Elisha Vision – Commentary

View from Yad Vashem

Our recent trip to Israel spotlighted the epic transformation of the land. We first visited Israel in 1984 and Yad Vashem, the Holocaust Memorial, was a highlight. But, the contrast between 1984 and 2015 could not be more spectacular. I wish we had a picture of the barren rocky hills that year, because this year it is full of trees and pastures. The above photo was taken this February at the exit of Yad Vashem. Israel has planted more than 240 million trees in the last 100 years. It is a miracle of restoration and reclamation of the land. The barren rocky hills are indeed transformed!

I will say to the prisoners, ‘Come out in freedom,’
and to those in darkness, ‘Come into the light.’
They will be my sheep, grazing in green pastures
and on hills that were previously bare. Isaiah 49:9 NLT

My good friend and brother, Doug Walton, sent me a text yesterday pointing me to Isaiah 49. The vivid promises of our faithful God are now before our eyes! You need to take a few minutes and read the whole chapter. Here are a few more choice verses.