Chapter 11

The Opposition

The day after Israel accepted America's proposal, the conflict began.
Late at night, Palestine quietly slipped an envelope under one of the Israeli news headquarters, and silently walked away, making sure that no one saw him. He deeply hated America and Israel, and wanted to thwart their marriage. He couldn't stop America and Israel from becoming engaged, but he could ruin their joy...and possibly stop them from signing their Ketubah [Jewish marriage contract].
Early the next morning, America awoke to the sound of his telephone ringing like a siren. Groggily, he picked up the receiver and asked who was calling.

"ALFRED! HAVE YOU SEEN THE NEWS YET?" Canada demanded, using his brother's human name as his words nearly crashed into each other in desperation.

"What? Is that you, Mattie? What *yawn*news?" America sleepily replied, rubbing one eye as he spoke and addressed his brother by his human pet name.

"Alfred—turn—on—the—TV—NOW! YOU NEED TO SEE THE NEWS!" Canada ordered his younger brother, clearly distressed.

America obeyed, wondering why his brother was so upset—Canada was usually the quiet one, not the desperate, loud, demanding one…then again, he did have a temper that burst out occasionally. This seemed to be one of those occasions when Canada's temper erupted…but why?

America curiously turned on the news. Within seconds, he was completely awake. The main news story shocked America beyond words. Someone somewhere somehow had discovered that there was a personification of the nation of Israel—and he or she knew Israel's name, where she lived, even what she did for a living. America could hardly breathe.
Never before in the history of the world had a personification of a nation been revealed to the entire world through media. America had no idea what to think, to say, to do.

"Is it true—is her name really Moriyah?" Canada sputtered, hoping something on the news was a lie.

"…it's true…" America confirmed quietly, too dazed to say anything else on the matter.
Israel and Judah confided their human names to America secretly, and in return, he gave them his name—knowing a country's human name was a serious honor, and now the entire world knew Israel's name. Surely, this would lead to trouble.

Of course, it did.

In the short time that followed, Israel was hounded with reporters and protestors.
The press was also informed that Israel was marrying the personification of America, and also received his name and address; hence, America was also being mobbed by the paparazzi and anyone else who wanted a glimpse of the United States personified. Indeed, America's mob consisted of fans who wished to know him better, as well as those who hated Israel and wanted to stop his marriage.
Unfortunately, Israel's mob mainly consisted of people angry with her.
Many people mobbing Israel were mortified that their nation's personification was not only a woman, but a messianic Jew as well.
Over the centuries, so many people claiming to be Christians—who really weren't—had harmed the Jews.
Hence, anyone claiming that Yeshua (Jesus) was the Messiah, or that followed Yeshua in some way were viewed in a deeply negative way, to say the least. Some Jews were more tolerant, but overall, they distanced themselves from that belief.
If Israel's life had been different, she would probably be like them—despising Yeshua, and leading an entirely diverse life. Now that all her people knew that she existed and that she was a Messianic, Israel found herself constantly being opposed. If someone wasn't insulting her or yelling at her or questioning her because of her beliefs, they were shouting at her and glaring at her and writing articles about her because of her beliefs and because she was engaged to a gentile, a GENTILE! In Judaism, if there was one forbidden, don't-ever-do-this-EVER-or-you-get-ostracized kind of thing, it was marrying outside the faith. (Note: anyone not Jewish is a Gentile.) Of course, in Israel's faith, marrying America was NOT marrying outside her faith because they believed the same basic things—there is a God, only one God, he is Yeshua, Yeshua is the Messiah, the anointed one, the savior of the world, there is no way to heaven but through him.
Tragically, most people in Israel didn't accept that.
Needless to say, there was much opposition for Israel. There were probably a hundred different reasons why people were angered that her brother and she were representing them. Of course, once the world knew there were personifications of Israel and the United States, people all over the world wanted to know if their nation had a personification…

Because of all that occurred, Germany felt that it was the prime moment for an emergency world meeting. A few days after Israel, Judah and America's identities were revealed to the modern world, all the nations gathered for a meeting.
As usual, Germany was in charge, mainly to keep order.
When everyone was settled, he opened the meeting. After laying out the rules of order, he began speaking.

"As you all know by now, Israel, Judah and America's human identities have been discovered. Although this may seem like a minor thing, this could reap deep consequences. Already there are those of our denizens who are curious to know if their nation has a personification. Before everything erupts into media chaos, I have called this meeting to decide what our response will be to this situation."
Before Germany could finish his statement, he was rudely interrupted by England.

"What situation? Why are we even here? What's the point?" England burst out.

"ENGLAND! You did not raise your hand, nor were you recognized!" Germany objected to England's objection. Before he could finish that statement, he was interrupted with,

"But what's the point of this meeting? Yes, Israel and America have been discovered—your point is?" England fired back abruptly.

"Maybe if you would let Germany finish, we would all find out why we are here, you green-eyed, eyebrow monster!" France horned in, throwing at England whatever nonsensical insult popped into his mind.

"FRANCE! YOU WERE NOT RECOGNIZED EITHER!" Germany shouted, wishing someone would adhere to the rules besides himself.

As an obedient soldier and a fervent organizer, Germany couldn't tolerate his structured meetings tumbling into disarray. Of course, once France and England started arguing, it was challenging for them to stop, to say the least.

"Why does everyone insult my eyebrows? IS THAT ALL PEOPLE REMEMBER ABOUT ME?" England complained loudly.

"Well, it's hard not to notice, Mister I-don't-pluck-my-brows," France teased, pointing across the table at England.

"WOULD YOU STOP INSULTING ME, YOU FROG? WE ARE NOT HERE TO TALK ABOUT MY LOOKS! WE ARE HERE TO DISCUSS SOMETHING—GERMANY, what is it you are trying to say?" England turned away from France, almost too angry to think of any further insults for anyone.

"I WILL STOP INSULTING YOU WHEN I WANT!" France spat back.

"CEASE THIS IMMEDIATELY! YOU WILL ABIDE BY THE REGULATIONS, AND RAISE YOUR HAND TO BE RECOGNIZED TO SPEAK, OR LEAVE THE PREMISES!" Switzerland interjected, thoroughly sick of the constant fighting between France and England.

At Switzerland's outburst, the room fell silent. To say that a pin dropping in that silence would sound like a canon firing a metric ton of gunpowder was a vast understatement. After all, nobody wanted to test Switzerland—especially France.
After a few moments of soundlessness, Germany cleared his throat and continued with,

"Thank-you, Switzerland, for restoring order. I would like to remind everyone that everyone needs to be recognized before he or she speaks—if you have something to say, raise your hand, and then I will call on you, understand? As I was saying…I was saying…OH! I FORGOT!" Germany stated, slapping his forehead fiercely.

At that moment, Italy raised his hand.

Opening one eye, Germany noted Italy and acknowledged, "Germany recognizes his friend, Northern Italy,"

Standing up, Italy reminded Germany, "Ve~ Germany, you were saying that we were supposed to be talking about our response to the situation."

"Oh…Yes, I was! Thank-you, Italy—for once, you were actually helpful!" Germany responded gratefully, lowering his hand as he spoke.

"You're welcome, Germany! By the way, when this is over, can we have pasta?" Italy asked hopefully.

Germany dropped his head into his hand in exasperation. "Can we discuss that after the meeting is over?"

"All right," Italy conceded, settling down in his seat.

Germany straightened up, regained his composure, and then finished what he was trying to say earlier.

"As I was saying earlier, we have to discuss our response to this event. Clearly, we have at least two choices: we can do nothing, and allow our people to find us on their own, or we can reveal ourselves to the public."

At the thought of revealing their secret identities to the entire human world, all the nations gasped. Like a rushing wave, people all around the room stood up, shouting their objections 'till no one was heard over the din. Germany slammed his gavel onto the table until order was restored.

"Listen, it was a suggestion—I didn't say we had to reveal ourselves—it was only a possible reaction to America, Judah and Israel's discovery." Germany pointed out defensively.

A hundred hands shot up over the room, everyone desperate to have his voice heard. Overwhelmed at the numbers, Germany randomly picked a hand, acknowledging Switzerland.

"Why should we disclose ourselves to any human?" Switzerland protested as he stood up. "Furthermore, how shall this affect us? You make it sound as if it is a great calamity, but all it seems to be is media nonsense—surely we can handle that, correct?" After that, Switzerland reclined in his chair.

"I understand your point, Switzerland. I know it may seem insignificant, but this is the first time this has happened in all of history—we are not talking about a group of people, or even an entire nation knowing about their personification—this is the entire modernized world knowing! Moreover, the rest of the world is now searching for their representatives; eventually, they will find us. I do not think any of us know where this will lead, because this has never happened before. Right now, we have to plan for the future, starting with whether or not we will reveal ourselves to our people," Germany elucidated slowly, carefully choosing his words to present his view clearly.

Murmurs and whispers slunk around the table as people spoke to each other. The debate continued for hours. By the end of the meeting, everyone had thrown something into the conversation—even the shy countries piped up to have their say. That day, the nations left the building in deep thought.

In the end, all the countries' identities were revealed, and all had their fair share of media trouble, but none had the problems that Israel, Judah and America faced. Several people attempted to assassinate Israel—and failed, thankfully, failed. Nevertheless, Israel was in danger, and part of it was because she was marrying America—a Gentile. America didn't know everything about Judaism or Jewish culture, but he knew that his blood was a huge problem to Israel in this situation…and he felt guilty for it. He wanted to be a hero, and all he did was endanger her. According to Israel's own laws, a Jew and a Gentile couldn't get married, and here they were, engaged. Indeed, it was a mess. Of course, Israel and America had been over this before, and had decided that they would get married at America's house, but it was still a big deal. Even though they would get married and live in the U.S. together in the future, they still had problems today. Considering the trouble he believed he caused, America approached Israel one day.

"Israel, I'm sorry for all the trouble I've caused," America apologized to Israel.

"America, it's not your fault that someone tried to end my life," Israel insisted, reassuring him for the fifteenth time.

Israel, America and Judah were walking through a forest in Israel's house as they spoke. Birds sang happily while America mournfully contemplated all that occurred within the past few weeks.

"Israel, it is my fault, in a way...According to your own laws, we're not supposed to get married! It's no wonder that people hate you...it's all because of me," America countered in a moan.

"America, in the Torah there is a law against a Jewish woman marrying a non-Jewish man, but the Brit Chadasha also states that believers in Messiah are grafted into my people; you and I can be married. We both know this, America. Many of my people understand this...it's those who don't comprehend it that are making a fuss. It's not your fault; please don't blame yourself! If anyone is to blame it is me for accepting your proposal. Besides, there are a dozen other reasons why people are angered at me. Some Orthodox Jews are angry because I'm a Messianic or because I'm a woman, some Muslims are angry because I'm Jewish instead of Arab-America, the fact that I am marrying a Goy is the least of reasons why people are angry," Israel explained once again. ["Goy" is the Hebrew word for Gentile. "Goyim" is the plural form of "Goy". Sometimes, "Goy" is used as an insult, if I recall.]

"I know, but...I still endangered you...I love you, Moriyah, and I don't want to see you get hurt..." America breathed sorrowfully. The next words out of his mouth were the hardest words he ever had to say: "Riyah, I think we should break up."

Israel froze in her tracks. Judah straightened up attentively. A breeze flowed past. Israel couldn't believe that America said those words to her. She felt as if her heart fell through an enormous felt as if she would faint.

Attempting to control her emotions, Israel stated, "No, Alfred, you can't."

"Moriyah, I don't want you getting hurt...Even if I am the least of your problems, at least you would have one less problem...please, let me leave you," America implored her as a tear streamed down his cheek.

Judah flipped his gaze from America to Israel, hardly comprehending that this conversation was taking place. Quickly, he started speaking to God silently.

God, I know that you want them together, however, there is much opposition. I give this entire situation to you. Please, do whatever you must to work this out the way you want it to work out. Adonai, I know that you have perfect timing, however, I would suggest stepping in and doing something now, before we all panic.

With that, Judah patiently waited for his sister's answer.

Meanwhile, Israel contemplated her situation, and mulled over her answer, trying to keep calm. Then, she remembered her past.
She had survived centuries of oppression, insults and pain—she would not let a tiny bit more ruin her future with the man she loved. Her identity was common knowledge now, and there was nothing she could do about it. Instead of becoming angry or fretful, she decided to overcome it. As she chose this, Israel felt her faith rise, and peace touch her heart.

Looking America directly in the eye, Israel declared, "Alfred Franklin Jones, I have endured more than words could ever say. I have witnessed my parents' death, I have survived Crusaders, conquerers, condemnation, torture, emotional pain, abuse, slander, insults, slavery, and wars. God has protected me and preserved my life all through that. He helped me win wars, he preserved my body, he touched my heart-if God protected me in the past, I know he will protect me in the future, because he never changes. I don't care what the press says anymore, because I know that one day all of this will fizzle out into a distant memory. If Yeshua doesn't come back soon, I know there will be a day when everyone thinks that I am a mere legend or myth. Alfred, I will not allow our present situation to prevent us from having a happy future together. I refuse your suggestion of breaking up our engagement; we had an agreement, and we shall adhere to that agreement...I love you."

America straightened up, breathing deeply. Realizing that Israel was right, America nodded his head slowly. He inhaled hard, trying not to burst into relieved tears. After a few moments, he admitted, "Riyah, I truly do want to marry you...if you'll have this doubting idiot to be your husband."

Israel lovingly smiled at him and replied with, "Alfred, everyone's an idiot compared to God. I will gladly have you-and, I would like to inform you that you are my hero, not my idiot."

With those words, America stood up perfectly straight and beamed at Israel. Judah smiled approvingly of them both, and silently thanked God for encouraging them all.

Hence, they continued the wedding plans. The opposition was to no avail.


Dear Reader, again, thank-you for reading up to this point!

The story is almost over, don't quit now!

Believe me, you NEED to see the epilogue!

~+~PioneeringAuthor