Wednesday 7/11/18

Theological Reflection

The grace and vision of God in the work of salvation is greater than man can envision. This chapter is framed by contrasts in the opening and closing verses. Verse 1 is a man with a measuring line contrasted against all people being silent before the Lord in verse 13. I think this frames perfectly the vision, contrasting the nature of man against the nature of God. How quick are we to follow traditions, or protect what we unnaturally call our own? Setting about walls, measuring what must be contained within and without based on our notions is only ‘human’ and that seems to be the opening of the vision. Perhaps this is against the backdrop of a promised hope, an over-eagerness to see the promise of 1:16 come to pass. Regardless of the motive, the Lord is not to have constraints put upon this new house. Eschatological tones are present when taken as a whole. Maybe this is the reason for lack of constraint on this new build? This joining of many nations with the Lord points forward to an apocalyptic vision John saw centuries later with the kings bringing their glory into the New Jerusalem (). There is also a healing of the nations in . It is not just the immediate actions, but a backdrop of history also, that is the concern. A healing of nations, salvation for many…so many that walls are not going to be a able to contain which is reminiscent of (or perhaps points to) and . God has a desire to see all come to a knowledge of salvation. He doesn’t want walls or temple veils restricting access. Man was looking here and now, but an angel brought a message to look ahead as well. Amazingly, even in the short-sighted vision of man, even in the error of man’s ways, God still protects with a fiery wall, jealous zeal, and protects against our enemies. The Lord makes His power, and grace, known to all. In the end, it is commanded to be recognized with reverence to/before the Lord…throughout, the Lord says I will, I will…dwell, be in…speaking of being in the city or the midst of the people, in the future. This closing brings the future to the present, and again I am reminded of the instances where the presence of the Lord is overwhelming. Revelation comes to mind where there is a consistent, if not constant, falling down when in the presence of the Lord. As a modern Pentecostal believer I have been in services where a hush has fallen over the service in anxious expectancy as well as awesome reverence of the magnificent manifestation of the Holy Spirit. I suspect this last verse is both. Anxious expectancy (contrasted against the original measuring line) and awesome reverence.

Reflection Questions

Questions for the Church: If nations persecute the church, today it would be the doctrine the church holds as truth, do we look for the man with the measuring line…building walls? Do we seek a Jerusalem without walls? *(I do not believe there is a right or wrong answer to this. It is merely to bring about thought and discussion. I think we must be involved at all levels, while also seeking a greater Kingdom, preaching a greater Kingdom, and using some common sense.)

Questions for the Individual: It would appear that man was getting ahead of himself in hope. Have you ever had a promise from God, or a word of hope? Have you set out to see this fulfilled on your own without waiting for the full terms? Was the fulfillment something other than you envisioned within your mind? Or for the minister, have you ever been shown something that you could not disclose? Perhaps it was something like a call for someone into a work, but it was simply to confirm their calling if they answered, not for you ‘call’ them yourself? I believe that is essentially what this vision was showing at first, a man getting ahead of God’s work.

Responses

First, exhibit patience in allowing God to fulfill His promises in His time.

Second, walk with confidence knowing that God will protect those that serve and love Him.

Third, make room for those different than yourself within your community of believers. Many nations will join themselves to the Lord.

Fourth, be reverent…respect and have a healthy fear of the Lord.

Discussion

· Is the vision really a case of man trying to work out a promise of God in his (man’s) own way? That is my take when reading against a backdrop of the promise 1:16.

· There seems to be multiple ways for the translation of the first part of 8a concerning ‘glory’ – Dr. Martin, what is your take? Did glory send, was he sent for glory, or some other construct?

· Is there an overlap of the nation’s plundering Jerusalem and those joining themselves to the Lord? Is this a question that cannot have a definitive answer? The language ‘know that the Lord of hosts has sent me’ connects the two seemingly.

· The language of 13 suggests that the Lord has somehow not been active. The NRSV says ‘he has roused himself’…as if from a nap?! Is this idiomatic, i.e., just language to reference that the Lord is once again moving in their favor once they repent and come out from under other nations?