Isaiah 66:7-9 “Before She Travailed”
I was unaware that the 7th, 8th and 9th verses of Isaiah 66 had two ways of understanding what the verses meant. There are those who believe that they relate to the people of Israel leaving Egypt to become a nation. There are though several reasons why these verses are talking about how Israel became a nation on May 14 1948. The following is from: https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/may-14/state-of-israel-proclaimed
On May 14, 1948, in Tel Aviv, Jewish Agency Chairman David Ben-Gurion proclaims the State of Israel, establishing the first Jewish state in 2,000 years. Ben-Gurion became Israel’s first premier.
From Milestone Documents: https://www.archives.gov/milestone-documents/press-release-announcing-us-recognition-of-israel
At midnight on May 14, 1948, the Provisional Government of Israel proclaimed a new State of Israel. On that same date, the United States, in the person of President Truman, recognized the provisional Jewish government as de facto authority of the Jewish state (de jure recognition was extended on January 31, 1949). The U.S. delegates to the UN and top-ranking State Department officials were angered that Truman released his recognition statement to the press without notifying them first.
On May 15, 1948, the first day of Israeli Independence and exactly one year after UNSCOP was established, Arab armies invaded Israel and the Arab-Israeli War of 1948 began.
And from: https://www.icej.org/understand-israel/israel-updates/the-miracle-of-israels-rebirth/
The modern-day rebirth of the nation of Israel seventy years ago is such an unprecedented act in world history, it has to be considered an outright ‘miracle’ in the most classic sense of the word. That is, it could only have been achieved by divine intervention. This is especially true in light of the uniquely dire circumstances under which Israel’s re-emergence among the family of nations took place. The prophet Isaiah alludes to these travails when he asks: “Shall the earth be made to give birth in one day? Or shall a nation be born at once? For as soon as Zion was in labor, she gave birth to her children.” (Isaiah 66:8)
The ICEJ article provides the significance of the rebirth of Israel that I was familiar with. I was surprised to find out there was another understanding of Isaiah 66. An important fact relating to the Israelites after the Pharaoh’s army was destroyed was the “high hand” that was recorded by Moses.
Exo 14:8 And the LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh king of Egypt, and he pursued after the children of Israel: and the children of Israel went out with an high hand.
There was no “high hand” after Israel declared its self to be a nation on May 14th 1948. Also, it took 40 years for Israel to enter the “promised land” having various success in warfare. Isaiah 66 only speaks of the pain and travail of “child birth” i.e. the birth of a nation and it is understood that the term “in one day” is literal. After May 14 Israel travailed and the “children” became a nation once again.
Isa 66:7 Before she travailed, she brought forth; before her pain came, she was delivered of a man child.
Isa 66:8 Who hath heard such a thing? who hath seen such things? Shall the earth be made to bring forth in one day? or shall a nation be born at once? for as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children.
