the Peace of Jerusalem

It's been a while since I've posted here. I have kept up with "The Restoration Project" daily Bible readings if you haven't checked that out. Link.

This picture, as you probably know, is of Jerusalem. It's taken from the Mount of Olives. The wall from left to right near the bottom of the picture is supporting the Temple Mount, a large platform expanded by Herod, to host the Temple and Temple courts. In Jesus' day it was amazingly splendid, one of the wonders of the world. The pretty gold domed building is the Dome of the Rock, a Muslim holy site built over a rock where Mohammad is said to have ascended to visit with God. It's also believed to be the site where Isaac was bound and Abraham passed the test of loving God more than his beloved son. (Muslims have control of the Temple Mount.)

Israel and the Palestinians are in the news again. A handshake, an agreement, a pledge to come up with a peace plan by the end of next year. We really ought to heed King David's call:

"Pray for the peace of Jerusalem!
'May they be secure who love you!
Peace be within your walls
and security within your towers!'"
(Psalm 122:6-7)

This whole topic has been coming up as we've been discussing "Our Father Abraham: Jewish Roots of the Christian Faith" (by Marvin Wilson of Gordon College) and some of Dwight Pryor's teachings (www.jcstudies.com).

Is God finished with the Jewish people and the nation of Israel? Have they been forever cut off because they generally rejected Jesus the Messiah? What about God's promises to Abraham? God's promises to the people through Moses, David, Solomon, Isaiah, Jeremiah...?

I'll share more over the next week or so (and I definitely do not have the answers, but I do have some thoughts) . For now, let us "pray for the peace of Jerusalem" and the peace and security of all who love her, and her people.