Why Jerusalem? Why is that particular plot of land where God wanted His temple established? Why is that city and why are those hills so important to the Lord? Why has that small patch of geography been considered sacred and holy for Millenia? Why has it been the source of much contention in the Middle East? Does the Bible give us insight into the original reason that city in Israel is so significant?
It was King David who originally took the Hebrew people to Jerusalem. The Bible is not clear why. Some speculate that it was because of its natural fortification or easy access to water. Some believe that it was because the area was a more “neutral” city that all twelve tribes would accept as a new capital for the united nation.
I believe there’s more. I believe David wanted it because God wanted it.
For the Lord has chosen Zion; he has desired it for his dwelling place: “This is my resting place forever; here I will dwell, for I have desired it.”
Psalm 132:13-14
The psalmist makes it clear that the desire to dwell in Jerusalem on Mt Zion was divinely inspired. This was not David’s strategy; it was the Lord’s. Still the question remains… Why? Why did God want His people there? I believe the first instance of Jerusalem in Scripture gives us a clue.
In Genesis 12 God makes a covenant promise to Abram. A key portion of the promise is this:
“I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”
Genesis 12:3
After making this covenant with God, Abram traveled through Canaan. No one blessed him. He took his family to Egypt. No blessed him. If anything, you could argue that Egypt cursed him (and we know how things turned out for Egypt). Abram traveled back to Canaan, and God promised to give his descendants the entire region.
In the next story, Abram rescued his nephew Lot. On his way back from battle, the king of “Salem” (i.e. Jerusalem, see Psalm 76:2) approached Abram. This king’s name was Melchizedek, both a priest to God and the earliest known king of that city. He did something to Abram that no one had done yet. He blessed him.
And he blessed him and said, “Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth.”
Genesis 14:19
Melchizedek is the first person to bless Abram after God’s promise to Abram in Genesis 12:3. In light of this, it is no surprise that JeruSalem became a blessed city and the place where God established His people and His temple. The king of Salem was the first one to bless Abram, and God had promised to bless those who blessed Abram’s family.
Years later Israel, Abram’s descendants settled in Jerusalem, led by King David. Like Melchizedek, David also acted uniquely as both a king and a priest — in the very same place. Jerusalem. And it was David who received the revelation that there would be an everlasting priesthood of Melchizedek connected to the rule and reign of the Messiah. One day Jesus, our Messiah, the High Priest of the order of Melchizedek, will return to Jerusalem and govern the earth as the King forever.
The Lord says to my Lord:
“Sit at my right hand,
until I make your enemies your footstool.”The Lord sends forth from Zion
your mighty scepter.
Rule in the midst of your enemies!The Lord has sworn
Psalm 110:1-2, 4
and will not change his mind,
“You are a priest forever
after the order of Melchizedek.”
Is it possible that Melchizedek shifted the course of history by blessing Abram and honoring God? Is it possible that he locked in the destiny of His city by honoring what God was doing and coming into agreement with God’s purposes for Abram’s family?
I think so. I think God wants us to remember Melchizedek. I think God wants us to bless Abram’s family. And I think God wants a royal priesthood.