The Mountains of Israel

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Summary: The Bible and the 'West Bank'. A priceless study !
Review: An excellent study in the legitimacy of Israel in Judea & Samaria, or what the world calls the 'West Bank', from a Biblical perspective.

Most readers will be familiar with the term 'West Bank' as there is rarely a day when the term is not used on one television news station or another. However, few will be aware of how the term came into being, or recognise it's historical relationship to what the Hebrew Scriptures & Christian Bible refer to as 'the mountains of Israel'.

This is a very timely & extremely important, perhaps unique, book which seeks to convey the often overlooked foundation to the increasingly significant situation in the Middle East.

The author openly states at the outset, that the authority for the disclosed contents of this work rest firmly on the Bible & that those who do not accept such a foundation for the veracity of this work will not accept the conclusions, declarations or findings so commendably outlined.

The writer reminds us that in 1948, Jordanian forces captured the historical Jewish regions of Judea and Samaria. Then, in 1950, Jordanian King Abdullah annexed the districts of Judea, Samaria and East Jerusalem, although only two nations (Britain and Pakistan) recognised the move.

The writer continues to explain that, in order to reduce Jewish claims to the aforementioned areas, Jordanian King Abdullah dropped the names Judea and Samaria, announcing that the annexed land would henceforth be known as the 'West Bank of the Kingdom of Jordan', since it was located to the west bank of the Jordan River. These historical facts can be investigated by any interested party.

This book then studies in some detail, quoting a vast number of references, a considerable & significant amount of promises made to the Jewish people in the Hebrew/Christian Scriptures pertaining to the Land which has been known as the 'Mountains of Israel, Judea & Samaria and most recently in the political realms of today's international community as the 'West Bank'.

It is clearly illustrated in this work that the 'Mountains of Israel' and the 'West Bank' are identical. The 'Mountains of Israel' being the very heart of the Land promised by God to the children of Israel and their descendants. The areas of Judea and Samaria being the inheritance of the Jewish tribes of Judah, Benjamin and Joseph, and include the historical Jewish towns/cities of Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Bethany, Bethel, Shilo, Shechem and Hebron, to mention but a few.

This highly recommended book should be read by everyone, every Christian, every Jew and every Arab...and every politician. To ignore this perspective on the subject is to bury one's head in the sand. All the prophetic sources quoted by the author have proved factual to date, and those still to be fulfilled are already taking shape.

This book is well documented with the provision of numerous maps showing the location of the disputed areas.

We all owe it to ourselves to be aware of the facts illustrated in this book. An excellent read which will instill a new perspective on Israeli/Jewish legitimacy in the so-called 'West Bank'....Judea & Samaria.

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Summary: The Mountains of Israel
Review: The Mountains of Israel is a true account of the family rivalry that makes up the Middle East politics of today. The brothers that fought in the womb and who as time went on, the elder sought to kill younger are still at it today. I was intrigued by the events that were covered from this century and how that ancient hatred of Esau's descendants is still at the heart of the violence of today.

I very much enjoyed how Norma Parrish Archbold matched up historic events with two chapters in a single book of the Bible. To think that this was prophesied 2500 years ago is mind boggling.

I recommend this book to everyone who wants to know the truth about the hills of Judea and Samaria (west bank of Jordan).

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Summary: The Mountains of Israel...The information I've been seeking!
Review: This book is as timely and accurate today (2001) as it was when written in 1993. The author superbly explains and documents the causes behind the on-going conflict between the Hebrews/Israelites and Moslems/Islam. The conflict has been going on for centuries, and the author provides sound references and proof for its causes using primarily only two chapters of one book of the Old Testament of the Bible. If you want to understand the conflict taking place in the Middle East (Israel) today, this book is a must read; in fact, without an understanding of this material, you cannot understand the conflict or its implications for the destiny of mankind.

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Summary: Good primer into the Middle East situation
Review: This book was a very basic introduction into the Arab-Israeli conflict - and therein lies its strength and weakness. The reader will have a better understanding of the root causes of the conflict, but it does leave her wanting to know more.

The story was repetitive at first, but if you can get past this, you will be amply rewarded. Ms. Archbold clearly presents her assertion - that the Jewish people have a God given right to the land of Israel that overrides anybody else's claim to it. She mainly focuses on chapters 35 (a curse AGAINST Mount Seir or the Arab peoples) and 36 (a blessing FOR the Mountains of Israel or the Jewish people) of Ezekiel to prove her point.

At first glance, the observer might accuse God of being unfair to the Arab nations. But Ms. Archbold plainly demonstrates how God has NOT been unfair to them. She points out how much land they already do have, how much natural resources (i.e. oil) they have been blessed with, and STILL they begrudge Israel and what little she has. Also, Ms. Archbold imparts how Israel has always tried to treat the Arab nations fairly (in the past and present), but these nations have mostly refused to return the same courtesy. However, she gently reminds us that it is the Arab leaderships that deserve our condemnation. The Arab people, though, need to know what we Christians already know - that God wants to extend His grace to them as well.

As other reviewers have stated, the maps were very effective in illustrating the territories in question.

All and all, a very good, lucid primer into the Middle East situation.

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Summary: The Mountains of Israel...The information I've been seeking!
Review: This one little book has given me more insight into the present, disturbing conflict in the Middle-East than anyting I've read! It is easy and fast reading and is well-documented. Our media sources do not provide us with a complete picture of the Arab-Israeli conflict. This book has put together 4000 years of conflict in the Middle-East with the Word of God. I appreciated the maps which relate the acient identity of the lands with present day boundries. It puts together many pieces of a puzzle which have baffled so many of us, and gives just the overview we need to understand the issues. This book, The Mountains of Israel is a must read for people of all faiths!