The City of Jerusalem

The City of Jerusalem, always part of God's great plan, destined to figure prominently in God's dealings with His people. We are first introduced to this city when we read of Melchizedek, King of Salem coming out to bring Abram bread and wine. Later God calls Abraham to go and sacrifice his son Isaac, the son he loved, at a place that the Lord would show him. That place was on Mount Moriah, a place where later another sacrifice of incredible proportions would be made.

Near Mt. Moriah lay the City of the Jebusites. Because of its location, and its walls, it was thought to be impregnable. It was however taken by the forces of David, who under the leadership of Joab gained access to the city through a water shaft from the area today known as the Kidron Valley.

Jerusalem was always destined to be a place to ‘meet with the Lord'. Although the Ark of The Covenant had been brought up into the City of David, it was always in David's heart to build a place for God to dwell in. The first Temple was built not by David, but during the reign of his son Solomon. “For the Lord has chosen Zion….He has declared it …..This is my dwelling place”.

The Word of God teaches us that God is beyond the confines of one place. He is to be found wherever people seek Him. Yes, the Lord has indeed chosen Zion, but Zion is represented to us as the church of Jesus Christ. Jews and Gentiles together, worshiping the Father “in spirit and in truth”, “for the Father seeketh such to worship him”.