Let Me Think About It!

In recent studies of the Gospel of Luke, three comments about Mary grabbed my attention. They all had to do with her “pondering.”  This “pondering” happened first when Gabriel told her of her Son, our Saviour (Luke 1:29[1]). Again, it is recorded that when the shepherds approach Jesus and Mary on Christmas night, she ponders (Luke 2:17-19[2]). She ponders again when she finds Jesus in the Temple, “And he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was submissive to them. And his mother treasured[3] up all these things in her heart.”[4]

All three recordings of Mary pondering something in her heart were about Jesus, her son, our Lord.

1. Luke 1:29 - when angel Gabriel told her she would have a son
2. Luke 2:19 - at Jesus' birth
3. Luke 2:51 - when Jesus was 12 years old 

“The word for “ponder,” σνμβάλλουνσα  means to “preserve,” “treasure,” “protect and defend.” The same word is used in the LXX of Jacob’s puzzling over the meaning of Joseph’s dreams (Genesis 37:11). This word is in the imperfect tense, connoting something ongoing; thus, “to continue to ruminate,” even “to wrestle with.”[5]  The thought that occurs to me is this: “How often am I content just to think, wrestle with, ruminate over something.”  It is quick to “Google” something, check AI, or even consult resources. Mary had not known of those. She did know her Old Testament. As these events occurred in the life of Jesus, Luke took the opportunity to note that Mary just pondered, thought deeply about them. How did Luke know that? Mary must have told him or at least told someone that Luke interviewed for his Gospel. Luke must have thought it important that his readers were made aware of Mary’s reaction. He must have thought that this was important for us to know.

Mary has often been presented to us as a notable example of Christian discipleship. Perhaps her significant times of quiet, thoughtful meditation, wrestling with the profound truth before her, is one example we need to emulate? I am reminded of what Paul wrote to Timothy: “Think over what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.”[6]  When was the last time any of us just pondered; just pondered for hours, days, months, years? Just pondered. The late Dr. Gresham Machen profoundly affirms, “When any new fact enters the human mind it must proceed to make itself at home; it must proceed to introduce itself to the previous denizens of the house. That process of introduction of new facts is called thinking.”^[7]

I used to make a joke with my girls when they asked for something that I never intended to give them or allow them. I would say, “Let me think about it, no.”  What was meant to be humour can often be reality in our world. We speak without thinking. I’m guilty. We think it reflects poorly on us if we do not always have a ready response. Perhaps, like Mary, we should ponder more. I recently read an excerpt from a Christmas article by Dr. Sinclair Ferguson. I immediately thought, “This man has been pondering.”   Note what he wrote:

“It’s staggering to the intellect. Indeed, I think one can say, if your intellect has never been staggered by the reality of the incarnation, you don’t know what incarnation means. It doesn’t mean Jesus was a little baby. It means the eternal, infinite, divine One, worshipped by Cherubim and Seraphim, Creator of all things, sustainer of all things, infinite in His being, wisdom, power, majesty, glory, who at a word could dissolve the world that had sinned against Him was willing to come into this world and assume our flesh in order to become our Saviour. It’s overwhelming.” [8]

Of all the possible options Mary had as she heard about and then gazed at her baby, the Scriptures teach us that she pondered, thought, reflected, wrestled wth this staggering reality that God, not giving up anything, but adding to Himself humanity was her baby and the Saviour of the World.

Mary, through the Gospel of Luke, has challenged me to ponder more. What about you? Similar to Ferguson’s thoughts, have we really pondered the Incarnation — the coming of God in the flesh, the God-Man, into this world? What was Mary thinking as she looked down at her baby? What did she think when she knew he was in debate with the religious leaders of his day, even at age twelve? As she looked into His face did all those well-known prophecies of the Messiah come flooding back? What did she marvel at when Simeon said, “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”[9]  What was she thinking when she sang these words:

“My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.”[10]

Christmas provides for us the call for peace, for joy, for family and love. Christmas calls to worship. Is it possible that Christmas also invites us to ponder, to think — to think deeply, wrestling with the “staggering” truths that are before us?

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[1] But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be.” - The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Lk 1:29). (2016). Crossway Bibles.

[2] And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart.” -The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Lk 2:17–19). (2016). Crossway Bibles.

[3] To keep carefully in her mind.

[4] The Holy3 Bible: English Standard Version (Lk 2:51). (2016). Crossway Bibles.

[5] Edwards, James R., Pillar Commentary Series, The Gospel According to Luke, Eerdman’s Publishing, Grand Rapids, MI, 2105

[6] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (2 Ti 2:6–7). (2016). Crossway Bibles.

[7] Gresham Machen, What Is Faith? (1937; repr. Edinburgh: Banner of Truth, 1991), 242.

[8]  https://www.ligonier.org/posts/why-god-man?srsltid=AfmBOoqSjxeMV8auvlwLpQDSTjfq-yYiII64jPvB-gLQ7wvMZ2HIUwv_

[9] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Lk 2:34–35). (2016). Crossway Bibles.

[10] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Lk 1:46–47). (2016). Crossway Bibles.

 

John Stott - The Place of Israel

 

The Place of Israel

by John Stott [1]

Rector Emeritus,  All Souls Church, London, England

Our topic has been announced as “The Place of Israel,” and the topic that has been set for us is an object lesson in biblical hermeneutics as it’s usually called in the principles of interpreting the Bible.  But I would like to remind you right at the beginning that there are at least four ways in which the word “Israel,” whose place we are to investigate, can be used.

One:     Israel was that devious scoundrel, the second son of Isaac, whose first name was Jacob – meaning “he who deceived or he who struggles,” who amply lived up to his name – but whom God renames “Israel,” because having struggled with men all his life, he at last came to struggle with God for the blessing he needed (a blessing to which he was not entitled).

Two:     Israel is the chosen people of the Old Testament days – the 12 tribes descended from the 12 sons of Jacob called the children of Israel, because Israel (or Jacob) was a common ancestor.

Three:   Israel is the messianic community – the people of Jesus – the true descendents of Abraham because they share Abraham’s faith.  This includes Gentiles like most of us if we believe in Jesus, but excludes Jews who don’t.  When Paul ended his letter to the Galatians, “Peace and mercy upon the Israel of God,” he was referring to believers in Jesus, whatever their ethnic origin.  So Israel is the messianic community.

Four:    Israel today, for many people if you read the newspapers, is the Israeli nation, promised a national home by the Balfour Declaration of 1917 and given it in 1948.

So Israel has four meaning.  It means Jacob.  It means Jews.  It means Christians.  And it means Israelis.  And that is just the problem when you are asked who you are talking about.

To read further click HERE.

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1. John Stott was ordained into the ministry of the Church of England in 1945. He served as the senior pastor (rector) of All Souls Church in London from 1950-1975. He became Rector Emeritus in 1975 and devoted his life to a ministry of teaching worldwide, and writing.  Stott has written over 40 books. His best known, “Basic Christianity”, has been translated into more than 50 languages. Other titles include “The Cross of Christ,” The Contemporary Christian,”  “ Evangelical Truth,” “New Issues Facing Christians Today,” and eight New Testament expositions.

BEHOLD THE DAYS ARE COMING

 

The prophecy of Jeremiah, written about 600 years B.C., is foretelling the eventual judgment of southern Israel, Judah.  The Northern tribes had already been sent into captivity.  Babylon's assault was pending.

Throughout the prophecy, Jeremiah includes phrases of hope -- hope of a restoration.  But none is as clear as is recorded in Jeremiah 23:5–6 (ESV)

⁵ “Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. ⁶ In his days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell securely. And this is the name by which he will be called: ‘The Lord is our righteousness.’

There are some expositors that choose to leave the time of the prophecy's fulfillment as open. "The expression days are coming is very general and has no particular time reference." [1] There are others who are adamant that this prophecy will be fulfilled in a physical, temporal Millennial reign. For example: This is referring to "Israel’s regathering and the righteous Branch will occur during the millennial reign following the Great Tribulation." [2]

I believe "the days" refer to the time between Christ's advent and His Second Coming. I also believe that the time stamp is clear.  I hold to that belief for 3 reasons:

#1. The formula "Behold the days".

In this chapter, Jeremiah uses that phrase twice (v5 and v7).  He will use it again in the well-known chapter on the New Covenant. ““Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah, not like the covenant that I made with their fathers on the day when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt, my covenant that they broke, though I was their husband, declares the Lord.” (Jeremiah 31:31–32, ESV)

The writer to the Hebrews in chapters 8:8bff and 10:15 clearly applies that formula to the Christian Church. In classic Biblical hermeneutics, we interpret the Old by the New.  The author to the book of Hebrews would view Jeremiah's prophecy as applying to the Church, the true offspring of Abraham, all those who have faith in Jesus Christ.  Just as the New Covenant was inaugurated by Jesus, so the Messianic reign was inaugurated at His advent.

#2. The Branch of David.

The second time stamp in this passage is the reference to the Branch of David.  Thompson comments: "The metaphor is of a shoot (ṣemaḥ) bursting forth from the Davidic tree (i.e., the dynasty), which, though cut off, is not dead. English versions have generally translated the word as Branch. In postexilic times the term became the classic technical one for the expected ideal king (Zech. 3:8; 6:12) [3].

No one disputes that the Branch, or better, the Shoot, is referring to Jesus Christ, the expected Messiah.  Jeremiah likely got that hint from Isaiah who prophesied 100 years before.  “There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit. And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.” (Isaiah 11:1–2, ESV).  Jesus Himself citing a parallel passage (“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound;” (Isaiah 61:1, ESV) affirmed that this was about Him. (Luke 4:18-19).  Jesus believed that He was the One prophesied and He was currently engaged in the ministry foretold. 

#3. The Salvation of Israel.

In Romans 11:26 (ESV), Paul clearly tells us that he is thinking of the Old Testament restorative literature when he writes, "²⁶ And in this way all Israel will be saved, as it is written, “The Deliverer will come from Zion, he will banish ungodliness from Jacob”.  Certainly, when the audience read "in this way all Israel will be saved" they must have thought of: “In his days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell securely. And this is the name by which he will be called: ‘The Lord is our righteousness.’” (Jeremiah 23:6, ESV)

Paul was writing of contemporary things.  He describes how God has not rejected Israel, but in fact has a glorious plan of salvation based upon His electing mercies. "In this way all Israel" will be saved.  In other words, what is happening right now, as it happened to him, is how Israel will be saved.

Conclusion

Surely the authorial intent of the prophecy of Jeremiah 23:5-6, is to point us to the Coming of the Messiah at His birth and His ministry throughout the last days until His Second Return. “. . . Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet.” (1 Corinthians 15:23–25, ESV)

So, it was with great cause and abundant joy that the father of John the Baptist would exclaim:

". . .“Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has visited and redeemed his people and has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David, as he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets from of old, that we should be saved from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us; to show the mercy promised to our fathers and to remember his holy covenant, the oath that he swore to our father Abraham, to grant us that we, being delivered from the hand of our enemies, might serve him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before him all our days.” (Luke 1:67–75, ESV)  

To God be the Glory.

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1. Thompson, J. A. (1980). The Book of Jeremiah (p. 489). Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.

2. Hindson, E. E., & Kroll, W. M., eds. (1994). KJV Bible Commentary (p. 1466). Thomas Nelson.

3. Thompson, J. A. (1980). The Book of Jeremiah (p. 489). Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.

 

He Will Make a Way.

I introduced this difficult chapter of Zechariah 14 in a previous Blog. Indeed if verses 1 and 2 speak of God's incremental but certain judgment on Jerusalem culminating in the destruction of the Temple in A.D. 70, the we have an amazing turn of events prior to the description of the New Heavens and the New Earth in verses 6-9. That incredible turn of events is recorded in verses 3-5:

³ Then the Lord will go out and fight against those nations, as he fights on a day of battle. ⁴ On that day his feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, east of Jerusalem, and the Mount of Olives will be split in two from east to west, forming a great valley, with half of the mountain moving north and half moving south. ⁵ You will flee by my mountain valley, for it will extend to Azel. You will flee as you fled from the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah. Then the Lord my God will come, and all the holy ones with him.

In this compressed form of prophetic literature it is possible that what Zechariah sees is God turning in defense of His people, His remnant and providing for them safety until the Second Coming of Christ.   Now dispensational, premillennial commentators would take exception to this.  Most would slot these verses in a place immediately after the Great Tribulation and just prior to the coming of Christ to set up an earthly millennial reign. 

It is clear that Zechariah is comparing this event with the original reader to a time ". . . when their ancestors "fled from the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah"—an earthquake so devastating and memorable that it is mentioned also in Amos 1:1. Yohanan Aharoni (The Land of the Bible, tr. A.F. Rainey [London: Burns and Oates, 1966], p. 91) even suggests that it may have destroyed level VI at Hazor around 760 B.C." [1]

The Lord's coming will create an event not unlike this earthquake which will split the mountains and create a valley.  " This newly created valley will serve two purposes. (1) It will be an escape route for those who have remained behind in Jerusalem. East was the direction for a quick escape from the city in times of siege, as demonstrated by David in 2 Samuel 15: 16, 23, 30 and Zedekiah in 2 Kings 25: 4 . . . (2) The valley will serve another purpose, providing a path for the triumphal return of Yahweh to his seat of rule. Accompanying God will be “the holy ones.” [2]

We should not be surprised when we read the Bible and see God breaking into human history and find it described in human, physical terms.  Opponents of this interpretation suggest we "spiritualize" the Bible.  But that is simply not true.  The Holy Spirit often describes God's activities in human concepts (anthropomorphisms) (e.g. Joel 4:16; Amos 1-2; Micah 1:3-4; etc.).   McComiskey helps us by writing: "We need not understand them literally ... here in Zechariah we may look beyond the apocalyptic symbolism to the reality it portrays." [3]  "This symbolism," he adds, "Affirms that God will not allow his people to perish but will enter into time to preserve a remnant."

Let us consider for a moment the triumphant coming of the Lord with His holy ones. ""All the holy ones" will be in the Lord's retinue when he comes. These apparently include both believers and unfallen angels." [1]  This sounds very much like the 1 Thessalonians 4:16–5:2 (NIV),

¹⁶ For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. ¹⁷ After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever . . .  ¹ Now, brothers and sisters, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, ² for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.

Not unlike Zechariah 14:1-2 which I anticipate stretches over centuries, so too we have these events compressed and covering large periods of time, graphically portrayed in anthropomorphic apocalyptic language, showing us again that God cares for and protects His remnant. As McCimskey affirms:

"In a sense it represents the climax of that activity, for God has been at work throughout the ages forming a people for his own, preserving them against hostile forces.  Little do we know how God's people have been sheltered in valleys of refuge within the upheavals of history." [4]

It has been so true, Father, that when the way seems dark and danger lurks on every side -- seen and unseen, You make a way.   As the songwriter penned so well: "God will make a way, where there seems to be no way;He works in ways we cannot see, He will make a way for me."  You are the God who creates and sustains.  You save and preserve.  Oh that men and women would know You.  Those that put their trust in You, will never, ever be ashamed.  As this day unfolds help us to trust You more and praise You more for the known and unknown mercies which You grant to Your Elect.   May Jesus Christ be praised!

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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)/B. The Second Oracle: The Advent and Reception of the Messiah (12:1-14:21)/2. The Messiah's return and his kingdom (14:1-21)/b. The tokens of the Messiah's return (14:3-8), Book Version: 4.0.2 

2. Boda, Mark J. (2009-05-26). Haggai, Zechariah (The NIV Application Commentary) (Kindle Locations 10360-10366). Zondervan. Kindle Edition.
3. Zechariah, Thomas Edward McComiskey, The Minor Prophets, Baker Academic, Grand Rapids, Mich., USA, 1998, Page 1230
4. Ibid, Page 1231.

In That Day -- Salvation.

Jerusalem’s Enemies to Be Destroyed - Part 1

"Zechariah 12:1–13:6 represents an oracle from God that outlines his comprehensive plan for the renewal of his people . . . This salvation from God is only the first step in his plan for his people. He promises to produce penitence, provide cleansing, and remove idolatry and false prophecy from the land." [1]

The events in this passage seem to follow this order:

1. A siege and then a deliverance for Jerusalem and Judah (vv2–9); 
2. A spiritual renewal of Israel and the arrival of the Messiah (12:10–13:1); and 
3. The removal of wickedness and idolatry from Israel (13:2–6).

A key feature of this section of the repeated phrase "on that day":

• Zechariah 12:3 (NIV) ³ On that day, when all the nations of the earth are gathered against her, I will make Jerusalem an immovable rock for all the nations. All who try to move it will injure themselves.
• Zechariah 12:4 (NIV) ⁴ On that day I will strike every horse with panic and its rider with madness,” declares the Lord. “I will keep a watchful eye over Judah, but I will blind all the horses of the nations.
• Zechariah 12:6 (NIV) ⁶ “On that day I will make the clans of Judah like a firepot in a woodpile, like a flaming torch among sheaves. They will consume all the surrounding peoples right and left, but Jerusalem will remain intact in her place.
• Zechariah 12:8 (NIV) ⁸ On that day the Lord will shield those who live in Jerusalem, so that the feeblest among them will be like David, and the house of David will be like God, like the angel of the Lord going before them.
• Zechariah 12:9 (NIV) ⁹ On that day I will set out to destroy all the nations that attack Jerusalem.
• Zechariah 12:11 (NIV) ¹¹ On that day the weeping in Jerusalem will be as great as the weeping of Hadad Rimmon in the plain of Megiddo.
• Zechariah 13:1 (NIV) ¹ “On that day a fountain will be opened to the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, to cleanse them from sin and impurity.
• Zechariah 13:2 (NIV) ² “On that day, I will banish the names of the idols from the land, and they will be remembered no more,” declares the Lord Almighty. “I will remove both the prophets and the spirit of impurity from the land.
• Zechariah 13:4 (NIV) ⁴ “On that day every prophet will be ashamed of their prophetic vision. They will not put on a prophet’s garment of hair in order to deceive.

Those verses outline the storyline.  "The consistent use of the phrase “in that day” (17 times in 44 verses) demonstrates the eschatological nature of the oracle." [2]  Many expositors [3] view this apocalyptic prophecy in keeping with salvation of the nation of Israel, e.g. “and in this way all Israel will be saved. As it is written: “The deliverer will come from Zion; he will turn godlessness away from Jacob. And this is my covenant with them when I take away their sins.”” (Romans 11:26–27, NIV).

The question that we are left to consider is this: Is this about ethnic Israel being restored and saved; or is the subject about the eschatological Israel of God, ultimately saved from her enemies?  Is it the Jerusalem of Palestine that is preserved; or is it the New Jerusalem - the Church?  We will pursue that in this very difficult passage in the next Blog.

Thank you Father, that in spite of our human weakness and uncertainty about such things as who and when, there is no doubt in Your eternal and perfect mind.  You are a God that says, "In that day;" and You know exactly what day.  And there is another thing that begs no doubt: You will save Your people.  This is for sure: “The Lord foils the plans of the nations; he thwarts the purposes of the peoples. But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations. Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people he chose for his inheritance.” (Psalm 33:10–12, NIV).  You are the eternal God “. . . who stretches out the heavens, who lays the foundation of the earth, and who forms the human spirit . . ..” (Zechariah 12:1, NIV).  There is none like You.   Grant grace and mercy today.  Save us from the Wicked One.  Work in us what is pleasing to You. And because of Your grace may we be found to work for Your Kingdom even more diligently, not that we are working, but You are working within.  Amen!

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1. Boda, Mark J. (2009-05-26). Haggai, Zechariah (The NIV Application Commentary) (Kindle Locations 9497-9500). Zondervan. Kindle Edition.
2. Barry, J. D., Heiser, M. S., Custis, M., Mangum, D., & Whitehead, M. M. (2012). Faithlife Study Bible (Zec 12:1–9). Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software.
3. The spiritual conversion of Israel is described in 12:10–13:6. God’s ultimate deliverance of Jerusalem is not political favoritism. Rather it is rooted in a spiritual renewal, which itself is an act of God’s grace. Out of deep conviction and as a result of the action of God’s Holy Spirit, the Jewish people will turn in national and individual repentance to accept the One whom they had previously rejected (11:12). - 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 12:10). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.