As I reported yesterday, the Israeli government is preparing for failure. Prime Minister Ariel Sharon is preparing to implement his so-called "Disengagement Plan" should the talks with the Palestinians not soon produce results.

What is Sharon's "Disengagement Plan?" If I understand correctly, Sharon will take matters into his own hands and divide the land between Israel and the Palestinians. In other words, Sharon's government will choose the borders that will make up the two states of Israel and Palestine -- not the international gang.

On the face of it, I can see what Sharon is doing. He's taking the Beatle's advice -- he's taking a sad song, and making it better. You see, Sharon understands Israel will ultimately have to give up land for peace. So, at least this way he can get the best deal. 

But for us Bible believers, Israel giving up any of her land is still a very sad song. You see, God gave all the land of Palestine to the children of Israel. Besides that, He promised them to be a nation in the land forever. Through the prophet Jeremiah God said:

Thus says the Lord, who gives the sun for light by day, and the fixed order of the moon and the stars for light by night, who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar; the Lord of hosts is His name: "If this fixed order departs from before Me," declares the Lord, "Then the offspring of Israel also shall cease from being a nation before Me forever" (Jeremiah 31:35-36 New American Standard Bible).

In light of this prophecy, why is this now happening to the children of Israel? Why is God allowing Israel to be forced into giving up some of their land for peace?

Here's what I think: Before the children of Israel can posses their land forever, they must first receive the forgiveness for sin God has provided. You see, Jeremiah's prophecy began by saying:

"Behold, days are coming," declares the Lord, "when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah, not like the covenant which I made with their fathers in the day I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt, My covenant which they broke, although I was a husband to them," declares the Lord" (Jeremiah 31:31-32).

When did God make a new covenant with the house of Israel? God made a new covenant with Israel when He sent His Son Jesus to shed his blood and die on the cross for the sins not only of Israel, but for the whole world.

You see, when we receive forgiveness by believing in Jesus, God gives His promised Holy Spirit to dwell inside us. If you recall, Jesus said we must be born again -- of Spirit -- to enter the kingdom of God. That's why God said through Jeremiah:

"But this is the covenant which I will make with the house of Israel after those days," declares the Lord, "I will put My law within them, and on their heart I will write it; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people" (Jeremiah 31:33).

Now, instead of turning to their Messiah -- Jesus, the Prince of this new and eternal covenant --  the children of Israel are preparing to once again give up their land. Why? They're trying to take a sad song, and make it better.

But, they're only making it sadder.