Psalm 85, God’s Plan for Israel

We called attention to the prayer in Psalm 83:18 in a previous post.  If you are praying for Israel, here is a related prayer to pray, one that the Apostle Paul prayed: “that they may be saved” (Rom. 10:1).

In our previous posts on the current war between Israel and Hamas we have been seeking to emphasize some “absolute principles” (i.e. truths that fit whether the rapture is today or 20 or 200 years from now).  One of those truths has to do with what God is doing.  As Peter put it, judgment begins at the house of God (1 Peter 4:17).  So, God is at work cleansing Israel.  He is not destroying the nation totally but He is seeking to cleanse His people.  This is what Ezekiel said that both the nations and Israel must recognize (39:23; 27-29).  We also see this in Psalm 85.

·                   85:1-3: It is critical to note that this Psalm is written with Israel back in the land, having returned from captivity.  You might want to say that everything is good now, that they are no longer suffering at the hands of their enemies, no longer being the despised people, and so forth.  But look:

·                   85:4-7: There is still a plea, “Restore us, O God of our salvation.”  They still are feeling the anger of God.  They are still in need of God’s mercy.

·                   85:8-9: Then the writer, one of the sons (descendants) of Korah (whom God killed in the wilderness rebellion, Num. 16), sits back and waits to see what God will do.

·                   85:10-13: What God does is the focal point of history.  Memorize v10, please.  “Mercy and truth have met together; righteousness and peace have kissed.”  What the writer is asking for is for God to be good to His sinful people.  That is not an easy thing for God to do.  He is holy and must be true to His righteousness, even though He longs to show mercy and bring peace to Israel.  So what is He saying in v10?  He is announcing the cross of Jesus Christ.  It was there that mercy and truth met.  God was true to Himself and righteous because He judged sin in Christ; He was merciful to Israel, bringing peace in their relationship with God.  Yes, good will come to Israel; the land will yield its increase; God’s righteousness will become the pathway for His people.  What is being described here is the saved nation of Israel.  How it happened required the cross or Christ and the empty tomb of Joseph of Arimathea. 

The blessing of all this is greater than Israel.  As Jesus said, “salvation is of the Jews” (Jn. 4:22).  And as the Father told His Servant Son, “It is too small a thing that You should be My Servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved ones of Israel; I will also give You as a light to the Gentiles, that You should be My salvation to the ends of the earth” (Isa. 49:6).

We conclude, as we said previously, that God will do that which glorifies His name (Ps. 83:18).  God’s name will not be glorified in a rebellious and sinful nation.  He will continue His chastening until the outcast, unfaithful vine (Ezek. 15) becomes the majestic cedar (Ezek. 17:22-24).  Pray for Israel’s salvation.  That glorifies God!