Thus says the Lord GOD: “Behold, I will lift My hand in an oath to the nations, and set up My standard for the peoples; they shall bring your sons in their arms, and your daughters shall be carried on their shoulders” (Isaiah 49:22 NKJV).

There are several words in Hebrew that mean “flag”. First, there is the word degel, and then there is also the word nes. Degel simply means “flag“; however, nes also means “miracle,” “marvel,” or “wonder.” Indeed, it was a miracle when on May 14, 1948 (5 Iyar 5708), the flag of the newly established State of Israel was raised in this Land after nearly 2,000 years of Jewish exile.

Interestingly, in the Scripture verse above from Isaiah—foretelling the Jewish people’s return to Israel—the word for “standard” in the original Hebrew is nes. It seems quite evident, therefore, that in 1948 the Lord GOD of Israel literally set up His nes before the peoples (in the Hebrew, goyim). Not only did the Lord signal to the Jewish people that the exile was over and that it was time to come home, but also He beckoned to the Gentiles to assist in their homecoming.

So let us take a closer look at the amazing and prophetic meaning of this very special flag.

The flag of the Jewish State comprises two blue stripes on a white background with a Magen David—Shield of David—in the center. According to the Web site Science and Technology (http://www.science.co.il/israel-flag.asp), referring to the 1971 Encyclopaedia Judaica, the design was first displayed in Rishon LeZion in 1885 and was also used at the First Zionist Congress in 1897.

Tallit: In its entirety, the design was inspired by the tallit (the Jewish prayer shawl). How precious that the new Jewish State’s flag was apparently an expression of centuries of Jewish prayer, beseeching the Lord and yearning for restoration to Zion. Yet it seems that this tallit was raised not only as an expression of a longing fulfilled, but also as a signal that complete fulfillment—the ingathering of all Israel—would require sustained prayer.

Moreover, the tallit is a covering, and raising it high over this Land indicated that God’s covering was being restored to His people, which, of course, will be fully realized with the return of Messiah. When Isaiah prophesies about the “Branch of the LORD” (Isaiah 4:2), he foretells in verses 4 and 5: …For over all the glory there will be a covering. And there will be a tabernacle for shade in the daytime from the heat, for a place of refuge, and for a shelter from storm and rain.

Shield of David: In the center of the flag is the Shield of David, a common symbol of the people of Israel from Biblical times. We know from the Bible that the shield is symbolic of the protection of God Himself. Not only that, this is the Shield of David, signifying ultimate physical and spiritual security for Israel in the One who is not only the “Rod from the stem of Jesse” (Isaiah 11:1), but also the “Root of Jesse” (Isaiah 11:10).

Colors: Finally, the colors are white and blue—white is symbolic of the purity and holiness of God Himself; blue represents His heavenly abode, His kingdom.

So God has set up His standard! Day after day, the many Israeli flags waving across this nation serve as incredible testimonies: calling the Jewish people to come home, reminding the Gentiles of their responsibility to help them to do so, urging prayer, and foretelling the return of Messiah Himself to this Land and establishment of His kingdom forever.

Indeed, this flag or nes will remain raised high until all of God’s Word is fulfilled.