Luke 1:17 “He
will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the
fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make
ready for the Lord a people prepared”.
Here is a neat little Bible tidbit that is really helpful in understanding biblical prophecy. If
one reads through the entire Old Testament, one cannot help but walk away
feeling that it is incomplete, that there is an ending that is yet to be told.
We are left thinking that more is to come, and this is in large measure
attributable to the prophets.
Every
prophet has a future orientation that expresses confidence in God’s plans for
His people no matter if the prophet spoke first to Israel, Judah, or the
nations; lived before, during, or after the exile; or wrote in narrative,
poetic, or apocalyptic style. Here is a basic outline: Amos directs us to the
restoration of the Davidic monarchy. Hosea looks for the full reconciliation of
Yahweh and His bride, Israel, never to be separated again. Isaiah envisions a
new heavens and earth brought about by the suffering but triumphant Davidic
king. Joel foresees an outpouring of the Holy Spirit surpassing anything seen
before. Obadiah, Nahum, and Jonah warn the nations that those who oppose God’s
people will finally be destroyed but offer hope that anyone can become
Abraham’s child by trusting in Yahweh. Micah anticipates the people’s cleansing
so that they can do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with God. Habakkuk assures
the remnant that its trust in the Lord alone will be vindicated. Jeremiah
predicts a new covenant more glorious than the old, and in Lamentations he
mourns for Jerusalem while hoping that God had not finally cut off His people.
Ezekiel proclaims the return of pure worship after the exile. Daniel explains
that after Judah’s extended exile, the Lord will finally judge the living and
the dead, and reward them accordingly. Haggai and Zechariah encourage the
people to look past their post-exilic suffering to the glory of the coming temple,
calling them to repent for rejecting God. Finally, Zephaniah and Malachi tell
us of the final day of the Lord when all the aforementioned predictions will be
consummated.
This
day could not come until Elijah ministered to God’s people again (Malachi
4:5–6). John the Baptist, son of Zechariah and Elizabeth, was this Elijah—not
the literal return of the prophet but one who came in his spirit and power.
This second Elijah proclaimed the coming David—not the literal David himself
but His greatest Son – the Messiah. Turning the hearts of God’s people in
first-century-AD Palestine back to Him, John paved the way for the Davidic king
Jesus Christ. John the Baptist was the last prophet of the old covenant even
though his story is told in what we commonly call the New Testament. Jesus
tells us that John was the greatest prophet of the old covenant, but greater
still is the least one who has seen the inauguration of the kingdom (Matthew
11:11). Our Savior is the Davidic king and fulfillment of the prophets. We must
trust Him to bring all the prophetic promises to pass, for He will surely do it.
It’s been a sure plan of God’s from the beginning and the Prophetic hope fulfilled
for us all. God with us;
our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Have a
Happy New Year!
2 comments:
Amen. This is so good! So many people do not consider the Whole Story! My son recently witnessed to young adults that do not even know that Jesus was a Jew.
Thank you Karen for the great comment. There is such great richness in the Christian faith in learning and understanding the details and application of the Word of God. Blessings to you and yours in 2017 A.D.
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