Christmas Hope

Since the people were hoping for the Christ to come, they wondered if John might be the One. Luke 3:15 (NCV)

Before Jesus’ birth, everyone was expecting the Messiah to come soon, particularly the Jews (see Luke 2:25-32; 38). The people were in a state of great expectation waiting trustfully for the Messiah. The Hebrew word “Messiah” is the equivalent of the Greek word “Christ,” which means “Anointed One.” After Jesus’ ascension to heaven, the name Christ became the proper name of Jesus, the Person whom Christians recognize as the God’s Redeemer and the church’s Lord.

In the first century, many Jews eagerly looked for a deliverer who would defeat Israel’s enemies and usher in an era of peace and prosperity. With the decline and subsequent downfall of Israel, the Old Testament prophets predicted the coming of the Messiah to save Israel (see Isaiah 9:6-7; Isaiah 11:1-5; Jeremiah 23:5-6; Jeremiah 33:15-16; Ezekiel 37:24-25). There was great hope that a Messiah from David’s ancestral line would reestablish David’s dynasty and reign forever in righteousness and justice on David’s throne in Jerusalem (see 2 Samuel 7:11-16). The Jewish people believed the Messiah would be a Warrior-Prince to restore Israel’s glory, expel the hated Romans from Israel, and bring in a kingdom in which the Jews would be promoted to power.

Yet, the Jews often ignored the Old Testament prophecies that spoke of the Messiah's salvation, grace, and light to the world – worldwide salvation (e.g., see Isaiah 9:2; Isaiah 42:6; Isaiah 49:6). Before the Messiah’s arrival to earth in the Baby Jesus, God had chosen Him to bring salvation to all people of the world (Luke 1:32-33, Luke 69-70; Luke 2:30-32; Luke 3:15-16; Luke 24:46-47; see also Matthew 28:18-20). The Messiah’s salvation was coming and has now come to all peoples (Gentiles and Jews) to bring God’s salvation (Joel 2:28-32; Amos 9:11-12; Micah 5:2; Acts 2:17-21; Acts 13:47; Acts 15:16-18; 1 Timothy 1:15). Messiah is of God (1 Corinthians 3:23). In fact, the Magi (wise men from Babylon) were awaiting the Messiah’s arrival (see Matthew 2:1-12). Some scholars believe these Magi, who were non-Jews, represented the entire world’s hope for the Messiah - the “Desire of All Nations” (see Haggai 2:7-9). These Magi traveled thousands of miles searching for the Messiah and followed His great star (Matthew 2:2; see also Numbers 24:17).   

Before the Messiah’s arrival, the people wondered and debated in their minds if John the Baptist was the long awaited and hoped for Messiah (Luke 3:15). John the Baptist was the son of Zechariah and Elizabeth and a distant relative of Jesus (Luke 1:36; Luke 3:2). However, John the Baptist clearly stated that he was not the Messiah, but only the Messiah’s forerunner (see John 1:19–29, especially verse 20). John the Baptist was the voice “crying in the wilderness” preparing the way for the Messiah’s arrival (Luke 3:4; John 1:23; see also Isaiah 40:1-5). He announced the royal arrival of the Messiah (see Luke 1:16-17, 76-77; John 1:6-8, 15-34).

John spoke his message with particular urgency because he was preparing the people for the coming Messiah (Luke 3:4-6; see also Isaiah 40:3-5). The people responded to John’s message by the hundreds. But even as people crowded to John the Baptist, he pointed beyond himself and pointed the people to the coming Messiah. John knew the Messiah would bring God’s light, life and salvation into the world (see Matthew 1:21, 23; Luke 2:30-32; John 1:1-5, 14). John baptized people and preached repentance of sins (Matthew 3:1-2). While baptizing and preaching, John said, “I baptize you with water; but Someone is coming soon who is greater than I am — so much greater that I am not even worthy to be His slave and untie the straps of His sandals” (Luke 3:16, NLT). Acts 19:1-5 explains that John's baptism looked forward to the coming Messiah, while Christian baptism looks backward to the life, death and resurrection of the Messiah (see also Matthew 3:11, 15; Mark 1:4). 

Since the Prophet Malachi, there had not been a prophet in Israel for more than 400 years. The Jews (also called Israelites) widely believed that when the Messiah came, God’s message through prophecy would reappear (see Joel 2:28-29; Malachi 3:1; Malachi 4:5). So when John the Baptist began preaching baptism and repentance, the people were excited. The Jewish people knew John the Baptist was unique and a prophet of God, and they believed that the eagerly awaited age of the Messiah had come. John the Baptist spoke like the prophets of the Old Testament. As a humble Jewish prophet, John proclaimed that the people must wholeheartedly obey God, turn from their sins, and turn to God to experience His mercy and approval (Luke 3:3). John challenged the people to repent (turn from their sins) and then he baptized the people as a symbol of their repentance. He encouraged the people to genuinely change their hearts and lives and bear good fruit as proof of their repentance (Luke 3:8-9; see also John 15:16; Galatians 5:22-23; James 2:14-26). True repentance has three sides — (1) turning away from sins, (2) turning toward God, and (3) producing good fruit and deeds. Following God means more than saying the right words; true repentance means obeying and doing what God says to enter His spiritual kingdom.

When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” “Well,” they replied, “some say John the Baptist, some say Elijah, and others say Jeremiah or one of the other prophets.” Then He asked them, “But who do you say I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Matthew 16:13-16 (NLT)

Jesus is the Messiah (Christ) predicted by the Old Testament prophets, the Chosen One and the Son of God (see Matthew 16:13-16; Mark 1:1; Mark 8:27-29; Luke 1:35; Luke 9:18-20, 35; John 4:5, 29; Romans 9:5). However, the Old Testament promises of the Messiah came in a surprising way in the life of Jesus (Luke 9:22). Instead of coming as a Conqueror as hoped by the Jews, Jesus came as a Suffering Servant that would be rejected and crucified to bring God’s great salvation to the world (see Mark 8:31-38; Mark 9:31; Mark 10:33-34; Luke 22:66-71; see also Isaiah 52:13-53:12). The Old Testament predicted the Messiah’s great suffering and resurrection from complete death (see Psalm 22; Isaiah 53). During His public ministry, Jesus was crucified and mocked as “King of the Jews” (Luke 23:1-3) and “God’s Messiah” (Luke 23:35). Yet, Jesus was the long awaited Son of David, King and Messiah predicted by the Old Testament (see Luke 18:38-39; Luke 19:38; Luke 24:45-49; Revelation 17:14; Revelation 19:16). During His appearances to the disciples, He revealed that the Holy Scriptures predicted all along that “the Messiah would have to suffer all these things before entering His glory” (Luke 24:26). Jesus’ atoning death and resurrection confirm that He is truly God’s long awaited Messiah and that His sacrificial death and ascension brings restoration and forgiveness of sins to all people who believe (Luke 24:47; Hebrews 2:3). Even better, Jesus the Messiah brings justice and hope to the nations (Isaiah 42:1-4; Matthew 12:18-21).

As predicted in the Old Testament, Jesus the Messiah is the Seed of Eve that defeated evil (Genesis 3:15); the Passover lamb and Lamb of God (Exodus 12:2–13; compare John 1:29); the Star of Jacob and the Scepter of Israel (Numbers 24:17); the Great Prophet predicted by Moses (Deuteronomy 18:15; Acts 3:22-23); the Commander of the Army of the Lord (Joshua 5:13-15); Job’s living Redeemer (Job 19:25); the Lord predicted by King David (Psalms 110:1); “Root out of dry ground ” and the Man of Sorrows who has “borne our guilt and shame” (Isaiah 53:2–4); the Branch of Righteousness and the “Lord our Righteousness” (Jeremiah 23:5–6; Jeremiah 33:15-16); the fourth Man in the fiery furnace (Daniel 3:25) and the “One like the Son of Man” seen by the Prophet Daniel in a dream (Daniel 7:13); our Redeemer (Hosea 13:14; 1 Corinthians 15:55–57); the Author of Salvation (Joel 2:28–32; Hebrews 2:10; Hebrews 5:9); the Judge (Micah 4:1–5; 2 Timothy 4:1); the “Desire of All Nations” (Haggai 2:7); the “Man whose name is BRANCH,” the “glory” bearer and Ruler (Zechariah 6:12–13) and the “Sun of Righteousness . . . with healing in His wings” (Malachi 4:1–3). Other Old Testament prophecies predicting Jesus includes Psalms 16:10; Psalms 40:6-10; Psalms 118:22; Isaiah 11:1; Zechariah 9:9-11; and Zechariah 12:10.

Jesus is the “Son of David” (e.g. see Matthew 1:1, 20; Matthew 9:27; Luke 1:32,69; Luke 2:4,11; Acts 2:29-36; Acts 13:22-23), the “Son of God” (Romans 1:3-4) and the perfect Revealer and Mediator of God’s grace to the world (Hebrews 1:1-4). He is the Messiah by divine appointment (Acts 2:36). The prophecies and promises of the Old Testament are fulfilled in the New Covenant (or New Testament), of which Jesus is the Mediator (see Hebrews 9:15; Hebrews 12:24). From the Old Testament itself, Jesus is shown to be greater than all the prophets, to angels, to Moses (the mediator of the Old Covenant) and to Aaron and the priests descending from him.

Jesus the Messiah is our Savior (Luke 2:11; Acts 13:23; Titus 1:4; Titus 3:6), Life-giver (John 6:35), and the Rock on which hope is built (1 Peter 2:4-7). One day, Jesus the Messiah will return as the Holy Scriptures has promise (e.g. see Mark 8:38; Mark 14:62; John 14:1-4; Acts 1:11; Hebrews 9:28; Revelation 1:7; Revelation 22:20). Indeed, Jesus is our Blessed Hope (Colossians 1:27; 1 Timothy 1:1; Titus 2:13).

This is how Jesus the Messiah was born. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. But before the marriage took place, while she was still a virgin, she became pregnant through the power of the Holy Spirit. Joseph, her fiancé, was a good man and did not want to disgrace her publicly, so he decided to break the engagement quietly. As he considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. “Joseph, son of David,” the angel said, “do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the Child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit. And she will have a Son, and you are to name Him Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” All of this occurred to fulfill the Lord’s message through his prophet: “Look! The virgin will conceive a Child! She will give birth to a Son, and they will call Him Immanuel, which means ‘God is with us.’” When Joseph woke up, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded and took Mary as his wife. But he did not have sexual relations with her until her Son was born. And Joseph named Him Jesus. Matthew 1:18-25 (NLT)

References

KJV Bible Commentary. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 1994.

Life Application Study Bible. Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Pub., 2005.

NLT Study Bible. Carol Streams, IL: Tyndale House Pub., 2008.

Word in Life Study Bible. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1996.

Zondervan NIV Study Bible. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2008.

Butler, Trent. Holman Bible Dictionary. Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Pub., 2003.

Wiersbe, Warren W. Bible Exposition Commentary. Victor Books, 1989.

Christmas Jubilee

Jesus Christ:  “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, for He has anointed Me to bring Good News to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free, and that the time of the Lord’s favor (grace) has come.” He rolled up the scroll, handed it back to the attendant, and sat down. All eyes in the synagogue looked at Him intently. Then He began to speak to them. “The Scripture you have just heard has been fulfilled this very day!” Luke 4:18-21 (NLT)

Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year! But why is Christmas so wonderful? With the arrival of Jesus Christ to earth, humans saw a full vision of God grace in the light of Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ began the Messianic age of grace. Using Isaiah 61:1–2 as His text, Jesus Christ announced that He was the One anointed by the Spirit of the Lord to preach the Good News (Gospel). The Spirit of the Lord was upon Jesus Christ (Luke 4:18). The Holy Spirit had come upon Jesus Christ to empower Him to accomplish God’s good work on earth (Acts 10:38).

God the Father sent Jesus Christ into the world to usher in the “the time of the Lord’s favor.” Some translation says Jesus Christ came to proclaim the “acceptable year of the Lord” (Luke 4:19). With Jesus Christ’s coming, He preached the Good News (Gospel) of God’s grace to the poor, and He healed the brokenhearted, released the captives, gave sight to the blind, and ended oppression (Luke 4:18; see also Matthew 20:28). Jesus Christ came into the world to bring God’s grace, comfort, and blessings to those all people who were downtrodden, bruised, crushed, and broken down by calamity. God graciously pours out His blessings and salvation to all who come to His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ (Luke 4:19; Acts 15:11). Jesus of Nazareth is God's Son and the Messiah (Christ) God sent into the world fulfill God’s promises.

In the Holy Scriptures, “grace,” “favor,” and “mercy” are often used interchangeably (e.g. see Genesis 6:8; Genesis 39:21; Exodus 3:21; Exodus 11:3; Exodus 12:36; Exodus 33:12-19; Judges 6:17; Psalm 25:16; Psalm 86:3, 16; Jeremiah 31:2; Zechariah 12:10). Most notably, grace, mercy and favor are combined to describe the one merciful, loving, gracious God (Exodus. 34:6; Nehemiah 9:17; Psalm 86:15; Psalm 103:8; Psalm 145:8; Joel 2:13; Jonah 4:2).

God announced His grace with the promise of a Savior at Genesis 3:15. The full vision of God’s grace is revealed in the light of Jesus Christ. For believers in Jesus Christ, the word “grace” is virtually synonymous with the Good News of God’s gift of unmerited salvation in Jesus Christ. God’s gracious gift of salvation and blessings are given freely to all through faith in His Son, Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:8-9; see also1 Corinthian 1:4; Ephesians 1:6-7; 2 Timothy 1:9). Grace brings salvation (Ephesians 2:5, 8) and eternal life (Romans 5:21; Titus 3:7). God’s grace is so bound up with Jesus Christ that the Apostle Paul could speak of the “grace of our Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Corinthians 8:9; 2 Timothy 2:1).

At Luke 4:18-19, Jesus Christ quoted from the Prophet Isaiah’s messianic Scripture found at Isaiah 61:1-2 and included a phrase from Isaiah 58:6. As Jesus Christ read to the people in the synagogue, He stopped in the middle of Isaiah 61:2 after the words, “to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor.” Jesus Christ read the portion of Isaiah’s messianic Scripture that dealt directly with the earthly ministry of the Messiah (such as preaching, healing, and salvation). However, Jesus Christ stopped just before the passage went on to describe His coming judgment in the end times.

As the God’s appointed Messiah (the Appointed One), Jesus read in the synagogue only that which applied to His ministry during His first coming (Luke 4:18-19). At Jesus Christ’s second coming, He will bring “the day of vengeance of our God” on all unbelievers and the unfaithful (Isaiah 61:2b). Unfortunately, many people then and now do not accept Jesus Christ’s gracious message. Instead of believing Jesus Christ and receiving the goodness of God’s grace, many people are outraged and turn from His free offer of God’s grace (favor) and blessings (2 Corinthians 1:20-22). All people who reject Jesus Christ and reject His grace (favor) will one day face “the day of vengeance of our God” (Isaiah 61:2). This day will come true when Jesus Christ returns to earth again at His second coming (advent). Long-suffering and the Cross are associated with Jesus Christ’s first coming; however, judgment and a crown, with His second coming. We are now under God's favor (grace) (Luke 4:19). However, God’s wrath and judgment is yet to come.

The Spirit of God, the Master, is on Me because God anointed Me. He sent Me to preach Good News to the poor, heal the heartbroken, announce freedom to all captives, pardon all prisoners. God sent Me to announce the year of His grace — a celebration of God's destruction of our enemies— and to comfort all who mourn, to care for the needs of all who mourn in Zion, give them bouquets of roses instead of ashes, messages of joy instead of news of doom, a praising heart instead of a languid (low) spirit. Rename them "Oaks of Righteousness" planted by God to display His glory. Isaiah 61:1-3 (MSG)

At Luke 4:18-19, Jesus Christ calls attention to “the acceptable year of the Lord” which compares the blessings of His ministry to the ancient Year of Jubilee. The Prophet Isaiah envisioned at Isaiah 61:1-2 the deliverance of Israel from Babylonian exile as a Year of Jubilee when all debts are cancelled, all slaves are freed, and all property is returned to original owners (Leviticus 25). Jesus Christ announced at Luke 4 that the “acceptable year of the Lord” had come (Luke 4:19), a reference to the Old Testament concept of the Jubilee Year (Leviticus 25:8-55). Every seventh year was a “Sabbatical year,” when the land was allowed to rest; and every fiftieth year (after seven Sabbaticals) was set apart as the “Year of Jubilee.” The main purpose of this special year was the balancing of the economic system. Once every 50 years, slaves were freed, all debts were canceled, and ancestral property was returned to the original family. The land lay uncultivated as humanity and animal rested and rejoiced in God.

But Israel’s release from Babylonian exile did not bring the fulfillment the Prophet Isaiah envisioned. At the time of Jesus Christ’s public ministry, the Israelites (also called Jews) were still a conquered and oppressed people. So, the Prophet Isaiah must have been referring to a future Messianic age. Jesus Christ boldly announced, “Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing” (Luke 4:21). Jesus Christ was proclaiming Himself as the One to bring liberation. Jesus Christ applied Isaiah 61:1-2 to His own public ministry, not in a political or economic sense, but in a physical and spiritual sense. The first arrival of Jesus Christ brought God’s salvation and God’s grace (favor) to all people. Through faith in Jesus Christ, He delivers all people from bondages, sin, blindness, selfishness, demons, disease and eternal death (see Matthew 4:23–25; Matthew 8:16-17; Matthew 11:4–6; Mark 1:32–39; Luke 4:40-44). Indeed, Jesus Christ’s first arrival was a spiritual “Year of Jubilee” not only for the nation of Israel but to all people. God’s grace and liberation (salvation) comes to all people who have faith in His Son, irrespective of class, sexuality or race (e.g., see Luke 4:24-27). Jesus Christ brings God’s Good News to the poor, the brokenhearted, the captives (or prisoners), the blind, and the oppressed. Yet, the Kingdom of God is also in the future because Jesus Christ will return to reign over a perfect Kingdom where sin and evil no longer exist. Jesus Christ is truly our Redeemer, Liberator and Savior!

Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” Luke 2:8-14 (NKJV)

Reference

Believer’s Study Bible. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 1995.

King James Version Study Bible. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 1988.

KJV Bible Commentary. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 1994.

Life Application Study Bible. Carol Streams, IL: Tyndale House Pub., 2005.

Ryrie Study Bible. Chicago, IL: Moody, 1995.

Word in Life Study Bible. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1996.

Wiersbe, Warren W. Bible Exposition Commentary. Victor Books, 1989.

Christmas Redeemer

And that is the way it was with us before Christ came. We were like children; we were slaves to the basic spiritual principles (powers) of this world. But when the right time came, God sent His Son, born of a woman, subject to the Law. God sent Him to buy freedom (redemption/atonement) for us who were slaves to the Law, so that He could adopt us as His very own children. And because we are His children, God has sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, prompting us to call out, “Abba, Father.” Now you are no longer a slave but God’s own child. And since you are His child, God has made you His heir. Galatians 4:3-7 (NLT)

At the end of the Old Testament, God’s Word had been silent for approximately 400 years. The last prophet that spoke was the Prophet Malachi around 430 B.C. and he announced the coming of the Sun of Righteousness (Malachi 4:2). “But for you who fear (honor) My Name, the Sun of Righteousness will rise with healing in His wings” (Malachi 4:2, NLT). Also, Malachi concluded his prophecy with a promise of the coming of “the prophet Elijah,” who will offer God's forgiveness to all people through their genuine repentance (apology for sinning) and faith in God (Malachi 4:5-6). After the Prophet Elijah, God’s people did not receive a Word from heaven until the arrival of John the Baptist (Elijah) and Jesus Christ (Son of God/Sun of Righteousness) (see Luke 1:17, 32-37).

At the birth of Jesus Christ and John the Baptist, the Jews (also called “Israelites” or “Hebrews”) was under Roman rule. Yet the world was providentially ready for the birth of the Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Chris (Galatians 4:4). Historians tell us that the Roman world was in great expectation, waiting for a Savior and Deliverer. The old religions were dying and the basic spiritual teachings and philosophies of the world were empty and powerless to change people hearts. Religious bankruptcy and spiritual hunger were everywhere – Jew and Gentile world alike. From a historical perspective, the Roman world helped prepare the way for the birth of Jesus Christ. Roman roads connected city with city, and all cities ultimately lead to Rome. Even more, Roman laws protected the rights of citizens, and Roman soldiers provided for peace. Thanks to both the Greek and Roman expansion, Latin and Greek were known across the world. The world’s conditions favored Jesus Christ appearing. Thus, the Redeemer’s birth in Bethlehem was not an accident but God’s providential appointment (Galatians 4:4-5). God's timing was perfect. And, it is worth noting that God will send Jesus Christ again when the time is ready! Just as Jesus Christ’s first coming occurred at the precise time God wanted (Galatians 4:4), so also His second coming (advent) will be at God’s appointed time (1 Timothy 6:15). “For nothing is impossible with God” (Luke 1:37, NIV).

In Galatians, the Apostle Paul emphasized to the twofold nature of Jesus Christ – both God and Man (Galatians 4:4). As God, Jesus Christ came forth from God the Father (see John 16:28); but as a human, He was born of a Jewish teenage girl named Mary (Galatians 4:4; see also Matthew 1:18-25; Luke 1:26-38). Thus, Jesus Christ is both fully God and fully human. The Old Testament promised said that the Redeemer would be of “the woman's Seed” (Genesis 3:15); and Jesus Christ fulfilled that Old Testament promise (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:18-25). As God, Jesus Christ is Creator (John 1:3; Colossians 1:15-16), Head of the church (Colossians 1:18), the highest authority (Matthew 28:18-20), Sustainer of all things (Hebrews 1:3), and Lord of lords and King of kings (Revelations 17:14; Revelation 19:16). As Man, Jesus Christ is the Son of a Jewish woman (Galatians 4:4), Mediator between God and humanity (1 Timothy 2:5), Bondservant of God (Matthew 20:28; Philippians 2:7), and High Priest (Hebrews 7:11–22). Jesus Christ is both truly God and truly Man (see John 1:14; Acts 17:3; Hebrews 2:14). Even more, Jesus Christ is Prophet predicted by Moses in the Old Testament (Deuteronomy 18:15, 18; John 6:14; John 7:40), the Great High Priest (Hebrews 3:1; Hebrews 4:14-16), and King (Psalm 2:6; Micah 5:2).

Why did God the Father send His Son Jesus Christ to earth?  God sent Jesus Christ to redeem (save) humanity from our slavery to sin and eternal death (Galatians 4:5; see also Matthew 1:21; Luke 2:11), so we can be adopted into God’s everlasting Kingdom (sonship) (Matthew 19:29; Matthew 25:34). There is no other way to save humanity except faith in Jesus Christ (Acts 4:10-12). Thus, the purpose of Jesus Christ’s incarnation (arrival or advent) is redemption and adoption (see Matthew 20:28; Mark 8:31; 1 Timothy 2:4-6).

The Spirit of the Lord is on Me, because He has anointed Me to preach Good News to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim freedom to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set free the oppressed,  to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor. Luke 4:18-19 (HCSB)

Jesus Christ is our living Redeemer (Galatians 4:5; see also Job 19:25; Romans 3:24). Many Jews were looking for a political leader to deliver them from Roman rule, while others were hoping for a Savior to deliver them from sickness and physical hardship. But God sent His only begotten Son Jesus Christ into the world to redeem not only the Jewish people but the whole world from sin and eternal death (John 1:14; John 3:16; John 4:42; Romans 1:1-6; 1 John 4:14). Through faith in Jesus Christ, we have all we need. All the fullness of God are found in Jesus Christ (Colossians 1:19; Colossians 2:9). In Jesus Christ, God the Father has made available to all people through faith the riches of His grace (Ephesians 1:3, 7-8; Ephesians 2:7-9), the riches of His glory (Philippians 4:19), the riches of His goodness (Romans 2:4), and the riches of His wisdom (Romans 11:33).

Among the blessings of believers in Jesus Christ is our adoption into God’s family (Galatians 4:5; see also Romans 8:23; Ephesians 1:5). Through faith in Jesus Christ, the Apostle Paul tells us that we are adopted as adult children into God’s family with an intimate relationship as God’s full heir (Galatians 4:5-6; see also John 1:12) and we also become spiritual children of Abraham (Romans 4:11-12; Galatians 3:7). In other words, through faith in Jesus Christ we have full membership into God’s family. To ensure our inheritance, God sends into His earthly children’s hearts the Spirit of His Son, so now we can rightly speak of God as our dear Father (Galatians 4:6). This is often called regeneration, being “born again” or “born from above” (John 1:13; John 3:3, 5-7; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Galatians 6;15; Titus 3:5). The believer is “born of the Spirit” of God (John 3:1-7) as promised by Jesus Christ through faith in Him (see Luke 24:49; John 14:16-18; John 20:22; Acts 1:4-5, 8). Through faith in Jesus Christ, we are no longer slaves but God’s children. And since we are God’s adult children, everything God has belongs to us with all the rights and privileges (Galatians 3:25-26; Galatians 4:7; see also see Romans 8:14-17). We can come boldly and respectfully to God knowing that God will welcome us and hear us in our time of need and hurting (Hebrews 4:16).

So all who put their faith in Christ share the same blessing Abraham received because of his faith. . . . For you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus. And all who have been united with Christ in baptism have put on the character of Christ, like putting on new clothes. There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus. And now that you belong to Christ, you are the true children of Abraham. You are his heirs, and God’s promise to Abraham belongs to you. Galatians 3:9, 26-29 (NLT)

Salvation is the beginning of our faith in Jesus Christ, not the ending. Although we are automatically placed into God’s family as an adult child by faith, we are still “spiritual babe” who needs to grow (1 Peter 2:2-3). After we are born, we must grow up in our salvation in the knowledge of God (1 Corinthians 13:11; 1 Peter 2:2; 2 Peter 3:18). But as far as our position is concerned, we are an adult child of God through faith in Jesus Christ and we can draw on God the Father's abundant privileges.

Once again, the entire Trinity – God the Father, God the Son (Jesus Christ), and God the Spirit – is involved in our spiritual experience (rebirth). God the Father sends His Son (Jesus Christ) to redeem and save us, and then God the Father sends the Spirit of His Son to live inside our hearts (Galatians 4:6). The Holy Spirit is the essential ingredient to living a godly and righteous life. The Holy Spirit is God’s gift. Every child of God is divinely given the Holy Spirit the moment he or she is adopted by God. The Holy Spirit “seals” believers to assure that we remain in God’s family and do not lose our inheritance (Ephesians 1:13; Ephesians 4:30). Jesus Christ’s Spirit living within our hearts gives us God’s character and nature. The Holy Spirit also works in believers’ hearts to increase our love and obedience towards God (John 14:15). Even more, believers of Jesus Christ bear “fruits of the Spirit,” which is the very nature of God (see Exodus 34:4-6; Galatians 5:22-23). Still more, the Holy Spirit tells us that we are adult children of God the Father (Romans 8:15-16) and He says, “Abba, Father” (Galatians 4:6); and, in response, we the believer cry, “Abba, Father!” (Romans 8:15). The word “Abba” is an intimate Aramaic word that is the equivalent of our English word “Papa” or “Daddy” and reveal our closeness to God as heir of God our Father (Galatians 4:7). “Abba, Father” was also used by Jesus Christ Himself in the Garden of Gethsemane in addressing God the Father (see Mark 14:36).

And God has given us His Spirit as proof that we live in Him and He in us. Furthermore, we have seen with our own eyes and now testify that the Father sent His Son to be the Savior of the world. All who confess that Jesus is the Son of God have God living in them, and they live in God. We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in His love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them. 1 John 4:13-16 (NLT)

In Galatians, the Apostle Paul called the Holy Spirit the Spirit of His Son that comes into believers’ hearts (Galatians 4:6; see also Philippians 1:19; John 15:26). The Apostle Paul makes it unmistakably clear that the “Spirit of God” lives in every believer (Romans 8:9). Every child of God is indwelt by the Holy Spirit (I Corinthians 3:16; I Corinthians 6:19–20). The Holy Spirit is not only the Spirit of God the Father (see Romans 8:9-10; 1 Corinthians 2:10-11, 14) but also the Spirit of Jesus Christ (see Acts 16:7; Romans 8:9; Galatians 4:6). In essence, the Holy Spirit is sent by God the Father (see John 14:16-17, 26; Galatians 4:6) and by the Son (Jesus Christ) (see John 15:26; John 16:7). The Holy Spirit is the guarantee of believers’ inheritance – whether they are Jews or Gentiles (Ephesians 1:13–14). All guardians and stewards have been discharged; their supervision is no longer needed because believers are full-grown sons indwelt by the Holy Spirit (Galatians 4:1-3; 6). A believer in Jesus Christ realizes who and what His Father is, and so cries out Abba, Father (Romans 8:15).

Remind the believers to submit to the government and its officers. They should be obedient, always ready to do what is good. They must not slander anyone and must avoid quarreling. Instead, they should be gentle and show true humility to everyone. Once we, too, were foolish and disobedient. We were misled and became slaves to many lusts and pleasures. Our lives were full of evil and envy, and we hated each other. But — When God our Savior revealed His kindness and love, He saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit. He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior. Because of His grace He declared us righteous and gave us confidence that we will inherit eternal life. This is a trustworthy saying, and I want you to insist on these teachings so that all who trust in God will devote themselves to doing good. Titus 3:1-8 (NLT)

References

KJV Bible Commentary. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 1994.

Life Application Study Bible. Carol Streams, IL: Tyndale House Pub., 2005.

NLT Study Bible. Carol Streams, IL: Tyndale House Pub., 2008.

Spirit Filled Life Study Bible. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 1991.

Woman’s Study Bible. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 1995.

Zondervan NIV Study Bible. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2008.

Wiersbe, Warren W. Bible Exposition Commentary. Victor Books, 1989.

A Covenant Confirmation

Then Moses went down to the people and repeated all the instructions and regulations the Lord had given him. All the people answered with one voice, “We will do everything the Lord has commanded.” . . .  Then he (Moses) took the Book of the Covenant and read it aloud to the people. Again they all responded, “We will do everything the Lord has commanded. We will obey.” Then Moses took the blood from the basins and splattered it over the people, declaring, “Look, this blood confirms the covenant the Lord has made with you in giving you these instructions.” Exodus 24:3, 7-8 (NLT)

Finally, God had given Moses and the Israelites His Ten Commandments and His Book of the Covenant at Mount Sinai (Exodus 20:1-17; Exodus 20:22-23:19). The laws, regulations, and ordinances were the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:1-17) and the Book of the Covenant that applied God’s Ten Commandments to specific situations (Exodus 20:22-23:19). In unison, the Israelites responded they would obey all the laws, regulations, and ordinances God had given (Exodus 24:3, 7; see also Exodus 19:8; Joshua 24:24). The Israelites agreed to accept their covenant relationship with God, promised to give absolute loyalty to God, and to live in moral ways that reflected God’s holy character. Moses wrote down the laws (the Ten Commandments and Book of the Covenant); and early the next morning he built an altar at the foot of Mount Sinai for worship of God (Exodus 24:4-5). Moses sealed and confirmed the laws and regulations at Mount Sinai with blood. He sprinkled half the blood on the people and the other half on the altar (Exodus 24:6, 8; see also Hebrews 9:19-20).

This confirmation passage in Exodus is a key passage in the Holy Scriptures (Exodus 24:8). The nation of Israel was entering into a formal covenant (pact, treaty, alliance, or agreement) relationship with the true and living God. This confirmation and unique sacrifice formally set Israel apart as the people of God and laid the foundation for all sacrifices to follow. The blood on the altar symbolized God’s forgiveness and His acceptance of the offering (Hebrews 9:22); the blood on the people pointed to an oath (promise) that bound Israel in obedience (Exodus 24:3, 7). The Israelites’ oath (promise) of full obedience to God’s laws, regulations, and ordinance (Exodus 24:7) was an essential element in the establishment of the covenant between God and Israel. The covenant at Mount Sinai was designed to teach the Israelites God’s nature and character. In the covenant at Mount Sinai, God called the people to reflect His holy character and nature.

“Therefore, say to the people of Israel: ‘I am the Lord. I will free you from your oppression and will rescue you from your slavery in Egypt. I will redeem you with a powerful arm and great acts of judgment. I will claim you as My own people, and I will be your God. Then you will know that I am the Lord your God who has freed you from your oppression in Egypt.” Exodus 6:6-7 (NLT)

If we are to receive God’s covenant benefits, we too as believers of Jesus Christ must also live out “the obedience that comes from faith” (see Romans 1:5). God demands our absolute and wholehearted loyalty to Him and obedience to His demands. The heart of God’s covenant is to be eternally faithful to Him, whom we love, trust and worship (serve) (e.g. see Genesis 17:7-8; Jeremiah 24:7; Jeremiah 31:33; Ezekiel 34:27-31; Hoses 2:23; Zechariah 8:8; Matthew 22:37). God pledged to be a Protector of His people and the One who provided for the people’s well-being and guaranteed their future blessings if they loved, trusted and worshipped Him as the only true and living God. God blessings cannot be obtained through magic and manipulation; instead they are free to those who love and obey Him. GOD IS ALWAYS FAITHFUL!

The ceremony of sprinkling with blood by Moses closely parallels Jesus Christ’s words at the institution of the Lord’s Supper (see Exodus 24:8; Matthew 26:28; Mark 14:24; Luke 22:20; 1 Corinthians 11:25). Through faith in the sacrificial and atoning blood of Jesus Christ, believers are also confirmed and reconciled to God (see Romans 3:25; Romans 5:9; 2 Corinthians 5:18-21; Ephesians 1:7; Hebrews 9:22; Revelations 7:14). Jesus Christ’s sacrificial blood was the final sacrifice and sealed the new covenant with God. In fact, the New Testament applied Moses’ very phraseology at Exodus 24:8 to the new covenant made possible by Jesus Christ’s sacrificial death on Calvary’s Cross. Moses said:  “This is the blood of the covenant that the Lord has made with you in accordance with all these words” (Exodus 24:8, NIV). Jesus Christ said:  “This is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins” (Matthew 26:28, NIV). The phrase “blood of the covenant” appears throughout the New Testament, in each case referring to the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ to rescue people by faith from bondage and sin (salvation) (see Matthew 26:28; Mark 14:24; 1 Corinthians 11:25; Hebrews 9:20; Hebrews 10:29; Hebrews 12:24; Hebrews 13:20). Jesus Christ’s death inaugurated the new covenant, and believers celebrate that reality each time they take the Lord’s Supper (Luke 22:20).

At the reading and confirmation of the covenant, the Israelites promised to obey every one of the laws, regulations, and ordinances of God (Exodus 24:7; see also Exodus 19:8). Despite the people’s verbal commitment to obey God, Israel repeatedly failed to obey the covenant at Mount Sinai. God disciplined the Israelites many times for their failure to obey the covenant, but they still persisted in sin (e.g., see Exodus 32). In fact, God sent His prophets to repeatedly command the people to return to God and to the Sinai covenant. God appealed to the Israelites to repent, return and be reconciled to Him (e.g., see 1 Kings 18:16-46, particularly v. 18, 36-37; Jeremiah 3:11-4:2). Despite these many efforts in the Old Testaments, the people repeatedly rebelled against God and God’s commands. The Sinai covenant was a good thing, but this old covenant was weak in that it was incapable of making the Israelites obey God (see Romans 7:12; Romans 8:3-4).

“The day is coming,” says the Lord, “when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and Judah. This covenant will not be like the one I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand and brought them out of the land of Egypt. They broke that covenant, though I loved them as a husband loves his wife,” says the Lord. “But this is the new covenant I will make with the people of Israel on that day,” says the Lord. “I will put My instructions deep within them, and I will write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be My people. And they will not need to teach their neighbors, nor will they need to teach their relatives, saying, ‘You should know the Lord.’ For everyone, from the least to the greatest, will know Me already,” says the Lord. “And I will forgive their wickedness, and I will never again remember their sins.” Jeremiah 31:31-34 (NLT)

Because Israel failed to keep this covenant, God promised through the Prophet Jeremiah a new covenant. This new covenant was confirmed through the gracious work of Jesus Christ’s atonement – His life, death and resurrection (see Jeremiah 31:31–34; see also Luke 22:20; Hebrews 8:6–13; Hebrews 9:15–18; Hebrews 12:24). To help the people obey His moral laws, regulations and ordinance, God graciously gave and continually gives His Holy Spirit on everyone through faith in Jesus Christ’s atonement. The Holy Spirit now empowers believers to live up to the just and holy demands of God (Romans 8). Through faith in the Cross of Jesus Christ, God made it possible for believers in Jesus Christ to be empowered by the Holy Spirit and thus fulfill God’s covenant purpose and reflect His holy character (see Jeremiah 31:31-34, Jeremiah 32:40; John 16:8; Romans 8:5-14; Romans 10:8-17; Galatians 5:1-26). The new covenant is not external but written on believers’ hearts through faith and by God’s Holy Spirit (Jeremiah 31:33). The great shortcoming of the old covenant was that the Sinai Covenant lacked the power to help people to obey God’s laws (Romans 8:3-4). The new covenant internalized God’s law through the power of the Holy Spirit through the sacrificial blood of Jesus Christ (Ezekiel 36:24-27) and gives believers a new heart and new start (2 Corinthians 3:6; 2 Corinthians 5:17). Thus, through God’s Holy Spirit, believers everywhere (not just a select few) can fulfill God’s covenant plan for life as summed up in the two “Great Commandments” (Matthew 22:34-40): “You must love the LORD your God” (Deuteronomy 6:5) and “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Leviticus 19:18).

Then Moses, Aaron, Nadab, Abihu, and the seventy elders of Israel climbed up the mountain again. There they saw the God of Israel. Under His feet there seemed to be a surface of brilliant blue lapis lazuli (sapphire), as clear as the sky itself. And though these nobles of Israel gazed upon God, He did not destroy them. In fact, they ate a covenant meal, eating and drinking in His Presence! Exodus 24:9-11 (NLT)

Moses, Aaron, Nadab, Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel went up Mount Sinai and they saw the God of Israel (Exodus 24:9-10). Nadab and Abihu were the two oldest sons of Aaron, the High Priest of Israel (Exodus 6:23). Moses and the nobles saw a manifestation of God, like what Isaiah, Ezekiel, and John also witnessed (see Isaiah 6:1–7; Ezekiel 1:26–28; Revelation 4:1–11). The occasion also has parallels the transfiguration of Jesus Christ before Peter, James, and John in the New Testament (see Matthew 17:1–8; Mark 9:2–8; Luke 9:28–36). Under God’s feet there seemed to be a pavement of brilliant sapphire stones, as clear as the sky itself (Exodus 24:10). However, no description or form in which God manifested Himself is given, except a word about what is seen under God’s feet (see also Ezekiel 1:26–28; Revelation 4:2–6). Even though these nobles of Israel gazed upon the true and living God, God did not lay His hand upon the nobles to destroy them (see also Genesis 32:30; Exodus 33:20–23; Isaiah 6:5). Rather than being consumed, the nobles feasted in the glory of God’s beauty. These nobles ate a covenant meal together before God, eating and drinking in God’s very Presence (Exodus 24:11; see also 1 Corinthians 10:31). It was common for those entering into a covenant to eat a meal together (see e.g., Genesis 26:30; Genesis 31:54; Luke 22:15–20). Around the world, then and today, the act of eating a meal together is often a sign of peace and good relations. Even more, the covenant meal foreshadowed the Lord’s Supper, which celebrates the new covenant sealed by Jesus Christ’s sacrificial death blood (1 Corinthians 11:25-26).

No one has ever seen God. But the One and only Son is Himself God and is near to the Father’s heart. He has revealed God to us. John 1:18 (NLT)

Yet, the nobles probably did not see God in His essential Being and the fullness of His glory (see Exodus 33:20; John 1:18). God is Spirit (John 4:24). No one has ever seen God in His full essence – His Spirit-Being – and lived (Exodus 33:20; John 1:18; 1 Timothy 1:17). Most likely, the nobles saw some of God's glory and the throne of God on the sapphire pavement (see Isaiah 6:1; Ezekiel 1:26). The invisible God was hidden from the nobles. In Old Testament times, God had previously assumed visible form, which people saw (e.g., see Genesis 32:30; Exodus 24:9-10; Judges 13:22; Isaiah 6:1; Daniel 7:9). In the New Testament, humanity has seen God through Jesus Christ (John 14:8-9). Jesus Christ has revealed God and God’s glory to the world (John 1:18; Hebrews 1:3). Jesus Christ is God (Romans 9:5; Philippians 2:6) and the absolutely authentic representation of God’s being (John 14:9; Colossians 1:15). Jesus Christ, the incarnate Son, is the glory and image of the true and living God (2 Corinthians 4:4). When Jesus Christ appears again at His second advent, He will further manifest God’s glory in His restored Kingdom (Revelation 21:11, 23) and we who believe will “be like Him” (1 John 3:2). The Apostle Paul declares that the presence of Jesus Christ in the lives of believers provides assurance that we will share in that glory (Romans 5:2; Colossians 1:27). “Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation” (Colossians 1:15 (NLT). Jesus Christ and God the Father are one (John 10:30, 38; John 12:45). In fact, Jesus Christ came from heaven, not from the dust of the earth (1 Corinthians 15:47), and He is Lord of all (Romans 9:5; Revelation 1:5; Revelation 17:14).

God is both transcendent (excellent and supreme) and immanent (close to us). In other words, we must never forget that God is almighty, all-powerful and supreme. God deserves our wholehearted love, worship and obedience. Yet, God personally comes close to everyone with mercy and acceptance who genuinely seek Him, love Him, and call upon Him for help (Romans 10:11-13). The true and living God is revealed in Jesus Christ, and Jesus Christ brings God close to us through faith (2 Corinthians 5:18-21). Israel had to worship at a distance, but God calls all believers in Jesus Christ to enter into His glorious presence and rest through “the new and living way” – Jesus Christ (John 14:6; Hebrews 4:14-16; Hebrews 10:19-25). “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you” (James 4:8). We do not come fearfully to a stormy mountain but confidently to a glorious heavenly city where our names are written down as citizens of heaven (Hebrews 12:18-24).

Then the Lord said to Moses, “Come up to me on the mountain. Stay there, and I will give you the tablets of stone on which I have inscribed the instructions and commands so you can teach the people.” So Moses and his assistant Joshua set out, and Moses climbed up the mountain of God. . . . Moses climbed up the mountain, and the cloud covered it. And the glory of the Lord settled down on Mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it for six days. On the seventh day the Lord called to Moses from inside the cloud. To the Israelites at the foot of the mountain, the glory of the Lord appeared at the summit like a consuming fire. Then Moses disappeared into the cloud as he climbed higher up the mountain. He remained on the mountain forty days and forty nights. Exodus 24:12-13, 15-18 (NLT)

Afterwards, God instructed Moses to come higher up Mount Sinai and remain with Him until He gave him the laws and commandments to teach the people from them (Exodus 24:12). In the Old Testament, Moses was God’s chosen mediator between Himself and Israel. In the New Testament, Jesus Christ is the Mediator of the new covenant (see Hebrews 8:6; Hebrews 12:24) and He is greater than Moses (Hebrews 3:1-6). So Moses and Joshua, his assistant (servant), went up into Mount Sinai (Exodus 24:13). As Moses and Joshua climbed the mountain of God, Moses went even further up the mountain and disappeared into the cloud at the top (Exodus 24:15). And the glory of God settled (dwelt) upon Mount Sinai, and God’s glorious cloud covered the mountain for six days (Exodus 24:16). On the seventh day, God called to Moses from the cloud (Exodus 24:16). The nobles and the Israelites at the bottom of Mount Sinai witnessed the awesome glory of God on the mountaintop (Exodus 24:17). This was the Shekinah glory. God’s glory looked like a raging fire – a consuming fire (Exodus 24:17; see also Deuteronomy 4:24; Hebrews 12:28-29). And Moses disappeared into cloud-covered Mount Sinai, and was there for forty days and forty nights (Exodus 24:18; see also Matthew 4:1-2). During that time, God gave Moses the plans for the Tabernacle and the priesthood. The Israelites at the base of the mountain were afraid to hear God's voice and were satisfied to hear Moses speak to them (Exodus 20:18-19), but Moses not only heard God's voice but saw God's glorious Presence! Jesus Christ, the new Moses, also fasted for forty days and forty nights (Exodus 24:18; Exodus 34:28; Matthew 4:2). The number forty also recalls the Prophet Elijah (1 Kings 19:8) as well as the forty years of Israel’s temptation (testing) in the desert (see Deuteronomy 8:2, 16). Jesus Christ was subjected to a similar test and shows Himself to be the true Israelite who lived on “every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord” (Deuteronomy 8:12). 

Sadly, during these forty days and forty nights, just after the ratification of the old covenant, the Israelites built the golden calf (see Exodus 32). Essentially, the Israelites refused to take their covenant commitment to God seriously. The disastrous results of living in disobedience to God’s Ten Commandments and the Book of the Covenant were demonstrated by the golden calf episode. Essentially, the worship of the golden calf was similar to the Great Fall of Eden (Exodus 32; see also Genesis 3; 1 Corinthians 10:6-8). God had graciously redeemed the Israelites from slavery and bondage (Exodus 1-18) and taken the Israelites to Himself as His people (Exodus 19-24). God had carried the Israelites on eagles’ wings and brought the people to Himself (Exodus 19:4). This is God’s salvation (Exodus 19:4). If the people would continually obey Him and keep His covenant, the Israelites would be God’s own special treasure from among all the peoples on earth (Exodus 19:5). The Israelites would be God’s kingdom of priests, God’s holy nation, and a blessing to all nations (Exodus 19:6; see also 1 Peter 2:5, 9; Revelation 1:6).

The remaining chapters of Exodus are concerned with preparing the Tabernacle so that God could continue to “dwell” among His people as He had dwelt at Mount Sinai (see Exodus 25:8-9; John 1:14). The last section of Exodus focused on the design, construction, and dedication of the Tabernacle (Exodus 25-40). God needed a place where His glory could dwell on earth (see Exodus 40:34-38). The Tabernacle provided a temporary means by which the Israelites could enjoy God’s holy presence as originally designed in the Garden of Eden.

References

Believer’s Study Bible. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 1995.

Life Application Study Bible. Carol Streams, IL: Tyndale House Pub., 2005.

New Student Bible. New York: Zondervan, 1992.

NLT Study Bible. Carol Streams, IL: Tyndale House Pub., 2008.

Ryrie Study Bible. Chicago, IL: Moody, 1995.

Woman’s Study Bible. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 1995.

Zondervan NIV Study Bible. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2008.

Wiersbe, Warren W. Bible Exposition Commentary. Victor Books, 1989.

The Great Angel

“See, I am sending an Angel before you to protect you on your journey and lead you safely to the place I have prepared for you. Pay close attention to Him, and obey His instructions. Do not rebel against Him, for He is My Representative, and He will not forgive your rebellion. But if you are careful to obey Him, following all My instructions, then I will be an enemy to your enemies, and I will oppose those who oppose you. For My Angel will go before you and bring you into the land of the Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Canaanites, Hivites, and Jebusites, so you may live there. And I will destroy them completely. You must not worship the gods of these nations or serve them in any way or imitate their evil practices. Instead, you must utterly destroy them and smash their sacred pillars. You must serve only the Lord your God. If you do, I will bless you with food and water, and I will protect you from illness. There will be no miscarriages or infertility in your land, and I will give you long, full lives. I will send My terror ahead of you and create panic among all the people whose lands you invade. I will make all your enemies turn and run. I will send terror ahead of you to drive out the Hivites, Canaanites, and Hittites.” Exodus 23:20-28 (NLT)

Who was this Angel that went with the Israelites after leaving Egypt? Many biblical scholars have put forth various ideas and suggestions of the mysterious guardian “Angel of the LORD” or “Angel of God.” This Angel appears often in the early Old Testament story and is sometimes identified with the God (see Genesis 16:7-13; Genesis 18:1-33; Genesis 22:11-18; Genesis 24:7, 40; Genesis 31:11-13; Genesis 32:24-30; Genesis 48:15-16; Exodus 3:2-6; Exodus 14:19; Exodus 23:20-23; Exodus 32:34-33:5; Numbers 22:22-35; Joshua 5:13-15; Judges 2:1-5; Judges 6:11-23; Judges 9:13-23). Some scholars have called the “Angel of the LORD” an anarchangel, such as Michael (Daniel 10:13; Daniel 12:1) or Gabriel (Daniel 8:16; Luke 1:11, 19, 26). In other words, the Angel was a “chief or first angel” angel. Angels are essentially messengers from God.

Most biblical scholars agree that the Angel in Exodus was a manifestation of God (see also Exodus 14:9). In other words, God was in the Angel in the same way He was present in the pillars of cloud and fire (Exodus 13:21-22). Many biblical scholars call this Angel a Theophany, a self-manifestation of God. The Angel here speaks as God, identifies Himself with God, and claims to exercise the privileges of God (see also Genesis 16:7-14; Genesis 21:17-21; Genesis 22:11-18; Genesis 31:11, 13; Exodus 3:2; Exodus 14:19; Exodus 33:14-15; Joshua 5:13-15; Judges 2:1-4; Judges 5:23; Judges 6:11-24; Judges 13:3-22; 2 Samuel 24:16; Zechariah 1:12; Zechariah 3:1; Zechariah 12:8). The Angel of the Lord speaks for God in the first person as God’s Messenger-Servant. Because the Angel of the Lord ceases to appear after the incarnation (advent or arrival) of Jesus Christ in the New Testament, many biblical scholars often concluded that this Angel in the Old Testament is a pre-incarnate appearance or manifestation of the second Person of the Holy Trinity – the Lord Jesus Christ (the Son of the living God). In other words, this special Messenger-Servant was Jesus Christ Himself – the One who appeared in the burning bush (Exodus 3:2). Whether this “Angel” was the second Person of the Trinity remains therefore uncertain.

After clearly stating Israel’s requirements of the covenant (Exodus 19:1-23:19), God stated His part of the covenant promises. If the people kept the covenant requirements, God promised to protect the people (see Exodus 19:5-6; Exodus 23:22-23). God told Moses and the Israelites that He was sending an Angel to go ahead of the Israelites to guard them along the way and to bring them safely to His Promised Land (Canaan) (Exodus 23:20, 23). The Angel was God’s Presence to provide protection, help, and guidance for the Israelites. God instructed the Israelites to respect the Angel, to pay attention to the Angel, and to obey all of His instructions (Exodus 23:21). The Israelites were not to rebel against the Angel of the Lord (Exodus 23:21). If the Israelites disobeyed, the Angel will not forgive their wrongdoing and rebellion (Exodus 23:21). The Angel was God’s Presence or Representative because the Angel bore God’s Name (Exodus 23:21). God’s “Name” is equivalent to God’s “Presence” (see Exodus 3:13-15, 2 Samuel 7:13; 1 King 5:5). Essentially, God’s very nature and God’s Presence was with the Angel. Without the Presence of God, the people could not receive God’s blessings and protection.

Even more, God promised Israel’s protection and success through obedience to the Angel. God promised Israel that if they listened carefully to the Angel and do all that He says, God would be an enemy to Israel’s enemies and will oppose those who opposed Israel (Exodus 23:22). This promised was a repeating of Genesis 12:3. God previously promised to “bless those who bless you and curse those who treat you with contempt” (Genesis 12:3, NLT). In other words, participation in God’s divine blessings of the Abrahamic covenant as well as the Sinai covenant was conditioned on Israel’s obedience and trust in the Angel of the Lord (see Genesis 17:1-27; Genesis 18:18-19; Genesis 22:18; Genesis 26:4-5; Exodus 19:3-6; Romans 1:5). God’s covenant promises (see e.g. Deuteronomy 28:1-14) were contingent upon absolute loyalty to the covenant of God. The Angel was the protector of the covenant (see Isaiah 63:9; Malachi 3:1). God promised Israel to bring His covenant blessings to those that obey and follow His instructions (see also Exodus 19:5-6; Leviticus 26:3-13; Deuteronomy 7:12-15; Deuteronomy 28:1-14; Deuteronomy 31:1-10; Joshua 1:7-8). In other words, obedience to God’s covenant was the key to Israel’s blessings (Exodus 19:1-23:19; see also John 14:13, 23; Romans 1:5; 1 Corinthians 7:19; Galatians 6:7-10; James 1:22-25). Obedience to God’s covenant brings blessings and life (Exodus 19:5-6; Deuteronomy 30:15-16, 19-20; see also Matthew 19:17; Hebrews 12:9). If you obey God, God promises to “will walk among you; I will be your God, and you will be My people” (Leviticus 26:12, NLT).

God’s Angel would go ahead of the Israelites and bring them into the land He promised to give Abraham (see Genesis 15:17-21). God, not Israel, would take possession of the land (Exodus 23:29-31). The Promised Land would be a gift to Israel from the covenant God. Israel was granted possession of the land as long as they faithfully fulfilled God’s covenant. This land was currently held by the Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Canaanites, Hivites and Jebusites. God promised to remove these people from God’s Promised Land (Exodus 23:23). Once again, the true and living God (Yahweh) warned the Israelites against idolatry. God told the Israelites not to worship nor serve the gods of the Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Canaanites, Hivites and Jebusites and do not imitate their evil practices in the land (Exodus 23:24). Idolatry is a great sin because idolatry means worshipping and following other gods and not worshipping and following the true and living God and not obeying His covenant.

Previously, God had given the Israelites specific laws and regulations with His Ten Commandments and Book of the Covenant so that Israel would be a holy (sanctified) nation and reflect God’s holy nature to the world (Exodus 19:1-23:19; see also Romans 12:1-2; 1 Peter 2:5, 9). If the Israelites loved, obeyed, and worshipped God and obeyed God’s covenant, His blessing will be on their lives, food, and water (Exodus 23:25). Even more, God promised to take away sickness from among Israel and provide the Israelites a full life span (Exodus 23:26). Again, God’s blessings would only come if the people worshipped and obeyed God and God’s covenant and not follow the evil practices of other pagan religions (Exodus 23:26). If the Israelites obeyed God from their heart, God promised to meet all their needs and defeat their enemies (Exodus 23:25-26).

Since the Old Testament, God has always commanded wholehearted obedience to Him and His covenant (Leviticus 26:41; Deuteronomy 30:6, 12-14; Jeremiah 9:26; see also Acts 7:51; Romans 2:28-29). Obedience to God’s covenant does not save people; only our wholehearted faith in God brings salvation (Romans 1:16-17, see also Genesis 15:6; Habakkuk 2:4). Salvation only comes through our faith, particularly faith in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ (Romans 1:16-17, see also Genesis 15:6; Habakkuk 2:4; Ephesians 2:8-10; 2 Corinthians 5:21). The Holy Scriptures teaches that salvation is a GIFT of God received only through true faith in Him (see Romans 4:5; Ephesians 2:8-9). Yet, we are sanctified (made holy or set apart) through our obedience to God and God’s covenant (Exodus 19:5-6; see also 1 Peter 2:5, 9).

Still more, God promised to send His fear before the Israelites (see Exodus 15:16; Exodus 23:27-30; Joshua 2:9–11). He promised to send panic and confusion to every nation they had to face in military action. The true and living God wanted the people to be wholly devoted and committed to Him. Through Israel’s love and worship, God would go before them, terrorize their enemies, and empower the Israelites to conquer their enemies and their land. Indeed, the “terror of God” did go before the Israelites and weaken the people and their hearts in Canaan (Joshua 2:9–11).

Jesus Christ is the only One that can forgive sins and only in Him is the wonderful Name of the Lord (Luke 5:21). Jesus is Lord (Romans 10:9; see also John 20:28; 1 Corinthians 12:3; 1 John 4:2-3), and He has God's power to heal and forgive (see Matthew 4:23-25). In Jesus Christ is the fullness of God (Colossians 1:19; Colossians 2:9). In other words, the God of Israel is in Jesus Christ. God had prepared a place for the Israelites (Exodus 23:20) just as Jesus Christ is preparing a place for those that wholeheartedly love and obey Him (John 14:1-6). Amazingly, Jesus Christ’s visited earth in the Old Testament to help His people, to meet special needs, and to accomplish God’s special tasks (see Exodus 3:7-10; Exodus 23:23). To Abraham, Jesus Christ came as a Traveler to share in a friendly meal (Genesis 18:1-8). To Jacob, Jesus Christ came as a Wrestler to bring Jacob (also named Israel) to the place of submission (Genesis 32:22-32). To the three Hebrew boys, Jesus Christ came as their Companion in the furnace of fire (Daniel 3:25, 28). Joshua met Jesus Christ, the Captain of the Lord's armies, just before his battle with Jericho (Joshua 5:13-15). Jesus Christ always comes to us when we need Him and in the way we need Him.

The fact that the Son of God took on a temporary body, left heaven, and came down to help His people throughout the Old Testament surely reveals His grace and love. In the wilderness, the Israelites saw the visible manifestations of God and He taught the Israelites some important truths about Him. The Israelites should have learned that He is the living God who sees us and hears our cries when we hurt (Exodus 2:23-25). The true and living God is a personal God, concerned about all people who will trust Him. The book of Exodus is important to all believers in Jesus Christ because God came down to rescue His people from bondage and save His people (Exodus 3:8). With the advent of Jesus Christ in the New Testament, God once again came down to rescue and save His people (see also Matthew 1:21).

Some of Israelites did not trust and obey God and God’s covenant. The Israelites’ failure to trust God and God’s Presence lead some Israelites to be condemned to journey in the wilderness until the generation twenty years old and upward had all died, except for Caleb and Joshua. For thirty-eight years, God would guide His people and then bring them back to the borders of Promised Land with God’s Presence. So, what is God’s Presence? God’s Presence is essentially the fruit of the Holy Spirit – compassion, mercy, patience, unfailing love, faithfulness, and forgiveness (see Exodus 33:15-18; Exodus 34:6-7; Galatians 5:22-23).

References

King James Version Study Bible. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 1988.

KJV Bible Commentary. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 1994.

Life Application Study Bible. Carol Streams, IL: Tyndale House Pub., 2005.

NLT Study Bible. Carol Streams, IL: Tyndale House Pub., 2008.

Ryrie Study Bible. Chicago, IL: Moody, 1995.

Zondervan NIV Study Bible. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2008.

Butler, Trent. Holman Bible Dictionary. Broadman & Holman Pub., 1991.

Packer, J.I. Concise Theology: A Guide to Historic Christian Beliefs. Carol Stream, IL:  Tyndale House Pub., 1993.

Wiersbe, Warren W. Bible Exposition Commentary. Victor Books, 1989.

Book of the Covenant

Exodus 20:22-23:19 continues the Sinai covenant and provides additional laws. The stipulations or terms in this section are called the “Book of the Covenant” (Exodus 24:7).  These requirements were given by God but were now spoken through Moses. At Exodus 20:18-21, the Israelites asked Moses to speak to God directly after the people heard God’s voice from heaven and witnessed manifestations of God's glory and power in the thunder, the loud blast of the ram’s horn, the flashes of lightning and the smoke billowing from the mountain. The people said to Moses “You speak to us, and we will listen. But do not let God speak directly to us, or we will die!” (Exodus 20:19, NLT). God is transcendent (supreme), as shown by His speaking to the Israelites in a spiritual (or disembodied) voice from heaven at Mount Sinai (Exodus 20:22).

God stated His basic laws – the Ten Commandments – at Exodus 20:1-17. Then, God told Moses how to apply the Ten Commandments to specific situations at Exodus 20:22-23:19 so that everybody would receive equal justice, kindness, and fairness in everyday life. The Book of the Covenant is not a collection of picky laws but case studies or case law from such topics as theft, seduction, giving, personal injury, kidnapping, gossip (false rumors), blaspheme, murder (intentional and unintentional), dishonoring parents, personal loans and interest, sorcery and occult practices (e.g., spells, magic), courtroom behavior, rape, bestiality, and idolatry. These requirements were largely expansions an explanation of the Ten Commandment. God was taking various potential life situations and teaching the Israelites how His Ten Commandments would work in their daily lives. The case studies listed did not cover every possible situation but gave practical examples of how to treat people justly. God is just (Deuteronomy 32:4; 2 Thessalonians 1:6) and God loves righteousness and justice (see Psalm 33:5; Isaiah 61:8). The Book of the Covenant revealed that God expected His people to express His love, kindness, and fairness equally to all people (e.g., rich, poor, men, woman, foreigners, widows and orphans), property and even animals to assure His justice.

The Book of the Covenant is specifically noted for its fairness and social responsibility toward the widow, the poor, and the foreigner. God insisted that the widow, orphan, poor and powerless be well treated (see also James 1:27; James 2:2-7). In fact, the poor, the widow, the orphan, the alien, the powerless, and defenseless people are objects of God’s special concern and providential care (e.g., see Exodus 21:26-27; Exodus 23:6-12; Psalm 10:14, 17-18; Psalm  146:9; Isaiah 1:23; Zechariah 7:10; Malachi 3:5; Romans 15:26; Galatians 2:10).  Repeatedly throughout the Holy Scriptures, God denounced oppression of the widow, the fatherless, the alien, and the poor (e.g., see Deuteronomy 10:17-19; Isaiah 1:17, 23; Jeremiah 5:28; 1 John 3:16-18). God expected His people to protect the oppressed and the needy members of society. The Book of the Covenant demanded the Israelites to be kind to strangers and aliens, widows and orphans, and the poor (Exodus 22:21-27; Exodus 23:9; see also Deuteronomy 24:17-21). The widow, the orphan, and the alien were in a helpless and economically disadvantaged position. The rich, wealthy, and strong must not exploit and abuse widows, orphans, aliens, or the poor but give them the help they need (Exodus 22:21-22 see also e.g., Leviticus 25:35-38; Proverbs 28:8). God hears the cries of the afflicted and suffering (Exodus 22:23, 27). When the Israelites were in trouble, God helped and rescued them. Therefore, the Israelites were not to take advantage of others in difficulty and weakness. Also, God wanted to protect the especially tender relationship between mother and offspring (see Exodus 23:19; Leviticus 22:28; Deuteronomy 22:6-7).

The Book of the Covenant also included the so-called law of retaliation (lex talionis) (Exodus 21:23-25; see also Leviticus 24:17-20; Deuteronomy 19:21). This requirement was meant to limit the punishment to fit the crime. An actual eye or tooth was never exacted. Jesus Christ objected to an extremist use of this judicial principle to excuse private, personal vengeance (see Matthew 5:43-48). By invoking the law of love, Jesus Christ corrected the popular misunderstanding of the law of retaliation and provided the Law’s originally meaning or intent (Leviticus 19:17-18, 34; see also 1 John 2:9). As Jesus Christ reminded, God’s people are not to retaliate or seek revenge of their enemies but love all people, including their enemies (Matthew 5:38-42, 44; see also Exodus 23:4-5; Deuteronomy 22:1-4; Proverbs 25:21). Instead, God’s people must leave punishment and judgment to God and God’s appointed authorities (Exodus 21:6; Exodus 22:8-9, 28; Exodus 22:28; Romans 13:1-7; Hebrews 10:30) and we must love one another, including our enemies (see Romans 13:8-14; Galatians 5:14; James 2:8). Avenging people is God’s prerogative, not ours (Deuteronomy 32:35-36). When we are wronged, Jesus Christ encouraged all people to love, forgive and do good to those who wrong us and not seek revenge (Matthew 19:19; Matthew 22:29; Mark 12:31; Luke 10:27; John 13:34; Hebrews 13:15-16). Believers in Jesus Christ are never called to retaliate but are called to love one another and forgive everyone, including our enemies (see Matthew 18:21-35; Galatians 5:14). All believers in Jesus Christ are “to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased” (Hebrews 13:16, NIV). The Book of the Covenant reveals God’s instructions to wholeheartedly love and honor Him, love one another, respect people’s property, and not do such evils as gossiping, murdering, exploiting, stealing, harming animals, coveting, and mistreating people. We should act fairly and justly with all people — friends and enemies alike (see also 1 Thessalonians 5:15; 1 Peter 3:9).

Apostle Paul:  Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. . . . Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12:9-10, 14-21 (NIV)

However, these various laws in the Ten Commandment and the Book of the Covenant did not change people’s hearts nor declare one righteous (see Romans 3:21-4:25). But, these commandments and laws did help to control Israel’s conduct and give order to the nation. The Holy Bible reveals that God loves order and not chaos and confusion. Even more, these various laws in the Book of the Covenant reflected God’s holy character and nature the unchanging moral principles expressed in the Ten Commandments. When obeyed, these various laws protected the people from violence, gossip (slander), extortion, oppression, sorcery, witchcraft, and mistreatment. Justice was to be fair for all people (Exodus 23:2-3). One of the most dangerous and disastrous periods in Israel’s history was the period of the Judges when “every man did that which was right in his own eyes” (see Judges 17:6; Judges 18:1; Judges 19:1; Judges 21:25). The enforcement of good laws does not guarantee a perfect society, but it does promote order and prevent anarchy and chaos.

Keep on loving each other as brothers (and sisters). Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it. Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering. . . . Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise – the fruit of lips that confess His name. And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased. Hebrews 13:1-3, 15-16 (NIV)

If we truly love God with all our hearts, we will have no desire to hurt and harm others but to reach out to all people in need, even our enemies (Matthew 22:34-40; see also Luke 10:30-37). The true and living God (Yahweh) wanted to be first in the people’s hearts and lives. God’s people were not to worship, seek after, or even speak of other gods (Exodus 20:23; Exodus 23:13, 24; see also Leviticus 19:31; Leviticus 20:6, 27; Deuteronomy 18:10-12). But if God is not first place in our hearts and lives (Matthew 6:33), we will exploit and abuse people and destroy God’s earth by misuse of earth’s resources. Throughout Israel’s history, the early Christian history and today, God has repeatedly sent His messengers (prophets) to command the people to stop sinning, doing evil, and disobeying God. If the Israelites obeyed the Book of the Covenant, the Covenant Lord agreed to protect them from enemies (Exodus 23:22-23) and from illness (Exodus 23:25-26) and give them a land to possess (Exodus 23:27-31). These covenant promises were contingent upon absolute loyalty to the Covenant Lord.

The Lord gave another message to Jeremiah. He said . . . . “I will be merciful only if you stop your evil thoughts and deeds and start treating each other with justice; only if you stop exploiting foreigners, orphans, and widows; only if you stop your murdering; and only if you stop harming yourselves by worshiping idols. . . . Do you really think you can steal, murder, commit adultery, lie, and burn incense to Baal and all those other new gods of yours, and then come here and stand before Me in My Temple and chant, “We are safe!”—only to go right back to all those evils again? Don’t you yourselves admit that this Temple, which bears My Name, has become a den of thieves? Surely I see all the evil going on there. I, the Lord, have spoken! . . . . When I led your ancestors out of Egypt, it was not burnt offerings and sacrifices I wanted from them. This is what I told them: ‘Obey Me, and I will be your God, and you will be My people. Do everything as I say, and all will be well!’ But My people would not listen to Me. They kept doing whatever they wanted, following the stubborn desires of their evil hearts. They went backward instead of forward. From the day your ancestors left Egypt until now, I have continued to send My servants, the prophets—day in and day out. But My people have not listened to Me or even tried to hear. They have been stubborn and sinful—even worse than their ancestors.” Jeremiah 7:1, 5-6, 9-11, 22-26 (NLT)

References

Life Application Study Bible. Carol Streams, IL: Tyndale House Pub., 2005.

NLT Study Bible. Carol Streams, IL: Tyndale House Pub., 2008.

Ryrie Study Bible. Chicago, IL: Moody, 1995.

Zondervan NIV Study Bible. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2008.

Wiersbe, Warren. With the Word Bible Commentary. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 1991.

Wiersbe, Warren W. Bible Exposition Commentary. Victor Books, 1989.