THE LORD SPOKE (November 16)

Daily Reflections from Scripture:

Ezekiel 25-26

It’s Genesis 12:3 at work! Those strong words of the Abrahamic Covenant have been the downfall of many a nation ever since. Better said: many a nation has brought itself down because it didn’t heed those words.

I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse.

Five of them in these two chapters! Three to the east of Israel - Ammon (25:1-7), Moab (25:8-11), and Edom (25:12-14). One to the west - Philistia (25:15-17) - and one to the north - Tyre (26:1 - 28:16). If you peek ahead there’s still the big one to the south - Egypt (29:1 - 32:32).

While you’re peeking, take a closer look at the promise to Israel in Ezekiel 28:24.

No longer will the people of Israel have malicious neighbors who are painful briers and sharp thorns. Then they will know that I am the Sovereign Lord.

That day hasn’t come yet. Israel is still surrounded by the same kind of ugly neighbors. In part because of her own sin, she continues to suffer. But Genesis 12:1-3 is an unconditional promise and the final fulfillment will come. True, there are no longer any Ammonites, Moabites, Edomites, Philistines, or Tyrians gloating (23:3), jeering (23:8), and revenging (25:12,15) over Israel. But God has allowed others to take their place because the last part of Ezekiel 28:24 still hasn’t happened; Israel still has not acknowledged God as her sovereign lord. We’re soon to come up to Ezekiel 36 and 37 where it tells us more about when this will take place. Both chapters speak of a time when God will pour out His Spirit on Israel (36:27 and 37:14a) and both chapters say, then Israel will recognize and revere Him (36:31 and 37:14b).

Is there not a lesson - several of them - here for us?

1. Bless the nation of Israel today and always. Take care how you touch the apple of God’s eye (Zech. 2:8).
2. Look to your own faults and make sure that you acknowledge God as your Sovereign Lord. Learn from a bad example.
3. Anticipate that great awakening of the Jewish people. Look forward to the day of the Lord’s return, Israel’s restoration, and your redemption. They are all connected.
4. In the mean time, pray for the peace of Israel (Ps. 122:6; Rom. 10:1).

Psalms 120-122

Sha’alu shalom Yerushalayim.
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem. (Ps. 122:6)

In Hebrew it even sounds peaceful. But praying for the peace of Jerusalem is not always peaceful business. As the psalmist himself said, “I am a man of peace, but when I speak, they are for war.” (Ps. 120:7).

Assuming that Jerusalem in this context represents the entire land and people of Israel, how can/should we “pray for Jerusalem?

Unfortunately, even that assumption is not without its problems. Not one nation on earth recognizes Jerusalem as the capitol of Israel. This has been the case ever since the UN decision on November 29, 1947 which “established” Jerusalem as an international city under UN auspices. Never mind that the UN never did anything to follow through on its own decision. It stood by and did nothing to step in when seven Arab nations crossed the borders and attacked the fledgling Jewish nation the day after it declared statehood. Though the UN created the Partition Plan which provided for two states, it did absolutely nothing to bring it to reality or to enforce its successful operation in the Middle East. Even today its feeble attempts are entirely one-sided; take, for example the 160 resolutions condemning Israel over the past 40 years.

All of that recent history has a definite affect on the answer to our question, “How should we pray for the peace of Jerusalem?”

• Pray for the government of Israel. Pray that her political leaders would enact just and equitable laws that would reflect biblical principles. Pray that democracy would remain strong.
• Pray for the educational system in Israel. Pray that a new generation would be taught well and that biblical principles of right and wrong would be the foundation of her education
• Pray for the families in Israel. Pray that fathers would provide leadership and that moms and dads would truly nurture their children and give them godly examples to follow.
• Pray for the economy of Israel. Pray that her productivity would continue to grow and that she would use righteous principles of finance in both national and international affairs.
• Pray for the soldiers and police of Israel. Pray that they would be alert at all times and do their job of defending and protecting the country well. Pray that they would maintain their high standards of justice.
• Pray for the people of Israel. Pray for their physical safety from enemies who continuously threaten their very existence. Pray that they would be encouraged in their struggle. Pray that they would recognize Jesus as their Messiah.
• Pray for the Lord’s return. Ultimately, that is a prayer for the restoration of Jerusalem and the Jewish people. “Even so, come Lord Jesus!”