"As birds flying, so will the Lord of hosts defend Jerusalem...'Return ye unto Him from whom the children of Israel have deeply revolted'...saith the Lord, whose fire is in Zion, and His furnace in Jerusalem." Isaiah 31:5-9
The tenderness and intimacy of God with His people (even in their rebellion) is a precious thing.
"As birds flying," i.e., as a bird defends her nest. God will not defend Jerusalem as some pagan deity defending his worshipers and servants so that he can continue to be praised and lauded. He goes much deeper than that. God will defend His people as a mother bird defends her nest full of her babies, viz., with passion and maternal fervor.
"...the children of Israel have deeply revolted," but they are still "the children." They have not been disowned, they have not been rejected by God. Despite their rebellion, He will still defend them, and still lets them return.
"...whose fire is in Zion, and His furnace in Jerusalem." The image here is that God's oven is in Jerusalem, i.e., His dwelling place, His home. Jerusalem, despite her rebellion, is still the place where God dwells. Jerusalem is still His own, and He is theirs, and He will defend them.
When through Christ you become the children of Abraham (Galatians 3:29), you are locked into that same intimate, eternal bond. Psalm 139 and Romans 8:31-39 are yours forever. Once your are God's, you are God's. Nothing, neither rebellion or tribulation, can separate you from the eternal bond paid for by the blood of Christ.
In Your Presence
There is no escaping
Your Terrifying, Irresistible Love.
Even if I found the way out
I have Tasted Eden
And can never turn back..."
-Jon Vowell
The tenderness and intimacy of God with His people (even in their rebellion) is a precious thing.
"As birds flying," i.e., as a bird defends her nest. God will not defend Jerusalem as some pagan deity defending his worshipers and servants so that he can continue to be praised and lauded. He goes much deeper than that. God will defend His people as a mother bird defends her nest full of her babies, viz., with passion and maternal fervor.
"...the children of Israel have deeply revolted," but they are still "the children." They have not been disowned, they have not been rejected by God. Despite their rebellion, He will still defend them, and still lets them return.
"...whose fire is in Zion, and His furnace in Jerusalem." The image here is that God's oven is in Jerusalem, i.e., His dwelling place, His home. Jerusalem, despite her rebellion, is still the place where God dwells. Jerusalem is still His own, and He is theirs, and He will defend them.
When through Christ you become the children of Abraham (Galatians 3:29), you are locked into that same intimate, eternal bond. Psalm 139 and Romans 8:31-39 are yours forever. Once your are God's, you are God's. Nothing, neither rebellion or tribulation, can separate you from the eternal bond paid for by the blood of Christ.
In Your Presence
There is no escaping
Your Terrifying, Irresistible Love.
Even if I found the way out
I have Tasted Eden
And can never turn back..."
-Jon Vowell
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