psa 128:1 Blessed is every one that feareth the L_RD; that walketh in his ways.
Psa 128:2 For thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands: happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee.
Psa 128:3 Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine by the sides of thine house: thy children like olive plants round about thy table.
Psa 128:4 Behold, that thus shall the man be blessed that feareth the L_RD.
Psa 128:5 The L_RD shall bless thee out of Zion: and thou shalt see the good of Jerusalem all the days of thy life.
Psa 128:6 Yea, thou shalt see thy children's children, and peace upon Israel.
Psa 103:13 Like as a father pitieth his children, so the L_RD pitieth them that fear him.
Psa 103:14 For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.
Psa 103:15 As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth.
Psa 103:16 For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more.
Psa 103:17 But the mercy of the L_RD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children;
Psa 103:18 To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them.
Eze 37:25 And they shall dwell in the land that I have given unto Jacob my servant, wherein your fathers have dwelt; and they shall dwell therein, even they, and their children, and their children's children for ever: and my servant David shall be their prince for ever.
Eze 37:26 Moreover I will make a covenant of peace with them; it shall be an everlasting covenant with them: and I will place them, and multiply them, and will set my sanctuary in the midst of them for evermore.
Eze 37:27 My tabernacle also shall be with them: yea, I will be their G-d, and they shall be my people.
Eze 37:28 And the heathen shall know that I the L_RD do sanctify Israel, when my sanctuary shall be in the midst of them for evermore.
Psa 105:4 Seek the L_RD, and his strength: seek his face evermore.
Psa 105:5 Remember his marvellous works that he hath done; his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth;
Psa 105:6 O ye seed of Abraham his servant, ye children of Jacob his chosen.
Psa 105:7 He is the L_RD our G-d: his judgments are in all the earth.
Psa 105:8 He hath remembered his covenant for ever, the word which he commanded to a thousand generations.
Psa 105:9 Which covenant he made with Abraham, and his oath unto Isaac;
Psa 105:10 And confirmed the same unto Jacob for a law, and to Israel for an everlasting covenant:
Psa 105:11 Saying, Unto thee will I give the land of Canaan, the lot of your inheritance:
Psa 105:12 When they were but a few men in number; yea, very few, and strangers in it.
Psa 105:13 When they went from one nation to another, from one kingdom to another people;
Psa 105:14 He suffered no man to do them wrong: yea, he reproved kings for their sakes;
Psa 105:15 Saying, Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm.
The little red baby carriage represents innocence and purity. When the chosen nation turns wholeheartedly to the L_RD in truth and repentance, the Land will be restored to those who are pure before G-d. It is interesting to note that there has been a spiritual awakening sweeping among those who dwell in Gaza and the Shomron, and it is spreading quickly to the IDF soldiers, the police, and many citizens of the nation. Folk have found themselves embraced togther, praying and studying Torah like never before! If there is one positive that has arisen out of this whole Withdrawal, it has been a spiritual re-kindling -- not just religious observance, but heart-felt awareness that HaShem indeed is the L-rd G_D of Israel!
Many have been seeking G-d for a miracle. That miracle is indeed coming to pass! We must be careful not to miss, or dismiss, this miracle. The miracle is the return of the hearts of the people to the L_RD! When this miracle is brought to completion, the Land will be restored! The miracle is an ever increasing wave sweeping through all the generations now alive in Israel, from the eldest to the youngest!
Gaza will be restored to Israel when Moshiach comes, and that day is quickly drawing near. Scripture appears to indicate the redemption of the Land will be fulfilled during the third generation from the founding of the present nation. Those who founded Israel in 1948 are now grandparents. Their children, the generation of the 1967 Six Day War, are the parents of a third generation of youth and young adults. These children are now entering the age of marriage, and many are beginning to have young families of their own, and are entering into the fabric of life in Israel. These, along with their parents and grandparents, will see the redemption of Israel! Then, the little ones now being born will re-enter Gaza, and all the Land of Covenant! All these generations together will witness and experience the blessings of the Everlasting Covenant G-d made with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob!
When is this prophetic fulfillment of the Land Covenant to transpire? In Psalm 105, verses 11, and 12, King David indicated all will finally come to fruition during a time when, even though Israel exists as a nation, many Jews still live in Diaspora, "strangers" still dwell in the land, and during a time-frame when Israel's enemies are seeking to "touch" G-d's anointed nation, and to harm G-d's prophets according to verse 13. That sounds like a description of the current Israeli demographic!
The warning to Israel's enemies, and the nations, is in the imperative tense, implying "Don't touch my anointed people or prophets, or else!" That smacks of judgment upon any nation or individuals who are desirous of tearing Israel apart. The time of G-d's wrath will now come about, because the nations, and Israel's enemies are "touching" G-d's anointed! Even Israel will be disciplined, because Israel's leadership has also "touched" the innocent anointed G-d fearing Jewish
"Settlers."
Why has the L_RD allowed the Withdrawal, rather than intervening in answer to the many prayers that have gone up? The L_RD must deal with Israel's enemies, and at the same time draw Israel, which still has a strong influential secular faction, back to Himself. This is part of the redemption process for Israel, and for the Land of Covenant. Israel's enemies, and Israel as a nation, are about to encounter the outstretched Hand of the L_RD for what they have now done in dividing the Land! Israel will now come face to face with HaShem, and be brought to humility and complete repentance. And, although this will come about through the rigors of discipline, it will also result in great blessing!
Also, the Temple must soon be built, which means Israel's enemies who occupy the Temple Mount must be ousted, not by radicals or terrorists, but by the direct intervention of the L_RD. That scenario is now due to unfold, because the focus of all nations is being drawn, whether we like it or not, toward Jerusalem and Mount Zion. Joel 2: 32. "And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the L_RD shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the L_RD hath said, and in the remnant whom the L_RD shall call."
This is to be fulfilled during the time-frame when all nations are brought into the Middle East regarding the "parting of my land" according to Joel chapter 3. The
division of the Land is the catalyst. That catalyst has now come about!
Redemption requires sacrifice. Sacrifice is not without loss of personal gain. Is the Withdrawal part of this sacrifice and pain for Israel? It very well may be! Why? Because Israel must be brought to rely upon G_d alone! It is apparent only He can turn the entire situation around. The redemption of Israel is now on the path toward fruition!
The Withdrawal is not the beginning of the end for Israel. Israel will not be "driven into the sea!" From our perspective, the Withdrawal is an apparent set-back, but perhaps the L_RD allowed it to cause the hearts of the nation to examine their spiritual condition, and to realize that salvation does not come about because of man's decrees or decisions, but is solely dependent upon the L_RD, the Redeemer of Israel!
Man's attempt to solve the Palestinian situation through concessions and retreat has, and will, prove futile. The man-made red carriage sits, forlorn, in the midst of desolation and destruction. It is not able to carry the children safely anymore, but has been left behind, intact, but empty and abandoned.
The L_RD, the Redeemer of Israel, will not put Israel into a man-made carriage. Rather, He will sweep Israel into His strong everlasting arms, and will lovingly,
even through the midst of distress, carry the sons and daughters of Jacob to their inheritance.
Isa 40:9 O Zion, that bringest good tidings, get thee up into the high mountain; O Jerusalem, that bringest good tidings, lift up thy voice with strength; lift it up, be not afraid; say unto the cities of Judah, Behold your G_d!
Isa 40:10 Behold, the Lord G_D will come with strong hand, and his arm shall rule for him: behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him.
Isa 40:11 He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with
young.
Such appears to be the message of the red baby carriage of Ganei Tal!!
The Red Baby Carriage of GaneiI Tal
Maureen Metcalf is author of "The Final Schedule Revealed: In the Fall Feasts and Festivals" http://teshuvatrumpet.org