“But the more they were oppressed, the more they multiplied and spread; so the Egyptians came to dread the Israelites.” — Exodus 1:12 

Each week in synagogue, Jews read through the Torah from Genesis to Deuteronomy. The Torah portion for this week is Shemot, which means “names,” from Exodus 1:1–6:1. 

I have talked about the miracle of the modern state of Israel more times than I can count. But there’s another aspect of this great miracle that I want to share with you. And it’s truly amazing.  

You see, as people of faith, we know that the ingathering of the Jewish people to the Holy Land and the economic success of Israel are fulfilments of biblical promises. God promised that after a very long exile, scattered to the ends of the earth, we would one day return to become “more prosperous and numerous” than our ancestors. (Deuteronomy 30:5). And this has come true in our time.  

But here’s the most amazing part of it. 

When Moses prophesied that we would return from exile, he never mentioned that we would face so much danger. How can we expect a nation that emerged from the ashes of the Holocaust with no power and no resources to become “more prosperous and numerous” than ever before, while also fighting every day? 

Our Survival Is Supernatural 

But that’s exactly what has happened. And that, to me, is the most amazing part of the miracle of Israel. Not only have we rebuilt ourselves as a nation, but we’ve also done it while in the face of adversity. 

This week’s Torah portion teaches us that God has blessed the Jewish people with this illogical and miraculous power. Just as we have experienced in our time, when the Egyptians tried to make life as difficult as possible for the children of Israel, the Bible tells us that “the more they were oppressed, the more they multiplied and spread.” 

The more we are oppressed, the higher we rise from the ashes and the more we flourish. This may seem impossible and irrational — because it is. The Jewish people are not governed by a natural power. Our survival is supernatural. The more challenges we face, the stronger we grow. Praise the God of Israel! 

Your turn: Praise God today for keeping His Word. Read and fulfill Psalm 117 by praising Him for his special kindness to Israel.