Jerusalem:

'The City of the Lord;

Zion, the City of Israel's Holy God'

 

http://travel.aolcdn.com/travdestguide/jerusalem-israel_04-360a030507.jpg

 

Jerusalem is 60 kilometers (37 mi) east of Tel Aviv and the Mediterranean Sea. On the opposite side of the city, approximately 35 kilometers (22 mi) away, is the Dead Sea, the lowest body of water on Earth. Neighboring cities and towns include Bethlehem and Beit Jala to the south, Abu Dis and Ma'ale Adumim to the east, Mevaseret Zion to the west, and Ramallah and Giv'at Ze'ev to the north.¹
 

Did you know that of all the cities in the world, God the Sovereign Lord calls Jerusalem His city? Why did the Divine choose this city above all others to call it His own? We will attempt to look for answers to this very intriguing question in the pages of the Holy Bible.

 

This article promises to take you through the Holy Bible to let you see Jerusalem from God's perspective. There are many pieces of literature and books as well as articles available on the World Wide Web on Jerusalem. However, we will peruse the Holy Bible for some of its commentaries and records on Jerusalem.

 

The Holy Bible as a Text

 

The Bible, simply known as the Word of God, is a compilation of 66 Books and is divided into two parts or eras: The Old Testament and the New Testament. The Old Testament tells of God's creation of the human race, the animals, and plants; including the universe. It also tells of decisions men and women have made regarding worship of God or the prostrating of themselves before idols. It tells of God's choosing a man: Abraham and his lineage to lead so that He can demonstrate to the other nations His glory and greatness. In the New Testament, God decided to send His only Begotten Son as the Messiah. He emphasises that He loves mankind and has availed to us the option to "re-enter" a relationship with Him as was shared between Himself and Adam & Eve before the fall, and afterward with Abraham, Jacob, King David, the Prophets and others. Additionally, the Bible does provide much insight on Jerusalem.

 

Jerusalem is …

 

The Holy Bible's account of Jerusalem presents a cogent account of life on a day to day basis in this ancient city. These accounts point to the reign of the King David and those that followed. Other accounts focus on worship in the city. Worship of the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the practice of idol worship, invasions by foreign armies, the captivity of the Jews, and destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem, and of Jerusalem's city walls and other infrastructure. It also tells of the return of the Jews and their habitation of their city, Jerusalem.

 

Other Biblical names for Jerusalem include: Mount Zion, the City of God, the City of David, the Holy City, Ariel, et al. The Bible also talks about the New Jerusalem, pending in His new world after this era passes.

 

In Psalm 122:3 it's noted that "Jerusalem is builded as a city that is compact together." (King James Bible).²

 

In some instances the Lord uses Jerusalem to symbolise His protection and care for His people Israel. "As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so the LORD is round about his people, from this time forth and for evermore." (English Revised Version).³

 

God also uses Jerusalem to show the nations His favour toward the Israelis. He submits "For Zion's sake will I not hold my peace, and for Jerusalem's sake I will not rest, until the righteousness thereof go forth as brightness, and the salvation thereof as a lamp that burns. And the Gentiles shall see your righteousness, and all kings your glory: and you shall be called by a new name, which the mouth of the LORD shall name." (American King James Version).⁴

 

Kings and queens will gather to Jerusalem as did the Queen of Sheba. "And she came to Jerusalem with a very great train, with camels weighted down with spices, and stores of gold and jewels: and when she came to Solomon she had talk with him of everything in her mind." (Bible in Basic English).⁵

 

Leaders were to guarantee justice in Jerusalem. "Then in Jerusalem he gave authority to certain of the Levites and the priests and the heads of families of Israel to give decisions for the Lord, and in the causes of those living in Jerusalem." (Bible in Basic English).⁶

 

Conclusion

 

We examined only a small aspect of God's involvement in the political and religious life of this great city, Jerusalem. To Him Jerusalem is a living entity, an extension of Himself, His territory.

 

Jerusalem is the Lord's:

• "Glorious things are spoken of thee, O city of God. Selah." (Psalm 87: 3).⁷

 

• "There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High." (Psalm 46:4).⁸

 

• "But you have come to the mountain of Zion, to the place of the living God, to the Jerusalem which is in heaven, and to an army of angels which may not be numbered." (Hebrew 12:22).⁹

 

• "For they call themselves of the holy city, and stay themselves upon the God of Israel; The LORD of hosts is his name." (Isaiah 48:2).^{10................................................................................}

 

Jerusalem is geopolitically and historically critical to Israel. The essence of the Arab-Israeli conflict is the question of Israel's right to exist as a nation in the land given by God to their forefathers (and them as an inheritance) and whether the entire Mount Zion belongs to the Jewish people. Biblical accounts have proven that God remains a covenant keeping God. Do not touch Jerusalem!

 

Sources:

 

¹Jerusalem. Wikipedia. The Free Encyclopedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jerusalem.

 

²Pslams 122:3. King James Bible, http://multilingualbible.com/psalms/122-3.htm.

 

³Pslam125:2. English Revised Version, http://multilingualbible.com/psalms/125-2.htm.

 

⁴Isaiah 62:1 -2. American King James Version, http://biblecc.com/isaiah/62-1.htm; http://biblecc.com/isaiah/62-2.htm.

 

⁵1King 10:2. Bible in Basic English. http://multilingualbible.com/1_kings/10-2.htm.

 

⁶2 Chron. 19:8. Bible in Basic English, http://multilingualbible.com/2_chronicles/19-8.htm.

 

⁷Psalm 87:3. English Revised Version, http://biblecc.com/psalms/87-3.htm.

 

⁸Psalm 46:4. King James Bible, http://biblecc.com/psalms/46-4.htm.

 

⁹Hebrews 12:22. Basic English Bible, http://biblecc.com/hebrews/12-22.htm.

 

¹⁰Isaiah 48:2. King James Bible, http://biblecc.com/isaiah/48-2.htm.

 

Cherub A. Nicholls

 

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