Hope is Found in Israel’s Redemption (Psalm 125-131)
Have you ever watched a movie for the second (or third) time only to see a scene you missed before? I mean, you’ve seen the whole thing before, but this scene just never registered. The Bible is like this and comes alive in new and exciting ways when you dig in again and again. Reading the stories of Adam or Noah can become rather routine, but learning about the other stories will bring about broader themes God has not revealed yet to you. We each learn at different paces and different ways, but the story of redemption carries great hope that can be missed.
The Bible always points us to something greater and gets us thinking about the true greatness of God, His ultimate power and majesty, the next life, etc.
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Promised Land Redemption…
The Israelites witnessed God’s redemption multiple times in multiple ways. One of those was His redemption of His Promised Land.
Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but abides forever. As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds his people, from this time forth and forevermore. For the scepter of wickedness shall not rest on the land allotted to the righteous, lest the righteous stretch out their hands to do wrong. Do good, O Lord, to those who are good, and to those who are upright in their hearts! But those who turn aside to their crooked ways the Lord will lead away with evildoers! Peace be upon Israel!
Psalm 125
God gifted His people with many things, one of which was the Promised Land. With that promise came a forever promise that He would protect that promise. There were times when it was taken over but God offered (eventual) redemption of it to the Israelites when wicked leaders took over.
Redemption from loss…
God often restored the Israelites in worldly goods as a sign of His favor.
When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream. Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy; then they said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them.” The Lord has done great things for us; we are glad. Restore our fortunes, O Lord, like streams in the Negeb! Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy! He who goes out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, bringing his sheaves with him.
Psalm 126
- When Moses led the Israelites out of slavery, the Egyptians gave them gifts of silver, gold, jewelry, and clothing.
- The tail end of the desert wanderings included plunder from battles.
- The Promised Land was given with many gifts.
- Nehemiah was sent back to Jerusalem with guards and timber to rebuild the city.
- Job was gifted more than he had before.
It can be easy to forget these stories of redemption, but the Psalms often served as reminders for the Israelites to remember these! The Bible is our example to remind us of His goodness as well!
Redemption from captivity…
Another way God showed His redemption for the Israelites was through saving them from captivity. If you remember the amazing stories in Nehemiah and Ezra, God brought back Israelites to rebuild and live in the land. He brought them out of captivity during a time when they had been captured. A lot of Psalms are dedicated to the safety and protection of God’s people during battles, wars, and captivity!
“Greatly have they afflicted me from my youth, yet they have not prevailed against me. The plowers plowed upon my back; they made long their furrows.” The Lord is righteous; he has cut the cords of the wicked. May all who hate Zion be put to shame and turned backward!
Psalm 129:2-5
He hears…
What a gift in itself that the God of the universe hears us and cares for us! The pleas from the righteous do not fall on deaf ears.
They are lifted up to the One and only God who can perform miracles!
Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord! O Lord, hear my voice! Let your ears be attentive to the voice of my pleas for mercy!
Psalm 130:1-2
A motto that should hold fast to every area in our lives… why not grab a daily reminder to boast of Our King!
Redemption from sins…
Part of redemption is tied to our standing before God.
Our repentance is a matter of great importance with regard to who we are in Christ. Before Jesus came, the Israelites were still offered forgiveness.
If you, O Lord, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness, that you may be feared. I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I hope; my soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen for the morning, more than watchmen for the morning.
Psalm 130:3-6
The hope that lies within…
O Israel, hope in the Lord! For with the Lord there is steadfast love, and with him is plentiful redemption. And he will redeem Israel from all his iniquities.
Psalm 130:7-8
Our hope lies in our ultimate redemption with our Savior. He offers us pictures and glimpses of earthly forms of redemptions; these offer us a baseline so we can look forward to the final redemption coming. While the Psalms were written regarding the Israelites, it doesn’t mean you’re exempt from learning from them. Take the reminders to remember and think back through the redemptions God has offered you in your own life. Tell them to the next generation so they are not forgotten!
And keep your hope forever in the Lord!
O Israel, hope in the Lord from this time forth and forevermore.
Psalm 131:3
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Tried to comment on your good rebuilding post, but a strange ad was blocking the comments box.
Glad you are well enough to post again!
What a gift indeed.
“What a gift in itself that the God of the universe hears us and cares for us! The pleas from the righteous do not fall on deaf ears.” I needed to be reminded of that truth today. Thanks so much for sharing! Blessings to you!
And thanks so much for hosting as well! 🙂