Jerusalem has a soul, so the Jewish Sages teach, and she speaks to God. A hint of her soulful exchange with God is seen in Isaiah 49, as she sighs, “The LORD has forsaken me, the LORD has forgotten me.” He answers: “Can a woman forget her nursing child, that she should have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you. Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of My hands; your walls are continually before Me.”

In these short sentences, two thousand years come together.

After its destruction in 70 CE, ancient Biblical Jerusalem slowly faded into obscurity, eventually imprisoned under ten layers of civilizations. Her hope of ever being rediscovered slowly faded away as the years went by.

But the Almighty promised that at a time of favor (ibid 49:8), He would remember her. Suddenly, 150 years ago, Queen Victoria became interested in Jerusalem and sent Charles Warren to investigate. After being rudely redirected from Temple Mount by the Ottoman officials, he settled for the hill south of Temple Mount and stumbled upon a spring – a hint to the location of the ancient city, sparking a Biblical archaeological renaissance.

One hundred years later, Jerusalem is reunited and the City of David, the place where it all began, is finally in our reach again. Over the past 27 years, ongoing excavation efforts have slowly released her from her millennia-old prison, opening the city again, giving her back her voice, enabling her to beckon her sons to return. Indeed, the trickle of Jews returning  to their Homeland has now become a mighty river, transforming the desert into a flourishing nation.

Why is Jerusalem’s return to the world stage such a significant event?

Because Jerusalem is God’s chosen place (Deut 16:16). Of all of the locations in His Creation, it is the most beloved of all. David was aware of this when he made it the official capitol during his reign. He knew that the Temple would be built at the very place where Abraham was asked to offer his son Isaac to God, where Jacob saw the ladder to Heaven – the place where Heaven kisses Earth. But he also knew that it was neutral territory, not belonging to any single tribe – the “Washington DC” or “Switzerland” of the Land of Israel.

Jerusalem was the chosen place where the Chosen People had to meet with God at chosen times. “‘These are the LORD’s appointed festivals, the sacred assemblies you are to proclaim at their appointed times…” (Leviticus 23:4). Thousands of Pilgrims ascended to Jerusalem three times a year to serve God at the Holy Temple. Jerusalem became the heart, and the Temple – the inner and most important chamber of that heart. As the Jewish People continually ascended and returned to their homes, the Torah flowed from Jerusalem, constantly pulsing through Israel’s veins, bringing wellbeing and prosperity to the nation.

David illustrates this reality that once was and will be again:

For there were set thrones for judgment, the thrones of the house of David.
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem; may they prosper that love thee.
Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy palaces.
For my brethren and companions’ sakes, I will now say: ‘Peace be within thee.’
For the sake of the house of the LORD our God I will seek thy good.
Ps 122:5-9

Jerusalem, at her peak during the peaceful reign of Solomon, was a place of Godly inspiration, a center where fair and righteous judgment flowed like a healing balm to the Jewish people and to all nations. It was the seat of governance that ruled the people with wisdom and integrity – a legacy left by King David. Jerusalem’s wellbeing is linked to the nation’s wellbeing. This is why David stressed the fact that we must pray for the “Shalom” of Jerusalem.

Shalom doesn’t mean Peace

The word Shalom is generally associated with peace – a word that has been worn thin in the political jargon dictionaries. Shalom doesn’t mean peace. Shalom in its essence means wholeness, balance and wellbeing on the deepest level of the soul. Imagine a person who has arrived at such a level. Imagine a nation that has arrived at such a level. Imagine the most beloved place on earth physically rising to such a level of wholeness and harmony. Then, yes, peace will prevail by default. Political outcries for democracy, diplomacy and human rights will vanish, because these ever-coveted traits will be built into the very fiber of society.

This is precisely why the ancient city – the heart nestled in the midst of a thriving, modern-day metropolis, and her reawakening, must become a top priority on our agendas.

We are impelled to do whatever we possibly can, through human endeavor and through emuna (faith), to bring wholeness to her. Thus, the Almighty continues to heed His promise in Isaiah 49, that at this time of favor, her sons – her builders, will return. “Your builders make haste; your destroyers and those who laid you waste go out from you” (ibid 49:17).

With no time to lose, the City of David, the original site of ancient Biblical Jerusalem, is currently working around the clock to reveal the ancient city. For the first time, these verses are not only prayer of hope to return. You can now physically become part of the miracle, a tangible part of the fulfillment of a Biblical prophecy, by supporting these crucial archaeological excavations.

“Shake off your dust, arise, take your rightful place, O Jerusalem!” (Isaiah 52:2)

By purchasing the Jerusalem Watch Coin, you are putting buckets on the ground, helping the noble city shake off her dust and once again rise to take her rightful place.

This year, Jerusalem celebrates her 50th year of reunification. The very essence of the Jubilee year is the liberation of those in bondage. Buy the Jerusalem Watch coin or join a membership and be part of her liberation. For her liberation is ours.

More on the Jerusalem Watch:

Millions of people around the world feel a deep personal and spiritual connection to Jerusalem and are seeking a meaningful way to express their devotion and commitment. In recent times, Ancient Jerusalem has been shaking off the dust, rising to take her rightful place as spoken by the prophet Isaiah. In response to this the Jerusalem Watch initiative was developed, offering those passionate about Jerusalem a tangible opportunity to connect by taking an active role in uncovering the glory and history of Biblical Jerusalem; literally becoming part of the fulfillment of Biblical prophecy.

By joining this group of dedicated people from around the world, you are assisting us in releasing the ancient city from her millennia old prison – shaking off the dust, and committing to see her rise and take her rightful place as a “Praise to the Earth” in the days to come.

All proceeds from our Jerusalem Watch Coin,  products  and memberships go directly to the archaeological excavations of the ancient Biblical Jerusalem.

Want to become part of the miracle? Go to www.jerusalem-watch.com

On your walls, O Jerusalem, I have appointed watchmen; All day and all night they will never keep silent. You who remind the LORD, take no rest for yourselves; And give Him no rest until He establishes And makes Jerusalem a praise in the earth.…
Isaiah 62:6-7