It's a land where three continents join, where east meets west and north meets south. A land of contrast between ancient and modern, the desert and fruitful farms, the rich and the poor.

It's a land where war and conflict have been ever present throughout the centuries, where ethnic tension threatens constantly to explode into fresh violence.

Yes, it's the land that is so special that the Lord God proclaimed:

"It is a land that the Lord your God cares for, the eyes of God are continually on it from the beginning of the year to its end" (Deuteronomy 11 v 12 N.I.V.)

Its people are the people to whom the Lord God said:

"I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your saviour". (Isaiah 43 v 3 N.I.V.)

However viewed today, Israel does not appear special at all; many of its people are not interested in God. Its actions are often unacceptable to world opinion, it has economic and political problems.

But all this is to change because the Hebrew Scriptures show that God has a master plan which involves Israel and all people wherever they live in the world. The plan offers hope to a world in depression, peace to warring nations, plenty to millions who hunger, eternal life to you and me.