Musings from Israel, Part Five

Oy!

One of the many ruins we visited in Israel was Korazim (or Chorazin...place names in Israel seem to have many different spellings). This was one of the cities Jesus rebuked for unbelief in Matthew 11:21-22. Jesus exclaimed, "Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works which were done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. But I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the day of judgment than for you."

Yoni explained to us that Jesus used the word, "Oy" at the beginning of this exclamation. When we translate that into English as the dour, "Woe to you," it seems as if Jesus was angrily laying a curse on these cities. But the word "oy" is more of a lament. The prophet Isaiah uses the same word in Isaiah 6:5, "Woe to me, for I am undone!" Jesus was lamenting the unbelief of these cities, Korazim, Bethsaida, and, later in the same chapter, Capernaum. These three cities were all in the Galilee region where He preached and performed numerous miracles. Jesus went on to predict the coming judgement on these cities for continuing in their unbelief, but it was by no means an angry, vengeful Christ calling down fire and brimstone upon the people of the Galilee. It was with a lament (Oy!) and a call to repentance that Jesus predicted the future judgement upon those who continued to reject Him.

At the end of His speech, Jesus reminded the people of His love and mercy. He offered hope and a second chance to all, as He still does today.

Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden,

and I will give you rest.

Take my yoke upon you and learn from Me,

for I am gentle and lowly in heart,

and you will find rest for your souls.

For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.

Matthew 11:28-30