The Bible describes a wonderful relationship between the Creator and His creation. Within this love story, one of the biggest chapters is devoted to the relationship between the Creator (God) and His chosen people, Israel.
“But now, thus says the LORD, your Creator, O Jacob, and He who formed you, O Israel, “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are Mine!” Isaiah 43:1
In my first blog entry on Psalm 122:4 (Part 1), I proposed that there were four primary reasons that the tribes of Israel would go up to Jerusalem.
The first reason that the people came together was to meet with God, as His presence would be revealed to them. The second reason they were to gather together was simply to be obedient to God. The third reason was to remember –remember what God had done for them and how He delivered them from Egypt with a mighty hand. The fourth was as an act of worship and thanksgiving, giving back to Him a portion of what He had given to each one.
In reality there is a fifth reason, which I kept for this blog entry, which is “a testimony to Israel”. I can only imagine what an amazing sight it was when the entirety of the Tribes of Israel would come to Jerusalem! Today, when I see the Western Wall plaza full of people praying and worshiping God, it is very special. However, I believe that during the time of King David, this happened on a much bigger scale, accompanied with emotions of joy and jubilation.
The fact that throughout all those years, the people of Israel continued to come up to Jerusalem and worship God was an amazing testimony of His existence.
In my selfishness, I must admit that when people come to Jerusalem in present times to celebrate the Feasts, it can be bothersome on many levels – streets are congested, traffic is unbearable, public places are packed, people are extra impatient… However, when one stops and just reflects for a moment on the wonder that here we are today, thousands of years later, witnessing the Children of Israel (and all who are grafted in through Messiah…) coming from all corners of the world to worship Almighty God in His city, Jerusalem, it is nothing less than miraculous! In fact, it is one of the strongest testimonies of God’s existence in the world today.
Would you join me in prayer that the people of Israel and those throughout the world would also recognize Him through the miracle of Israel today?
Shabbat Shalom,
Moran
One Comment on ““It is to there that the tribes go up, the tribes of God; a testimony of Israel to give thanks to the Name of the Lord.” Psalm 122:4 Part 3”
Moran: Dear brother I am pastor of a church and we are praying every day for Israel and the mesianic believers.
We know the great tribulation is about to begin. A new antisemitism and Hitlers are coming and our church is getting readey to help Israel and studing profecy because we know the rapture will happen AFTER the great tribulation as Mesias Jesus told us. My wife die an came back from heaven and Jesus took her to past times to see cruzades and muslims en the past… we know the ASIRIAN Califa is going to come to destroy but Yeshua will stop him and save you an us forever. God bless you all. We also pray for the genuine cristian believers in all middle east. Rony