England’s Queen Elizabeth II succumbed to deteriorating health on Thursday, bringing an end to her 70-year reign.
Surrounded by her family Balmoral Castle in Scotland, the 96-year-old sovereign reportedly “died peacefully.”
She is succeeded by her son, King Charles III.
Israel, whose modern rebirth is inextricably tied to Britain, was quick to respond to the sad news.
Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid tweeted:
“On behalf of the Government of Israel and the citizens of Israel, I send my condolences to the Royal Family and the citizens of the United Kingdom on the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
“She was an extraordinary figure, a unique leader who symbolized devotion and love for her homeland.”
בשם ממשלת ישראל ואזרחי ישראל, אני שולח תנחומים למשפחת המלוכה ולאזרחי הממלכה המאוחדת על פטירתה של הוד מלכותה המלכה אליזבת השנייה.
המלכה היא דמות יוצאת דופן, מנהיגה ייחודית שסימלה מסירות ואהבה למולדתה.
יהי זכרה ברוך. pic.twitter.com/C0ZVlM366V
— יאיר לפיד – Yair Lapid (@yairlapid) September 8, 2022
Opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu said of Elizabeth:
“She was a legendary sovereign, a beacon of integrity and a steward of a second Elizabethan age which will be remembered down the centuries. May her memory be blessed.”
My wife Sara and I, along with all the people of Israel, send our condolences to the people of Britain and to the royal family on the passing of Queen Elizabeth II
— Benjamin Netanyahu (@netanyahu) September 8, 2022
President Isaac Herzog wrote:
“On behalf of the people of Israel, I mourn her passing and participate in the heavy mourning of the grieving British people and the British Commonwealth, who lost the mother of the nation. She was a historical figure—lived the history, created history and left a glorious and inspiring legacy.
“During her long and significant tenure, the world changed dramatically, and in the face of this change she was a symbol of stable and responsible leadership, and a beacon of morality, humanity and patriotism.”
הוד מלכותה אליזבת השנייה – הייתה “המלכה” בה”א הידיעה. מותה הוא סופו של עידן. בשם העם בישראל אני כואב את לכתה ומשתתף באבל הכבד של העם הבריטי האבל וחבר הלאומים הבריטי, שאיבדו את אם האומה. היא הייתה דמות היסטורית – חיה את ההיסטוריה, יצרה היסטוריה, והשאירה מורשת מפוארת ומלאת השראה. pic.twitter.com/1RmB3MLK22
— יצחק הרצוג Isaac Herzog (@Isaac_Herzog) September 8, 2022
Tel Aviv City Hall of lit up with the British flag, and Mayor Ron Huldai posted:
“Great sorrow fell on Britain with the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, one of the most important and influential leaders the world has ever known. Tonight, we all share in the sorrow of the United Kingdom.”
צער גדול ירד על בריטניה עם לכתה של המלכה אליזבת השנייה, מהמנהיגות החשובות והמשפיעות שידע העולם. הערב כולנו משתתפים בצער הממלכה המאוחדת. pic.twitter.com/tHG7gcmrc8
— רון חולדאי (@Ron_Huldai) September 8, 2022
Chief Rabbi of the United Kingdom Ephraim Mirvis stated in a video clip posted to Twitter:
“Every week in synagogue we have prayed for her welfare, wellbeing and wisdom and she never let us down.
“I recall how, on one occasion, she showed me and my wife items of Jewish interest and value in her private collection in Windsor Castle, including a Torah scroll rescued from Czechoslovakia during the Holocaust. Her affection for the Jewish people ran deep, and her respect for our values was palpable.”
“She never let us down.” The Chief Rabbi responds to the passing of Her Majesty The Queen. pic.twitter.com/Y3zfw9VEdC
— Chief Rabbi Mirvis (@chiefrabbi) September 8, 2022
Queen Elizabeth ll came to faith in the God of Israel through His Son Jesus Christ. She knew God had sent His Son into the world that the world could know God and come into a living relationship with Him.
She accepted the bible’s version of why mankind had lost its relationship with God in Eden when man had chosen to be independent of God. She saw how God had judged men during Noah’s day but later had found a man of faith, Abraham, through whom He could again make Himself known to mankind. This led to the creation of the nation of Israel. Israel was still unredeemed but God gave them His Torah so they could learn the standard of righteousness he required. Like the rest of mankind when they were taught the Ten Commandments they couldn’t get the revelation that God’s commands would always be compromised by the act of a man’s will to be independent.
God prophesied He would remedy this by sending Messiah who would lay down His life to atone for the sin of mankind. Messiah would be Immanuel, God with us. God would become incarnate in His Son and speak and work divinely in all He did. Those who accepted the Son would be regarded as having accepted the Father also. God would seek to replicate the character of His Son in all who received Him, they would become God’s children.
Elizabeth testified to recognising her need of a Saviour to deliver her from the lordship of her fallen nature and its bondage to the world. She exercised her will to die daily and let the Son of God, Jesus Christ, Yeshua HaMashiach be Lord of her life. She publicly declared her faith in God during her Christmas (let’s think of them as Sukkot messages) messages to the nation.
“God sent into the world a unique person — neither a philosopher nor a general, important though they are, but a Saviour, with the power to forgive.” HM The Queen, 2011
“The Christmas story retains its appeal since it doesn’t provide theoretical explanations for the puzzles of Life. Instead it’s about the birth of a child and the hope that birth 2000 years ago brought to the world. I draw strength from the message of hope in the Christian gospel. HM The Queen, Christmas 2002
“Only a few people acknowledged Jesus when he was born. Now billions follow him. I believe his message of peace on earth and goodwill to all is never out of date. It can be heeded by everyone. It’s needed as much as ever.”
In her first Easter message (let’s think of them as Passover) in 2020, saying: “The discovery of the risen Christ on the first Easter Day gave his followers new hope and fresh purpose and we can all take heart from this”.
I have been – and remain – very grateful to you for your prayers and to God for his steadfast love. I have indeed seen his faithfulness. Writing on the occasion of her 90th birthday.
Some Christians have quoted ” well done good and faithful servant” Matt 25:21 on her passing believing this is how the Lord will welcome her home. Others chose Hebrews 4:9-10 “There remains therefore a rest for the people of God. For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His.
The Chief Rabbi’s comment from Proverbs 31:25 “Strength and honor are her clothing; She shall rejoice in time to come.” is a testimony that the Lord was evident in her life.
Christine Darg wrote a wonderful tribute too at her Exploits Ministry.
Elizabeth overcame the dominion of her fallen nature by believing the good news, the gospel, of salvation that “God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.” 2 Corinthians 5:19
She understood why the heavenly host praised God saying: “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” Luke 2:13-14 when the Saviour was born. Praise the Lord for Elizabeth, may her household, her realm and all people come to the same faith. Amen