Lord, You have been favorable to Your land; You have brought back the captivity of Jacob. You have forgiven the iniquity of Your people; You have covered all their sin. Selah. (Psalm 85:1-2)
There are several times in Scripture where the word “captivity” is used when speaking of God’s people returning to the land of Israel. Moses prophesied of a time when a repentant people would return to God who would, in turn, “bring you back from captivity” (Deuteronomy 30:3). Interestingly, the Hebrew word translated as captivity could also be rendered as return, which would obviously refer to a return from captivity. But there is something else worth noting; this relationship between the two meanings alludes to the fact that, even when Israel has returned from past exiles, they have remained under the rule of the nations.
For instance, when the Jews returned from the Babylonian exile, they were not completely independent — they remained under Persian rule. King Cyrus allowed them to return to the land, and later, Darius allowed them to begin reconstruction of the Temple. Jewish sources say that Persia’s dominance over them continued until almost forty years after construction of the Second Temple began. That was followed by two centuries of Greek rule which was followed by decades of Roman tyranny. In other words, even when they have returned, they have been captive, and that notion brings us to this point: when the psalmists said, “You have brought back the captivity of Jacob,” they were hinting at something very important.
We must understand that the name “Jacob” means “hand on a heel” referring to the fact that Jacob was born literally threatened by the heel of his lifelong nemesis, Esau. Given the enmity that existed between the two, Jacob always had to be wary of his brother and others who constantly sought his destruction. In other words, he was never completely free from his adversaries. Likewise, Jacob’s descendants have always had to be on guard against those who longed to crush them beneath their heel; this was especially true when God’s people strayed from the covenant and were sent into captivity. In short, as long as oppressive nations like Babylon and Rome exist, “Jacob” is constantly threatened by those who would lord over him.
That fact is why the psalmist’s words are so important. In the day of the final redemption, when God favors the land of Israel and brings His people back from captivity, it will not be as “Jacob” but as Israel. Speaking of Esau and Jacob, the Lord ordained that, in the end, “the older (Esau) shall serve the younger (Jacob)” (Genesis 25:23). It was also the Lord who said to Jacob, “Your name shall be Israel; for you have struggled with God and with men, and have prevailed” (Genesis 32:28). In other words, there is coming a day when all of God’s people — all of us who have struggled, suffered but persevered — will overcome all of our adversaries. In the day of redemption, we will no longer live under the threat of persecution but will be free to enjoy the blessings of the Messiah, the King of Israel! May it come speedily.
Blessings and Shalom,
Bill
Recent Comments