Word of Encouragement (01/21/2025)
“If your people go out to battle against their enemies, by whatever way you shall send them, and they pray to you toward this city that you have chosen and the house that I have built for your name, 35 then hear from heaven their prayer and their plea, and maintain their cause. (2 Chron. 6:34-35)
In this petition, Solomon does something interesting. Up to this point in this dedication prayer, he has been presenting the temple as the place toward which the Israelites (and the foreigners that come) direct their prayers. But here, he mentions “the city” in addition to the temple: “...and they pray to the Lord toward the city that you have chosen and the house that I have built for your name.” The city, of course, is Jerusalem, the city of David (2 Sam. 5:6). And we read in 2 Sam. 5:7, “Nevertheless, David took the stronghold of Zion, that is, the city of David.” Here we see Jerusalem identified as Zion. Mount Zion (which is actually a hill) is where the temple of the Lord was located in Jerusalem.
Even though Jerusalem and Zion refer to the same location, they take on somewhat different nuances. I say “somewhat” because the distinction between the two is not absolute but still significant—Jerusalem as the capital of Israel/Judah and all that entails (including the religious because of the presence of the temple there); Zion as a symbol of the eschatological fulfillment of God’s presence among His people and all that entails. Especially through the Psalms and prophetic books, Zion develops into the city of God from the city of David.
“The pilgrim psalms give vivid expression to their longing (Pss 84; 122; 125–128). All mankind comes to God in Zion (Ps 65:1–4). The Gentiles will make annual pilgrimages bringing gifts (Ps 76: Is 18:7; Zep 3:9, 10); even former enemies will be regarded as native-born citizens of Zion (Ps 87; Is 60:14; Zec 14:21). The nations will stream into Jerusalem to inaugurate an era of peace (Is 2:1–5; Mi 4:1–8). Year after year the feasts of Israel will be celebrated in Zion by Gentiles (Zec 14:16–19)” (“Zion,” Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible).
For this reason, the Hebrews writer makes a memorable contrast between Mount Sinai (which he sees as representing the old covenant) and Mount Zion (which he sees as representing the new covenant) (Heb. 12:18-24). The Israelites were commanded not to come near Mount Sinai, which was covered with the glory cloud, making them tremble in fear. But Christians come to Mount Zion, which is greater in glory but readily accessible to Christians because of the sin-forgiving and guilt-removing sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
Now in Jesus Christ, we who were once Gentiles in the flesh, belong to the heavenly City of God (Eph. 2:19). Not only that, but we are also the living temple in which the Holy Spirit dwells (Eph. 2:21-22) and our prayers are incense (Rev. 5:8) with sweet aroma to the Lord. How can we not pray?