Thursday, 2 March 2023

It Is Marvelous In Our Eyes

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Here's another piece that Rabbi Michael wrote during this last winter's tour to Israel ...

We are going to tour the ruins of the city of Capernaum today, so I thought I would write a little about it. Isaiah 9:1 makes a proclamation that Isaiah 8:23 ties to Capernaum which is located at the Northwest edge of the Sea of Galilee in the land of Zebulon and Naphtali.

Isaiah 9:1a The people walking in darkness will see a great light.

So begins the 9th chapter of Isaiah's prophesy concerning the coming Messiah. Where did this happen? The previous verse tells us: Isaiah 8:23 But there is no gloom to her who was in anguish, as in time past. He treated lightly the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future He will bring glory - by the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan - Galilee of the Gentiles.

Yeshua was thrown out of His hometown, Nazareth. Although He made Capernaum His new home, He was eventually thrown out of that town too by its leaders. He spoke a prophesy over that town, and there is nothing there today but ruins. Matthew 11:23-24 And you, Capernaum? Will you be lifted up to heaven? No, you will go down to Sheol! For if the miracles done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained to this day. Nevertheless I tell you that it will be more bearable for the land of Sodom on the Day of Judgment than for you.

Yet, Yeshua will not be rejected for eternity. Psalm 118:22-25 The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone. It is from Adonai: it is marvelous in our eyes! This is the day that Adonai has made! Let us rejoice and be glad in it! Hoshia-na! Please, Adonai, save now! We beseech You, Adonai, prosper us!

The good news is, Yeshua came. And even better (more good news) He's coming again. If we go back to Isaiah 9:1, the great light is about to be seen again. Isaiah is setting up this great prophetic statement ... Isaiah 9:5-6 For to us a child is born, a son will be given to us, and the government will be upon His shoulder. His Name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God My Father of Eternity, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and shalom there will be no end - on the throne of David and over His kingdom - to establish it and uphold it through justice and righteousness from now until forevermore. The zeal of Adonai-Tzva'ot will accomplish this.

2,000 years ago, the leaders of Capernaum rejected the day of their visitation, but the great light that came is still shining today. Don't miss it.