Will You not revive us again, that Your people may rejoice in You? Show us Your mercy, Lord, and grant us Your salvation. (Psalm 85:6-7)
It is understood by Jewish commentators that the psalmist’s question concerns Israel’s exile and being scattered among the nations. Throughout the Scripture, exile has been the worst possible outcome for those in relationship with the Almighty. Essentially, it amounts to death because it is separation from God and from the place He communed with His people. There are, in fact, several places in Scripture where exile is likened unto the grave, one of the most prominent being Ezekiel’s vision of the dry bones which are emblematic of “the whole house of Israel” (Ezekiel 37:11). This concept is first revealed in the very beginning when sinful man was expelled from the Garden, and thus separated from God’s Presence and the Tree of Life.
But if exile is a recurring theme in Scripture, then so is the hope of redemption. In fact, before Adam and Eve were sent away, God compassionately clothed them so as not to expose their shame to everyone. More importantly, He imparted to them the hope of salvation when, speaking to the serpent, He promised that the Seed of the Woman would come and overcome the Adversary. Centuries later, as a dying Jacob blessed his sons, he said, “I have waited for your salvation, O Lord!” (Genesis 49:18). More literally, he said “I have waited for your Yeshua!”
The point is that, though sin has always resulted in exile, God has always shown mercy to mankind and has demonstrated His intention to revive us and grant us His salvation. The fruition of His promise came through Messiah Yeshua who, though subjected to death, was raised from the grave to live forevermore. It is His resurrection that embodies the promise given to all who receive Him which is our resurrection from death to life (see Romans 6:4-11). Though we have transgressed and suffered the consequences of sin — separation from God, i.e. exile — He will revive us and raise us from the pit of death to live in eternal communion with Him. Thus it is written: “You shall know that I am the Lord, when I have opened your graves, O My people, and brought you up from your graves. I will put My Spirit in you, and you shall live” (Ezekiel 37:13-14). Amen.
Blessings and Shalom,
Bill
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