You will arise and have mercy on Zion. For the time to favor her, yes, the set time, has come. For your servants take pleasure in her stones, and show favor to her dust. (Psalm 102:13-14)
In the previous devotion, we addressed the unique connection between God’s people and the land of Israel and how, most literally, believers “take pleasure in her stones.” The fascination with the dust and dirt of Israel is tied to an appreciation of the fact that prophets, apostles and Messiah Himself walked the paths and streets of this ancient land. But David speaks of more than just that; he predicted that God would have mercy on Zion, meaning that He would begin to restore the kingdom to Israel. As this begins to take shape, according to David, God’s servants would exhibit great interest in her dust and stones, which when you think about it, is quite curious. Or could it be that there is more to this phrase than what meets the eye?
On that note, consider that each time the Temple in Jerusalem was destroyed, the people of Israel were scattered and sent into exile. In other words, the kingdom of Israel was dismantled. After the destruction of the First Temple, Jeremiah said, “The stones of the sanctuary are scattered at the head of every street. The sons of Zion … are regarded as clay pots” (Lamentations 4:1-2). Notice that he connects the scattered stones of the Temple to the broken and scattered people of Zion. Also consider this: when Elijah confronted the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel, Scripture says he took twelve stones according to the tribes of Israel and repaired the altar of the Lord that had been broken down (1 Kings 18:30-31). In other words, the prophet gathered stones that had been scattered and restored them to their proper place.
The point is stones, and especially the stones of the sanctuary, are emblematic of God’s people. When the literal stones were in their proper place, it implied the people were where they were supposed to be and, consequently, God’s Presence resided among them. But when they rebelled against Him, the literal stones were broken down and scattered, and simultaneously, the people were scattered among the nations. So then, seeing this connection between the people of God and the stones of the Sanctuary, should we be surprised to learn that the servants of God are fascinated with her stones when the set time for God to favor Zion comes?
Solomon famously said there is, “a time to cast away stones and a time to gather stones” (Ecclesiastes 3:5), hinting that there is a season when God’s people would be scattered and a time when they would be gathered. If gathered, they would be restored to their proper place in anticipation of God’s Presence residing among them. That said, it is no accident that Peter said of those who follow Yeshua, “As living stones, you are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Yeshua Messiah” (1 Peter 2:5).
The conclusion of the matter is this: we are living in the season when God is gathering stones — living stones — to place them exactly where He wants them because the set time to favor Zion is here. As those living stones, we are responsible for offering up sacrifices that are acceptable to God, and so, let us make ourselves available, willing and prepared to be used of God in this momentous time. Finally, in spite of all the hardship we are compelled to endure in this season, may we truly find pleasure in what God is doing as He gathers His stones for His purpose.
Blessings and Shalom,
Bill
Recent Comments