Jerusalem

Jerusalem

David’s capture of Jerusalem, reported in 2 Samuel 5, is significant on many levels. At the time, making it his capital was a brilliant political move. The site lies on the border between Judah and the northern tribes, and symbolized his concern for the whole Hebrew people. David soon moved the ark to Jerusalem, thus making it the religious as well as political capital (2 Sam. 6), and further unifying a people whose common bond was essentially religious.

But Jerusalem has significance that extends far beyond David’s time. Moses had predicted that one day God would “put His name” on a particular place. The phrase means to “identify Himself with.” And for nearly 3,000 years, for Jews and for Christians, Jerusalem has been identified as God’s city. The temple Moses predicted was built there by Solomon, and a rebuilt temple stood on the same site in the time of Christ. Much of the ministry of Jesus took place in Jerusalem, and it was just outside this city’s walls that Christ died, was buried, and rose to life again.

Yet the lasting significance of Jerusalem rests on more than its role in sacred history. Jerusalem is a major topic of Old and New Testament prophecy. In the Old Testament Jerusalem is the focus of divine judgment (cf. Isa. 22; 29; Jer. 4–6). Yet while the immediate future of Jerusalem is dark (Zeph. 3:1–7), her bright destiny is assured (vv. 8–20). God will purify the city, forgive her sins, and “the Lord, the King of Israel,” will be with it. The oppressors will be dealt with, the Jewish people brought home, and “I will give you honor and praise among all the peoples of the earth when I restore your fortunes before your very eyes.” Jerusalem will be the site of the Messiah’s return and capital of the worldwide kingdom He establishes (Isa. 66; Joel 3; Zech. 14). And in the New Testament, in Revelation, the name of earthly Jerusalem is preserved in a heavenly city that will serve as capital of the eternal, re–created universe (Rev. 21).

Archeologist’s reconstruction of Jerusalem in the time of David and Solomon.^[1]