Note
Two rows of six symbolic ovals surrounded by twelve various persons (rulers) on inside layer, and fourteen on the outside--all over a background photograph of bodies.
Images in the shield shapes on top l to r represent: CA3500BC Ghassulian Culture, 2500-2300BC Amorite invasions, 2300-2000BC Journeys of the Pariarchs, 1000 - 922BC United Kingdom, 721-598 BC Assyrian Rule, 587-538BC Babylonian Capitivity, 332-312BC Greek Rule.
Background beneath top and bottom sections are a representation of an open-pit from the Holocause.
Images in the shield shapes just above center l to r represent: the Canaanites CA 3300BC, Egyptian Rule CA 2000BC, Philistine Penetration 1100-1000BC, Divided Kingdom 920-587BC, Judah Resurgence 640-609BC, Persian Rule 538-332BC.
Center ovals represent the twelve tribes of Israel - top row l to r: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Zebulun. Bottom row l to r: Dan, Gad, Asher, Napthali, Joseph, Benjamin.
Images in the shield shapes just below center l to r represent: 198-167BC Selucid Syrian Rule, 163BC-135AD Roman Rule, 135-614AD Roman Rule, 629-638 Christian Rule, 1099-1187 Crusader Rule, 1917-1948 British Rule.
Images in the shield shapes at the bottom l to r represent: Ptolemaic Egyptian Rule 312-198BC, Maccabean Rule 167-63BC, Jewish Revolts 66-135AD, Moslem Rule 638-1099, Moslem Rule 1187-1911, State of Israel 1948-present
When God covenanted with Israel, he also provided for a system of government with Himself as its head. The twelve tribes, who were descended from Jacob's twelve sons, were each given a portion of the land of Canaan (save the Levites who were to be supported by the others in their functions as priests.)
But Israel did not keep itself holt to the Lord. The people adopted worship practices from their neighbor and did not uphold their covenant. Over and over they were warned through the prophets, but finally their actions lost them the land of their inheritance.
When as a nation Israel has turned its face from the Lord God, it has reaped bloody consequences through the loss of God's protection.
However, God through His great love and mercy for mankind offers a way back into His protection. He offers a New Covenant to all who will accept His son as our fully paid redemption, and who will acknowledge His rule in our hearts.