Hello All,
(Just a general disclaimer that I must insert here at the beginning. I am but a lay person, like most of you. And these weekly “thoughts” are but my own. Not the definitive word on this or any topic. Just my own conclusions derived from my own study and faith in God. The greatest hope I have for these weekly “thoughts” is to have them be a springboard for further study on your part. Not to be a weekly treatise to be blindly accepted. So, please read them with this intent, this motive in mind).
This week’s lesson from the “Adult Sabbath School Bible Study Guide”, is titled “Looking for God in Zion”. For me, one of the best parts of the Bible Study Guide is that it leads me to do research. To really dig into ideas, words, concepts, symbols used in each week’s lesson. In this week, it is the word “Zion”. I have often been perplexed by the Bible’s use of that word. It seems to be used in various ways. So, I thought I would share with you some of my research.
The first mention of “Zion” is in 2 Samuel 5:7. It was the stronghold of the Jebusites, which David conquered. After that, it then became the “City of David”. He chose it as his own because of its strategic position. And because it was truly “beautiful for situation” (Psalm 48:2). Henceforth, the word “Zion” in the Bible refers to that city (Jerusalem) and is even used for the “New Jerusalem” (see Matthew 21:5; John 12:15; Romans 9:33/ 11:26; Hebrews 12:22; 1 Peter 2:6; Revelation 14:1). Isn’t this remarkable? The Bible writers take a heathen stronghold and turn it into a symbol for the dwelling place of God, the stronghold of God. This is not a unique feature of the Bible… this idea of taking something common or even heathen, and turning the word into a symbol. A symbol that has some characteristics of the original meaning of the word.
For example, take the word “church”. That word comes to us in 2024 freighted with all kinds of baggage. When we read/ hear that word, it conjures-up the idea of religious buildings and structures; of “brick-and-mortar” places with altars and pews, stained glass windows and communion tables, and all the trappings mankind has created. The word “church” though, was not originally used this way. It comes from the Greek word, “ecclesia”, meaning, “a civil body politic; a governmental assembly, or a congregation called-out”. Yep. It was used in a secular way for those who were called to move their society toward civility.
The New Testament writers took that word “ecclesia”, and all it stands for, and uses the concept of it to define Christians. We are the ones who are under no king but Jesus; under no other jurisdiction but that of God. Who go to establish that jurisdiction of love in our world. That is the true meaning of “church”. It is people, not structures. And it is not people sitting in buildings. We are to establish beachheads in enemy territory for our Lord, their Lord (though they don’t know Him yet).
Another word that comes to mind with terrible connotations and which Bible writers and Jesus Himself used to establish an alternative but similar meaning, is the “cross”. Amazing, is it not? A word for the painful instrument-of-death for those who live a life of crime and sin (sounds like you and me) is the “cross” or “crucifixion”. The symbolism of this word has been highly debated and so often has been misused. Yet Christ has infused this word with symbolism that takes the concept of death, and turns it into a death to self, and into a life of love for others. He did this in much the same way David took the heathen stronghold and infused it with Godliness. Much the same way the early Bible writers took the secular “ecclesia” and infused the word with Godliness, Christ took the instrument of death and infused it with Godliness, too. Infused it with love for others. The word “Zion” stood as a stronghold against God. David made “Zion” into a stronghold for God. “Ecclesia” stood for secular people bringing order into society. The Bible writers made “ecclesia” stand for the Godly love Christians bring into society. Christ took a bodily death and made it into a death to self because He loved… because self stood in the way of genuine love. Wonderful.
God longs to share the family secrets with each of us. He has used symbolism to convey these concepts and ideas. But, He can share the deeper meaning only as we follow Him. Only as we walk in the same direction and in the same way as He walks. Let us follow.
With brotherly love,
Jim