It
has got to be one of the greatest puzzles in foreign policy today. A city of
under 1 million people, lacking major roads, waterways, or rivers. In fact, its
mountainous terrain makes access a real challenge. It possesses no natural
resources though it is well-endowed with religious sites. In other words, it
has none of the normal ingredients of greatness. Yet this city commands more
global attention than any other.
Its
international legal status continues to be in limbo. Though it serves as a
capital city, no foreign embassies are found there. Yet, from the highlands of
New Guinea to the jungles of the Amazon, the name recognition of this city is
universal. It is the subject of frequent United Nations resolutions and causes
foreign secretaries of major western countries to have sleepless nights.
The
city in question is none other than Jerusalem. What we are going to discover is
that the global spotlight will shine more and more brightly in the coming days.
It will go from a global ‘concern’ to a global ‘obsession.’ What’s more, this
attention was forecast 2,500 years ago in Scripture.
Jerusalem
in History: To know the future, it is important to understand the past.
And Jerusalem has a very long, rich past: a 4,000 year old history. The first
1,000 years (2000 -1000 BC) it was as a heathen town called ‘Jebus,’ perched on
a slope known as Ophel, framed by the western hill (now known as Mount Zion) to
the west and the Mount of Olives on the east. Despite its size, it eluded
capture and occupation by Joshua, the judges, and even King Saul. It was a
foreign enclave among the settled tribes of Israel.
The
second 1000 years (around 1000 BC) Jerusalem was captured by Joab and King
David’s mighty men (II Samuel 5; I Chronicles 11). In a masterstroke of genius,
David took this ‘neutral city’ that belonged to none of the Israelite tribes,
and made it his capital and royal city. Once he moved the Ark of God there,
Jerusalem became a holy city, known as the ‘City of David, City of God.’
Yet
another dimension occurred that would catapult the city into prominence. In II
Samuel 7 and I Chronicles 17, God made a covenant (a binding agreement) with
David, known as the ‘Davidic Covenant.’ The terms of this theocratic covenant
were simple: God would give David a son who would rule on his throne forever.
Bonus point: David’s son would simultaneously be God’s Son as well.
This
Son would be known as The Messiah, the Anointed One (King of kings, Lord of
Lords, Anointed of the anointed), Son of David - Son of God. In Israel’s Old
Testament past it had three categories of ‘anointed’ people: prophets, priests,
and kings. Messiah, known in Greek as Christ, is the ultimate anointed one. He
would be anointed a prophet like Moses (Deuteronomy 18); anointed a priest like
Melchizedek (Psalm 110; Hebrews 7), and anointed a king like David (I Samuel
13:14). As the Gospels and Acts testify, Jesus of Nazareth was anointed with
the Holy Spirit and power (Acts 10:38). Jesus Christ was anointed in
everything, including His burial. To be continued.
This
Jerusalem will be the topic of the upcoming third annual, Australia-wide ‘Understanding
the Times’ speaking tour. Click on to the link below for the schedule.
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