Insightful Musings on theScriptures
by
Raymond P. Sparre
Northwest University class of '67
Whew! I mean, GOOD MORNING.
Lots going on. And a lot needs to go on in order to get anywhere at crossing stuff off my TO DO LIST.
Becki and I managed to knock out our little walk/jog excursion. You would think that getting up that hill would be easier over time. But it seems to remain a challenge. It feels best after it’s done.
Be good. Stay busy. Keep seeking, trusting, and loving the GREAT KING.
Love, Dad/Ray.
Jerusalem? In possession of the Jews? The joy of the whole earth? City of the Great King? That doesn’t sound very internationally or politically correct!
We can only imagine the risk one takes by walking up to a 10-foot Grizzly Bear and taunting him—tweaking his nose, or poking him with a stick. What the antagonists of Israel do not understand, with their big loud opinions on how to manage Israel and Jerusalem, is that they are taunting the Sovereign Owner—the One Who has omnipotent abilities to take revenge, settle accounts, and establish truth.
I think it would be helpful for us to review a few pieces of Old Testament prophecy just to help us reaffirm Who the Owner/Overseer really is—and what is really going on surrounding Israel. In so doing, take special note of how unique Jerusalem is among all other cities on this planet. He continually describes it as “my holy hill.” That sure sounds like ownership.
- “I have installed my King on Zion, my holy hill” (Psalms 2:6).
- “Blow the trumpet in Zion; sound the alarm on my holy hill. Let all who live in the land tremble, for the day of the Lord is coming. It is close at hand — a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and blackness” (Joel 2:1-2).
- “The Lord will roar from Zion and thunder from Jerusalem; the earth and the sky will tremble. But the Lord will be a refuge for his people, a stronghold for the people of Israel. 'Then you will know that I, the Lord your God, dwell in Zion, my holy hill. Jerusalem will be holy; never again will foreigners invade her” (Joel 3:16-17).
- “The day of the Lord is near for all nations. As you have done, it will be done to you; your deeds will return upon your own head. Just as you drank on my holy hill, so all the nations will drink continually; they will drink and drink and be as if they had never been” (Obadiah 15-16).
- “Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling unto all the people round about, when they shall be in the siege both against Judah and against Jerusalem. And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it” (Zechariah 12:2-3).
There is nothing new about the challenging question, “WHO ARE YOU GOING TO BELIEVE?” I cast my vote of belief, confidence, and trust in “THE GREAT KING OVER ALL THE EARTH” (Psalms 47:2).
(I don’t have to think very hard to recognize how relevant that description is to our political landscape.)