Glimpses of Israel - Zion

by Joseph Hunting

It is interesting to discover that the Bible refers to Zion in a three-fold application. The first reference is to Mount Zion as the heart of Jerusalem. "Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, is mount Zion, on the sides of the north, the city of the great King." (Psalm 48:2)

The second refers to the Promised Land as Zion. "For the Lord shall comfort Zion: he will comfort all her waste places; and he will make her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of the Lord; joy and gladness shall be found therein, thanksgiving, and the voice of melody." (Isaiah 51:3)

It is highly significant that whereas the Land was desolation for centuries Isaiah's prophecy is now being fulfilled.

Vast swamps were drained and now are magnificent valleys with some of the most fertile farmland in the world. Mountains that were stony and barren are now clothed with beautiful forests. Even parts of the Negev desert have been transformed fulfilling Isaiah's prophecy.

Thirdly, the Bible refers to the people of Israel as Zion with majestic words. "But I am the Lord your God, that divided the sea, whose waves roared: Jehovah of hosts is his name. And I have put my words in your mouth, and I have covered you in the shadow of my hand, that I may plant the heavens and lay the foundations of the earth, and say unto Zion, You are my people." (Isaiah 51:16)

The Holy City, Zion; the Land, Zion; and the People, Zion -- three Divinely forged links in a chain that has eternal significance. They may each be referred to separately. Yet, together they are 'echad', a compound unity.

In spite of wars, Arab oil blackmail, political pressure and spiritual wickedness in high places the links in the chain are unbroken. We call upon lovers of Zion world-wide to pray constantly that they remain so. "What God hath joined together, let not man put asunder".

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