Topical Bible: Jerusalem: The Jews: Loved

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Jerusalem holds a central place in the heart of the Jewish people, both historically and spiritually. It is a city that has been loved, longed for, and lamented over by the Jewish nation throughout the ages. The significance of Jerusalem is deeply rooted in the biblical narrative, where it is often depicted as the focal point of God's covenantal relationship with His chosen people, Israel.

Biblical Significance

Jerusalem is first mentioned in the context of Melchizedek, the king of Salem, who blessed Abram (later Abraham) in Genesis 14:18-20. This early reference sets the stage for Jerusalem's future role as a city of peace and blessing. The city's importance is further solidified when King David captures it from the Jebusites and establishes it as the capital of Israel (2 Samuel 5:6-7). David's love for Jerusalem is evident in his desire to build a house for the Lord, although it is his son Solomon who ultimately constructs the First Temple (1 Kings 6:1).

The Temple and Worship

The Temple in Jerusalem becomes the epicenter of Jewish worship and the dwelling place of God's presence among His people. In 1 Kings 8:29, Solomon prays, "May Your eyes be open toward this temple night and day, toward the place of which You said, 'My Name shall be there,' so that You will hear the prayer Your servant prays toward this place." The Temple serves as a tangible symbol of God's covenant with Israel and a place where the Jewish people express their love and devotion to Him.

Prophetic Promises and Lamentations

Throughout the prophetic books, Jerusalem is portrayed as both a beloved city and a city in need of repentance. The prophets often speak of Jerusalem's future glory and restoration, as well as its current struggles and sins. Isaiah 62:1 expresses God's unwavering commitment to Jerusalem: "For Zion’s sake I will not keep silent, and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not remain quiet, till her righteousness shines out like the dawn, her salvation like a blazing torch."

Conversely, the Book of Lamentations captures the sorrow and anguish of the Jewish people over the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple. Lamentations 1:1 poignantly states, "How lonely lies the city, once so full of people! She who was great among the nations has become like a widow."

A City of Pilgrimage and Prayer

Jerusalem remains a city of pilgrimage and prayer for Jews worldwide. The Western Wall, a remnant of the Second Temple, is a sacred site where Jews gather to pray and express their enduring love for the city. Psalm 122:6-7 encourages this devotion: "Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: 'May those who love you prosper. May there be peace within your walls, and prosperity inside your fortresses.'"

Eschatological Hope

In eschatological visions, Jerusalem is often depicted as the center of God's redemptive plan for the world. Zechariah 8:3 declares, "This is what the LORD says: 'I will return to Zion and dwell in Jerusalem. Then Jerusalem will be called the City of Truth, and the mountain of the LORD of Hosts will be called the Holy Mountain.'" This prophetic hope underscores the enduring love and significance of Jerusalem in the Jewish faith.

Jerusalem, as the beloved city of the Jews, continues to be a symbol of God's promises, a place of worship, and a focal point of eschatological hope. Its historical and spiritual legacy is deeply interwoven with the identity and faith of the Jewish people, reflecting their enduring love and longing for the city.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 137:5,6
If I forget you, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget her cunning.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

How Antipater Committed the Care of Galilee to Herod, and that of ...
... So he made the inhabitants of Jerusalem bear him the greatest ... But the chief men of
the Jews were therefore in ... any harm from the Sanhedrim, for he loved him as ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 9 how antipater committed.htm

Jerusalem to Rome
... actively engaged in the work which he loved so well. ... Christians were not obliged
to become Jews and obey ... nature of the decision of the Jerusalem Council upon ...
/.../sell/bible studies in the life of paul/study vi jerusalem to rome.htm

And when Jesus Entered Jerusalem, He Went up to the Temple of God. ...
... [27] [2217] And they came to Jerusalem. And there was there a man of the Pharisees,
[28] named Nicodemus, ruler of the Jews. ... [2233] God so loved the world ...
/.../hogg/the diatessaron of tatian/section xxxii and when jesus.htm

The Last Days in Jerusalem.
... He wept because they loved their sins, and hated their ... Romans would come and fight
against Jerusalem, and burn ... Temple, and kill thousands of the Jews, or carry ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/anonymous/the good shepherd/chapter xi the last days.htm

What Things were done by Agrippa at Jerusalem when He was Returned ...
... the kindness which the inhabitants of Jerusalem had showed ... requite the tender affection
of those that loved him ... Caesar into a synagogue of the Jews, and erected ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 6 what things were.htm

First Attempts on Jerusalem.
... at least, which Jesus brought from Jerusalem, and which ... The temple excluded all except
Jews from its enclosure ... man, every man who received and loved him, was a ...
/.../renan/the life of jesus/chapter xiii first attempts on.htm

Concerning Sanballat and Manasseh, and the Temple which they Built ...
... and told him, that although he loved his daughter ... when Alexander had thus settled
matters at Jerusalem, he led ... had so greatly honored the Jews, determined to ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 8 concerning sanballat and.htm

Passages Referring to Bethany in the Sacred Narrative.
... (Now BETHANY was nigh unto Jerusalem, about fifteen ... They say unto Him, Lord, come
and see. Jesus wept. Then said the Jews, Behold how He loved him! ...
/.../macduff/memories of bethany/passages referring to bethany in.htm

Paul's Last Journey to Jerusalem
... The unconverted Jews who had followed so closely ... the most unfavorable reports at
Jerusalem, both personally ... Master whom his fellow disciples loved and served ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 37 pauls last journey.htm

The Raising of Lazarus.
... Now Bethany was nigh unto Jerusalem, about fifteen furlongs off; and many of the
Jews had come to ... The Jews therefore said, "Behold how he loved him!" But ...
//christianbookshelf.org/barton/his life/the raising of lazarus.htm