Dr. Couch, what is going on in Psalm 120, especially in verses 5-7?
Could this have to do with some of the things going on in the Middle
East with Israel even today?
There are many prophecies that more and more seem to
apply to issues of today, that maybe we overlooked in the past. I
believe this is possible with this Psalm, and Dr. Merrill F. Unger
concurs.
The Psalm may be about the Jews returning to
Jerusalem from Babylon but there is more. Verses 5-7 seem to indicate a
future time when the Jews would be surrounded and even overwhelmed by
those in the pagan nations. Unger points out that the reference to
"sojourning in Meshech" in verse 5a is a reference to possibly being
scattered among the European nations. Meshech was a descendant of
Japheth from which the Europeans derive (Gen. 10:21). Meshech is also
part of the leadership that rises up with a surprise attack on the
Jewish people who are living in the Holy Land—the famous Ezekiel 38-39,
"The Coming Russian Invasion of Israel." (I believe we are coming near
to this event right now!)
Then there is the reference to Keder (v. 5b) who
was a descendant of Ishmael who was a son of Abraham. The descendants of
Ishmael were part of the larger body of Arabic peoples, who loved
strife like their father (Gen. 16:12). And of course they have been in
perpetual conflict, and even a state of hatred, with the descendants of
Abraham-Isaac-and Jacob, who are the present day Jewish people of the
Covenant!
The last two verses are interesting and sound
very much like what is happening even today. "Too long has my soul had
its dwelling with those who hate peace. I am for peace, but when I
speak, they are for war" (vv. 6-7). Unger writes:
How true this situation is today. The Jews are scattered throughout the world
among the Gentiles, and the State of Israel is surrounded by overwhelming
numbers of hostile Arabs (Ishmaelites), who plan their extinction.
In the Hebrew text the expression "I am for peace" is
actually "I peace." Unger paraphrases this with the Jews sighing in
this last verse: "My very nature is peace; but when I speak to foster
peace, they breathe only war." There will be no peace in the Middle East
until the Messiah, the Peacemaker, comes!
Come quickly, Lord Jesus!
Thanks for asking.
Dr. Mal Couch
