12/14- Luke 1:14-17- John's Glory and Peace comes from God

12/14 - John's Glory and Peace Come From God - Luke 1:14-17


(John the Baptist in the wilderness Il Bachiacca 1521-23)

Luke 1:14-17

14 He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, 15 for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born. 16 Many of the people of Israel will he bring back to the Lord their God. 17 And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord."



Calvin abridged: “He will be a joy” This is a greater joy than what Zechariah would derive from the birth of an ordinary child, and the joy would not be confined to him alone- but even strangers would rejoice in his message. 15- “He shall be great”- is a confirmation of what he said about joy. John was great because of his great and extraordinary purpose. Jesus declared that “among those born of women there was not one greater than John the Baptist” (Mt. 11:11). “never to take wine or fermented drink” – this was the vow of the Nazarite who would abstain until their vow was fulfilled (Nbrs. 6:3). Priests also were to abstain while they were performing their duties (Lev. 10:9). But John was to be a Nazarite for his whole life (similar to Samson Jdg. 13:3,4). But we must not assume that worship of God consists in abstinence of wine. We all should practice temperance- so that those who think it is harmful to drink should abstain on their own, and those who don’t have wine not to envy others. The word for “wine” here is any sort of manufactured wine. “He will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born.” The meaning is that the power and grace of the Spirit will appear in him not only in public, but with special and abundant gifts of the Spirit and attention would be brought to him even before he was born. Christ alone was given the Spirit without measure (Jn. 3:34; 1:16). Those who are given grace that exceeds the ordinary capacity are said to be filled with the Holy Ghost. 16-“Many people he will bring back”- This shows how corrupt the church of the time was- with corrupt doctrine, depraved morals, and disorderly government- so that it was almost a miracle that a few continued in godliness. If this happened to the ancient church, the church of our time should not think it is impossible to err. Much power is attributed to John, and we should learn from this that whenever Scripture applauds the efficacy in the ministry of people, we should learn to attribute this to the grace of the Spirit. For without the Spirit, the human voice would be spent speaking uselessly into the air. So when Paul boats that he is a minister of the Spirit (2 Cor. 3:6) he makes no claims for his own abilities apart from God as if his own voice penetrated peoples’ hearts. Scripture reminds us that ministers are nothing in themselves, but the glory goes undivided to God. 17- “And he will go on before the Lord”- This was John’s office to before Christ as a herald before a king (Mal. 3:1). “With the spirit and power of Elijah”- This does not mean that Elijah’s soul passed into the body of John, but the same Spirit of God, who acted efficaciously in Elijah also acted well in the Baptist. As Elijah restored the decayed worship of God, so John also was an agent in the restoration of worship in his day. He would bring back people to each other in a restored unity of faith (Mal. 4:5). As in Elijah’s day, so in John’s the scripture had degenerated through countless imaginations and ideas, the worship of God was corrupted by gross superstition, religion was divided into various sects, priests were openly wicked, and the people indulged in every sort of wickedness. The covenant had been broken with the faith of the fathers. There is a false peace (often promoted by the religious) in which men agree with each other in their disobedience apart from God. This is a false peace that ends in ultimate vanity and destruction. To have peace with each other, we should seek peace with God.



Thoughts: John the Baptist’s glory was found in God alone. His peace also was found through God alone. Here was a man who wore camel skins and ate wild locusts. This is a symbol that his glory was not found in looks or fashion, but in the Spirit within Him. So we should seek to honor God more than seek our own fashion. There is a temporary peace that is found in being just like everyone else. The thought is if we are just as wicked as the other people, then we will not stand out, nor convict them, and everyone will like us. But there is no peace for the wicked- there is only restlessness- an itch that cannot be scratched except by coming to God. John didn’t mind standing out, nor did he mind calling out those who had messed up (“repent!” is an unsettling call). We can learn a lesson from John in his willingness in a very concrete way to point to an ultimate peace. John and Elijah ministered in a day when morals, religion, politics, and ability to get along were decaying rapidly. We need people like them today- perhaps our young adults to show us the way back to God- and turning our hearts to each other.



Prayer: Lord, raise up someone who wouldn’t say “peace, peace” to the wicked, but someone who will point to you. Help us, O God, to turn to you with our whole hearts.

12/13 Luke 1:5-13 God Prepares to Come- Zechariah and Elizabeth

12/13 - Luke 1:5-13 - Zechariah and Elizabeth-God prepares to come


[Zechariah and Gabriel]

Luke 1: 5- 13

5 In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah; his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron. 6 Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, observing all the Lord's commands and decrees blamelessly. 7 But they were childless because Elizabeth was not able to conceive, and they were both well advanced in years.

8 Once when Zechariah's division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God, 9 he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to go into the temple of the Lord and burn incense. 10 And when the time for the burning of incense came, all the assembled worshipers were praying outside.

11 Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. 12 When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear. 13 But the angel said to him: "Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John.

Calvin abridged: Luke begins his Gospel with John the Baptist, just as a person who was going to speak about daylight would commence with the dawn. For, like the dawn, he went before the Sun of Righteousness, which was shortly to arise. Luke secures our respect for him while he is yet unborn, by pointing out the miracles around the earliest part of John’s existence, and by showing his commission from heaven as a prophet. 5-“Herod king of Judea”- Some think that Herod the Great was mentioned as he was the first foreign king; so that now was a suitable time for deliverance. But what is more important is that during Herod’s time the Jews retained some semblance of governing by the Sanhedrin (who were descendants of David then) whom Herod destroyed. “Zechariah of the family of Abijah”- The families of priests were arranged in certain groups by David (1 Chronicles 24:3,31). David’s intent in doing this was to have order instead of chaos, partly to oppose ambition, partly to provide that a few persons would not have all the power- by being in charge of the service and leaving the rest unemployed at home. Zechariah was descended from Abijah of Eleazar (Nbr. 20:28). So Elizabeth, Mary’s cousin, was a daughter of a Levite, as priests were permitted by law to marry a Levite.

6 “both righteous in the sight of God” – This is a noble testimony that they were not only honored among people, but they were upright and holy before God. We ought to see that those who regulate their lives by the commandments are considered righteous. When worshippers do not obey the law, worship is counterfeit [Calvin translates dikaiomata as ordinances- not decrees-thus applying it to their worship]. They are righteous in that the fear of God lives in them-not that they were perfect. Yet they cannot please God without getting forgiveness. 7- “They were childless”- By an extraordinary purpose of God, it was appointed that John should be born out of the common and ordinary course of nature (similar to Isaac Gen. 17:17; 21:1-3). 9 “according to the custom of the priesthood”- The law commanded that incense should be offered twice each day (Ex. 30:7,8). The priesthood is a living illustration that we need someone between God and us (as the priests were only allowed in the inner courts). Only one priest at a time was permitted into the Holy Place. The incense was to remind the people that the sweet savor of their prayers do not go up to heaven unless they go through a sacrifice of a Mediator. 12 “Zechariah was startled and gripped with fear”- Though God does not appear to his servants in order to terrify them, yet it is advantageous and necessary that they be struck with awe (Ps. 33:8), that they may learn to give God the glory due his name (Ps. 29:2). The presence of God fills people with alarm which not only leads them to reverence, but humbles the pride of the flesh- which is so strong that God’s power must overcome them. We can also infer that when God is absent is when we indulge in self-pride and flattery. 13- “Fear not”- The glory of God does not swallow us up with dread, but after it has abased our pride and foolish confidence, he stretches out his hand to raise them up. God does not stretch forth his gracious hand to the reprobate. We have no reason to fear if we know God, but we can be at peace. “Call his name John”- John means “the grace of the Lord” (1 Chr. 3:15). John’s grace is the mission he would bring to all. It should be noted that this grace and name are given to him before he was born [the grace of God precedes our actions].



Thought: The Jewish faith was losing hope. Herod was now king, the Romans were in charge, and even the symbolic Davidic judging of the Sanhedrin was about to be destroyed. By 70 A.D., the whole nation would be obliterated. The religious life of the day was in ferment and dividing- and under attack by the super secular Herodians, those who believed little- the Saducees, and those who were legalistic-the Pharisees. There were still godly people (like Elizabeth, Zechariah, Anna, Simeon), but most of them were older. The faith had little hope in that day. In such a context the power of God began to show itself again and God Himself came down. In our day, the Church in the west is weak, left with only a skeletal framework, and rapidly losing faith (in the last ten years there has been a 10% decrease in attendance in America). It appears also that the Church in the west is getting older demographically. Yet God is not dead nor doth He sleep. God’s power is often shown when we are weak. So once again, come Lord Jesus! Come and renew us. Come and abide with us in our lives, our families, our churches.

Prayer: O come to us, abide with us, our Lord, Emmanuel!”

12/12- To Set the Prisoner Free

Luke 4:18,19
18"The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed,

Christ saw this as his mission- to open the eyes of the physical and spiritual blind, and to set the spiritually bound free.

Today two fellows are visibly paying the price for their sin.  To not learn from this would be a shame.
Adultery is a chain that binds us, and keeps us in the prison of sin.  It is, by all accounts, addicting and enslaving.
Today Tiger Woods gave up golf to try to repair a broken marriage.  Today Sanford admits he lost a great wife because of his moral failures.  Yet when he came back from Argentina he called his lover his "soul-mate." 

Adultery may seem so delicious.  Pornography may seem to tantalize us.  They are epidemic plagues upon our culture right now.  We think we can do these things without any harm to ourselves.  But if the greatest golfer gives up golf, and a potential presidential candidate lost his bid because of such things, what can we say- there is no harm?  This is a lesson for all of us.

The good news is that Tiger and Sanford can be forgiven.  We can too. We do not need to be stuck in our sin.  Christ sets us free from our addictions and bad habits, and gives us a true second chance.

12/11- Micah 5:1-4- Bethlehem and Christ

12/11 - Micah 5:1-4 - Bethlehem and Christ


(the author at the entrance to the cave in Bethlehem - the traditional site of Jesus' birth - now made ornate by the church)

Micah 5:1-4
1Marshal your troops now, city of troops, for a siege is laid against us. They will strike Israel's ruler on the cheek with a rod. 2 "But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times." 3 Therefore Israel will be abandoned until the time when she who is in labor gives birth and the rest of his brothers return to join the Israelites. 4 He will stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the LORD, in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God. And they will live securely, for then his greatness will reach to the ends of the earth.

Calvin abridged: The Prophet was trying to encourage the people to have patience despite the upcoming siege. It is important to see that when the Prophets threaten us with wrath or denounce the punishment we deserve we either become apathetic or grow angry with God and complain. But when the Prophets comfort us, we indulge ourselves and become too secure. It is important that we have both an awareness of God’s wrath and his promises so that we may be ready to endure temporary problems and rely on Him. He calls Jerusalem a “city of troops” meaning that they choose the way of violence; they assemble (troop) together as a gang of thieves gather together for violence, so now troops will besiege them. The Lord was saying that they had been oppressive to others so now they would be oppressed in return (c.f Isa. 33:1). They governors and judges of Israel will be humbled by their enemies- suffering the greatest indignity of being struck on the cheek. But having said all this, the prophet gives them hope (vs. 2). But you, Bethlehem Ephratha, though you are small among the clans of Judah. While God was humbling the proud city and its rulers, he was also lifting up this simple, humble town of Bethlehem. Bethlehem Ephratha is distinguished from another Bethlehem of Zebulon. The word Ephrathah designates an abundance of fruit or provisions, and there David was born. “of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel”- this means that it was not God’s purpose to completely destroy his people- but he would restore them again after a time. The people would not have expected that King David would have come from such a small and simple town. David’s father was a shepherd, his family lived very simply, and David was the humblest in his family. God had surprised them before by bringing a king from humble beginnings, and he would do so again. “Whose origins are from of old, from ancient times”- means from eternity. The rise of a new ruler had long ago been determined by God and was not a sudden event. Some say this refers to the eternal existence of Christ, and I agree with them; but as some will not accept this, I prefer the simpler, immediate meaning: that Christ will not come unexpectedly from Bethlehem, but God had previously determined his coming.

Thought: God is not surprised. It was in God’s plan that the proud would be humbled and the humble would be lifted up. As God took David from the shepherd’s stalls and made him king, so God takes Jesus from the manger in the same town and makes him King of kings. Psalm 78:1 says, “from tending the sheep he brought him to be the shepherd of his people Jacob, of Israel his inheritance.” David himself said, “Who am I, O sovereign Lord, and what is my family, that you have brought me thus far? …and you have spoken to me about the future of my house” 2 Sam. 7:19,20). Micah speaks of this small humble town being lifted up too.  Bethlehem meant “house of bread.” It is most appropriate that the bread of life be born there. It is a great reminder for us that God is sovereign. He is the King of kings- and we do not need to panic, nor place our ultimate trust in what the rulers of our world are currently doing. There was so much that had to happen in order for Jesus to be born in Bethlehem. Thousands of miles away, Caesar Augustus, perhaps the greatest emperor of Rome, made a decree. Luke expresses an amazement at God’s leading Jesus’ family in this way so that he would be born in the place that would fulfill the prophecy. Even today you can go to Bethlehem and see what is very probably the place. It was marked by an early church. The place is a cave that was used for keeping animals (they didn’t have many wooden stables in that land - lots of rock and not many trees). Bethlehem is a real city- not a fable. The one whose origins are from of old, intersected life in the most humble way, lived a most humble life, and was lifted up to the highest place. His greatness has indeed reached to the ends of the earth. It is only in the last twenty years that we can say that the gospel has spread to every nation- and there are Christians in each nation of the world today.

Prayer: You are worthy of our praise, O Lord. You lift up the humble. So we humble ourselves before you, that you might lift us up.



12/10-

12/10- Hosea 11:1 - Christ in Egypt

(Out of Egypt- Hendrick Goltzius 1558-1617)



Hosea 11:1-9

1 "When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son. 2 But the more they were called, the more they went away from me. They sacrificed to the Baals and they burned incense to images. 3 It was I who taught Ephraim to walk, taking them by the arms; but they did not realize it was I who healed them. 4 I led them with cords of human kindness, with ties of love. To them I was like one who lifts a little child to the cheek, and I bent down to feed them. 5 "Will they not return to Egypt and will not Assyria rule over them because they refuse to repent? 6 Swords will flash in their cities, will destroy the bars of their gates and put an end to their plans. 7 My people are determined to turn from me. Even though they call me God Most High, I will by no means exalt them. 8 "How can I give you up, Ephraim? How can I hand you over, Israel? How can I treat you like Admah? How can I make you like Zeboyim? My heart is changed within me; all my compassion is aroused. 9 I will not carry out my fierce anger, nor will I devastate Ephraim again. For I am God, and not a human being — the Holy One among you. I will not come against their cities.

[Matthew 2:15 - And so was fulfilled what the Lord had said through the prophet: “Out of Egypt I called My Son.”]



Calvin abridged: God here rebukes the people of Israel for their ingratitude. God had embraced them from the very beginning even when there was no merit or worthiness in them. The birth of the people was their coming out of Egypt. Egypt was like a grave- without a spark of life; and their condition worst than a thousand deaths. His calling them out of this grave of death shows his love before they were even born. Matthew says that this prophecy [“out of Egypt I have called my son”] was fulfilled when Jesus escaped Herod going into and coming back from Egypt. In a way, Matthew has more deeply considered the purpose of God in that Christ’s body (the Church) is mutilated without the Head. It is a proper thing for the Head to experience what the body experienced. God in His wonderful providence intended that his on should come out of Egypt, that he might be a redeemer to the faithful; so he shows that a true, real, and completed deliverance was finally effected when the promised redeemer appeared. As it was the nativity of the people of God in the Old Testament when Egypt was delivered, so it was the full nativity of the Church when Jesus was delivered. Christ is a different kind of Son of God than the people of Israel- for Abraham’s seed was adopted, but Christ is by nature the only- begotten Son of God. The difference in the sonship is also found in that the ingratitude of the posterity of David did not apply to the Christ. They were but types and shadows, but Christ is the real Son of God.



Thoughts: When you read Calvin’s commentaries, something really clear stands out- he did not doubt the scripture as so many commentators do today. Even the good commentaries of today are busy handling the severe doubts by others (like- did Jesus really go into Egypt?). So Calvin focuses clearly on the text itself, and how we can get meaning out of it and apply it to our lives. There was a sense in which all the Church- all those who believe were there with Christ. Paul said this “as in Adam all die, so in Christ have all been made alive.” Theologians called this the “federal headship” of Christ. I just finished watching the movie “Kingdom of Heaven” in which the king of Jerusalem (Baldwin IV) said, “I am Jerusalem.” When the king went out with his army the muslim general sent a message that “Jerusalem has come.” This is an older concept that has been watered down into representation. In certain things the president speaks for or represents America. In some ways the congress votes for all America. In other ways the federal Supreme Court makes the final decision “for” America. So there is a sense in which the Head of the Church represented all of us- going down into Egypt and coming back out. It was another sign that Jesus would be our deliverer- the Passover lamb who takes away the sins of the world.



Prayer: Thank you Lord that you suffered at the hands of kings to show us how to suffer. Thank you that you that you also show us your deliverance and hope.

12/9- Advent and Weeping

12/9-Jeremiah 31:15,16 - Hope in weeping


(Rachel weeping- Charles Wilson Peale 1772)

Jeremiah 31:15

15 This is what the LORD says: "A voice is heard in Ramah, mourning and great weeping,Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more." 16 This is what the LORD says: "Restrain your voice from weeping and your eyes from tears, for your work will be rewarded," declares the LORD. "They will return from the land of the enemy.

Calvin abridged: At first the Prophet describes the desolation of the land, when it is emptied of its inhabitants. Secondly, he adds a comfort- that God would restore the captives from exile, that the land would be inhabited again. The Prophet uses personification of Rachel who was in the grave, and he represents her as lamenting. Rachel was buried at Bethlehem, but this was not why Jeremiah or the evangelists chose this image. Rachel was viewed as weeping for the tribe of Benjamin which was now extinct in the land. This was quoted in Matthew 2:18 as applying allegorically to those infants who were murdered by Herod. “Your work will be rewarded” – means that God will put an end to Rachel’s tears. The labor here is similar to that of a woman giving birth- who does not miscarry but whose labor bears fruit. The people would be restored to the land, which will stop Rachel’s weeping.

Thoughts: Often we think advent and Christmas mean only good.  But what Herod did to try to preserve his worldly crown- kill the newborn King, was evil.  My experience is that when you try to do good, there are always those who speak evil because of it, or react with selfishness, pride, or evil.  I'll never forget one of my previous church's renovating someone's house just at Christmas.  One person complained that they didn't deserve it and quit.  A neighbor became jealous and angry that we didn't choose their house.  This great good of God's coming down was taken as a threat by some.  Even today, many would just as soon Christians quit singing about it, and not mention "Christmas" in their presence (enforced by some schools and stores), and Christmas trees are called "holiday" trees.  It is amazing that the birth of a baby- makes some so angry.  Likewise, squelching our celebration makes some of us angry.  Yet the birth still happens. As Rachel wept over the loss of the tribe of Benjamin and its progeny, so those in Bethlehem weep.  So we weep today that the Herods of the world want to squish our celebration and snuff out our joy so they can remain comfortable.  Yet the baby is still born.  God's plan goes on.  Despite the world's complaining and fighting against it, God's plan goes on- and many will be helped, healed, and saved for eternity.




Prayer: Today, Lord, give me hope. Hope even in the worst problems of life. Thank you for the hope of Bethlehem that quiets her sadness and weeping.

12/8- Isaiah 7:1-17 A Sign of Deliverance- a Virgin with Child

12/8- Isaiah 7:1-17 - Believing in a sign from God


(Seal found of Ahaz King of Judah)

1 When Ahaz son of Jotham, the son of Uzziah, was king of Judah, King Rezin of Aram and Pekah son of Remaliah king of Israel marched up to fight against Jerusalem, but they could not overpower it. 2 Now the house of David was told, "Aram has allied itself with Ephraim"; so the hearts of Ahaz and his people were shaken, as the trees of the forest are shaken by the wind. 3 Then the LORD said to Isaiah, "Go out, you and your son Shear-Jashub, to meet Ahaz at the end of the aqueduct of the Upper Pool, on the road to the Launderer's Field. 4 Say to him, 'Be careful, keep calm and don't be afraid. Do not lose heart because of these two smoldering stubs of firewood—because of the fierce anger of Rezin and Aram and of the son of Remaliah. 5 Aram, Ephraim and Remaliah's son have plotted your ruin, saying, 6 "Let us invade Judah; let us tear it apart and divide it among ourselves, and make the son of Tabeel king over it." 7 Yet this is what the Sovereign LORD says: " 'It will not take place, it will not happen, for the head of Aram is Damascus, and the head of Damascus is only Rezin. Within sixty-five years Ephraim will be too shattered to be a people. 9 The head of Ephraim is Samaria, and the head of Samaria is only Remaliah's son. If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all.' " 10 Again the LORD spoke to Ahaz, 11 "Ask the LORD your God for a sign, whether in the deepest depths or in the highest heights." 12 But Ahaz said, "I will not ask; I will not put the LORD to the test." 13 Then Isaiah said, "Hear now, you house of David! Is it not enough to try the patience of human beings? Will you try the patience of my God also? 14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and [e] will call him Immanuel. 15 He will be eating curds and honey when he knows enough to reject the wrong and choose the right, 16 for before the boy knows enough to reject the wrong and choose the right, the land of the two kings you dread will be laid waste. 17 The LORD will bring on you and on your people and on the house of your father a time unlike any since Ephraim broke away from Judah—he will bring the king of Assyria."

Calvin Abridged (7:12-17) Ahaz refuses the sign the Lord offers him by saying he is unwilling to tempt the Lord. But do we tempt God, when we accept what he offers us? Certainly not. Ahaz’s problem was one of faith. God was giving him a sign to strengthen his faith. Baptism and the Lord’s Supper are signs of the faith given in the gospel. Must they be regarded as superfluous? Not at all- they are aids for our support given by God. The refusing of the sign by Ahaz shows stubbornness and ingratitude on his part. Some fanatics today likewise disregard Baptism and the Lord’s Supper as childish elements, but in their rejection they reject the whole gospel; for we must not separate those things which the Lord commands us to join in. Some may ask if we should ask for signs from the Lord as Gideon did (Jdg. 6:17). But Gideon did so under the operation and influence of the Holy Spirit, and we should not abuse his example, restraining ourselves from frivolous asking. We should be satisfied with the signs the Lord offers us. There are two kinds of signs: some are extraordinary and supernatural (as here), and some are ordinary and daily (as Baptism and the Lord’s Supper). The Spirit is at work in both kinds- more visibly in the extraordinary signs, but silently in the ordinary ones. 14- “Trying the patience of human beings…and God”- It is not really possible to make a separation between God and the prophets and holy teachers – who are God’s instruments, making common cause with Him (Lk. 10:16). “Behold a virgin shall conceive”- this passage has become obscure over centuries of misinterpretation. Some have alleged that the person spoken here is Hezekiah, others that it is the son of Isaiah. But Hezekiah was grown when Jerusalem was besieged; the Lord did not promise deliverance from the seed of Isaiah. The title “Immanuel” was far too illustrious to be applied to any human being. Others conjecture it is some obscure child born at the time foreshadowing Christ. But they do not produce a strong argument, say who the child was, or bring forward any proofs. Some say that this passage was not talking about Christ’s birth 500 years later when Jerusalem was not besieged- because the Prophet was giving a sign of deliverance then. When Ahaz rejected the sign of the prophet, Isaiah was reminding him of the covenant given to his Davidic ancestors of the whole deliverance of the nation provided in the Messiah who was God with us. The Prophets in establishing God’s promises, often spoke of a coming Redeemer, however remote. It was as if Isaiah said, “True, you do not believe the promises of God, but yet God will fulfill them; for he will in time send his Christ, for whose sake he determines to preserve this city.” Instead of relying on God’s promises for deliverance, Ahaz relied on the Assyrians for help, and they ended up destroying his kingdom in fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy.

Thoughts: Most commentators today speak of only an immediate, obscure fulfillment. Yet Calvin, more than any other commentator I have seen, speaks of this as a prophecy of the messiah’s coming only. Isaiah’s wife was not unmarried nor a virgin (she already had a son 7:3, and her second son was no Immanuel). Some say it was someone in Ahaz’s house- but this is real guesswork too. If Isaiah was speaking of a child born right then, the child’s identity (or parents) is not made clear. Calvin points out that the ultimate fulfillment and sign to us is made clear. The virgin birth is a sign given by God. Some say the sign is not important (as Ahaz did in his day). But the sign of Jesus’ birth by the virgin Mary is a confirmation to strengthen our faith, and should not be made light of.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the signs- extraordinary and ordinary you give us in life. Thank you for being our deliverer from fear and death.

12/7- Matthew 2:14-18, Killing of the Innocents

12/7- Matthew 2:14-18 - Murder of the Innocents


(Killing of the Innocents- Flemish)

Devotional using scripture, quote from John Calvin and thoughts for the day each day- on the 500th anniversary of Calvin's birth.



Matthew 2:14-18

15where he stayed until the death of Herod. And so was fulfilled what the Lord had said through the prophet: "Out of Egypt I called my son." 16When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi. 17Then what was said through the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled: 18"A voice is heard in Ramah, weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more."

Jeremiah 31:16,17: 16 This is what the LORD says: "Restrain your voice from weeping and your eyes from tears, for your work will be rewarded," declares the LORD. "They will return from the land of the enemy. 17 So there is hope for your future," declares the LORD. "Your children will return to their own land.”



Calvin abridged: This is how the passage (quoted from Hosea 11:1) ought to be interpreted: “When Israel was yet a child, I brought him out of that wretched bondage in which he had been plunged. He was formerly like a dead man, and Egypt served him for a grave; but I drew him out of it as from the womb, and brought him into the light of life.” That deliverance from Egypt was the birth of a nation, in which they were adopted by God (Deut. 32:9; 1 Pt. 2:9) becoming a nation of priests, being rescued from a deep whirlpool of death in that foreign country. Now our redemption by Christ is a resurrection from the dead and a commencement to a new life. The light of salvation had almost been extinguished when God began the Church anew in the person of Christ. Before the whole nation was formerly shut up in Egypt, now it was Christ-the head of the Church alone- who was concealed there. Yet he carries the salvation and life for all within himself.

16-“When Herod saw…”- Herod saw that the Magi recognized his own deception and trickery (he said he wanted to pay homage) and did not want to take part in his pretense or his cruelty. Josephus does not make mention of this event, but the historian Macrobius in his second book of Saturnalia does: “When he heard that, by Herod’s command, the children in Syria under two years of age had been slain, and that his own son had been slain among the crowd, ‘I would rather’ said he, ‘have been Herod’s hog than his son.’” But Matthew’s authority alone is sufficient. Josephus certainly mentions other acts of cruelties of Herod that show his murderous character- like the killing of the Sanhedrin by Herod. Matthew says that Herod killed those two and under from which we may understand that Christ may have been as old as two years- but we do not know. It probably was not a two year journey for them. When the Magi came they asked for “a king who had been born” not after one that was two years old. 18 “a voice was heard in Ramah”- It is certain that Jeremiah 31:15 (quoted here) was speaking of the destruction of the tribe of Benjamin, putting these words in the mouth of Benjamin’s mother, Rachel, who had been long dead. Herod’s murder was a renewal of that mourning over the killing of children. Jeremiah goes on to promise a restoration, and Matthew promises a restoration through Christ- despite the massacre. After this passage Jeremiah says, “Restrain your voice from weeping and your eyes from tears for your work will be rewarded and you will return from the land of exile.” (31:16,17).



Thoughts: Herod is an example of a very smart, but very jealous ruler. He did all he could to eliminate his competition. This passage is a lesson for all those who want to eliminate criticism (probably in the name of unity). Herod had killed not only the judges mentioned in Calvin’s commentary, but his own son and his own wife. Yet, He rebuilt the temple, built up Masada, and a magnificent palace. He was enthralled with human power and glory to the point of jealousy toward even God’s interference in the fulfillment of a prophecy. I have often wondered why rulers or even others persecute Christians. Maybe in part it is to preserve their own power against the power of God. The best thing we can do is to submit to God’s power. In the end- He alone is the King of kings and Lord of lords. Jealousy and a desire to preserve our own status no matter what consequence it is to another is another form of human pride and rebellion against God. In sharp contrast to Herod’s killing to preserve his temporary crown is Christ’s cross that in the end allows him to be crowned King of kings. In our competitive dog-eat-dog world (made even more competitive by the recession), we would do well to follow Christ’s admonition to love our neighbor and even our enemies instead of Herod’s example of killing (or hating) our neighbor and our enemies! (Compare Calvin devotional today http://www.johncalvin09dev.blogspot.com/ about loving neighbors).



Prayer: Help us, Lord, to follow you. Give us grace to handle threats to our power and status with strength and trust in you.