Friday 23 February 2024

Psalm 91

Background

This chapter of Isaiah prophesies the deliverance of God’s people. This is a complete U-turn for the Israelites, who have been used to thinking of themselves as forsaken by God. Now the prophet is sharing good news, prophesying of a time when they will not only be wealthy and prosperous, but that the wealth will have been provided by other nations. There is no mention here of the rebellion and sin of the people that we see in previous chapters, for example in Isaiah 58:2, instead the focus is on the blessings that the people will experience. 

With silver and gold pouring in from Tarshish as the exiles return, “your children from far away” (v. 9), Isaiah reminds the people that the wonderful things will come about because the Lord has glorified them. It is God who will do this, it is God who will glorify Zion (Israel). 

The period of affliction that Jerusalem has endured has ended because of God’s mercy and people can now expect that ‘foreigners’ and ‘kings’ will aid them in the task of rebuilding the walls (v. 10). The city will be so safe that there is practically no need for walls: the “gates shall always be open” (v. 11) to allow for the wealth of the nations to pour in. The prosperity of Jerusalem will be in contrast to those nations and kingdoms who do not support the rebuilding of Jerusalem, who will receive the full effect of God’s wrath. They will perish and be “utterly laid waste” (v. 12). 

 The Temple, “the place of my sanctuary” (v. 13), will benefit from the beauty of the trees of Lebanon, cypress, plane and pine, all known for their use in adorning buildings. This sanctuary, now beautified and glorified by God, will be a resting place for God’s feet (v. 13). This image is repeated later in Isaiah, “Heaven is my throne and the earth is my footstool” (Isaiah 66:1), and signifies that the restoration of Jerusalem is holy enough for God to dwell there.

Even those nations who previously oppressed the people of God will “bow down at your feet” (v. 14) because of their relationship with God, “the Holy One of Israel”, and from a time when no one even passed through the city, because there was nothing of any value there, now the city will be “majestic forever” (v. 15). The sustenance and wealth that Zion will receive from the nations and their rulers is graphically portrayed in the imagery of sucking at the breast. The physical wealth is accompanied by the spiritual wealth of knowing the Lord is their saviour, redeemer and “the Mighty One of Jacob” (v.16). 

To Ponder:

• Good things were happening for the Israelites as they were being blessed and helped in their task of rebuilding Jerusalem. Can you give thanks to God for the good things, blessings and help that you receive in your life?
• Just as ‘foreigners’ and ‘nations’ helped rebuild the Jewish Temple, so the Methodist Church is committed to working with people across the world to build the kingdom of God. You can explore the website to see what the Methodist Church in Britain is doing with partners around the world.
• The physical wealth the people of Israel received was accompanied by the spiritual riches of knowing the Lord was their saviour and redeemer. This Lent, can you reflect on how you know that the Lord is YOUR saviour and redeemer?

Prayer

Holy God, whose footstool is the Temple of Jerusalem, thank you that, through Jesus, you make every believer holy and worthy of you dwelling within our hearts by the power of your Holy Spirit. Amen.