The restoration of Israel

Verses 1-5 were a prophecy of the Messianic Kingdom. Today’s passage is a prophecy concerning the people who will dwell in that Messianic Kingdom under the Messiah’s rule. It is also a prophecy of the restoration of Israel.

(1) In the ancient Middle East the inhabitants of a city that had become a ruin would be scattered and eventually assimilated into other peoples. However, that is not the case with the people of Israel. They will be restored to the Promised Land. “‘On that day,’ declares the Lord, ‘I will assemble those who limp and gather the scattered, those whom I have afflicted.’” The time will come when the Lord gathers His people from all over the world. (2) Though they are “the remnant,” they will not be assimilated, but will become a strong nation. (3) The Messiah will reign over them as King in Jerusalem. As it is written, “And the Lord will reign over them in Mount Zion from now on and forever.”

Bethlehem and Jerusalem

Verse 8 says, “As for you, tower of the flock, hill of the daughter of Zion, to you it will come – yes, the former dominion will come, the kingdom of the daughter of Jerusalem.” The phrase translated “tower of the flock” is, in the original, the place name “Migdal-eder.” It would be better to leave it untranslated as a proper name. Genesis 35:19-21 explains where Migdal-eder was located. “So Rachel died and was buried on the way to Ephrath (that is, Bethlehem). And Jacob set up a memorial stone over her grave; that is the memorial stone of Rachel’s grave to this day. Then Israel journeyed on and pitched his tent beyond the tower of Eder.” From this description, it becomes clear that Migdal-eder was located in Bethlehem (or its vicinity). In that case, the words of verse 8 can be understood as a prophecy that both Bethlehem (the place of the Messiah’s birth) and Jerusalem (the place where the Messiah will reign) will share in glory in the Messianic Kingdom. God has a clear plan regarding the Messianic Kingdom that will be realized in the distant future, and also regarding the restoration of Israel (the restoration of the people who will dwell there). Next time, we will study the tribulation that will occur before the restoration of Israel (4:9-5:1). The God who has a plan for Israel also has the very best plan prepared for each of us personally. The Christian life is to discover, carry out, and experience the plan that God has prepared. This is truly a life filled with adventure and joy. Let us give thanks that we have been made believers in God.