There are biblical texts that are simply "amazing" when it comes to Israel. Pastor Tobias Krämer presents some of these "amazing" texts. Today: Isaiah 65:18-19
“Rejoice forever and ever in what I will create: For I will make Jerusalem a place of happiness and its inhabitants a fountain of joy. I myself will rejoice over Jerusalem and be glad over my people, and the sound of weeping and crying will no longer be heard there.”
"You can rejoice!" That's what you say when you have a surprise in store: a gift, good news, or simply something nice. And God has a surprise in store—and what a surprise it is! For he plans to create something entirely new. A work of creation, so to speak, something that has never existed before: God wants to make Jerusalem "a place of happiness" and his people "a source of joy." When you think of Jerusalem today, so fiercely contested, and the ongoing history of Jewish suffering, then talk of "happiness" and "joy" is still far from reality. But God will change that. And he is already working on his plan.
This promise can hardly be meant to imply that Jerusalem will become merely a place of happiness for the Jews, or that its people will become a source of joy for those who love Israel. That would limit the happiness and tarnish the joy. But Isaiah 65 speaks of all-encompassing joy. This happiness will include all people. All of humanity is meant to, and will, rejoice in what God is doing! For God will lead the Jewish people and the city of Jerusalem to a glory previously unknown. This will inspire humanity. But that is not all: God himself will also be filled with joy. He will "delight himself in Jerusalem and be glad in his people." Forever. In the end, everyone will be filled with joy: God, the Jews, and people worldwide. Then the joy will be boundless—and no more tears will be shed in Jerusalem.
Everyone who reads and believes this text can rejoice today. For one day God will do all this. He will make it happen. Therefore, even today, rejoice!
Are you familiar with our podcast "Ask Pastor Tobias"? In it, Tobias Krämer answers questions about Christians and Israel. For many years, he served as a pastor and lecturer in Systematic Theology in Stuttgart. His passion lies in unpacking complex concepts and presenting them in a way that makes them more accessible and understandable. Feel free to send us your questions about Christians and Israel to: [email protected]
