Have you ever read the Bible and wished that you could have been a part of something so impactful? Whether you were inspired by Esther’s courage, David’s devotion, the twelve apostles’ faithfulness, or Moses’ willingness, the result would have been the same: this inspiration created a desire for action in your life.
For many people, that inspiration could result in a disheartened feeling. After all, aren’t the days over for taking part in the Bible? It’s already written and published, so there’s no opportunity for action anymore.
That’s actually farther from reality than you might think! What if I told you that you can take meaningful action right now and help fulfill biblical prophecy in your lifetime? That would be pretty exciting, wouldn’t it?
It’s almost so exciting that it doesn’t seem like it could be true. Keep reading and we’ll dive into two passages in the Bible that directly relate to this topic.
Fulfilling Scripture by Planting Trees in Israel
“I will put in the wilderness the cedar, the acacia, the myrtle, and the olive. I will set in the desert the cypress, the plane, and the pine together.” – Isaiah 41:19
Did you know that every single one of the trees mentioned here is native to Israel and is part of restoration and tree-planting efforts happening today in the biblical heartland? You can find out more about Israel’s native trees here.
When you come to Israel to volunteer and take part in hands-on restoration work, you’ll see vast and desolate areas that really emphasize the ‘wilderness’ part of this verse. But after planting these indigenous trees in a plot that’s now one step closer to Eden, and seeing hundreds of other such plots springing up all throughout Israel, the wilderness seems much less vast.
“Instead of the thorn shall come up the cypress, instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle, and it shall make a name for the Lord, an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.” – Isaiah 55:13
Much of the land of Israel has a surplus of briars and thorns, remnants from centuries of desolation. But here’s the good news: restoration is underway. When you volunteer in Israel, you’re helping take the first step toward redemption by removing these thorns and briars and replacing them with beautiful native trees like cypresses and myrtles. However, the most impactful part of the process appears at the end of the verse:
“It shall make a name for the Lord, an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.”
When you volunteer and help plant trees in Israel, you have the opportunity to take part in making a name for the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and demonstrating that His covenant and promises to the Jewish people endure forever.
I can’t resist sharing one more Bible passage related to this topic, which holds great significance…
“…foreigners shall be your plowmen and vinedressers.” Isaiah 61:5
While this passage doesn’t specifically mention trees, it does mention you personally! It may not mention you by name — after all, it would be a bit funny if it said, “Jerry shall be your plowman and vinedresser….”
In this wording, “foreigners” refers to you. That means that when Isaiah spoke this prophecy, he may have envisioned you personally tending the fields and replanting the barren forests of Israel, even if he didn’t mention you by name (sorry, Jerry).
Why Volunteer in Israel with The Israel Guys?
There are many ways to support Israel, but few are as powerful as coming in person to serve the land and people of Israel through a volunteer trip.
At the heart of this article is a simple truth: serving in Israel gives you the opportunity to take part in the fulfillment of biblical prophecy. We have already looked at that from Scripture, but there is another important aspect to consider—what happens in the life of the person who comes to serve.
After hearing from countless volunteers, and from my own experience as well, one thing is clear: serving in Israel leaves a lasting impact. Whether you are working alongside farmers, helping care for the land, or even planting trees when the opportunity arises, the experience has a way of changing how you see the Bible, Israel, and your role in God’s promises.
What’s Different About Planting Trees with The Israel Guys?
One thing that makes The Israel Guys’ volunteer trips unique is our commitment to the land itself. When volunteers have the opportunity to plant trees during one of our trips, we plant indigenous trees—trees that naturally belong in the land of Israel.
This matters because not all tree-planting efforts have the same long-term effect. Some organizations focus on trees that grow quickly or require very little water. While that may create fast results, it does not always help restore the natural ecosystem of the land. Native trees, however, are part of Israel’s original landscape. They are better suited to the environment, they support the return of native plants and wildlife, and they help restore the land in a way that is both practical and biblical.
For us, planting trees is not just about putting something green in the ground. It is about participating in the restoration of the land God promised to the people of Israel. When volunteers plant native trees, they are taking part in something much larger than a single day of work. They are helping bring life back to the biblical heartland.
Another thing that sets The Israel Guys apart is where we serve. Our volunteer trips focus on the biblical heartland of Israel—Judea and Samaria—where so many of the events in the Bible took place. This is the land where Abraham walked, where Joshua led the children of Israel, where David fled from Saul, and where the prophets spoke of Israel’s future restoration.
Because of the political controversy surrounding this area, many organizations avoid serving there. The Israel Guys has chosen a different path. We believe this land matters because God says it matters. Whether volunteers are harvesting grapes, pruning vineyards, serving farmers, or planting native trees, the goal remains the same: to stand with Israel in a tangible way and take part in the restoration of the land.
Your Opportunity to Be Part of Israel’s Restoration
The myth that you can’t be like the heroes of the Bible has been busted. So what does that mean for you?
It means this is your opportunity to act. Just like the men and women of Scripture responded to the call of God in their generation, you have the chance to respond in yours.
In our lifetime, we have the privilege of witnessing the restoration of Israel and taking part in it firsthand. Join The Israel Guys on a volunteer trip to the biblical heartland of Israel, where you can serve the land, strengthen Israeli farmers and communities, and, when the opportunity arises, help plant indigenous trees in the land God promised to His people.
