Inheritance
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1) God’s Inheritance 2) Our Inheritance
1) God’s Inheritance 2) Our Inheritance
Inheritance/Heritage same word
Tough Qs: Ezk 35-38 and the literality/physicality of the land re-inherited by Israel...
Biblical Theology
Gen 1-2 (Our) INHERITANCE CREATED (Or Inheritance Introduced) God creates the world and places imaging vice-gerents to have dominion over the earth and bring Eden to the whole world through subduing it and being fruitful and working and keeping it.
We are God’s, God is OURS, and the world is OURS! This relationship is created, when God creates us, we are by nature in realtionship with Him! as free imagers!
WE are created as God’s inheritance, and this world, along with HIM, become our inheritance!
ADAM and Eve given RULE and sub-ownership/dominion over the earth — they were inheritors of the earth
2: Then the FALL...
We are kicked out of Eden — we forfeit the Garden… and we lose God as our hereditary inheritance (we are now born in SIN and hostility toward God), we need atonement and reconciliation; We are owned by God, but not His beloved heritage necessarily [His ELECT are His inheritance?]
Inheritance LOST
We lose both GOD and the garden.
Further iterations of this… at Babel, the nations scattered and given over to different sons of God… “gods”...
Yahweh disinherits the nations… yet gives them there own geographical, temporal inheritance, along with a “god”
No LONGER heirs of the world by nature… except through atonement and faith… participation in covenants.
3. Inheritance PROMISED (Gen 15) !!!
God initiates relationship with pagan Abram; Yahweh CHOOSES one, through whom a nation, and all nations will be inherited; Abraham set apart to be the father of this inherited people…
PRomises of Gen 15 are land, people, Gen 13:15-7
Through him ALL the nations would be blessed… (Gen 12)
through the Messiah, by faith Gal 3:18
For if the inheritance comes by the law, it no longer comes by promise; but God gave it to Abraham by a promise.
(Abraham’s faith won the inheritance for generations to come…)
4. Inheritance CREATED (+ Given)
Israel as a nation… bought out of Egypt; set apart...
Given the Promised Land (conditionally kept by virtue of covenant loyalty faithfulness to Yahweh)
5. Inheritance LOST
Sin/idolatry leads to Exile
God divorces his People, forsakes His heritage
They are expelled from the Land...
6. Inheritance PROMISED
BUT GOD still has mercy, giving hope through a remnant of Israel… through whom Messiah would come, in whom all nations would be brought into covenant inheritance!
through whom all nations would find in Yahweh their divine inheritance!
Isa 56 speaks of salvation to the FOREIGNER, “who join themselves to Yahweh; who choose what pleases him and hold fast his covenant” “to minister to him, to LOVE the name of Yawheh, and to be his servants”
“THESE I WILL BRING TO MY HOLY MOUNTAIN” - representation of the SANCTUARY of God’s presence, the peak of the new creation…
ISa 57:19 Peace peace to the FAR and to the NEAR…and I will heal him”
//Eph 2:14-15 God here calls and PROMISES peace and healing to the Gentile and the Jew: HOW?
“I will heal him; I will lead him and restore comfort to him…creating the fruit of the lips!!!!’ v.19
and we know the healing Isa 53 comes through the wounds of God the Son!!
Isa 60:11 the BEAUTIFYING of this RESTORED people and inheritance… “because he has made you beautiful” v.9; the gates being OPEN, “that people may bring to you the wealth of the nations, with their kings led in procession”
and through whom all nations would inherit the new creation!
Psalms and prophets!
Land Restored… —> new creation!
Nations United in Worship of Yahweh through shepherd King Messiah
7. Inheritance Given + Re-Created (or Re-Constituted)
Jesus - Our Inheritance/Portion in Flesh, inaugurates the new creation,
His death and Res.—the Gospel - causes the birth of the Jew-Gentile Church, reconstitution of Israel… New Creation begun in the life, death, and res of Jesus, the FIRST FRUITS of the Kingdom (Our inheritance) breaking in...
The gift of the HS as the downpayment and guarantee of our inheritance!!!
So Gal 3: Jesus DIES as the Curse Bearer, to redeem God’s people from the curse of the Law; “so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham [salvation and inheritance of the world!] might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit [the downpayment, earnest of our eternal inheritance of dwelling with God in the new creation forever] through faith.”
Jesus bore the curse of the Law and died on the cross, to open up the blessing of Abraham to the Gentiles, so that all in him by faith might receive this inheritance (beginning with the HS! foretaste of New Creation)
Paul then illustrates this with an example:
the law of Moses with ethnic Israel does NOT annul the PROMISE of blessing/inheritance to all nations through faith in Messiah (the “offspring” of Abraham)
the law was a temporary guardian added “b/c of transgressions”; to REVEAL people’s sinfulness and NEED for a Savior (also, to provide moral guidance and restrain evil to an extent; to provide a sacrificial system to temporarily deal with sin; to show that transgressions violate an explicit written LAW of God—to show the sinfulness of sin!!)
The PROMISE to Abe was ultim. made to JESUS (Psalm 2) accord to PAul Gal 3:19!!!! B/c in him would the promise be fulfilled.
the Law was put in place through angels (Deut 32) by an intermediary (Moses!); Moses was the mediator...
NOW in Christ—the OFFSPRING of Abe and HEIR of the world and all nations—all people, regardless of class, gender, or ethnicity, are also offspring [members of God’s inheritance!!!] and HEIRS according to promise —> heirs of all God’s promises, ultim. the new creation and eternal life; the kingdom of God (Gal 5
Free from the Mosaic Law—a yoke of slavery--to now live, love, and serve in the power of the Holy Spirit, the downpayment of our hope of righteousness, the new creation!!!
8. Inheritance Received/Complete
New Creation consummation, Rev 7 complete church
Rev 21-22, New Jer., new heaven and earth, perfect peace and unity and love among all people in Messiah!
ISa 60 fulfilled in completion!!!
The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son.
KEY warning: Rev 21:8
But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.”
PORTION - meros is the word used in Lk 15 Prodigal son parable to describe the “share” of the property—the INHERITANCE— of the father taken by the prodigal son...
synonyms almost with inheritance, or very similar contexts of both.. used hand in hand to describe the same concept Ps 16:5
The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup;
you hold my lot.
The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;
indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.
God’s Inheritance
OT passages of Levites, and of Israel as God’s heritage, possession
And he said, “If now I have found favor in your sight, O Lord, please let the Lord go in the midst of us, for it is a stiff-necked people, and pardon our iniquity and our sin, and take us for your inheritance.”
Rain in abundance, O God, you shed abroad;
you restored your inheritance as it languished;
from following the nursing ewes he brought him
to shepherd Jacob his people,
Israel his inheritance.
Not like these is he who is the portion of Jacob,
for he is the one who formed all things,
and Israel is the tribe of his inheritance;
the Lord of hosts is his name.
ALL THE NATIONS!!! Ps 2:8 Ps 82:8
Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage,
and the ends of the earth your possession.
Arise, O God, judge the earth;
for you shall inherit all the nations!
whom the Lord of hosts has blessed, saying, “Blessed be Egypt my people, and Assyria the work of my hands, and Israel my inheritance.”
Among those who know me I mention Rahab and Babylon;
behold, Philistia and Tyre, with Cush—
“This one was born there,” they say.
1 Pet 2:9//Ps 106:5, Eph 1:18
that I may look upon the prosperity of your chosen ones,
that I may rejoice in the gladness of your nation,
that I may glory with your inheritance.
Nation/Inheritance: WE are God’s Holy Nation and People for His Own Possession/Heritage/Inheritance...
Ephesians 1:18 (ESV)
having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of HIS glorious inheritance in the saints,
God the SON, Jesus inherits a NAME Phil 2/Hebrews! Far more excellent than the sons of God, the angels… He is a SUPERIOR being, FAR more superior — a UNIQUE Son.
having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.
Our Inheritance
- GOD is our inheritance: heirs of God Rom 8:16-17
The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.
Num 18:20!
Deut 10:9 Levites! The LORD is his inheritance.
- The Holy Spirit - guarantee of our inheritance, until we acquire possession of it. (Eph 1:10-14
as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.
In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.
- The Land (Israel → the earth! The New Creation
Lev 20:24
Lk 12:31 the “Kingdom”! Matt 25:34
Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.
Num 16:14 “inheritance of fields and vineyards” part of Canaan…
His soul shall abide in well-being,
and his offspring shall inherit the land.
The inheritance of the land in Ex 32:13
Exodus 32:13 (ESV)
Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, your servants, to whom you swore by your own self, and said to them, ‘I will multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven, and all this land that I have promised I will give to your offspring, and they shall inherit it forever.’ ”
- How is forever fulfilled?
- NEW CREATION ultimately…
- restoration of Jews to the Land… ???
- Ps 37:11
But the meek shall inherit the land
and delight themselves in abundant peace.
for those blessed by the Lord shall inherit the land,
but those cursed by him shall be cut off.
The righteous shall inherit the land
and dwell upon it forever.
PSALM 37!!!! Ps 37:34
Wait for the Lord and keep his way,
and he will exalt you to inherit the land;
you will look on when the wicked are cut off.
see Matthew 5:3-5
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
!!!! Now its expanded to the entire EARTH!!!
we inherit the whole world! 1 Cor 3 “all is yours… the world!” Already NOT YET!!!
For the promise to Abraham and his offspring that he would be heir of the world did not come through the law but through the righteousness of faith.
REST accompanies the Land Deut 12:10
But when you go over the Jordan and live in the land that the Lord your God is giving you to inherit, and when he gives you rest from all your enemies around, so that you live in safety,
God’s MOUNTAIN - the Sanctuary of God’s Land/Earth Isa 57:13
When you cry out, let your collection of idols deliver you!
The wind will carry them all off,
a breath will take them away.
But he who takes refuge in me shall possess the land
and shall inherit my holy mountain.
//The New Jerusalem Rev 21-22
Thus says the Lord:
“In a time of favor I have answered you;
in a day of salvation I have helped you;
I will keep you and give you
as a covenant to the people,
to establish the land,
to apportion the desolate heritages,
God, through Messiah, reassigns the desolate heritages of each tribe — he reassigns the territories of the Promised Land BACK to God’s people
Is this fulfilled in physical and literal return of land to Jewish state?
Or is this fulfilled spiritually to the children of Abraham through faith in Jesus, and their various spiritual giftings and portions now, awaiting their thrones and jurisdiction in the next life? In the judgment? When we will rule and reign with Jesus?
1 Samuel 2:8 (ESV)
He raises up the poor from the dust;
he lifts the needy from the ash heap
to make them sit with princes
and inherit a seat of honor.
For the pillars of the earth are the Lord’s,
and on them he has set the world.
the SEAT of honor, with princes; our REIGNING with Christ; our honorable enthronement with the Lord himself on his throne
The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;
indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.
Our status in life, our circumstances and placement…
- Inheriting HONOR Pr 3:35
The wise will inherit honor,
but fools get disgrace.
granting an inheritance to those who love me,
and filling their treasuries.
***KEY passage for our Inheritance**
ALL the promises of Isa 54:
Isaiah 54:16–17 (ESV)
Behold, I have created the smith
who blows the fire of coals
and produces a weapon for its purpose.
I have also created the ravager to destroy;
no weapon that is fashioned against you shall succeed,
and you shall refute every tongue that rises against you in judgment.
This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord
and their vindication from me, declares the Lord.”
The power of the TONGUE!!!!
And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name’s sake, will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life.
- inherit eternal life!!!
And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.
Salvation! Heb 1:14
Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation?
the Promises Heb 6:12
so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
//to Galatians 3!!! through FAITH. Here in Hebrews FAITH and PATIENCE — patience being steadfast FAITH.
How to receive it?
Deut 1:38, our greater Joshua, Yeshua, “causes us to inherit it” as our Savior + Leader, the founder and perfecter of our faith
And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.
1 Corinthians 6:9–12 (ESV)
Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
For if the inheritance comes by the law, it no longer comes by promise; but God gave it to Abraham by a promise.
FAITH is the point of the rest of Gal 3, as the MEANS of participating in the PROMISED inheritance, through Christ: Gal 3:29
And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise.
And he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment. The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son.
WARNING:
Those outside of Christ:
Whoever troubles his own household will inherit the wind,
and the fool will be servant to the wise of heart.
The wise will inherit honor,
but fools get disgrace.
The simple inherit folly,
but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.
Whoever misleads the upright into an evil way
will fall into his own pit,
but the blameless will have a goodly inheritance.
O Lord, my strength and my stronghold,
my refuge in the day of trouble,
to you shall the nations come
from the ends of the earth and say:
“Our fathers have inherited nothing but lies,
worthless things in which there is no profit.
Job 20:29 (ESV)(Zophar lists a list of curses stored up for the wicked)
This is the wicked man’s portion from God,
the heritage decreed for him by God.”
Job 27:13–23 (ESV)*** KEY judgment warning passage to those who are wicked and godless. (v8) Compare also with chapter 31, continuing the same theme of the the “portion and heritage” of the unrighteous and workers of iniquity...
“This is the portion of a wicked man with God,
and the heritage that oppressors receive from the Almighty:
If his children are multiplied, it is for the sword,
and his descendants have not enough bread.
Those who survive him the pestilence buries,
and his widows do not weep.
Though he heap up silver like dust,
and pile up clothing like clay,
he may pile it up, but the righteous will wear it,
and the innocent will divide the silver.
He builds his house like a moth’s,
like a booth that a watchman makes.
He goes to bed rich, but will do so no more;
he opens his eyes, and his wealth is gone.
Terrors overtake him like a flood;
in the night a whirlwind carries him off.
The east wind lifts him up and he is gone;
it sweeps him out of his place.
It hurls at him without pity;
he flees from its power in headlong flight.
It claps its hands at him
and hisses at him from its place.”
For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.
+++
Eph 1:18 God wants us to KNOW what are the RICHES of HIS glorious inheritance in the saints
-What are the riches?
What makes it glorious? [we exist to give God glory]
God chose us to be holy and blameless—to be set apart and righteous as He is..
v.6 God adopts us to the praise of His glorious grace
3:21 it is IN the church that God receives His greatest glory — the Church is God’s showplace to the onlooking powers of heaven! Eph 3:10
so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.
3:16 that accord. to the riches of His glory He may grant you to be strengthend with power through His Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith...
We are a glorious inheritance to God because we were purchased and are perfected by His glorious grace, and for His glorious fame/name!
We are His workmanship—that which He has crafted and MADE!
v.7 We have redemption, forgiveness, according to the riches of His grace, which He lavished upon us… to unite all things in Christ, things in heaven and things on earth [cosmic redemption!]
v.12 we exist for the praise of God’s glory, v.14
Mean for me?
that I am part of the most glorious and amazing family — that nothing in this wolrd can compare to… that I exist for God, belong to GOd, and that God delights in me and saved me to share in HIs honor, glory, and charater… that I would look like Him! and reign with Him!
That HONOR is mine abundant in Christ and that I need not seek it anywhere else in the world...
for VH?
That their life in the church, their friendships with brothers and sisters in Chirst, their participation in the life of the Church and their artnership together in sharing the gospel and winning the lost stems from their knowledge of How glorious the Church is,
the greatest motivation to holiness is to KNOW who you are!....
That the riches of this life do not satisfy; that indulging the flesh does not satisfy; “every kind of impurity”; ANGER. stealing. Lying. corrupting talk, unwholesome talk… bitterness and wrath, resentement; slandor, clamor? covetousness… foolishness, drunkenness...
No need to covet!
---------------------------------------
Series Name: Inheritance
Sermon Titles:
God’s Inheritance/Jesus’ Inheritance
Our Inheritance
What BELONGS to God by right.
What Belongs to US by right.
Goal:
For the saints to KNOW who they are, and know WHAT is theirs in Jesus Christ! To live in humble, awe-filled, wonder and laughter-evoking joy at the reality of our being God’s inheritance and God being ours… and everything with Him.
Serm 1 For the saints of VH to KNOW and stand in AWE of our identity as God’s inheritance: to UNPACK and give light as to what are the RICHES of His glorious inheritance in the saints — and how astonishing this is.
[focus just on this phrase]?
then trace all of Scripture?
Serm 2:
For saints to be overwhelmed with JOY at the prospect of God being ours, the world being ours, and understanding the OT promises for us in Christ.
Texts
1: Eph 1:11-23
2: Isa 54
Outline:
Intro: Story of Spurgeon and the woman with the deed hung up on her wall?
Story of inheritance?
A) Def of Inheritance/Heritage
Give physical example of ANE…
then Prodigal Son
then today!
In this short 2 week series we will cover the MAJOR theme of INHERITANCE across the Scriptures, asking,
What is GOD’S inheritance?
What is OUR inheritance?
The Scriptures speak of both US and God inheriting something.
God’s Inheritance
opening prayer: Eph 1:15-18
God created through Christ and thus owns everything...
What does it mean for GOD to inherit something, if everything already belongs to Him? (We are His special possession…)
To possess, to receive, to own/have/be allotted.
At the Fall, we were severed from Him,
He delivered us over to our sins… and the nations to the gods…
What does Yahweh inherit?
His People **Deut 32:8**
When the Most High gave to the nations their inheritance,
when he divided mankind,
he fixed the borders of the peoples
according to the number of the sons of God.
But the Lord has taken you and brought you out of the iron furnace, out of Egypt, to be a people of his own inheritance, as you are this day.
“Are you not like the Cushites to me,
O people of Israel?” declares the Lord.
“Did I not bring up Israel from the land of Egypt,
and the Philistines from Caphtor and the Syrians from Kir?
//1 Ki 8:51
1 Kings 8:51 (ESV)
(for they are your people, and your heritage, which you brought out of Egypt, from the midst of the iron furnace).
For you separated them from among all the peoples of the earth to be your heritage, as you declared through Moses your servant, when you brought our fathers out of Egypt, O Lord God.”
- God’s heritage/inheritance is the PEOPLE He saved/ransomed, and thus continues to forgive, have compassion, and relate in covenant with; dwell with… they are the people in Ex 19:5-6 who Moses relays God’s message that Ex 19:4-6
Exodus 19:4–6 (ESV)
‘You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine; and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words that you shall speak to the people of Israel.”
Kingdom of priests? To mediate God’s presence to the nations!
God OWNS the whole earth, but Israel will be His portion, His particular, peculiar people, His TREASURED possession...
Now is this still ethnic Israel? IS this now the Church, the true Israel? Is this treasured possession JESUS, and We His body, the Olive Tree of Jew and Gentile?
“THIS Is my BELOVED Son, with whom I am well-pleased/delighted.”
- The covenant belonging formula: And I will be your GOd, and you will be my people is the language of inheritance!!!! Jer 11:4 uses the same language to indicate this.
Deuteronomy 9:26, 29
And I prayed to the Lord, ‘O Lord God, do not destroy your people and your heritage, whom you have redeemed through your greatness, whom you have brought out of Egypt with a mighty hand...
For they are your people and your heritage, whom you brought out by your great power and by your outstretched arm.’
God’s Inheritance are THOSE whom He saves and is in covenant-relationship with!
God’s People, beginning with Abraham Isaac and Jacob, are set apart from all the other nations by BEING “Yahweh’s portion” — His “alloted heritage” —the CHOSEN race and people for GOd’s own possession and saving purposes; God had given to the nations their inheritance, dividing mankind, fixing the borders of the people according to the number of the sons of God — heavenly beings assigned to rule these geographical domains…
different people had different gods… in their different territory… 1 Sam 26:19, and the view in ANE was that you had to worship the local deity in their geographical territory. Yahweh, however, was a universal deity! LORD of heaven and earth… supreme!!!!
BUT even in the beginning, God’s plan was to RESTORE the whole world—all the nations—to Himself, in a global Eden-Paradise, a New Creation, a New heaven and earth… and we see this throughout the OT;
sojourners and aliens invited into the cov community in the Pentateuch...
people like Rahab in Jericho
and RUTH from Moab, that come to faith in Yahweh and are brought into the covenant
God’s plan to restore and re- inherit all the nations, disinherited at Babel?
REVEALED chiefly in the Psalms and the Prophets!
ISrael, God’s heritage, would be spoiled, forsaken 2 Ki 21:14
And I will forsake the remnant of my heritage and give them into the hand of their enemies, and they shall become a prey and a spoil to all their enemies,
THIS would be the MEANS by which God INHERITS the nations, through CHRIST, in the CHURCH!(also Psalm 78:62, Ps 106:40
Then the anger of the Lord was kindled against his people,
and he abhorred his heritage;
He gave his people over to the sword
and vented his wrath on his heritage.
Through Israel’s unbelief, comes salvation to the Gentiles, the fulf. of Psalm’s prophecies and Prophet’s predictions of God reinheriting all the lost nations and tribes… who were GIVEN over to their sins and idols, b/c of their suppression of the truth in unrighteousness
Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage,
and the ends of the earth your possession.
THIS would be the MEANS by which God INHERITS the nations, through CHRIST, in the CHURCH!
Arise, O God, judge the earth;
for you shall inherit all the nations!
To the choirmaster: with stringed instruments. A Psalm. A Song.
May God be gracious to us and bless us
and make his face to shine upon us, Selah
that your way may be known on earth,
your saving power among all nations.
Let the peoples praise you, O God;
let all the peoples praise you!
Let the nations be glad and sing for joy,
for you judge the peoples with equity
and guide the nations upon earth. Selah
Let the peoples praise you, O God;
let all the peoples praise you!
The earth has yielded its increase;
God, our God, shall bless us.
God shall bless us;
let all the ends of the earth fear him!
Among those who know me I mention Rahab and Babylon;
behold, Philistia and Tyre, with Cush—
“This one was born there,” they say.
the promise of GOd to “restore the fortunes/turn back the captivity of MOAB!!! in Jer 48:47, to restore Ammon 49:6, Elam in 49:39
Isa 19:16-25,
The Church
The Nations
All Things
(Jesus) A Name
Heb 1:4 having BECOME as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs...
The RICHES of God’s inheritance in the saints, the Body of His Son
Application:
KNOW who you are!
“The FULLNESS of him who fills all in all”
“RICHES of a GLORIOUS inheritance” — a multi-ethnic, trans-national people....
Recipients of GLORIOUS Power
Our Inheritance
What do Christians inherit?
GOD
Num 18:20 - we are the royal priesthood who inherits GOD, who is our portion Psalm 16!
Rom 8:16-17
***The Down-payment of the Holy Spirit*** (Rom 5,8, Gal 3-6)
The World (include in here the PROMISES) Heb 6:17 - the promise of Abraham now inherited by us through Christ, the heir of all things [Heb 1:2]
Matt 5:5 meek inherit the earth
Rom 4:13 “the world”
Jas 2:5 “the kingdom”, Matt 25, and Lk 12:31
1 Cor 3 “All are yours”
Eternal life
Rev 21:17
(Bonus: the Law/God’s Word and revelation Deut 33:4; the priesthood of the LORD Jos 18:7; Worship and sacrifices (the Levites)
So Don’t boast...
Illustration:
Heir given by Fr. Steven?
Prodigal son…
Legal requirement to give legal children property/money upon your death etc.
WS:
inheritance in Hebrew/Greek with synonyms
“obtained an inheritance” - “allot a portion”
Eph 1:11 VARIOUSLY translated that WE have obtained an inheritance, OR God has ALLOTED us as His portion, AS HIS chosen possession and inheritance.
C:
E: inheritance/heritage/possession (Ps 78:55)
A: Ex 15:17
You will bring them in and plant them on your own mountain,
the place, O Lord, which you have made for your abode,
the sanctuary, O Lord, which your hands have established.
נַחֲלָה ; L: Inalienable, hereditary property; possession, inheritance
[property that passes by law to an heir]
נחל
L: maintain as a possession; take possession, give as an inheritance, assign, to recieve or transfer property
κληρόω 1:11 ἐν ᾧ καὶ ἐκληρώθημεν προορισθέντες
Michael W. Holmes, The Greek New Testament: SBL Edition (Lexham Press; Society of Biblical Literature, 2011–2013), Eph 1:11.
C: our being redeemed chosen and set apart, predestined by God for the praise of His glorious grace, all in Christ, forgiven through this blood; our present and future reward… us being God’s glorious possession, portion, people… OWNED by God… God is MINE!!!!
E: NIV: In Him we were also chosen/made heirs [ἐκληρώθημεν]
NLT: Furthermore, b.c we are united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for he chose us in advance...
KJV: In whom also we have obtained an inheritance...
NASB: In Him we also have obtained an inheritance
Legacy: In Him, we also have been MADE an inheritance, having been predestined...
Amplified: a DESTINY!
NET: In Christ we too have been claimed as God’s own possession
A: only here
L: appoint by lot, obtain by lot; to choose in accordance with the will of God; cast lots
A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature, 3rd ed. (κληρόω)
But some render ἐν ᾧ ἐκληρώθημεν in whom our lot is cast = in whom we have our destiny, suggesting a total involvement in the fortunes of Christ. (heirs of God fellow heirs with CHirst!)
(a figurative extension of meaning of κληρόω ‘to be chosen by lot,’ not occurring in the NT) to choose, with the implication of supernatural or divine intervention or guidance—‘to choose in accordance with the will of God.’ ἐν ᾧ καὶ ἐκληρώθημεν ‘in him we also were chosen’ Eph 1:11.
SCHOLARS disagree...
either WE are being chosen — by lot, as GOd’s possession; or we are OBTAINING an inheritance.
IN either case, both are true — and both are intrinciscally tied;
We ARE CHOSEN, MADE HEIRS — and T.F. we obtain an inheritacne!!!!
We are predestined to be adopted as sons, to be heirs of God with Christ — inheriting ALL things with Jesus! as his brothers! He is the One who inherits all things and we partocipate in His fortune!!!!
As HEIRS, we exist for the praise of God’s glory!
As heirs with a glorious inheritance, in which we will glorifiy God forever, we exist for the prasie of God’s glory!!!
C: WE are the ones being redeemed in v.7! In him we have received redemption, the forvigeness of trespasses
1:14
E: NIV who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession
NLT: the Spirit is God’s guarantee that he will give us the inheritance he promised and that he has purchased us to be his own people...
KJV: Which is the EARNEST of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession;
NASB: Who is a first installment of our inheritance (2020) [who is given as a pledge of our inheritance 95] with a view/in regard to the redemption of God’s own possession
LEG: who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, unto the redemption of God’s own possession
Amp: connects the redemption of GOd’s own purchased possession to BELIEVERS!!!
NRSV: This is the pledge of our inheritance toward redemption as GOd’s own people...
Summ:
It surely seems like 1:11, 14, and 18 are connected:
WE are God’s inheritance, purchased and awaiting an inheritance with GOd: the kingdom, the new creation. WE are HIS, and HE is OURS! This salvation formula, fellowship formula captures this mutual angle and glorious theme.
In Eph, Paul seems here in 1:14 to say theat the HS in us now is the first istallment of God’s promise to dwell with us, and that we are awaiting the full redemption of God’s whole people whom He has called, chosen, predestined, upon which He will consummate all things in His Son, and we will be to the PRAISE of His glory, inheriting ourselves the fullness of God, of New Creation, of Eternal Life, lost in His love.
riches - τίς ὁ πλοῦτος [riches!!!] τῆς δόξης τῆς κληρονομίας αὐτοῦ ἐν τοῖς ἁγίοις [HOLY ONES]
Eph 1:18.
C: God is overflowing… riches of grace.... riches of His glory (His eternal, infinite Deity like a flooding River… His matchless beauty and holiness gone public…); in the gospel the RICHES of God’s grace and mercy are shown—He is not an impoverished God or lacking in kindness and love; He is effusive in His heart’s love for His elect!!!!
no shortage?
Not poor, impoverished...
riches of grace that bring about our whole salvation, redemption to glorification!
piling up words of power, extravagance, extremes, abundance!!!!
E: KJV: the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what are the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints
NASB: what is the hope of his calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints
CSB: What is the wealth of his glorious inheritance in the saints
NIV: the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people
NLT: his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance
A: Gal 3:18
For if the inheritance comes by the law, it no longer comes by promise; but God gave it to Abraham by a promise.
(the inheritance of the land and world!)
For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.
- Motivation for holiness, purity and love
knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.
motivation for good work!
Each of these times it is used to describe the SAINTS’ inheritance of heaven and the new cretion, the kingdom of God.
NIV 1:14 “(the HOly Spirit) who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of His glory.”
A: COL 1:27
To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
riches of grace, glory [for saints in eternity!], kindness, forbeareance, and patience;
L for riches:
Wealth,riches, abundance
contrast to worldly riches Jesus uses same word to condemn the rich!
spiritual riches!!! not material...
Comms:
Poole:
1:6 God has ἐχαρίτωσεν - “blessed us in the Beloved” is really bestowed favor on in the Beloved; in Jesus we share in HIs favored and beloceved status!!!
1:11: In him we… -> “apostels and others elect of the JEwish nation. who first trusted in Christ.”
allusion to the allotment t the 12 tribes being given plots of land in Canaan! Assigned by LOT! God gave it by grace — they did not deserve the land…
here the heavenly inheritance is highlighted…
H thinks the fitst to believe/hope were the Jews/apostles;
v. 13 highlights that “you also” the Gentiles: Ephesians/ other Gentiles includes the truth of v11 (obtained inheritance) and v12 (hoped in Christ)
ESV:
Holy Spirit seal: the HS protects and preserves Cns until they reach their inheritance, OR that he ‘certifies’ the authenticity of their acceptace by God as being genuinne—they bear the royal seal (both true, first better accord to ESV)
We are all SONS-male and female- as those inheriting from God!!!
1:14 “who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we aquire possession of it (until we acquire the fullness of the kingdom of God and glorified resurrection life)
OR see footnot “until God redeems his possession”
which would mean that believers—the fullness of the elect- are God’s special possession as Levites were, and Israel more broadly
God’s people as His inheritance are so precious in HIs eyes, “they are, so to speak, what he looks forward to enjoying forever.” 2263
The church as Christ’s fullness “The church, filled by Chirist, fills all creation as representatives of Christ”
CNTUOT:
Commentary on the New Testament Use of the Old Testament Ephesians 1:20–23
Jewish interpreters of Scripture in the Second Temple period believed that Adam’s right to rule the world had been transferred to Israel. This seems to be implied in the hope, expressed at Qumran, that God would one day give to the righteous remnant of his people “all the glory of Adam” (1QS IV, 23; CD-A III, 20; 1QHa IV, 15). It also lies beneath the complaint of the seer in 4 Ezra 6:38–59 that although God had commanded the sun, the moon, and the stars to serve the human being whom he created (6:45–46 [cf. Ps. 8:6–8]) and had selected Israel from all the nations descended from Adam to rule over creation, Israel, nevertheless, does not “possess the world as an inheritance [hereditatem]” (6:59).
Commentary on the New Testament Use of the Old Testament Ephesians 1:20–23
God has not simply conquered Christ’s cosmic enemies through raising him from the dead and exalting him to his royal right hand; he also has subjected all creation to him. This subjection of all things to Christ, moreover, is for the benefit of the church, which is Christ’s body (1:22–23), and which, as Paul later will say, “was raised and seated together with Christ in the heavenly places” (2:6). In other words, the hegemony that God intended for humanity to have over all creation is in the process of coming to pass through the Messiah’s kingly rule over “all things.”
Commentary on the New Testament Use of the Old Testament Ephesians 1:20–23
When God raised the Messiah from the dead, he began the process by which he would subdue the enemies of his people and restore to his people their rightful place as rulers of his creation. Just as God has acted on behalf of his Messiah in accomplishing both these goals, so also his Messiah acts on behalf of God’s people. Since God has raised the Messiah from the dead and seated him at his right hand, far above all inimical powers, Paul can speak at this point as if this victory is fully accomplished for his people also.
Faucet:
Eph 1:6 accepted us in the beloved...
“graciously accepted”; “made us subjects of His grace”; “embraced us in the arms of His grace
obtained an inheritance—literally, “We were made to have an inheritance” [WAHL]. Compare Eph 1:18, “His inheritance in the saints”: as His inheritance is there said to be in them, so theirs is here said to be in Him (Ac 26:18). However, Eph 1:12, “That we should BE TO … His glory” (not “that we should have”), favors the translation of BENGEL, ELLICOTT, and others, “We were made an inheritance.” So the literal Israel (De 4:20; 9:29; 32:9). “Also” does not mean “we also,” nor as English Version, “in whom also”; but, besides His having “made known to us His will,” we were also “made His inheritance,” or “we have also obtained an inheritance.
1:11 WE is ethnic Israel - elect nation - YOU in v.13 is Gentile believers… share in teh same things as teh JEwish believers!!!
1:14
A seal impressed on a document gives undoubted validity to the contract in it (Jn 3:33; 6:27; compare 2 Co 3:3)
Sealing is past, the present witness of the HS that we are children of God is the present testiomny, the earnest of teh future iheritance
guarantee: the first instalment paid as a pledge that the rest will follow (Ro 8:23; 2 Co 1:22).
1:14 until we acquire possession of it…
of the purchased possession—God’s people purchased (“acquired,” Greek) as His peculiar (Greek) possession by the blood of Christ (Ac 20:28). We value highly that which we pay a high price for; so God, His Church (Eph 5:25, 26; 1 Pe 1:18; 2:9; “my special treasure,” Mal 3:17, Margin).
Heiser:
1:14 “lit. “until the redemption of the possession”
Calvin:
“By thus extolling the grace of God toward themselves, he intended to check every tendency to despise or dislike the duties of the ChristIAN LIFE.” “Splendid economium which he pronounces on faith…no language can do justice to its excellence” (to particiaptiong in the identiyty as God’s inheirtacne
1:14 he beleives “uinti he redeems his possession” is the Church itself!!!
MAtthew HEnry
v. 18 is a present inheritance in the saints; for grace is glory begun, and holiness is happiness in the bud. There is a glory in this inheritance, riches of glory, rendering the Christian more excellent and more truly honourable than all about him: and it is desirable to know this experimentally, to be acquainted with the principles, pleasures, and powers, of the spiritual and divine life. It may be understood of the glorious inheritance in or among the saints in heaven, where God does, as it were, lay forth all his riches, to make them happy and glorious, and where all that the saints are in possession of is transcendently glorious, as the knowledge that can be attained of this upon earth is very desirable, and must be exceedingly entertaining and delightful. Let us endeavour then, by reading, contemplation, and prayer, to know as much of heaven as we can, that we may be desiring and longing to be there