Luke 2:22 - 38
22 And when the time came for their purification according to the Law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every male who first opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”) 24 and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the Law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.” 25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26 And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ. 27 And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law, 28 he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said,
29 “Lord, now you are letting your servant[e] depart in peace,
according to your word;
30 for my eyes have seen your salvation
31 that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and for glory to your people Israel.”
according to your word;
30 for my eyes have seen your salvation
31 that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and for glory to your people Israel.”
33 And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him. 34 And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed 35 (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”
36 And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived with her husband seven years from when she was a virgin, 37 and then as a widow until she was eighty-four.[f] She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day. 38 And coming up at that very hour she began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.
Questions:
ReplyDelete1. v32 - What does the distinction mean between Gentiles and the people of Israel ("a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel")
https://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/consolation-of-israel/ says:
ReplyDeleteSimeon was just and devout, and he was waiting for the consolation of Israel. Luke 2:25. Here we see the great difference between the Gentiles and God’s people. At that time the Gentiles were aliens from the commonwealth of Israel. Ephesians 2:12.
He was circumcised; and Mary had observed the religious purification ceremonies required by the law of Moses. Luke 2:21 to 24. Jesus Christ was born under the law. “When the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth His Son, made of a woman, made under the law.” Galatians 4:4. He lived as a circumcised Jew under the law. When He was thirty years of age we learn that He had regularly attended the Jewish religious services in the Jewish synagogue at Nazareth. Luke 4:16.
Eighteen million Jews are today scattered among all the Gentile nations, and there Israel will remain “until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.” Luke 21:24. When that time comes the consolation of Israel will be at hand. The consolation of Israel will be realized when Israel’s rejected Messiah and King returns to take David’s throne, and “He shall reign over the house of Jacob forever.” Luke 1:30 to 33.
But something went wrong. Israel was not delivered from the hands of their enemies (Gentiles).
Jesus Christ was born to occupy David’s throne, in fulfillment of Isaiah 9:6 and 7. Instead of taking David’s throne, note where He is and what He is now doing.
“And what is the exceeding greatness of His power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of His mighty power, Which He wrought in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead, and set Him at His own right hand in the heavenly places, Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come; And hath put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be the Head over all things to the Church, Which is His Body, the fulness of Him that filleth all in all.” Ephesians 1:19 to 23.
Christ is not where He now is and is not doing what He is now doing, in fulfillment of prophecy. But note II Peter 1:19—“We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts.”
https://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/consolation-of-israel/ continued:
ReplyDeleteSo THE CONSOLATION OF ISRAEL has been postponed.
Peace on earth will not be realized until Jesus Christ returns as Prince of Peace to occupy David’s throne. Then the government will be upon His shoulder, and of the increase of His government and peace there shall be no end. Isaiah 9:6 and 7 will be fulfilled. That will be the consolation of Israel.
NO PEACE—ANOTHER BAPTISM
Note the plain words of the Lord Jesus, in Luke 12:49 to 52:
“I AM COME TO SEND FIRE ON THE EARTH; AND WHAT WILL I, IF IT BE ALREADY KINDLED? BUT I HAVE A BAPTISM TO BE BAPTIZED WITH; AND HOW AM I STRAITENED TILL IT BE ACCOMPLISHED SUPPOSE YE THAT I AM COME TO GIVE PEACE ON EARTH? I TELL YOU, NAY; BUT RATHER DIVISION; FOR FROM HENCEFORTH THERE SHALL BE FIVE IN ONE HOUSE DIVIDED, THREE AGAINST TWO, AND TWO AGAINST THREE.”
What a contrast and seeming contradiction as we compare these words with the message of the angels, in Luke 2:9 to 15. In Luke 2:14, “Peace on earth.”
Christ made peace for believers by His baptism on the cross. Christ’s baptism brought peace. When the sinner believes on the Lord Jesus Christ and accepts His death baptism, note what happens to that believing sinner. “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
They trusted it had been Christ Who should have redeemed Israel. They were promised twelve thrones when Israel was redeemed. Matthew 19:28. They didn’t know one single thing about “the dispensation of grace” of Ephesians 3:1 to 3, or “the eternal purpose of God” of Ephesians 3:11; that is, what Christ revealed to Paul.
That kingdom will be established when the King comes, and then the prophesied CONSOLATION OF ISRAEL will be realized.
Let us not confuse the Consolation of Israel with the blessed hope of the Church which is Christ’s Body. Titus 2:13.
http://gracedoctrine.org/the-gospel-of-luke-chapter-232-38-the-advent-of-jesus-christ-pt-7-simeons-praise-jesus-a-light-to-gentiles-glory-to-israel-jesus-is-the-stone-the-sign-the-sword-annas-great-pr/ says:
ReplyDeleteIn this verse, Simeon is referring to Jesus as the Isaianic Servant-Messiah, (i.e., how Isaiah described Him), cf. Isa 42:6; 49:6.
Isa 49:6, “He says, ‘It is too small a thing that You should be My Servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob and to restore the preserved ones of Israel; I will also make You a light of the nations (i.e., Gentiles) so that My salvation may reach to the end of the earth’.”
You might have expected Simeon to reverse this expression, for it was prophesied in the OT that the Messiah was coming first to bring blessing to Israel and then, through Israel, to the Gentile world. But, he realizes and recognizes that there is a break in God’s way in dealing with men; so he puts the Gentiles first, and then Israel. Inspired by the Holy Spirit, he was giving us a glimpse into the coming change over from the Age of Israel to the Church Age, the age of Grace, where the Gentiles would build His church because of the rejection by the Jews. The Spirit of God knew that when our Lord came the first time in lowly grace, His own people would refuse Him. They would turn away from Him. They would not receive Him as their Messiah. So, their hour of blessing was to be deferred.
As such, Simeon notes that the “consolation of Israel” is also the “light of the world/Gentiles,” which is God’s plan of salvation for both Gentiles and Jews. He notes that this babe will bring the light and glory of salvation not only to the Jews but also to the Gentiles. The fact that Simeon prophesied this is evidence of the large spiritual knowledge given to him, since even the apostles were slow to grasp the fullness of Christ’s world-wide mission. He is to be the Savior of the world, and all the nations will come to Him for light and life, Job 33:28, 30; Psa 36:9; John 1:4; 2 Tim 1:10.
As a result of the Cross, at Jesus’ resurrection He has received this glory as the ascended and living Lord of Glory. It is the resurrected living Savior who expresses God’s saving glory, Rom 6:4; 2 Cor 4:4f.; Phil 3:21; 1 Peter 1:11, 21; Rev 5:9-12. Likewise, this glory will be revealed at His return, Titus 2:13; 1 Peter 4:13; 5:1; cf. Mark 8:38; 10:37; 13:26.
The return of Jesus in His glory has become the hope of the believer. Therefore, the glory of God which is revealed in and through Jesus Christ is a redeeming and transforming power which is presently at work in the world. This is our “hope of glory,” Col 1:27; 2 Thes 2:14; 1 Peter 5:10.
Questions and findings:
ReplyDelete1. v32 - What does the distinction mean between Gentiles and the people of Israel ("a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel")
One view is the dispensationalist view. That view interprets this verse as talking about the age of the Gentiles (the church age we are currently in, lasting from Jesus' resurrection to the Millennium), followed by the Millennium, the 1000 year period where Jesus will rule from Israel and Jerusalem, bringing glory to Israel.
Or, this verse is just speaking more generally, saying that Jesus (through His Apostles) will bring the Gentiles into His kingdom, and that Jesus' glory is Israel's glory.
I don't know. It doesn't seem that Israel hasn't been brought glory at all in the last 2000 years (in fact, quite the opposite). So, I can see why the dispensationalists believe as they do. On the other hand, it's pretty easy to over-reach on these kinds of verses.
I too noticed that the Holy Spirit through Simeon put the ministry of being a "light to the gentiles" before "the glory of your of your people Israel" (another translation of that verse.) Jesus' ministry from the onset was to be to all nations, and Simeon, in tune with the Holy Spirit saw that before the disciples. I do believe Jesus has brought glory to Israel - think of our songs,
ReplyDeleteart, the many who have read the Old Testament who would otherwise be ignorant of any of God's dealings with Abraham's descendants, how it has been evangelical Christians who have stood by the beleaguered nation of Israel, etc. Without Jesus, the Jews would just be another small, maligned religious sect, but God had other plans!
I also agree that while the scriptures refer to the time of the gentiles, we need to not get either rigid about dispensations or cocky toward the Jewish people. We are merely grafts into the vine. Already, God is opening the eyes of many Jews to their Messiah in preparation for His return. (I have no idea what that will look like, by the way.)