Session #13
The Prophets
We will briefly consider the prophets in the particular verses that foretell a looming significant change in the way the relationship with God will develop. Some act of saving, some sacrifice, some restoration over the "wound of the virgin daughter of my people". Something truly transformative, something always desired and never attained. The climax of man's life, indeed, lies in wait. What has been needed "from the beginning" is something finally unforeseeable and always longed for as in a desert, a moment that would change the world some for worse but largely for better. Moreover, there is a growing understanding or a softening of the soil to welcome the love of God we shall see in the coming sessions.
We see the motion of God foretelling the beginning and end of His salvific plan immediately after man falls "enmity between you and the woman"
24: This passage concerns God's plan of salvation, but it can be a little bit dense, especially when reading it somewhat out of context. Daniel prayed to God about delivering His people and then gave him a vision through Gabriel which begins with this verse. It begins with Five achievements.
"Finish transgression"
"to put an end to sins"
"Atone for Wickedness"
"bring everlasting righteousness"
Fulfillment of the prophets and vision
"the anointing of the holiest place" - although the "Most Holy Place" and even the previous achievements seem to be a foretelling of the temple, we also know that Christ's body is a temple and His anointing begins the journey to the sacrificial, atoning, forgiving, and sanctifying act which brings to us all grace.
25 thru 27: All of this speaks of the turmoil the Messiah shall bring in addition to the warring of nations and the destruction of the Temple, The Christ (meaning "anointed one") will be "cut off and have nothing" (also translated no one) suggests the brutal end of Christ's life. Even the destruction of the sanctuary speaks of this it seems, just as well as the destruction of the temple in 70ish AD.
Verse 27 ends up being almost purely historical, foretelling the prohibition of religious practice which the Expositors commentary suggests means for 3.5 years. Continue reading and discussing the following verses
CCC 64 Through the prophets, God forms his people in the hope of salvation, in the expectation of a new and everlasting Covenant intended for all, to be written on their hearts.22 The prophets proclaim a radical redemption of the People of God, purification from all their infidelities, a salvation which will include all the nations.23 Above all, the poor and humble of the Lord will bear this hope. Such holy women as Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel, Miriam, Deborah, Hannah, Judith and Esther kept alive the hope of Israel's salvation. The purest figure among them is Mary.
CCC 431 In the history of salvation God was not content to deliver Israel "out of the house of bondage" by bringing them out of Egypt. He also saves them from their sin. Because sin is always an offence against God, only he can forgive it. For this reason, Israel, becoming more and more aware of the universality of sin, will no longer be able to seek salvation except by invoking the name of the Redeemer God.
We have taken a very large detour through the scriptures as we learn the central story/issue. We have learned about all the covenants which God has made with his people. We know his people and indeed us also have at nearly every turn rebelled or lost conviction in the truth that God is indeed the God of gods, forever faithful. Let us return now to the idea we began the story wondering i.e. who we are but we begin where the Word became flesh. We will first read a synopsis of what we are about to investigate, so we understand a little bit more of what God has been preparing His people for and what God is doing that is new. Then we will read the respective verses and reflection on the significance of what these things mean.
What can we suspect about Mary given the angel's greeting?
Certainly, there is something special about an angel appearing to and speaking to you. This is one thing. It is another thing entirely when an angel that beholds the divine addressing you as favored and who better to tell you that you are favored.
We find something of Mary's Queenship here although she likely does not know of it at this point
What does the "Lord is with you" mean?
Does verse 31 answer this question?
How do we know He is the Messiah?
Gabriel first describes Him as "Son of the Most High" (Psalm 2:7)
Jesus means "YHWH saves"
Our Cornerstone: Isaiah 8:14, 1 Peter 2:8, Psalm 118:22, and Isaiah 28:16
Suffering and Sacrifice: Isaiah 53 suffering servant as we have already read, Psalm 22, Genesis 22:1-19 (the Sacrifce of Isaac)
King: Verse 32, Micah 5:2
Covenants: Verse 32-33
Priest: Hebrews 4:14-16; Luke 9:57–62, John 4:14, 6:52-56, 17:1-5
We will continue to look at this as we go.
In Mary's great faith she does not doubt the truth of what has been said, rather she asks the practicality after all does not procreation require 2 people? The angel responds asserting it is only in the realm of possibility because God makes it so.
Having recognized this to be true, good, and beautiful she accepts the will of God mind you the opposite of
What is God wishing to communicate here?
Still His love but it what way?
How do we know this is a historically valid account and/or that Jesus ever existed?
There are books out there that address and at least try to answer this question the issue we find is if we question.
If there is any proof in the text read it is that it reaches beyond itself into the historical time of the event s that are taking place, as we see in verse 3.
Joesph was on his way to do his civic duty and it was there that Mary needed to give birth. They made do with what they got.
What can be noticed about this situation? Is the situation indicative of how Christ will live and die?
Julius Caesar vs Jesus
Power
Wealth
Esteem
Worldliness
Poverty and Mission
Christ's poverty and that of prophets and religous demonstrate their purpose having very little to do with this world and only so insofar as that is our physical location.
The angels know who Jesus is as we read in John 1, man knew not God when he came.
Fun Fact: The name of Joesph's Father was Jacob and Old Testament Joesph of course prefigures the New Testament Joseph
If Desired
Imagine this song playing in the heart of those who beheld the presence of God in a baby, the messiah, the savior. Consider the potential they saw in this God-made man.