I am more and more convinced and persuaded that there is a treasure to be delighted in, explored and loved...it is a treasure that will NEVER be exhausted in this life...the treasure of God's Word. I am also persuaded that there is a treasure in EVERY WORD, in the list of festivals, in the attention to detail in the sacrificial system, in the list of names in a genealogy. I know that Colossians 2:17 teaches us that these are only "a shadow of what was to come; the substance is the Messiah." The natural thought is, "I don't want to focus on the shadow, I want the real thing, I want to focus on Jesus!" I agree in general, but if you think about a picture that an artist is drawing...before the shadows and textures are added you might enjoy looking at the picture, but you recognize that something is missing. Shadows and textures add so much to a picture or portrait...if you want to see Jesus as HE really is...not as you want HIM to be...you have to see all of HIM.
Question...is ALL OF GOD REVEALED IN HIS WORD? ANSWER...NO! QUESTION...IS ALL THAT GOD DESIRES TO REVEAL OF HIMSELF TO HIS CREATURES REVEALED IN HIS CREATION AND IN HIS WORD? ANSWER...YES! QUESION...SHOULD EACH OF HIS CHILDREN PRAYERFULL READ AND MEDITATE ON EVERY WORD? WHAT DO YOU THINK?
Observance of the sacred seasons and Jewish religious festivals constituted a significant aspect of the Hebrew religion. These holy days and sacred seasons were decreed by God as his gifts to Israel. God purposed to preserve by them a remembrance of such sacred events as their divine election and deliverance (the Passover celebration), their sojourn in the wilderness (Feast of Tabernacles), their constant dependence on him for all temporal blessings and prosperity (Pentecost), their preservation from Persia (Feast of Purim), and their need of cleansing and forgiveness (Day of Atonement). Many other spiritual lessons and blessings were also to be derived from the numerous festivals and holy days such as the Sabbath, new moons, Year of Jubilee, and the like. Hence, the sacred seasons were based in large measure on particul
ar significant historical events related to the national or religious life of Israel. Furthermore, like the temple and the Scriptures, the national religious festivals were important bonds of spiritual and national unity for the Hebrew people. Webber, R. (1993). The Biblical foundations of Christian worship (1st ed.) (185). Nashville, Tenn.: Star Song Pub. Group.
The major festivals of Old Testament Israel were, in calendar order, Passover, Unleavened Bread, Firstfruits, the Feast of Weeks (Pentecost), the Feast of Trumpets, the Day of Atonement, and the Feast of Booths (Tabernacles or Ingathering). After the exile, the Jews added memorial days for the fall of Jerusalem (eventually fixed as the Ninth of Ab), Purim, and the Feast of Dedication (Hanukkah). In addition, the Israelites observed the Sabbath every week and the feast of the New Moon every lunar month.
Israel’s festivals were communal and commemorative as well as theological and typological. They were communal in that they drew the nation together for celebration and worship as they recalled the common origin and experience of the people. They were commemorative in that they kept alive the story of what God had done in the exodus and during the sojourn. They were theological in that the observance of the festivals presented the participants with lessons on the reality of sin, judgment, and forgiveness, on the need for thanksgiving to God, and on the importance of trusting God rather than hoarding possessions. They were typological in that they anticipated a greater fulfillment of the symbolism of the feasts. It is not surprising that each of the major feasts is in some way alluded to in the New Testament. On the other hand, the festivals could become meaningless rituals and were subject to the criticism of the prophets (Isa. 1:13–14). Elwell, W. A., & Elwell, W. A. (1997, c1996). Evangelical dictionary of biblical theology (electronic ed.). Baker reference library; Logos Library System. Grand Rapids: Baker Book House.
Consider the Passover, we know that "the Lord’s Supper was a Passover meal (Matt. 26:17–27; Mark 14:12–25; Luke 22:7–22; In passing the bread to the disciples and telling them that it was his body and that they should eat of it, Jesus was...presenting himself as the Passover lamb. Christ is thus described as “our Passover lamb” in 1 Corinthians 5:7 and as “the Lamb who was slain” in Revelation 5:12. John’s Gospel points out that none of Jesus’ bones were broken in his crucifixion in allusion to the requirement that none of the Passover lamb’s bones be broken (John 19:33–37; cf. Exod. 12:46). Elwell, W. A., & Elwell, W. A. (1997, c1996). Evangelical dictionary of biblical theology (electronic ed.). Baker reference library; Logos Library System. Grand Rapids: Baker Book House.
There is a treasure that is more valuable than all the gold and silver to be found in the shadows of God's Word...taste and see, taste and see!
Alright Mark, I see the treasure in the festivals, or at least the potential to see it, but I'm sorry I am having a difficult time with the genealogies. I admit that there are some passages where the glory of Christ shines forth in a blinding light and there are other places where you have to work diligently to see it, smell it and taste it, BUT IT IS WORTH THE WORK BECAUSE AT THE END OF THE LABOR YOU SEE MORE OF JESUS!
Consider this little nugget in the genealogy of Luke. I admit it took a little work, but it was worth the effort. I would call this nugget a shadow in that there are direct promises to gentiles, praise God, but this subtle nuance, for me, adds shading and texture to those promises...it is food for my soul. "People naturally assumed that Jesus was the physical son of both Joseph and Mary. Luke corrected this misunderstanding by emphasizing that Jesus was only apparently Joseph’s physical son. Luke’s genealogy is unlike Matthew’s, although both go back to David and Abraham. Luke traces Jesus’ line all the way back to Adam, showing Jesus’ significance for all people. Matthew provides the legal lineage from David through Joseph to Jesus, while Luke provides the physical lineage from David through Mary to Jesus. Radmacher, E. D., Allen, R. B., & House, H. W. (1999). Nelson's new illustrated Bible commentary (Lk 3:23-38). Nashville: T. Nelson Publishers.
I know that the promises of God's Word apply to gentiles, apply to you and me, but hearing over and over and in different ways strengthens my faith..."faith come by hearing and hearing by the Word of God"...EVERY WORD!
I love the way David preaches to himself, you will frequently see him go from despair to hope in the span of a few verses of a Psalm. We all need to preach God's Word to our own soul...therein you will find true joy, true peace, incredible treasure...therein you will find HIM!
Ps 62:5-8
Rest in God alone, my soul, for my hope comes from Him. 6 He alone is my rock and my salvation, my stronghold; I will not be shaken. 7 My salvation and glory depend on God; my strong rock, my refuge, is in God. 8 Trust in Him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts before Him. God is our refuge. Selah
Father in heaven,
teach us YOUR Word, enable us to hunger and thirst for righteousness, to hunger and thirst for YOU. For YOUR glory and for our JOY in YOU.
love,
m