Keys To I.S.R.A.E.L. - Celebrating God’s Holy LandSample

Speak on Jerusalem

Days 51-60 focus on the letter “E” in I.S.R.A.E.L. for Educate — the need to arm ourselves with the truth about Israel and share that truth with others.

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These verses from Isaiah chapter 40 are traditionally read following the Jewish observance of Tisha B’Av, on which we mourn the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem and all other tragedies, and are part of a series of Torah readings called “The Seven Comfortings.” As the name suggests, all contain messages of comfort and encouragement for the nation of Israel.

Appropriately, today’s verses begin “Comfort, comfort my people, says your God” (Isaiah 40:1). The next verse begins, “Speak tenderly to Jerusalem . . .” However, the literal translation of the original Hebrew actually reads, “Speak on (the heart of) Jerusalem.” 

Is this a grammatical mistake? In Hebrew, the words “to” and “on” are nearly identical, and indeed, most understand this verse as speaking to Jerusalem, not on Jerusalem. However, we can learn an extremely important and relevant lesson by taking the words at face value.

Perhaps the prophet is encouraging us to speak about Jerusalem, “on Jerusalem.” Let Jerusalem and Israel be the topic of conversation. Let us spread the truth about Israel as well as the needs of Israel. In this way, we comfort God’s people greatly.

Friends, I invite you to join me in fulfilling the words from the prophet Isaiah. Together, we can comfort God’s people. Let’s talk about the inhabitants of Jerusalem and Israel who need our help at this time. Let’s pray for the peace of Jerusalem and let’s speak up for Jerusalem, letting it be known that she is, and always will be, the eternal capital of the Jewish state.