Vice President Mike Pence showered Israel with praises during a speech this week, proclaiming that, though the Middle Eastern country was “built by human hands, it is impossible not to sense that just beneath its history, lies the hand of heaven.”
READ: ‘Theological Malpractice’: Pastor’s Shocking Reaction to Photo of Leaders Praying Over Trump
Pence, who made his remarks at the 12th annual summit for Christians United for Israel, a U.S.-based, pro-Israel organization, opened his speech on Monday by thanking people in the room for their support in helping elect President Donald Trump back in November.
The vice-president then cited Trump’s recent trip to Israel and invoked the president’s pledge to “always stand with Israel” before recalling his own personal support for the Middle Eastern country.
But, politics aside, it was his comments about the Bible — including his proclamation that his “passion for Israel springs from his Christian faith” — that are surely the most noteworthy.
“My friends, to look at Israel is to see that the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob keeps his promises, keeps the promises He makes to His people and to each one of us,” Pence said. “Ezekiel prophesied: ‘Behold, I will cause breath to enter into you, and ye shall live.’ And the State of Israel and her people bear witness to God’s faithfulness, as well as their own.”
That line in Ezekiel, among others, is held in esteem by many Christian who believe that the Old Testament verses predicted the modern-day state of Israel, which didn’t come to fruition until 1948. You can read more about that prophecy discussion and debate here.
“How unlikely was Israel’s birth, how more unlikely has been her survival, and how confounding, against the odds, has been her thriving,” Pence continued. “Since the moment of their independence, the Jewish people have awed the world with their strength of will and their strength of character.”
Watch Pence’s comments at the 1-hour, 49-minute mark below:
Pence continued, explaining that the Jewish people have brought success to their country and have repeatedly defied those who rail against them; he pledged that, under Trump, America will always stand with Israel.
Far from mere contemporary ties, Pence said that the link between Israel and the U.S. was set long ago.
“We stand with Israel because our bond was knit millennia ago in the finery of faith,” he said. “And we stand with Israel because millions of Americans throughout the generations of this country have embraced that ancient truth and admonition that he will bless those who bless her, and he will curse those who curse her.”
Pence also pledged that Trump will one day move the embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, a controversial promise that has been thus far delayed. Read the speech in its entirety here.