Friday, November 13, 2020

New Covenant, New Law

We're all familiar with the New Covenant reference in Jeremiah 31:31-33 (HCSB) “Look, the days are coming”—this is the LORD’s declaration—“when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah. This one will not be like the covenant I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt—a covenant they broke even though I had married them”—the LORD’s declaration. “Instead, this is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after those days”—the LORD’s declaration. “I will put My teaching within them and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be My people.

Many WCF Reformers deny the newness of the New Covenant, but that error is not my point right now.

Notice what the Spirit said through the prophet: The New Covenant will NOT BE LIKE the Old Covenant; that covenant made with the forefathers when He brought them out of Egypt. The New Covenant, established with the death of Christ, is a better covenant than the Old one (Hebrews 7:22).

Here's the question: SINCE the New Covenant is NOT LIKE the Old Covenant, WHY would His teaching (KJV says "law" - the Hebrew word can mean law, instruction, precept) be the same as that of the Old Covenant?  

In the epistle to the Hebrews, we read of differences between the Old and New Covenants. In chapter 7 the Spirit contrasts the priesthoods of the two covenants. In verse 11 we see that the Mosaic Law was received under the Levitical priesthood. Verses 13 - 17 tells us the priesthood of the New Covenant is different and indescribably superior to the priesthood of the Mosaic Covenant. Verse 12 tells us that the change of priesthood from old to new covenants REQUIRES a change of law. And then we read, Hebrews 7:18-19 (HCSB) "So the previous command is annulled because it was weak and unprofitable (for the law perfected nothing), but a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to God." The "previous command" is the Mosaic Law (of which the Decalogue is the testimony) which was annulled. This aligns with Jesus' statement that He came to "fulfill" the law - which is to bring it to its intended end or goal. This aligns with Paul's statement that the law of Moses was a guardian of ethnic Israel until the coming of the promised Messiah.

We recognize that Jeremiah 29:11 is not directly applicable to us, though we learn much about man and about God in that entire passage. Why do so many not recognize this same reality with the law of Moses? The Decalogue was written on stone tablets, given to people with stone hearts who worshiped God in a stone temple. All of these stony things are gone, are not the substance of the New Covenant. The law of Christ is not a codified list of commands. Paul said of the fruit of the Spirit that against these things there is no law. Rather than a list of prohibitions and attending promises of punishment, the law of Christ is the law of love; written on fleshy hearts which are in spiritual people who are the temple of God.  Yes, the New Covenant Scriptures have many imperatives - written with pen on paper. These help us understand the law of Christ as we are still in these sinful bodies of flesh.

The narrow path is the path of love - since we are first loved by Christ, we love Him and one another. His written Word guides us, His spirit wills and equips us to do what is pleasing to Him. There is a ditch on either side of the narrow path: one side is the heavy yoke of the Mosaic Law, which no man can bear (Acts 15:10); the other side is antinomianism, the sin of thinking and living as is there is no law (1 John 3:4 - often wrongly translated as saying "sin is the breaking of the law". It says, “Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; sin is lawlessness.” There is no reference to ‘transgressing’ in that verse – it was added by the Geneva Bible translators, and other translations (KJV, Jubilee 2000, American KJV) simply followed suit. On the other hand, the NIV, New KJV, ESV, Berean Literal, NASB, CSB, NET, NAS1977, ASV, ERV, Young's Literal all agree: sin is lawlessness.)

The narrow path is Christ focused as He leads; we walk with Moses, not led by him.

Thursday, November 12, 2020

Chapter 9 - His Hand is Raised to Strike!

Chapter 9 of Isaiah ends with more gloom and doom. It's no wonder why the prophets of God were hated by ethnic Israel. Much as in our day when the faithful preachers of the Word are despised and those who declare "peace! peace!" where there is no peace are heralded and beloved by the world.

Isaiah 9:18 (HCSB) For wickedness burns like a fire that consumes thorns and briers and kindles the forest thickets so that they go up in a column of smoke.

Verse 17 reminded the Hebrews that YHWH's hand was raised to strike. Verse 18 continues the thought - His hand is ready for judgment because the wickedness of His covenant people is out of control, like a Kaliphornia wild fire. And it does not consume only those - it had spread to other nations. When God's covenant people disregard His will for them, everyone is affected and everyone suffers. Does not the last 50 years of our history in the USA resemble this?

Isaiah 9:19 (HCSB) The land is scorched by the wrath of the LORD of Hosts, and the people are like fuel for the fire. No one has compassion on his brother.

One would think the rampaging fires described would scorch the land, but we see here that these fires are symbolic of spiritual rebellion as the scorching is by the hand of God - that hand that was raised up to strike has landed a blow. The wickedness of the people is like fuel for the judgment - it is was has brought His hand down heavy on them. That same strong hand and arm that led them from slavery in Egypt. And those being punished do not have compassion for each other - for they are self-interested; this is the condition of natural man.

Isaiah 9:20 (HCSB) They carve meat on the right, but they are still hungry; they have eaten on the left, but they are still not satisfied. Each one eats the flesh of his own arm.

They have plenty but are not satisfied. The ancient preacher said the eye never tires of seeing something new, the ear never tires of hearing something new. He might have also said that the tongue never tires of tasting something new - for these who had plenty as the world sees it, were not satisfied. And so they ate their own flesh.

This is the same depravity of which Paul wrote in Romans 1:21-24 (HCSB) For though they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God or show gratitude. Instead, their thinking became nonsense, and their senseless minds were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man, birds, four-footed animals, and reptiles. Therefore God delivered them over in the cravings of their hearts to sexual impurity, so that their bodies were degraded among themselves.

Isaiah 9:21 (HCSB) Manasseh is with Ephraim, and Ephraim with Manasseh; together, both are against Judah. In all this, His anger is not removed, and His hand is still raised to strike.

A few of the tribes rallied to strengthen each other; they came together to conquer the southern kingdom, Judah. This is not pleasing to YHWH and His is still raised to strike. Unity apart from the authority and compliance with the will of God is continued rebellion against Him. So in our day, when some religious leaders tell us we must develop a social conscience, see the gospel in a new light that the social rebels approve of. This is false unity, opposed to God and is not pleasing - for what has light to do with darkness?

Let each of us examine himself, to test everything in light of Scripture. Let us love one another in the truth of the Word in the power of the Spirit. For this is pleasing to God.

Tuesday, November 10, 2020

Chapter 9 - Repent!

The middle portion of Isaiah 9, beginning with verse 8, brings a shift in focus. From the exceedingly good news of Christ as the Son of God to Jesus as Lord who will bring chastisement upon ethnic Israel for their continued rebellion.

Isaiah 9:8-9 (HCSB) The Lord sent a message against Jacob; it came against Israel. All the people— Ephraim and the inhabitants of Samaria—will know it.

YHWH brought a message against Jacob and Israel - both the south and northern kingdoms; nobody in the Mosaic Covenant community escapes. Everyone - from a lesser tribe of Israel to the "mixed breed" people - will know this, that the God of Israel brings judgement against His people. At the end of the age, when Christ Jesus comes the second time, bringing judgment to the world, everyone on the planet will know it. Only none of the saints will suffer that judgment, for He will gather the sheep to Himself.

Isaiah 9:9-10 (HCSB) They will say with pride and arrogance: “The bricks have fallen, but we will rebuild with cut stones; the sycamores have been cut down, but we will replace them with cedars.”

This short passage reveals the underlying problem that plagued ethnic Israel. They declared, many generations before, that some may trust in horses and chariots but they, the people of Israel, trusted in the name of YHWH! Yet they generally lived in mostly open rebellion against Him, trusting in wealth and seeking approval of pagan nations. They boasted in their ability to rebuild what had been torn down - as if God dwelt in houses made of stone.

Isaiah 9:11-12 (HCSB) The LORD has raised up Rezin’s adversaries against him and stirred up his enemies. Aram from the east and Philistia from the west have consumed Israel with open mouths. In all this, His anger is not removed, and His hand is still raised to strike.

Rezin was king of Assyria; YHWH raised up adversaries against him, stirring up enemies who also consumed Israel. Many times God had raised up pagan nations to punish national Israel for their rebellion. Sin against the Creator is not a light thing and His anger is not removed by cries of anguish and false tears of contrition; He will mete out His wrath on those who do not repent and embrace the Son.

Isaiah 9:13-16 (HCSB) The people did not turn to Him who struck them; they did not seek the LORD of Hosts. So the LORD cut off Israel’s head and tail, palm branch and reed in a single day. The head is the elder, the honored one; the tail is the prophet, the lying teacher. The leaders of the people mislead them, and those they mislead are swallowed up.

Chastisement of His people is intended to remind them of their promises and His faithfulness; just as discipline in the New Covenant congregation is intended. Yet Jacob and Israel did not repent, did not turn back and seek their God. So their God "cut off Israel's head and tail" - a picture of complete destruction. We learn that head and tail are leaders who led people astray, and those who were misled were swallowed up. Be careful who you follow, test all things in light of Scripture - else you and I could be swallowed up in the error of our leaders.

Isaiah 9:17 (HCSB) Therefore the Lord does not rejoice over Israel’s young men and has no compassion on its fatherless and widows, for everyone is a godless evildoer, and every mouth speaks folly. In all this, His anger is not removed, and His hand is still raised to strike.

This last verse is some of the saddest in Scripture. YHWH will not rejoice over the young men nor have compassion on the fatherless and widows amongst His covenant people. Because EVERYONE is a godless evildoer and every mouth speaks folly. Without union with Christ, being born from above and indwelt by the Spirit, we would each and everyone be godless evildoers, speaking folly. For all who are apart from Christ, God's anger is not removed, His hand is still raised to strike.

Judgment Day is coming. Are you trusting in your stuff or are you trusting in Christ Jesus and His completed work of redemption? What happened to ethnic Israel was for us, that we would not sin as they did (Rom 15:4, 1 Cor 10:11). While ye yet have breath, cry out to God, pleading with Him for mercy and new life in Christ. He is coming again. Not to deal with sin, but to gather those who eagerly await Him.

Monday, November 9, 2020

Chapter 9 - Peace!

The first part of Isaiah 9 brings us a well-known poem of the birth of Christ. The introduction to this poem and the first few stanzas may be read over without much study, as they are not as clear to our way of thinking.

Isaiah 9:1 (HCSB) Nevertheless, the gloom of the distressed land will not be like that of the former times when He humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali. But in the future He will bring honor to the Way of the Sea, to the land east of the Jordan, and to Galilee of the nations.

Zebulun and Naphtali were northern tribes that were decimated by the Assyrian invasion; whose king established three provinces in the northern kingdom: Magiddo (Galilee), Du'Ru (the Way of the See), and Gal'aza (the land east of the Jordan). Knowing this makes the opening verse more clear: the northern kingdom was reeling under the heavy boot of Assyria and YHWH was promising a future of victory over them. Was this a temporal victory to reclaim dirt, or was Isaiah revealing something spiritual about the eternal kingdom?

Isaiah 9:2-3 (HCSB) The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; a light has dawned on those living in the land of darkness. You have enlarged the nation and increased its joy. The people have rejoiced before You as they rejoice at harvest time and as they rejoice when dividing spoils.

Here the Spirit reveals what is termed "prophetic perfect", when that which is future is presented as present, now. Assyria had brought darkness to Israel, just as sin had brought darkness to the whole earth. A light has dawned - John wrote of this:

John 1:1-5 (HCSB) In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. All things were created through Him, and apart from Him not one thing was created that has been created. Life was in Him, and that life was the light of men. That light shines in the darkness, yet the darkness did not overcome it.

The light that overcomes the darkness is Christ Jesus. The nation that is enlarged is the body of Christ, wherein all who believe are one in Him. In Christ is unending joy that is firmly fixed on the Lord Jesus and not circumstances. This brings rejoicing at harvest time (when the harvest of souls is complete) when the rewards of labor are realized. We can understand while ethnic Israel saw renewed prosperity in the land as the fulfillment of this prophecy, but the references to Christ throughout tell us who are indwelt by the Spirit that something greater than Moses is here!

Isaiah 9:4-5 (HCSB) For You have shattered their oppressive yoke and the rod on their shoulders, the staff of their oppressor, just as You did on the day of Midian. For the trampling boot of battle and the bloodied garments of war will be burned as fuel for the fire.

This references the victory over the Middianites when God worked through Gideon (Judges 6). But it also speaks of the breaking of the yoke of sin when one is brought to new life in Christ, as He gives victory over sin that cannot be overturned. How do I know this? Because of what comes next.

Isaiah 9:6-7 (HCSB) For a child will be born for us, a son will be given to us, and the government will be on His shoulders. He will be named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. The dominion will be vast, and its prosperity will never end. He will reign on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish and sustain it with justice and righteousness from now on and forever. The zeal of the LORD of Hosts will accomplish this.

While some have said that Hezekiah or Josiah are the one herein prophesied, none but Jesus fulfills all of these superlative descriptions. Not the government of ethnic Israel, but of the whole of creation will be on His shoulders (ALL authority in heaven and earth has been given to me, Jesus announced, Matt 28:18). Who but Jesus is Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, and Prince of Peace? As Wonderful Counselor, Jesus is identified as perfect wisdom. Mighty God shows Him to the Son of David. Eternal Father reflects His unity with God the Father and eternal nature as God. And no one brings peace with God to wretched sinners but Jesus. "Come to me, all who are weak and weary, and I will give you rest! Peace I give, my peace; not as the world knows it. I have said these things to you so you may have peace. In this world you will have tribulation, but take heart - I have overcome the world!"

This the breaking of the heavy yoke, the giving of the light yoke. This is peace with God that the world can never provide nor understand. If you do not have peace, turn from those who promise peace, peace where there is no peace (politics, wealth, ease) and turn to the One Who, alone, can reconcile wretched sinners to God and bring unsurpassed peace to your soul.