Day 1: What is Aliyah and why does it matter?

I will bring Judah and Israel back from captivity and will rebuild them as they were before. I will cleanse them from all the sin they have committed against me and will forgive all their sins of rebellion against me. Then this city will bring me renown, joy, praise and honor before all nations on earth that hear of all the good things I do for it; and they will be in awe and will tremble at the abundant prosperity and peace I provide for it. – Jeremiah 33:7–9 NIV

What is Aliyah? Do you know? It is one topic that is very much on God’s heart because of all the times He talks about it in the Bible. The word Aliyah is not used in the Bible, but the concept is used at least sixty-four times. Some say it occurs over seven hundred times in the Old Testament.

In the coming days, we will look at the significance of Aliyah, how it impacts all our lives, (whether we are Jews or Gentiles) and how you can be involved.

Ask God to open your heart and mind to understand and know His heart and mind in greater ways today.

Eric Morey, founder of Aliyah Action Counsel, shares:

Aliyah is the Hebrew word for “ascent,” coming from the same Hebrew root as the word “la-alot” (“to ascend”) or “ma-alot,” as in the “Psalms of Ascent” (Psalm 120–134), which the pilgrims recited on their way up to Jerusalem each year for the great feasts.

Today, in Modern Hebrew, Aliyah refers to Jewish people returning home to their Promised Land in Israel from the nations where they have been scattered. They are going “up to Zion,” fulfilling the many prophecies in God’s Word. Aliyah means the physical return of the Jews to their Land, the restoration of that Land and the rebuilding of the Jewish nation in the Land of Israel (Aretz Israel). When God repeats Himself and says something more than once, we want to take note because it is something of particular importance to Him. God, in His Word, declared His intention to bring His people home from all the nations where they were scattered sixty-four times!!!

Meditate on and study Jeremiah 33:7–9.

• What does God promise Judah and Israel?
• Notice each “I will” in this passage, showing what God will do. What is God saying through each promise?
• Together Judah and Israel represent all of the Israelite Kingdom.
• According to verse 8, what will be the result for the city?
• What will be the result for all the nations on the earth? This is talking about Gentiles.
• What God is doing in these verses is Aliyah, bringing His people back to the land He promised them through Abraham in Genesis 12.

A Prayer to Pray

Father, thank You that You are bringing Your people back to Israel and forgiving their sins. I want to see Jerusalem become a praise in all the earth, beginning in my nation. Would You show me how to partner with You to bring Your people home to Israel and see all the good You want to do for Your land and Your people? Would You forgive their sins and bring them back into the relationship with Yourself that You desire?

Prayer points for today

• Pray God will reveal His truth to more and more Jews, especially in North America, so they will hear His voice and return to the land of Israel that He promised them.
• Ask God to open the eyes of Gentiles and Messianic believers to see what God is doing in Israel as He is bringing His people back from the ends of the earth.
• Ask God to open the doors for more Jewish believers to make Aliyah.

An action to take

Reach out to a Jew you know and share about Aliyah, asking if he or she has thought about moving to Israel. You might need to explain what Aliyah is. You could share the PDF on the prophetic significance of Aliyah, available for instant download.¹

1. Written by Eric Morey. Used by permission.