Peace, Prosperity and Plenty!

The People Return to the Kingdom

Zechariah 9 has furnished us with hope of the returning king to Jerusalem. He sweeps with might and power bring judgment on all the opposing nations. We have discussed this in two previous Blogs: HERE and HERE. The final exposition of the chapter is in verses 11-17.  With verse 11 (“As for you, because of the blood of my covenant with you, I will free your prisoners from the waterless pit.” (Zechariah 9:11, NIV), the Lord signals a new section.  With the security of Israel within and without and having established a reign, it is not time for the return of the people.

God promises to set the captives free and restore them upon the basis of “...the blood of my covenant with you . . .” (Zechariah 9:11, NIV). Some think that this is the Covenant that God made with Moses. "The "blood of my covenant with you" probably has in view the Mosaic covenant (Exod 24:3-8)." [1]  Also see Note 2. Others appeal to the Abrahamic Covenant ("The nation Israel is addressed and promised by the blood of thy covenant (i.e., the Abrahamic covenant which was an unconditional covenant which was ratified by blood sacrifice, hence, the most binding of covenants—cf. Gen 15:9–18) that thy prisoners (i.e., Israelites still remaining in Babylon) will be sent forth … out of the pit wherein is no water." [3]).  In either case, God is bringing His people back, not based upon merit, but by the grace within the promise, sealed with blood, granting them a full and complete restoration.

The assured victory is stated in a "bold metaphor" as God compares Himself to a warrior using Judah and Ephraim as His weapons. [1]  "Protected by God, the people gain victory, not with the sophisticated weapons that have been removed from the kingdom (Zech. 9: 10) but with the lowly sling, an allusion to David’s victory over Goliath (1 Sam. 17: 40, 50). The latter half of Zech. 9: 15 describes the victory in battle through images drawn from drinking and sacrifice." [4]

With the victory comes great blessing: prosperity, peace, and fullness of provisions. "Partial fulfillment of this prediction came as the Maccabees successfully won their independence from Greece in the days of Antiochus Epiphanes (175–163 B.C.). But again, the fullest meaning of the passage looks forward to the messianic reign (Rev. 20:1–6)." [5]  "God’s people rest secure as sheep under His care (13:7; Ezek. 34:11–24; 37:24), and will become glorious as a result of God’s presence (2 Cor. 3:18). [6]

In the midst of this highly graphic and hopeful passage we observe that “The Lord their God will save his people on that day as a shepherd saves his flock. They will sparkle in his land like jewels in a crown.” (Zechariah 9:16, NIV).

The Gospel writers clearly saw the fulfillment of Zechariah 9 commencing and continuing through the arrival of Jesus in Jerusalem.  Through the suffering Servant, He was installed as the reigning King over His people -- not just believing Jews, but from all nations. The New Testament is not vague about this Divinely Royal King who vanquishes His foes and is the faithful Davidic son who unites and secures His people under His gracious reign.

“But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility.” (Ephesians 2:13–16, NIV)

Father in this day of terror, traumas, torture, we look forward to the day of peace, prosperity and plenty.  I am thankful for the Gospel that teaches us that this Day has already come, but yet it is still to come. On that Day Christ came and marched into Jerusalem, He said, "I am Your King."  His rule has never been abrogated.  His decree has never been repealed.  Reign today in our hearts and lives, Father.   Bring Your people from the Nations to the New Jerusalem, Your Church, Your Bride. Deliver death blows to the enemies crouched at Your feet.  Come Lord Jesus, come.  I thank you today for the Cross that does what no other device of terror could do -- bring reconciliation with God and with people.  Come, Lord Jesus, come.  Amen.

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1. Expositor's Bible Commentary, The, Pradis CD-ROM:Zechariah/Exposition of Zechariah/V. Two Prophetic Oracles: The Great Messianic Future and the Full Realization of the Theocracy (9:1-14:21)/A. The First Oracle: The Advent and Rejection of the Messiah (9:1-11:17)/1. The advent of the messianic King (9:1-10:12)/c. The deliverance and blessing of Zion's people (9:11-10:1), Book Version: 4.0.2

2. "This combination of “ blood” and “covenant” constitutes an allusion to Exodus 24: 8, which describes the ceremony in which, after the reading of the Book of the Law and the acceptance of the commandments by the congregation, blood was sprinkled on the people to ratify the covenant between God and his people. 41 On the basis of this ancient covenant agreement, God promises salvation for his exiled people."-  Boda, Mark J. (2009-05-26). Haggai, Zechariah (The NIV Application Commentary) (Kindle Locations 8253-8257). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. 

3. KJV Bible Commentary. 1994 (E. E. Hindson & W. M. Kroll, Ed.) (1825–1826). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

4. Boda, Mark J. (2009-05-26). Haggai, Zechariah (The NIV Application Commentary) (Kindle Locations 8300-8303). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. 

5. Believer’s Study Bible. 1991 (W. A. Criswell, P. Patterson, E. R. Clendenen, D. L. Akin, M. Chamberlin, D. K. Patterson & J. Pogue, Ed.) (electronic ed.) (Zec 9:13). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

6. Whitlock, L. G., Sproul, R. C., Waltke, B. K., & Silva, M. (1995). The Reformation study Bible: Bringing the light of the Reformation to Scripture: New King James Version (Zec 9:16). Nashville: T. Nelson.

Abraham's Seeds, Seed and More Seeds.

Galatians 3:23–29 (NIV),

²³ Before the coming of this faith, we were held in custody under the law, locked up until the faith that was to come would be revealed. ²⁴ So the law was our guardian until Christ came that we might be justified by faith. ²⁵ Now that this faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian. ²⁶ So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, ²⁷ for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. ²⁸ There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. ²⁹ If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

Verses 23-24 are very difficult to interpret.  It might be interesting to the reader that Luther gave this section very little attention.  We don't know why but perhaps the complexity of it was part of the reason. 

 Paul has already established that the faith of Abraham and the Christian faith are synonymous. So the faith he refers to in verse 23 must have a different nuance. The key is the idea of something being "locked up".  I would conclude that this must refer to Paul's notion of "mystery" where in other places he describes an idea that for a period of time God's plan for the ages was "locked up" -- a mystery.  But now it has been revealed.  "A “mystery” in the New Testament is something that had at one time been hidden but is now revealed to God’s people. Jesus spoke of “the mystery of the kingdom of God” (Mark 4:11, NAS) that He was at that point revealing to His disciples. The apostle Paul used the word mystery 21 times in his Epistles. In each case, the “mystery” involved a wonderful declaration of spiritual truth, revealed by God through divine inspiration. A mystery is that “which was not made known to people in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets” (Ephesians 3:5). [1]

This mystery of the Kingdom had long been prophesied  Abraham along with others had a sense of it.  But as to how and when and by whom was not clear until the time of Christ. Now we see that it was the presence of the Law that kept God's eternal plan under wraps.  But now that Christ has come, the mystery is no longer a mystery.  Here we see another purpose of the Law.  Why? 

"So the law was our guardian until Christ came that we might be justified by faith. ²⁵ Now that this faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian."  That word "guardian" can also be translated "tutor." It is the Greek word παιδαγωγός [2] [pahee·dag·o·gos] [see Note 3].  So the Law was a means of protecting the "mystery" until the fullness of time had come; until this mystery could be comprehended in maturity.  I think this will become more clear as we look into Galatians 4:1f.

So now Paul reaches his conclusion to the theological argument.  “So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” (Galatians 3:26–29, NIV) "The Galatians, though they are Gentiles, are eligible for adoption through faith in Christ. Observance of the law is not a requirement or condition for becoming a child of God . . . he emphasizes here that the standard categories (race, social status, and gender), which normally divide people, no longer apply to those “in Christ.” It is not that people cease to be male or female; rather, these distinctions are not grounds for exclusion from the life that God offers all people in Christ." [5]

How does one benefit from this relationship? Paul introduces a new word in this Letter: "baptized". "This is how one becomes united to Christ. This is not baptismal regeneration and does not refer to water baptism, for that never put anyone into Christ. Paul speaks of the baptism of the Holy Spirit which places all true believers into a living union with Christ (1 Cor 12:12–13), and with each other (Eph 4:15–16). The Greek passive voice means that this was done for them and not by them. Baptism in water symbolizes, but does not effect, this glorious experience." [6]  Salvation then is essentially union with Christ and it is accomplished through faith in Him -- alone.

Then Paul repeats but makes clear that this is the exact way that Abraham was justified and therefore if you are united to Christ, you have the same faith as Abraham.  You are of all intent of purpose a real Jew. "Thus, by union with Christ, believers become "Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise." Here that which Paul had previously declared to be Christ's—the inheritance of the promise made to Abraham (3:16)—he now applies to the Christian church as a whole by virtue of its actually being Christ's body." [7]

The implications of this are profound and the most important is that all the promises given to Abraham's seed according to the flesh (Israel) are ultimately found in fulfillment in Abraham's Seed, Jesus Christ. And all who have faith in Christ share in the same faith as Abraham (and all true believers from all ages) and are counted as Abraham's spiritual seed, thereby sharing in the promises to Abraham from a spiritual nature.  (To read more on this in detail I encourage you to read Abraham's Four Seeds, by John Reisinger.  It can be read online by going to this LINK.

This teaching of course flies in the face of all who call themselves Dispensational or even Covenantal. It removes the importance of ethnicity and elevates faith.  Even to the Jews of his time, Jesus had to correct their thinking when He said, “If you were Abraham’s children, then you would do what Abraham did.” (John 8:39, NIV).  Abraham believed.  Abraham had faith. Later in this Letter, in Galatians 6:15–16, Paul will make this very plain: ¹⁵ Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything; what counts is the new creation. ¹⁶ Peace and mercy to all who follow this rule—to the Israel of God.

Father, Your ways are often so elaborate and complicated, its hard to understand what and why You've done what You've done.  There is a 'not knowing' when it comes to You. This is no surprise to me because You are God and I am not.  Yet You do give us sufficient understanding and this passage is an example of that.  The New Testament writers always understood the prophecies of the Old Testament to be spiritual in nature.  They transcend ethnicity so that they can include all ethnic people.  The Gospel if for all and Christ is the treasure.  Father, by Your Spirit, enable me to embrace with great joy the truth of salvation by faith alone in Christ alone. And Father may that bedrock of faith provide the inertia to live for You more fully and more obediently today.  For the glory of Christ.  Amen!

 

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1. Read more:http://www.gotquestions.org/mystery-of-God.html#ixzz38IiB9bWJ
2. Strong, J. (2001). Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon. Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software.

3.  Among the Greeks and the Romans the name was applied to trustworthy slaves who were charged with the duty of supervising the life and morals of boys belonging to the better class. The boys were not allowed so much as to step out of the house without them before arriving at the age of manhood.

4. Whitlock, L. G., Sproul, R. C., Waltke, B. K., & Silva, M. (1995). The Reformation study Bible: Bringing the light of the Reformation to Scripture: New King James Version (Ga 3:24). Nashville: T. Nelson.

5. Barry, J. D., Heiser, M. S., Custis, M., Mangum, D., & Whitehead, M. M. (2012). Faithlife Study Bible (Ga 3:26–29). Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software.

6. KJV Bible Commentary. 1994 (E. E. Hindson & W. M. Kroll, Ed.) (2389). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

7. Expositor's Bible Commentary, The, Pradis CD-ROM:Galatians/Exposition of Galatians/II. Paul's Defense of the Gospel (3:1-4:31)/B. The Doctrinal Argument (3:6-4:7)/5. Heirs with Abraham (3:23-29), Book Version: 4.0.2

8. The use of the word "seed" without the article is of great importance, for it keeps the necessity of a union with Christ constantly before the Galatians. The prize the legalizers had been holding before the eyes of the Galatian Christians and by which they had hoped to win them to the ceremonial aspects of Judaism was the possibility of becoming part of the seed of Abraham. They meant physical seed. Paul now replies that what the legalizers were offering through circumcision was actually already theirs in Christ. But it was only theirs in him. He is the seed to whom the promises were made. Believers enter into the promises by entering into him, thereby also becoming spiritual seed to God. (Expositor's Bible Commentary, The, Pradis CD-ROM:Galatians/Exposition of Galatians/II. Paul's Defense of the Gospel (3:1-4:31)/B. The Doctrinal Argument (3:6-4:7)/5. Heirs with Abraham (3:23-29), Book Version: 4.0.2)

Global Blessing!

Galatians 3:8–9 (NIV)

⁸ Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: “All nations will be blessed through you.” ⁹ So those who rely on faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.

Abraham was a Gentile, a non-Jew. God imputed righteousness to Abraham simply because he believed.  Likewise the argument of Paul is that all (Jew or Gentile) who have faith in Christ are counted righteous.  Paul makes it plain that this is the Gospel.  The Gospel isn't a New Testament invention.  In this argument Paul confounds two errors: One, is that the people of the Old Testament were saved differently than those of the New; and Secondly that there are two peoples of God.  From all time there has been one means of salvation and only one; and this one means produces but one people.  

The Jews according to the flesh, according to the Law have absolutely no righteous standing before God.  Neither do any of any of nation.  Our only hope is to trust Christ as Abraham did. "There Abraham by the promise of God is appointed a father of many nations, and the inheritance of the world for his posterity and issue after him, is given unto him before the law was published . . . the inheritance of the Gentiles was given unto Abraham, not by the law and circumcision, but long before the same, by the only righteousness of faith."  [1] 

How is the world blessed?  "The Greek present tense shows the blessing to be axiomatic, and the passive voice shows that God is the blesser." [2]   "The blessing to the nations in the context of Galatians is the gift of justification by faith and the Spirit. " [3]  Luther answers: "Hereby then we see that to bless signifieth nothing else, but (as I said before) to preach and teach the word of the Gospel, to confess Christ, and to spread abroad the knowledge of him among all the Gentiles . . . Therefore, like as Abraham obtained imputation of righteousness by the hearing of faith; even so did all the Gentiles obtain, and yet do obtain the same. For the same Word that was first declared unto Abraham, was also afterward published to all the Gentiles." [4]

The conclusion is clear: "Hereof it followeth that the blessing and faith of Abraham is the same that ours is; that Abraham’s Christ is our Christ; that Christ died as well for the sins of Abraham as for ours. For “Abraham saw my day and rejoiced” (John viii. 56). All things therefore are the same." [4]

"The true children of Abraham share his faith, whether they are physically descended from him or not. The promise to Abraham is also a promise of blessing to the Gentiles, a blessing that must be received with faith like Abraham’s." [5]

Father, four thousand years ago You granted to Abraham saving faith in Your Son, Jesus; his Messiah.  He longed to see His day and His day has come.  The simple yet profound trust in the promise of God was counted by You righteous.  Nothing has changed over all these years.  Still today if we but simply believe the Promise of Your Christ, we shall be saved.  This is a great blessing to the whole world.  Palestinians, Germans, Filipinos and Jews all may receive justifying grace by simply believing the Gospel.  There can be no greater blessing upon a nation, upon a family or upon an individual than to hear, see and respond to the Gospel.  Grant that many will be saved this day -- especially those of our loved ones that weigh heavily upon our hearts.  For Christ's glory we pray; and for the joy of all the nations.  Amen!

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1. Luther, M. (1997). Commentary on Galatians (Ga 3:8). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

2. KJV Bible Commentary. 1994 (E. E. Hindson & W. M. Kroll, Ed.) (2385). Nashville: Thomas Nelson. 

3. Barry, J. D., Heiser, M. S., Custis, M., Mangum, D., & Whitehead, M. M. (2012). Faithlife Study Bible (Ga 3:8). Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software.

4. Luther, M. (1997). Commentary on Galatians (Ga 3:8). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

5. Whitlock, L. G., Sproul, R. C., Waltke, B. K., & Silva, M. (1995). The Reformation study Bible: Bringing the light of the Reformation to Scripture: New King James Version (Ga 3:6). Nashville: T. Nelson.

What Is Your Nationality?

Galatians 3:6–7 (NIV)

⁶ So also Abraham “believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” ⁷ Understand, then, that those who have faith are children of Abraham.

"Salvation by grace is not new to the present dispensation. Prior to the Law, Abraham believed (trusted or had faith in) God, and “He accounted it to him for righteousness” (Gen. 15:6)." [1] Paul has shown the Galatians that their experience reveals that their salvation is the result of faith, but he moves on to the example of Abraham -- the prime argument in his case against them. "This place the Apostle mightily prosecuteth, as also he did in his Epistle to the Romans: “If Abraham,” saith he, “was justified by the works of the law, he hath righteousness and rejoicing, but not before God, but before men” (Rom. iv. 2 ff.). For before God he hath sin and wrath. Now he was justified before God, not because he did work, but because he did believe." [2]

Luther shows that to believe God gives to God the greatest glory.  "Now, to give glory unto God, is to believe in him, to count him true, wise, righteous, merciful, almighty: briefly, to acknowledge him to be the author and giver of all goodness." [2]  This faith that glorifies God believes what fleshly reason fails to believe. "But faith killeth reason, and slayeth that beast which the whole world and all creatures cannot kill. So Abraham killed it by faith in the Word of God, whereby seed was promised unto him of Sarah, who was barren and now past child-bearing." [2]

This faith not only glorifies God and kills human reasoning in believing amazing promises, it creates a Christian man or woman that is (again against all reason) both a sinner and a saint. "Thus a Christian man is both righteous and a sinner, holy and profane, an enemy of God and yet a child of God." [2] Although true this is difficult to rationalize.  "These two things are quite contrary: to wit, that a Christian is righteous and beloved of God, and yet notwithstanding he is a sinner." [2]

But the "general argument and whole disputation of Paul against the Jews, that they which believe, are the children of Abraham, and not they which are born of his flesh and blood." [2]  This is the whole point of this passage.  This defines for us what is real and true Israel.   There is an Israel that is saved. This is the Israel of promise, the Israel of Divine election.  This Israel encompasses all who believe irregardless of race or gender.  It is faith and faith alone.

"Paul therefore concludeth with this sentence: “They which are of faith are the children of Abraham,” that corporal birth or carnal seed maketh not the children of Abraham before God. As though he would say: There is none before God accounted as the child of this Abraham (who is the servant of God, whom God hath chosen and made righteous by faith) through carnal generation; but such children must be given him before God, as he was a father." [2]  There has been and is only one true Israel -- there is only one people of God -- those who have faith in the promised Messiah -- the Christ, the son of the living God.  The truth of the matter is that "those who trust in works are aliens, not sons (Rom 2:28–29). Abraham is the father of all believers, Jews and Gentiles." [3]  Jews, who are only Israelites by birth and not by faith are enemies of God and alien to His Kingdom.

Father I am thankful today that true saving faith is a gift for I know that my nature resists really believing You and trusting in Your goodness.  If faith is what glorifies You (and it is) then in my natural self I cannot have faith.  My rebellious nature hates to glorify You.  I want to glorify me. But You have granted faith to all who are children of promise -- all the Elect of God; and through the Spirit, the power of that promise who causes the New Birth my heart is changed so that I long to give You glory and trust You.  Although the battle still rages I am confident in the work of Christ to save and deliver.  And not only to me, but to all who have faith in Christ: Jew or Gentile, black or white, male or female.  Those that don't have faith, fight -- fight You.  True faith believes and receives the Gospel.  Thank you for Your grace.  Thank you for Your mercy.  Apart from Your intervention I would be a child of wrath, rather than a child of God.  Through faith I now belong to a spiritual nation -- a kingdom of the true Elect -- true Israel. Thanks be to God!

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1. Believer’s Study Bible. 1991 (W. A. Criswell, P. Patterson, E. R. Clendenen, D. L. Akin, M. Chamberlin, D. K. Patterson & J. Pogue, Ed.) (electronic ed.) (Ga 3:6). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

2.  Luther, M. (1997). Commentary on Galatians (Ga 3:6). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

3.  KJV Bible Commentary. 1994 (E. E. Hindson & W. M. Kroll, Ed.) (2384). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.