The sky is falling?

During Creation week, on Day 4, God began to fill the world he had formed on Days 1 to 3. The first act of filling was to provide government of the time and seasons. Leaders and political powers are represented throughout the Bible in the same way. They are ruling lights that oversee the lives of men. The fall of a political power is often described in apocalyptic imagery that mentions stars falling from heaven, sun darkening etc (Gen 37:9-11, Isa 13:9-13, Matt 24:29).

When this type of language and imagery is used in the New Testament there is no reason to expect a different intent. Unfortunately that hasn’t stopped a few ‘Chicken Little’s’ from getting all excited making sci-fi type doomsday predictions. What makes for entertaining escapism at the movies or bedtime stories doesn’t create good theology

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• Because he built it, he will fill it

 

Just passing by

John Wesley (1703-1791), founder of Methodism (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

A stranger visiting a Methodist community in Britain asked an old Cornishman to explain the obvious morality and spirit of the villagers. He replied, “A man named Wesley passed this way.” And so must the church of Jesus Christ constantly remind the observing world that Jesus of Nazareth is passing by. There is an irresistible contagion about the Christian. Above all others, the preacher—by word and ministry—must preach: Jesus is here! ~ Jones, G. C. 1986. 1000 illustrations for preaching and teaching (p. 303). Broadman Press: Nashville, TN

 

Heaven on Earth?

An idea often found in Christian devotionals is to equate the entry heaven with occupation of Canaan by Israel under Joshua. This creates a very confusing image of heaven. Surely heaven is not a place of conflict but a rest from all conflicts? This type of interpretation misses the point and purpose of the book of Joshua.

Drawing from my notes taken during my Bible College Old Testament History class way back last century I offer the following thoughts about the significance of the story of Joshua.

The occupation of Canaan is not representative of the believer entering Heaven. Canaan is inherited through testing that results in maturity and conquest leading to rest. Canaan is the picture of the believer’s present position and possession in Christ (Heb 3:1 – 4:16).

A Christian is not given a ticket that allows them to escape the singe of hell before they enjoy a free ride to heaven. Those who enter into covenant with God have received the Word of God, are called to obey it, or be rejected by it. The life of persevering faith will involve an active, intentional fight against sin as you strive towards holiness to appropriate what God offers you in Christ (1 Cor 10:1-14, Heb 12:14-17, 2 Pet 1:5-9, Phil 2:12-13, 1 Thes 5:24).

What should the Christian take away from the book of Joshua? We live and work from a position of victory, but we must not surrender to apathy and presumption (Rom 6:1-23).

 

And the saviour of the world is … Joseph of course!

As you read through the book of Genesis, none of the patriarchs deserved God’s blessing apart from his mercy and grace. Abraham, Jacob and Joseph succeeded in their faith in God’s promise as evidenced by their (at times inconsistent and flawed) obedience to God.

They were first hand participants in the conflict between the seed of the serpent and the seed of the woman. The serpent’s seed are tyrants of death and destruction, whereas the woman’s seed are faithful warrior priest-kings who lead their families to worship Yahweh.

When Joseph arrives he seemingly fulfils the Genesis 3:15 prophecy of the seed of woman who will bring salvation and undo Adam’s failure. As a prophet, he speaks God’s word to his brothers and suffers affliction and (a fake) death at their hands (Gen 37:26, 31-33, Acts 7:9). As a priest he serves Potiphar and resists the allure of the “daughters of men” (c.f. Gen 6:1-4 w/ 39:6-12). As a king, he brings God’s Word to the nation through diligent stewardship, marries a Gentile bride and gives an inheritance to his brothers (c.f. Gen 41:16 w/ Heb 2:10-18). [NB: The pattern of Word, Sacrament and Government.]

Following the pattern established during Creation week of Genesis 1, on Day 1 God spoke and kick started the universe, the story of Genesis is the kick-start of Israel – how it came to be and through whom. As the sun sets on this “Day 1” of the Bible story,  God has spoken, initiated his covenant and created his nation of priests, who are led by Joseph. He is a light and saviour to the nations as he manages the food distribution during a wide-spread famine.

The separation of light from dark is illustrated in the conflict, between the seed of the serpent and the seed of the woman, which reaches a climax as Joseph, seed of Abraham (c.f. Gal 3:16) defeats the serpent and effects a salvation of the known world. Not altogether like his anti-type, another bloke with a name starting with “J” (Heb 2:14, 1 John 3:8, Rev 12:4-5, 20:10).

 

Father Abraham… a better priest than Adam

Photograph of medieval canvas "Abraham and Melchisedek"

Abraham is chosen as a new priest as God works to overturn the curse and draw men back to himself. Abraham hears God’s Word, leaves his old life, and approaches God through faith. He is a first-fruits of those justified by faith (Gal 3:6-9). The inheritance of the promised land looks back to Eden and forward to an incorruptible inheritance. (Heb 11:8-16, 1 Pet 1:3-4)

The promise-curse of Genesis 3:15-16 is fulfilled through the miraculous births of Isaac, Esau & Jacob and Joseph to Sarah, Rebekah and Rachel. (Heb 11:11-12)

Abraham is a faithful priest who protects the land in the battle of the city-kings in Genesis 14. His defense and rescue of Lot is opposite to Adam’s protection of Eve. When Melchizedek arrives, they celebrate with “bread and wine” (Gen 14:18). Following this, God cuts a covenant with Abraham (Gen 15) reiterating his promise of salvation given to Adam and Eve (c.f. Gen 15:2-6 w/ 3:15). In Hebrews 7, Jesus is a priest in the order of Melchizedek, he brings the bread and wine of his body and blood (Matt 26:26-29), which are tokens of the new covenant.

 

Until the 10th generation… a 2nd Adam arrives

Noah is the 10th generation from Adam (Gen 5, c.f. Deut 23:1-8). Through Noah, God expands his kingdom, commencing with speaking his law (Gen 9:1-7) and Noah planting a new garden (aka vineyard) in Genesis 9:20.

He was a second Adam (not the last!) but…