The thoughts of a renowned Philosopher…
Who is only renowned unto himself…
Sometimes these thoughts are really provoking or challenging, sometimes they are just something to chew on…
A few years ago I heard Jerusalem – Swisha House Remix by Matisyahu, that was it, I was hooked – on that song. I played it over and over while my kids would dance to it – though they don’t know the name of the song, so they call it boncha boncha. Even though I love that song I still haven’t bought any Matisyaho CD’s, just that one MP3. Tonight I heard One Day (below) and it effected me too much, I had to post about it. Please take a second and listen to the words to the song, even if you know it take a second to listen to it again please. Pay close attention to his passion in the song.
This won’t sound like the most manly thing ever, but the song just about moved me to tears, to be honest it was tearing me up inside – and not for the reasons why you may think.
Matisyahu is Jewish, I love the influence of the Jewish culture in his music. I love how he integrates his faith in his music, and I think as you listen to his music you can hear his passion for what he is singing about. It’s in One Day that you can really hear his passion for there to be no wars, no violence, and for people to stop fighting. That’s a noble goal for anyone, but for Matisyahu it is more than that. I have never met the man, but for Jews everywhere, this is what they are seeking. Jews throughout the world and especially in Israel, they don’t want to keep fighting, they want peace, this is what they have wanted for a long time, and you can hear that as Matisyahu sings. The Jews have a long history of being rejected by those who surround them. Just look at the Holocaust. This is why his song breaks my heart, Matisyahu is not going to get the peace he is looking for.
Many Christians have differing views on end time eschatology (theology). However, having spent some time studying this matter during my internship at the Orlando House of Prayer (OHOP), there is something that stuck out to me. Many believe, based on Biblical prophecy, that Israel will enter into a 7 year peace treaty with the Anti-Christ. This treaty is prophesied to be broken at 3 1/2 years. Now depending on your eschatology, how you view the Jews today (Are they still God’s chosen people?) will determine the significance that you see in the role that the Jews will play during the end times. But, it’s my belief that they will strike the treaty with their enemy because of their desire for peace. What many Jews don’t understand is that there will be no peace for them until after the Messiah returns. However, the Jews will be so desperate for peace that they will sign this treaty anyway.
So, the reason my heart breaks while I listen to this song is this: what Israel (and the Jewish people) want most – Peace – the won’t get until the Messiah returns. In Matthew 23:37-39,
37 “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, andyou were not willing! 38 See, your house is left to you desolate. 39 For I tell you, you will not see me again, until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.’”
When the Jews finally turn back to the Lord, then the end can come. Until then, they will not experience that peace that they so desperately long for, the peace that you hear Matisyahu passionately singing about. Like I said, I understand that different people have different eschatology, but based on my studies this is where I am. I feel strongly that Christians are grafted into – being part of God’s chosen people, and have not replaced God’s chosen people. Anyway, this song effected me to much to not right about it. I hope you enjoyed the post, sound off in the comments!
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