Tuesday 08 September 2015

Psalm: Psalm 127

Background

The crisis which provides the context for today's passage isequally climactic in biblical history when compared with the floodstory. The book, and prophecy, of Zechariah is addressed to thepeople who will be returning from exile inBabylon. The exile toBabylon from Jerusalem (586 BC) was a traumatic period of not justconquest and capture but of doubt, depression and despair,as Psalm 137 describes, "By the rivers ofBabylon - there we sat down and there we wept when we rememberedZion" (Psalm 137:1).

Yet, there is hope. Zechariah tells the people to "sing andrejoice", and he repeats this in Zechariah 9:9, the words thereproviding the inspiration for Handel in "Messiah" ("Rejoicegreatly, O daughter of Zion"). As with Noah in yesterday's passage, things are about tochange, but not just for the 'chosen people'. Just as biblicalstories of creation and judgement are universal, so too arepromises and hopes of salvation and reconstruction. Ultimatereconstruction, not just of a city or a building, eg Jerusalem orthe temple, is built on God, hence God says, 'I will come and dwellin your midst".

'The day of the Lord', when God will appear to resolveeverything, is the Old Testament version of the 'second coming', itis an apocalyptic event. But God does not appear in judgement -"many nations shall join themselves to the Lord on that day, andshall be my people" (v. 11). It's an encouraging prospect that thearrival of God brings reconciliation, not judgement.

To Ponder

• How inspiring do you find Handel's Messiah? How might it beillustrative in Bible study groups?

• How do you react to the tension between God coming withsalvation and judgement?