Ever-Increasing Light

Jewish Sabbaths, Feasts, and More

Marking Jewish Themes with Distinction

“If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget her cunning. If I do not remember thee, let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth; if I prefer not Jerusalem above my chief joy” (Ps. 137:5-6).

Wayne and I just returned from leading a tour to Israel, and I am in awe of the fact that we never tire of this privilege. It never gets old. Each one is unique and filled with Holy Spirit surprises. I really don’t remember how many we have led over the last 30 plus years, and it is incredible that we never lose our eagerness when watching newcomers’ eyes light up with revelation and joy as together we follow the steps of Yeshua across the land.

Jerusalem is always a key part of each tour. Seeing the ancient sites and reading the parallel biblical text and events helps put the pieces together of the historic, present, and prophetic significance of the City of our King. I always feel like a little kid waiting for her birthday party to begin as the group begins the old and new city day-trips. Something fresh and poignant is revealed to me about God’s love each time I visit.

In these dark and hostile days and attacks against the eternal purpose of Jerusalem, we should prayerfully remind the Lord of His promises to bless this city. He commanded us to pray for the peace of Jerusalem:

“I have set watchmen upon thy walls, O Jerusalem, which shall never hold their peace day nor night: ye that make mention of the Lord, keep not silence, and give Him no rest, till He establish, and till He make Jerusalem a praise in the earth” (Is. 62:6-7).

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee” (Ps. 122:6).

The ancient struggle of two warring brothers, Israel and Ishmael, for the control of Jerusalem is a battle between darkness and light. Someday Yeshua will return to Jerusalem and reign from this holy place. Let us pray for the peace of Jerusalem with the same kind of of passion and love as the ancients did:

“If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget her cunning. If I do not remember thee, let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth; if I prefer not Jerusalem above my chief joy” (Ps. 137:5-6).

I have never met a person who was not changed by walking through the gates of Jerusalem and examining her ancient stones – by feeling her heartbeat and eternal calling to be the City of all cities on earth chosen by God to reveal His power, glory, and love. Truly this is a city like no other.

I wrote this poem on our last tour about Jerusalem.

Like No Other

A city like no other

built upon ancient

foundations unseen

and seen. Civilization

after civilization piled

high one upon another

hanging by a shredding

three-cord strand and

teetering, teetering upon

a stumbling stone.

 

A city like no other

ancient and modern,

filled with chaos and

clarity at once,

darkness and light,

truth and half-truth.

Seekers and sellers

clamor for a piece of it,

for revelation,

for the pearl of great

price. Some trip over

that treasured stone –

the rock of offense –

and some fall upon it

to be crushed as

broken alabaster,

dripping of spikenard,

the fragrance of life to the

living and the stench

of death to the dying.

 

A city like no other

awash with angels,

stained with just blood

unjustly spilled, ancient

as the stars, and eternal

as the beauty of savage

love. Here the Ark of

the Covenant becomes a

wooden cross for the holy

altar of sacrifice.

Here flesh was torn

for bruises, sickness, and

scorn. Here scarlet streams

run white as glistening snow

and the forgiven and

the purified

burn with Zion’s fire.

©Bonnie Saul Wilks

Jerusalem

April 29, 2017

For more study…

Psalm 68:16, Psalm 132:13-14, Ezekiel 38:12

Work it out in daily life…

Make a commitment to pray routinely for the peace of Jerusalem and the country and people of Israel. Keeping up with current events helps guide you as you make your requests known to God. I love keeping a prayer journal just for Israel, recording prayers and answers. Also, if you have never visited Israel, plan on making a trip. It will change your life forever.

©Bonnie Saul Wilks