2002-01-19 - Messiah: His FInal Call to Israel

Part 51

In Psalm 24: 6, the writer speaks of "the generation of them that seek after him, that seek thy face, even Jacob." Speaking of this group, the Psalmist says: "This is the generation. . . ." What generation is he speaking of? Obviously he speaks of the good moral people--the ones mentioned in verse 4--who receive a blessing from the Lord in the form of being clothed in God's righteousness. Those who are acceptable to God are the generation that seek God's favor. Those who seek His face, "His approval" are a certain generation of the Hebrew race, "that seek thy face, even Jacob." In this passage, we see a generation of the Hebrews seeking after God in the manner spoken of in Psalm 42:1-3.

Doubtless this generation of Israel is the last one scattered among the nations. They are seeking God ; for when God's judgments are in the Earth, the judgments of the Great Tribulation, the inhabitants of the world learn righteousness (Isa. 26:9). From various passages of Scripture, we know that the last generation of Israel, dispersed among the nations, will seek God very earnestly. Zechariah speaks of this penitent remnant, foretelling that "they [the nation of Israel] shall look unto me whom they have pierced. . ." (Zech. 12:10). The Lord Jesus Christ had spoken the same to the Jewish leaders of His day (Matt. 23:37-39).

Ps 24:7-8 (ASV) Lift up your heads,
O ye gates; and be ye lifted up,
ye everlasting doors:
And the King of glory will come in.
Who is the King of glory?
Jehovah strong and mighty,
Jehovah mighty in battle.

Obviously verse 7 cannot be taken literally. The Psalmist thinks of Israel as being in an ancient oriental, walled city, the doors and gates of which are closed. He personifies gates and doors, speaking of them as if they had heads that are bowed. He uses the figure of speech, synecdoche, a figure which speaks of the whole in terms of a part. Thus it is evident that he is thinking not of literal doors and gates, but of the people who enter and depart through them.

Seeing in vision the prostrate remnant of Israel seeking God, as a spokesman for the Almighty, he calls upon Israel to arise and to welcome into their midst the King of Glory. This King of Glory will not force an entrance into their midst. God never forces anyone's will, but always waits until one voluntarily pleads for Him to act.

To be continued next week

Please pray for the peace of Jerusalem.

In His Service,
Rick & Sandy

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