We are going to touch on another Old Testament prophecy today, before we dig much deeper in Luke...
In Isaiah there are a couple of prophecies about Jesus quite
early on. One of them includes a bit about Mary, which is why I wanted to touch
on this (before getting deeper into her side of the Christmas story). This
prophecy is in chapter 7 vs 10-14. The context is Isaiah approaching King Ahaz
about the inevitable doom and destruction of God’s people, the Israelites. It almost seems as though God is going to be
gracious to Ahaz, and Isaiah requests that Ahaz ask for a sign of hope for this
grace. Ahaz’s response tests God’s patience, as he refuses, and basically just says “nah!
I don't feel like pushing God’s buttons” (that’s the literal Greek translation...hehehe
;). This of course infuriates God, who responds through Isaiah saying “Hear
now, you house of David! Is it not enough to try the patience of men? Will you
try the patience of my God also? Therefore the Lord himself will give you a
sign. The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call
him Immanuel.” (Isaiah 7:13-14). (basically
“oh I’LL GIVE YOU a sign of my deliverance Ahaz!!”)
Mary doesn’t get a whole tonne of fame in old testament
prophecies but here is one where she is put into the spotlight a bit... You see,
this was like an impossible prophecy, which is something not unknown to God. After all he does turn back the shadows on the steps to prove a point, Imparts impossible signs through Moses in Egypt, parts the waters, and many more impossible things... This is God, doing the impossible for the sole purpose
of graciously proving himself time and time again to his people. And so, God
does this even in the birth of his son. He causes an immaculate conception to
occur through Mary. Mary is blessed enough to be the instrument of God’s hands. In common protestant faith, we sometimes do not pay Mary the respect she
deserves, because some feel the Catholic church pays her largely too much
homage. The reality is, she was chosen as God’s servant, the same as Jeremiah,
Isaiah, John the Baptist, Paul, etc... She was chosen by God for a very Holy
purpose. Lets not bow down to her, but let us not diminish her worth either.
What that poor teenage girl went through would be worth respect without the divinity of the Lord in
play. I mean, don’t we give single mothers today more respect than we seem to
pay to Mary? But she deserves to be rightfully respected, especially this time
of year simply because God chose her (just like He chose the lowly little David
boy to be the king of his un-ending lineage). They are both important, and
should both re-direct us toward worship of God, and celebrating that the Lord
uses the “least of these” all the time.
Anyway! Off that tangent and back to the Isaiah prophecy
(just to complete the story). After this prophetic line about the virgin birth,
Isaiah continues on basically saying (in many many more words) “oh, don't be
mistaken, your kingdom will crumble and fall to a painful pitiful ruin! But
when you have atoned for all your evil...” Isaiah 9:1-7 comes into play...
“Nevertheless, there
will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled
the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honor
Galilee of the gentiles, by the way
of the sea, along the Jordan--
‘The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned. You have enlarged the nation and increased their Joy; they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest, as men rejoice when dividing the plunder. For as in the day of Midian’s defeat, you have shattered the yoke that burdens them, the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor. Every warrior’s boot used in battle and every garment rolled in blood will be destined for burning, will be fuel for the fire. For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.”(Isaiah 9:1-7).
‘The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned. You have enlarged the nation and increased their Joy; they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest, as men rejoice when dividing the plunder. For as in the day of Midian’s defeat, you have shattered the yoke that burdens them, the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor. Every warrior’s boot used in battle and every garment rolled in blood will be destined for burning, will be fuel for the fire. For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.”(Isaiah 9:1-7).
Isaiah continues on to remind Ahaz that this will not be his own time, and
he and his kingdom are doomed for destruction... (and if you read 1 and 2’ed
kings, you’ll fully agree with Isaiah and God!).
Did you catch the key things that stuck out to me? (likely
not... but that’s why “bold” was invented right!?)
- God already tells the Jewish people WAAY BACK in Isaiah that His kingdom will be honored among the gentiles. Great news for us, but I think this was the kind of passage that the Jewish priests probably said “lets gloss over that little passage” (just like us Mennonites like to gloss over the fact that King David danced naked in the streets of Israel to praise God...hey! Just sayin!)... Instead, the priests likely focused on the third bolded area, taking it very literally, that God was going to give them a literal king to free them from oppression. In reality, it says RIGHT THERE “forever” which would imply an eternal kingdom, and of course, like I said, “gentiles” which implies his kingdom will not be exclusive to the Jewish people by any means. These two big clues would have tipped the priests off, that God did not intend to free them of the literal roman oppression at that time, but that instead, he wanted to free them from their spiritual bondage of slavery. (which brings me to the middle bolded point)
- “the rod of their oppressor” sticks out to me because the interesting part is that Jesus free’s people from the priests and teachers of the law, who were holding people captive to their laws, and teaching people dishonest ways of living (I E, give money to the temple instead of using it to care for your aging elderly parents... or, divorce your wife if you feel like it.... etc...) but then not allowing healing or good deeds to be done on the Sabbath. The oppressors of the people were their own priests! And Jesus came to free them!
We can see all of these things in hindsight. (hindsight is
20/20 right?) but the truth is, I am sure we are grossly mis-interpreting many
scriptures about Christ’s return as well! So we cannot be judgemental of the
people present in those times, but instead we can graciousely learn from them
that our God is sovereign over his words, keeps his promises, honors the humble
and loves his people deeply enough to do what is necessary to bring their
hearts back to him. If that means sending his son to earth to die, then so be
it. If that means BEING the sacrifice he has called his people to give him for
their wrongdoings, so be it.... We serve a great and wonderful God who is full
of grace and mercy, and has created the perfect path for us to be with him. And
it all started in Genesis, right after the fall when God said that the serpant
would bite man’s heel, but that “He” would crush satan’s head. Already back then,
God knew how he would save us and make a way for us to be with him. You see,
the whole bible is relevant to the Christmas story. God doesn’t “do” time. God
IS time. He knew then, everything he knows now, and knew then even, everything
that would happen in your life too. And He knew you would be his, because he
knew he would be sending his son to clear the way so you could be with him.
What a joyful thought.
Dear God, thank you for being the ultimate planner. There is nothing we could ever do that you have not already figured out, allowed and are soverign over. We ask for you to cleanse us and make us holy. Lord we want to be with you and hear from you. We know you have made a way for that to happen and we praise you for that! Please call our hearts tenderly and bring us ever nearer to your will.
In Jesus name
Amen
Dear God, thank you for being the ultimate planner. There is nothing we could ever do that you have not already figured out, allowed and are soverign over. We ask for you to cleanse us and make us holy. Lord we want to be with you and hear from you. We know you have made a way for that to happen and we praise you for that! Please call our hearts tenderly and bring us ever nearer to your will.
In Jesus name
Amen
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