May There Be Peace In Jerusalem

God is honored in Judah; his name is great in Israel. Jerusalem is where he lives; Mount Zion is his home. There he has broken the fiery arrows of the enemy, the shields and swords and weapons of war. [Psalm 76.1-3]

I had a thought today that set my spirit on a quest. The passage above made me think of a popular passage from Paul's letter to the Ephesians.

Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. [Ephesians 6.13-17]

Notice the reference in both passages above to the "fiery arrows of the enemy (the devil)." What is interesting is that the Psalm says in Jerusalem ("there") is where the fiery arrows are broken.

As Israel represents the Church, Jerusalem represents the unity (or coalescence) of the Church. Could it be that the future of the Church is actually revealed in the history of Israel, past and present? Could it be that the fiery arrows of the enemy cannot be broken except in the unity of the Church? Could it be that Israel serves as a parable to the modern Church?

O my people, listen to my instructions. Open your ears to what I am saying, for I will speak to you in a parable. I will teach you hidden lessons from our past— stories we have heard and known, stories our ancestors handed down to us. We will not hide these truths from our children; we will tell the next generation about the glorious deeds of the LORD, about his power and his mighty wonders. For he issued his laws to Jacob; he gave his instructions to Israel. He commanded our ancestors to teach them to their children, so the next generation might know them— even the children not yet born— and they in turn will teach their own children. So each generation should set its hope anew on God, not forgetting his glorious miracles and obeying his commands. Then they will not be like their ancestors— stubborn, rebellious, and unfaithful, refusing to give their hearts to God. [Psalm 78.1-8]

Israel's story is a parable of the Church. It is entirely possible that every event in the history of Israel can be correlated to events in the Body of Christ thus revealing, by Israel's history, what is yet to come in the Church... to those who are paying attention. Is it not worth considering?

Does it not demand our attention that the Psalms literally command us to pray for peace in Jerusalem?

Pray for peace in Jerusalem. May all who love this city prosper. O Jerusalem, may there be peace within your walls and prosperity in your palaces. For the sake of my family and friends, I will say, “May you have peace.” For the sake of the house of the LORD our God, I will seek what is best for you, O Jerusalem. [Psalm 122.6-9]

Jerusalem is us! 

Let's see what Jesus prayed for the Church...

“My prayer is not for the world, but for those you have given me, because they belong to you. All who are mine belong to you, and you have given them to me, so they bring me glory. Now I am departing from the world; they are staying in this world, but I am coming to you. Holy Father, you have given me your name; now protect them by the power of your name so that they will be united just as we are. [John 17.9-11]

Notice that Jesus prayed for His people, the Church, to be united. You know what united people are? They are at peace with one another. See now how praying for peace in Jerusalem (the coalescence of God's people) and praying for unity in the Church are one and the same? The Psalmist even revealed this in these words: "For the sake of my family and friends, I will say, “May you have peace.” For the sake of the house of the LORD our God, I will seek what is best for you, O Jerusalem." Is that cool, or what?

If there is any merit at all to what is being presented here, the history of Israel is of great importance to the Church today. Even more importantly, the history of Israel reveals what is to come in the Church today. The potential then to couple Israel's history with Paul's and John the Revelator's respective understandings of end times might just give clarity that is missing currently... ?

I understand that the implications of this are far more detailed than I have the knowledge to currently discuss. But I will be paying attention!

Father, may we find all we need to know about You and Your plan for Your people in Your Word. I cannot help but believe it is all there. Thank You for Your Word! Help us to see that unity is "where" there is victory over Satan's devices. May Your Church, the Body of Christ be unified! May there be "peace in Jerusalem!"