Psalms 122:5-7 For thrones are set there for judgment, The thrones of the house of David. 6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: “May they prosper who love you. 7 Peace be within your walls, Prosperity within your palaces.”
Last week, we discussed the significance of Jerusalem in the culmination of the age. Here, we’ll continue to scratch that surface. The word “Jerusalem” is so rich with meaning that a single devotion will only begin to unpack it; there are so many etymological approaches. But most agree that the root letters at the end, שלם (shalem) spell a Hebrew word requiring numerous English words to fully comprehend including, “perfect”, “complete”, “sound”, “whole”, “harmony”, “peace”, etc. In addition, the concept of payment is present, as לשלם (leshalem), “to pay”, also suggests “reward”.
There are two options of meaning for the letters at the beginning of the name, Yerushalayim, “ירה” (yara, with the letter “hey” ה at the end), means “to throw, cast, or shoot; to cause (cast) a particular effect or result by means of many small elements or impulses”, (e.g. arrows, words, instructions, raindrops, etc.)”. From this, we infer that Jerusalem is a place where peace, wholeness, fulfillment, and completion (shalom) are cast or released (yara) through a patient, repetitive process of instruction, a softening produced by a “rainfall” of God’s word, or a piercing of sin and ignorance by “arrows” (of truth), etc. These processes describe the spiritual history and unique identity of Jerusalem, a central place of God’s self-revelation. Also, this name testifies that the first appearance of the Prince of Peace (Sar Shalom) there was preceded by an extended process of patient and repeated prophetic revelation cast over centuries.
An alternative root beginning the name “Yerushalayim”, ירא (yara’ with “aleph”, (א) instead of “hey” (ה), means “to revere”, “to give heed”, “to be in awe”, or “to fear”. In this case, the name “Jerusalem” carries an exhortation to heed, revere, or be in awe of (Yara) perfection, wholeness, and peace (shalom) and, therefore, God Himself, who is the Author of all these. Both of these beginning roots express true characteristics of the “Holy City”.
Additionally, within “Yerushalayim”, we find the Hebrew word “Yerusha”, meaning “inheritance”, the legal transfer of property across generations. This makes reference to the verses above concerning judgment and prosperity. In Jerusalem, there are thrones of judgment set in the house of David [Ps. 122:5]. Here, we see a prophetic reference to the judgment seat of Christ, David’s royal successor, Yeshua (Jesus). At His throne, all the works of men will be judged, assessed, and rewarded with an inheritance in the age to come [Romans 14:10; 2 Corinthians 5:10]. Yerushalayim thus holds a promise for prospering as believers who, understanding its significance, serve faithfully and endure to become co-heirs with Messiah and reign with Him [Romans 8:17; 2 Timothy 2:12 ]. Finally, “May they prosper who love you”, [verse 6], reaffirms the prosperous reward for all who love and appreciate YHVH’s Holy City and its purpose in history and eternity.
So much of the Gospel message of Messiah is found in the name of the city where it happened, Jerusalem. Here, the raindrops, the water of God’s Word, repeatedly and patiently fell onto both the fertile and fallow soil of men’s hearts. Here YHVH’s prophetic “arrows” repeatedly pierced both the tender and hardened hearts of men, in the hope of repentance for acceptance in God’s Kingdom. Here, the awesome nature of God Himself was revealed in His Word and Personal Image, Yeshua the Messiah. Finally, in Yerushalayim, perfect redemption and peace with humankind were fulfilled and completed by the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.
Yet, before this took place, Yeshua gave a final word to His beloved Jerusalem; “You shall see me no more until you say, ‘Baruch haba b’shem Adonai’, (‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD’) [Matthew 23:37-39], a most serious word of warning and hope in light of His rejection by Israel. In this light, praying for the peace of Jerusalem takes on a dimension of significance that includes Israel’s final redemption and acceptance of their Messiah and becomes a “last days” participation in the Lord’s eternal purposes, with the expectation of rejoicing with Him for Israel’s salvation and the fulfillment of Jerusalem’s eternal destiny.
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[worthy_plugins_devotion_single_body]One constant pitfall we must watch for is taking credit for something that God does in or through us, or using the gifts and callings of God for self-exaltation. In that light it may be easier to handle poverty, weakness, or insignificance, than wealth, ability, power or authority, since poverty and frailty are not normally things we boast about, and they cause us to recognize our need for God. Prosperity, gifting, and anointing, on the other hand can be powerful temptations, leading to pride, covetousness, and self-sufficiency.
Reading this parable, we are struck by the serious consequences of failing to produce Kingdom fruit. But there’s something I want to particularly point out. Many of the great heroes of the faith — people like Moses and David, were not given great responsibilities immediately. Each of these men first served as a lowly shepherd, tending sheep. Having tested them first in this humble vocation, God then felt confident to elevate them to positions of greatness — but it all started with a small step!
Talking to people about God has become a regular part of our lives. Between meeting people on the boards and in our chat rooms (which you should really come and visit at !) and the opportunities which open up in our daily lives, we find ourselves sharing with people from all walks of life – unbelievers, new believers, people who have come and gone from the faith and back again.
The place we call home in Israel is in the rebuilt city of Arad, an ancient city rebuilt in 1962 near the historic site of Tel Arad. It was the first planned city in Israel.
Tel Arad was an ancient fortress that, according to archaeologists, has been destroyed and rebuilt at least ten times. The citadel was thought to have originally been built during the times of King David and Solomon. The Negev desert’s arid conditions have remarkably preserved the fortress’s archaeological layers, providing a continuous record of its history for hundreds of years.
Last week, I did a series of devotionals on the Dead Sea scrolls. As I’ve been pointing out the archaeological discoveries as well as their prophetic significance, I’ve saved the best for last! Recently discovered fragments of the Bible in the Dead Sea region containing two passages of Scripture are incredibly relevant. I spoke of the passage in Zechariah last week.
When we study a translation of a Scripture passage we often miss out on the nuances hidden in the original Hebrew (Old Testament) or Greek (New Testament). Often, it’s not that a word is mistranslated, but that rendering the meaning in one English word is difficult if not impossible.
When Moses sent out the 12 spies to report on the condition of the land of “milk and honey”, ten of the spies brought back a bad report. They focused on the giants, and the great obstacles in their way. They walked with eyes set on the physical realm and said within themselves, “We are but grasshoppers in the sight of these giants!