In today's economic world, Israel is regarded as a start-up nation with high-tech power, intelligence, and influence. The nation is a step above others economically, scientifically, technologically, and militarily. But she didn't start this way. Israel became a country by harnessing pure determination, sheer resourcefulness, and unmatched creativity.
Israel Became a Country as an Underdog
You know the Bible story of David, right? It’s the story of a small, young shepherd boy, overlooked and never thought strong enough to contend in a fight. Yet he surprised everyone with his humble sling and stone when he was pitted against a fully armed giant.
David was the underdog in the Bible story. No logical person would have bet he’d win against such a mighty giant.
Israel's rebirth as a nation was remarkably similar.
When Israel became a country in 1948, she rejoiced. Finally, a place to call home. But she soon discovered she was outnumbered, outgunned, and out-trained by opposing armies that were not so thrilled with her newfound independence. It seemed that her existence would be short-lived as the prepared enemies attacked.
But, like David, Israel was able to creatively draw on what she had in her back pocket to make up for what was missing in force.
Israel Became a Country Using Creative Weaponry
The well-trained Arab nations surrounding Israel had the support of the Arab Legion, the regular army of the Transjordan. “With a total strength of just over 6,000, the Arab Legion's military contingent consisted of 4,500 men in four single battalion-sized regiments, each with their own armored car squadrons, and seven independent companies plus support troops.” [i]
The opposition was well prepared, to say the least. They likely thought taking out the small kid with slingshot weaponry would be easy.
Israel had to think fast—or more accurately, loud.
Her people didn't have the time or resources to develop the high-tech weaponry of their opponents, so they decided to make some noise.
The List of Unimpressive, yet Highly Effective Weaponry That Helped Israel Become a Country…
The Davidka—This was a homemade cannon that launched explosive shells in high-arching ballistic trajectory. Sounds intimidating, right? In actuality, this weapon had low explosive power and was extremely inaccurate.
But it was loud.
So loud that, when the cannon was blasted, it frightened the Arab troops and sent them running.
Sounds like another Bible story—Gideon's army of 300 blowing trumpets, breaking jars, and lighting torches, which sent the enemy running with fear.
Soda Bottles—Israel was able to use her small air fleet with bombs to halt the Arab advances, but artillery was running low. The bombs ran out, and Israel was again at the crossroads of getting creative or being destroyed.
The Israeli soldiers did what they do best—used creativity and resourcefulness.
They filled soda bottles with seltzer and dropped them from the planes. As the bottles were dropped, they made a loud whistling noise and burst on impact. The explosion was definitely noticed—it was like something out of a movie. In fact, the story was so compelling that Hollywood did make a movie about it: Cast a Giant Shadow.
Israel Became a Country and Was Recognized by the United Nations, but Not Her Neighbors
Before these attacks, Israel became a country and was recognized by the international community in 1947. The horrific acts of the Holocaust moved the United Nations, and they could not deny the need for the Jewish people to return to their ancestral homeland.
Her neighbors saw the situation differently. They either made it known they wanted her destroyed or simply chose to deny her existence, even with the legality of her establishment.
The international community still sided with the underdog. But what about today? Are they still siding with the tiny nation?
Israel Became a Country and Moved from Underdog to Hero… but Lost Support
Throughout her existence, Israel has harnessed her resourcefulness and creativity, turning it into high-tech mastery and military might. This is not by coincidence, but out of necessity. If she was going to survive, she had to be determined, removing the option of defeat from the table.
As she has grown into the start-up nation whose military intel has surpassed all expectations, she has also moved from the underdog to the hero. Sadly, through her journey to overcome, she has lost many supporters.
But why? Is it possible some only like a good story and will only root for the underdog?
The fact is that Israel's journey isn't a movie; they are a people with real lives, just like you and me. And like us, their ancestors paved the way for independence.
Israel is a lawful nation that has fought for every inch of land and every minute of her existence.
Israel may be the hero, but she needs a hero to stand with her too. What role will you play in her future? Whatever role that is, you can expect it will leave a legacy in your own life.
Do you want to leave a legacy of standing with the underdog to the end? Do you want to help the “David” in the story take its rightful place?
Israel has provided us with unmatched intel and given us a democracy to partner with in the Middle East.
Let's stand together and do what's right. Let us not forget how Israel became a country. Because when we forget, we are swayed by views that do not align with our own.
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