After reading My Life, the autobiography of Golda Meir, I have grown in appreciation for the founding fathers and mothers of the modern state of Israel. They faced incredible challenges and yet helped “birth a nation in a day” (see Isa. 66:8) I believe Golda’s story has prophetic significance for the final years before Yeshua returns. Here is the pattern I see:
Golda was born in 1898. She grew up in harsh conditions in Pinsk, Russia. In 1906, her family immigrated to America in search of freedom and a prosperous life. During her time in America, she was influenced by her older sister’s politically active friends. One topic they often discussed was Zionism, which awakened a deep desire in Golda to one day move to Palestine.
Her dream of joining other Jewish pioneers in Palestine came true in 1921, when she and her husband left the comforts of America behind. Her account of crossing the ocean by boat and arriving in Tel Aviv by train over a month later is an absolute nightmare (pg. 52-55).
The Tel Aviv she first set eyes on compared to the Tel Aviv of today point to one massive miracle of perseverance and development. They joined a kibbutz in the Jezreel valley and worked the land day and night in unbearable conditions. Her husband’s health deteriorated so quickly that after three years, they were forced to leave. During this time, her political connections expanded.
As they began to raise children in Jerusalem, Golda struggled to stay home. Because of her zeal for the settlement of Jews in Palestine, she was given numerous leadership roles in the pre-state Jewish government. Her responsibilities required her to travel often, which put great strain on her marriage and family life. She admits that the cooling of her marriage was due to her not being around enough.
Cornered
By 1934, she had moved her way up into the core leadership team of the pre-state government. The challenges they continually faced were overwhelming. Hitler was murdering Jews in Europe. The British government was forcefully opposing immigration of European Jews fleeing to Palestine for safety. Arab aggression against Jews was increasing across Palestine with the British doing very little to stop them. They had no formal combat training and no funds to adequately construct their own army in order to defend themselves.
Ben Gurion, Golda and the rest of the leaders of the government firmly agreed that they could no longer let their future be determined by occupying powers. They needed to fight with all they had for the establishing of their own independent state.
Golda was an atheist, but clearly God’s hand was upon her. She and the other leaders discerned that a great attack from the surrounding Arabs in the Middle East would come when they declared statehood. They urgently needed to raise millions of dollars in order to purchase arms to defend themselves. By a vote, Golda was chosen to travel to America in early 1948 to raise funds from the Jewish community. They doubted they could raise more than 8 million dollars. But miraculously, in just six weeks, Golda managed to raise 55 million dollars! The American Jews wept as she described the urgent situation in Palestine, and many even took out loans in order to give.
The day following the Israeli declaration of independence, the neighboring Arab countries attacked Israel as they had suspected. Not only did Israel manage to stop the assault, but went on the offence and defeated those armies.
Coming Take Over
According to end-time Scriptures, I see this pattern repeating again before Yeshua returns to establish His kingdom on earth. Unprecedented pressures and challenges will come before the kingdom of God on earth will be “born in a day,” the day of His return. This will be so for Israel and true followers of Yeshua. Satan will rage (Rev. 12:12-17). The Antichrist will overcome many saints (Rev. 13:7). Deception and lawlessness will abound (Matt. 24).
Yet the body of Messiah will know the signs of the times. Like the prestate leaders in Golda’s day preparing for the birth of the nation, the body of Messiah will be fixated on doing everything possible to prepare the way for Yeshua’s return and “global take over.” The unity Yeshua prayed for in John 17 will be seen and felt.
Like the kibbutzim, Finances and possessions will be shared in unprecedented selflessness (Acts 2:44-45). Even when darkness covers the earth, the wealth of the nations will come to Israel (Isa. 60). A people will have prepared themselves like John the Baptist (Luke 1:16-17, 80). The purified bride of Yeshua will be trained and ready to take her place ruling the nations with Him (Rev. 20).
Let’s stay focused on growing in love and doing all we can now to get ourselves and other ready for what’s coming! {eoa}
Cody Archer, along with his wife, Liat, help lead the youth group at Ahavat Yeshua and work together in Revive Israel’s international department.
This article originally appeared at reviveisrael.org.
