Jerusalem has been a popular city over the years. I was recently awakened to Jerusalem’s amazing history by watching the documentary series, “Christ Revealed.” I had never studied the history of Jerusalem, other than references in the Bible. Even though I didn’t take notes during the documentary, I remember enough to know the Jerusalem temple would be rebuilt after the Babylonian destruction. Then it would be demolished again by the Romans, a generation or so after Jesus predicted it and was crucified.
The people returning from exile were feeling like they were in over their heads. Seventy years had done a number on their blessed city. Those that did return didn’t have any memories of their own. They were simply following in the heritage of their ancestors. You know how it feels to have a huge task ahead. You can easily get stuck in frustration. To have Isaiah’s prayer for their city would have been comforting.
The old city of Jerusalem exists today having been the center of many revolutions and take-overs. Currently, Jerusalem is a holy place for three major religions: Judaism, Islam, and Christianity. Both Israel and Palestine have claimed Jerusalem as a capital city, and it has always been the capital for the Jewish people. So much of our Biblical context is centered in and around Jerusalem. It is a meaningful place to be sure.
Isaiah’s prayer is beautiful. It would seem his prayer could be a never-ending prayer of protection and restoration. Jerusalem has been in ruins several times. Jerusalem has quite a tumultuous history. These words were designed to stir hope in the hearts of the people. Where there is hope, there is likely to be action. We should all have the zeal of Isaiah when it comes to wanting God’s will to be done.
“Your children will commit themselves to you, O Jerusalem, just as a young man commits himself to his bride. Then God will rejoice over you as a bridegroom rejoices over his bride.” We see the analogy of bridegroom and bride as it relates to Jesus and the church as well. What sorts of emotions do you think are stirred when you think of this great holy city as a bride?
In some ways, God is still answering Isaiah’s prayer. We see mention of the warriors who will come. “The Lord has sworn to Jerusalem by his own strength: ‘“I will never again hand you over to your enemies.’’’ At some point, peace will come to Jerusalem. The time is still coming when Jerusalem will be seen as the glorious city it is. In the meantime, this is what we are to do. “Give the Lord no rest until he completes his work, until he makes Jerusalem the pride of the earth.”
How do we fit in to this picture of restoration and hope? What does the city of Jerusalem mean to you?
Let’s pray … Lord, thank you for how you have met your people where they are since the beginning of time. I am especially grateful for how you are working in my life, molding me into a servant leader. Thank you for awakening in me the curiosity I have for learning more about the holy city, Jerusalem. I do long for the day of your return in glory when Jerusalem will be the “pride of the earth.” In Jesus’ name. Amen.
