Psalm 137:7

Psalm 137:7

Tear down Jerusalem!

The Edomites were an ancient Semitic people who lived in the region of Edom, south of Israel, in what is now mainly southern Jordan. This later became the Kingdom of the Nabataeans and housed the city of Petra, much visited by tourists today. The Edomites were the descendants of Esau, Jacob's twin brother. The name "Edom" is derived from the Hebrew word for "red," and the Bible associates it with Esau's reddish appearance at birth. The verse we are studying shows that the tense relationship between Israel and Edom was at its lowest on the day that Jerusalem fell to the Babylonians. The Edomites were jubilant and cried out, “Tear it down – tear down its foundations!” Apparently, the phrase “tear it down”in Hebrew means “strip her” for cities were portrayed as women. In other words, the Edomites hoped for the complete humiliation of Jerusalem and its people. Edom is a symbolic term in the Scriptures that embraces all who hate Israel and God’s people; Isaiah prophesied against Edom (Isaiah 63:1-4) as did Jeremiah. (Jeremiah 49:7-22). Ezekiel picked up the cudgel and speaks of the ultimate destruction of this nation by the Lord. (Ezekiel 25:8, 12-14 and Ezekiel 35.) What is left of Edom today? Just ruins!

This little history lesson serves to remind us of the foolishness of turning against Israel. Since this Psalm was written, many nations have tried to eradicate the Jews, and many nations have disappeared, but Israel remains. Islam has amassed itself tightly around the modern land and the age-old hatred still continues and makes the news headlines on a daily basis. Politicians and leaders make plans for the resolution of these tensions, but they take no account of God and the choice that He made to bless this stubborn nation. As Christians, when we look at the Jews, we see ourselves, equally stubborn and disobedient, those who are chosen but who still refuse to bow humbly before our God and seek His ways. The world hates us all because it hates the Lord our God, the One who created all things. It’s July 2025 as I write this and I’m sorry Mr Trump, and Mr Starmer and Mr Macron and the rest, your plans will never succeed because they take no account of God or the ancient, spiritual hostilities that have forever plagued the people chosen by the Lord. 

 

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