Zacharias - Discouragement to delight

 

This is the 5^th in my series Portraits of Faith, in which I examine the faith of the people surrounding the birth of Jesus Christ. I’ve already looked at Joseph, the wise men, Herod, and the chief priests and scribes. The last two, Herod and the priests, were sobering, they had a “faith” I want to avoid - because of their malformed faith they missed out on the grace found in Christ. Today we see Zacharias, a backslider restored. He is probably my favorite because I can so easily relate to him.

Zacharias – Discouragement to Delight

Here is an interesting little tidbit to begin with - more space is devoted to Zacharias than any one else in the first two chapters in both Matthew and Luke. All of this is from Luke 1.

1:5-7 There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judaea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth. And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. And they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren, and they both were now well stricken in years.

Zacharias and Elisabeth are introduced:- he was a priest and she was the daughter of a priest; they were righteous, which is explained as walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless, or as Tyndale translated it, no man could find fault with them.

Sadly, they had no child, which was a keenly felt source of reproach among the Jews. And to make it worse, they were now well stricken in years (I like how Wycliffe translated it, and both had gone far in their days). They were old. How old? So old that the hope of having children had died. If they were unable to have children when they were young and in the prime of life, it was an impossibility now.

1:8-10 And it came to pass, that while he executed the priest's office before God in the order of his course, According to the custom of the priest's office, his lot was to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord. And the whole multitude of the people were praying without at the time of incense.

“We are informed in the Talmud, that it was the custom of the priests to divide the different functions of the sacerdotal office among themselves by lot: and, in this case, the decision of the lot was, that Zacharias should at that time burn the incense before the Lord, in the holy place...Incense was burnt twice a day in the temple, in the morning and in the evening. The incense was itself an emblem of the prayers and praises of the people of God. While, therefore, the priest is performing the rite, the people are employed in the thing signified. Happy the people who attend to the spirit as well as the letter of every divine institution!” (Adam Clarke)

1:11-12 And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him.

I have learned that supernatural experiences in the temple were not uncommon, nevertheless seeing an angel always resulted in fear.

1:13-17 But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John. And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth. For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb. And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God. And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.

Zacharias is afraid but the angel comes with great news! Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John. This is wonderful! and amazing! and awesome!

And it gets even better: He, your son, the answer to your prayer, will be the forerunner of Messiah! Yes, the time is fulfilled, Christ is about to appear, and your son will prepare the people for him. Exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think.

1:18 And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years.

What??? This is great news and Zacharias is stumbling over it.

1:19-20 And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings. And, behold, thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed, because thou believest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season.

Here’s the problem – Zacharias didn’t believe Gabriel. As a result he was unable to speak until the boy was born. Why didn’t Zacharias believe this announcement? We are not told, but I’m persuaded it was discouragement. They had prayed with faith and expectation for years, and nothing had happened. That’s discouraging. Now, "I am old, and my wife hath gone far in her days. This can’t happen, it is a physical impossibility." How sad - discouragement has robbed this righteous man of faith in the power of God. This still happens. Discouragement keeps us from believing God, and we slowly stop expecting God to answer our prayer, maybe even praying about it at all.

Now to be sure the angel is asking Zacharias to believe a lot – “Hey, old man, your old lady is gonna have a baby.” But in the angelic worldview, God said it and that settles it, so he doesn’t take kindly to this unbelief, as a result Zacharias will be unable to speak.

And now for “the rest of the story.” Yeah, it doesn’t end here. I believe Zacharias, when he was smitten by the angel, repented of his unbelief and believed the word and promise of the Lord. I think we have three proofs of this repentance in the rest of the chapter.

1:21-24 And the people waited for Zacharias, and marvelled that he tarried so long in the temple. And when he came out, he could not speak unto them: and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple: for he beckoned unto them, and remained speechless. And it came to pass, that, as soon as the days of his ministration were accomplished, he departed to his own house. And after those days his wife Elisabeth conceived, and hid herself five months...

He finished his week of ministry, went home, told Elisabeth what happened, and then in faith, well, they were married! And Elisabeth conceived! Oh his faith is soaring now! That’s First.

Second
1:57-63 Now Elisabeth's full time came that she should be delivered; and she brought forth a son. And her neighbours and her cousins heard how the Lord had shewed great mercy upon her; and they rejoiced with her.
And it came to pass, that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child; and they called him Zacharias, after the name of his father. And his mother answered and said, Not so; but he shall be called John.
And they said unto her, There is none of thy kindred that is called by this name.
And they made signs to his father, how he would have him called. And he asked for a writing table, and wrote, saying, His name is John. And they marvelled all.

Elisabeth not only conceives, she goes full term and delivers a baby, a boy, just as the angel announced. When it is time to give this boy a name, Zacharias goes with John. He was indeed a righteous man, and when he stumbled, he repented, believed, and obeyed.

and Third
1:64,67 And his mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue loosed, and he spake, and praised God... And was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying,

He prophesied. Yes, his mouth was opened and he prophesied, which can only be done by faith. (His prophecy, 68-80, is one of the most powerful sections in the whole New Testament. Sadly, we are not looking at this today.)

Zacharias walked in obedience and righteousness, but became discouraged and lost faith; but to his credit, once rebuked he repented and believed again, and in that faith knew his wife, had a baby, named him John, and prophesied of the salvation of God. Oh the grace of God!

What does Zacharias teach me about faith? Pray. Pray. Pray again, believing the Lord to answer my prayer. And if discouragement creeps in and faith and prayer falter, repent and believe the Lord again, and pray until God answers my prayer!


When we walk with the Lord
in the light of his word,
what a glory he sheds on our way!
While we do his good will,
he abides with us still,
and with all who will trust and obey.

Trust and obey, for there's no other way
to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.
(John H. Sammis, 1887)


TUESDAY: Mary

The chief priests and scribes

 

Portraits of Faith is a look at the faith of the people surrounding the birth of Jesus Christ. I have already considered Joseph - faith to obey, the wise men - faith to worship, and Herod - faith without repentance. If you missed any of these you can always go back and read them. Today we see the chief priests and scribes.

The Chief Priests and Scribes - faith without works

Matthew 2:3-6
3 When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.
4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.
5 And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet,
6 And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel

This is all that is said about the chief priests and scribes at the time of Christ’s birth. I don’t see anything about faith. And that’s the point.

We know they heard the story of the wise men – Herod was troubled and all Jerusalem with him. This could hardly not include them. They heard the wise men were looking for the king of Israel and that his birth had been announced by a star. When Herod asked them where Christ was to be born, they were ready with the answer, Bethlehem. And it was the right answer - they knew the Scriptures and the hope of Israel.

So, they heard the report of Christ being born. They told Herod where to look. And that’s the last we read of them. The wise men go on to Bethlehem to worship Christ. Herod seeks to have Christ murdered. They. Do. Nothing. Absolutely nothing. They just go on like nothing has happened. What?!? What is this? Unbelief. Well, for my purpose today it is faith without works. And as James said: faith without works is dead, being alone.

Now wait a minute. They were the chief priests, as such they were very involved in the worship of the temple. That’s works. They were scribes, active in the study and copying of Scripture. That’s also works. How can I then accuse them of having faith without works? In Hebrews 6:1 Paul mentioned repentance from dead works. These are real works or activities, but they are useless, lifeless; having a form of godliness but denying the power thereof. Jesus said to the Jews, including the scribes, Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.” (John 5:39-40) Their faith was lifeless. This is why I say they had faith without works – They could give the right answers, but did not act on the right answers.

The knew the Scriptures and the hope of the Coming One, but it made no difference in their lives. The wise men arrive and share a supernatural testimony that Christ has been born - they do not believe it. Herod asks them where Christ is to be born - they’re the experts in all things Jewish – they are ready with the correct answer, then go back home. The wise men are moved to worship Christ; Herod to kill the Child; they do nothing. How sad is this? How this must have grieved the heart of the Father – His own people can tell where Christ was to be born, but the report of his birth moves them not an inch. Oh how unbelief hardens the heart!

Take heed, Jeff, lest you think this could not be you. “Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief.” (Hebrews 3:12)

Do they tell us anything about Christ? Yes!

[Herod] demanded of them where Christ should be born. And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet,
And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, art not the least among the princes of Judah: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.

First, it is written by the prophet. This reemphasizes the importance of the Old Testament and the vital role it plays in the Gospel itself.

Second, And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea. The prophecy was incredibly specific!

Third, out of thee shall come a Governor. The wise men, Herod, and now the priests speak of Christ as king. I’m not the sharpest kid in class, but even I catch this. We almost exclusively talk about Christ as Savior, they’re all talking about Him as king. Must be something to this! This is how the opponents of Paul described his preaching, these all do contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, Jesus. (Acts 17:7) Maybe we need to give our current preaching a tune-up?

They offer a slightly paraphrased quote Micah 5:2, probably from the Septuagint:

And thou, Bethleem, house of Ephratha, art few in number to be reckoned among the thousands of Judah; yet out of thee shall one come forth to me, to be a ruler of Israel; and his goings forth were from the beginning, even from eternity.

But notice how they only quoted the first part of the verse. In their defense it may be because they had so little regard for Herod they didn’t want to cast their pearls before swine. But the rest of the verse tells us who this Ruler/Governor/King is:

and his goings forth were from the beginning, even from eternity.

This is amazing! His goings forth were from eternity! This is the Son of God, “begotten of his Father before all worlds” (Nicene Creed). He has been going forth from the beginning: to create all things, to speak to Israel (He is the Word of the LORD), to deliver and save His people Israel, and now to be born of the Virgin. No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him. (John 1:18)

Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

Not a bad testimony from folks who had a dead faith!

King of kings and Lord of lords
Glory (Clap) Hallelujah (2x)

Jesus, Prince of peace
Glory (Clap) Hallelujah (2x)
(Sophie Conty, Naomi Batya, 1980)


Thursday: Zacharias

Herod - faith without repentance

 

Herod – faith without repentance

Matthew 2:3,4,7,16
3 When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.
4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.
7 Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared. 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.
16 Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the wise men.

King Herod is right in the middle of all this, as was Pilate at the crucifixion. He was not Jewish, but being in Jerusalem, he would have been familiar with Jewish ways, practice, beliefs, and hopes; and he would have heard about the Coming One. So, when the wise men appear in Jerusalem and cause a stir asking about Christ, he was troubled. He knew who to ask too – he “demanded” of the chief priests and scribes, Where is Christ to be born?

This is interesting. Herod does not appear to have the hope of Christ, yet he believed the wise men that Christ had been born. He believed the chief priests and scribes that Christ was to be born in Bethlehem. He had faith, yet this faith had no affect on him - he was not moved to obedience as Joseph; he was not moved to worship as the wise men. He was moved to seek Christ, but not directly and, it turns out, with evil intent. What’s going on? How can he have faith but receive no blessing from God? This is powerful: Herod had faith without repentance.

He loved his position as king, he loved wielding power, he loved indulging his passions. Joseph was minded to divorce Mary, but when the angel said, “Marry the girl”, he changed his mind and said, Yes. The wise men were living a fine life in the east, but when they saw the star they left that life and came to worship Christ. Yet when Herod heard of Christ, rather than bow to the King, he sought to slay Him so he might continue as sovereign; rather than turn from his iniquity, he sought to kill Him so he might continue in his sin. He believed but to no avail, because he refused to repent.

This is why the Bible everywhere speaks of turning to the Lord.

Acts 3:19 Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;

Be converted sounds passive, like it is something that happens to you or is done for you, but this word is actually an imperative, just like repent: Repent and turn. As in 1 Thessalonians 1:8-9 ...in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad... how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God. Their faith in God moved them to turn to God and away from their idols, that they might serve God and wait for his Son from heaven (see v 10).

What does Herod tell me about Christ? Christ is king. He is a mighty king - simply by being born He is a threat to Herod. He brooks no competition. I cannot be king, He is king. I cannot be lord, He is Lord. I cannot be my own savior, He is Savior!

What then does Herod teach me about faith? If I would have faith that avails with God, that secures His blessings and grace, it must be accompanied by repentance, a turning from self and sin. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way. If I persist in my own way, living my life my way, my faith is empty; if I continue in my sin, my faith is vain. Repentance should be a recurring theme in my life.

Depth of mercy! Can there be
Mercy still reserved for me?
Can my God His wrath forbear,
Me, the chief of sinners, spare?

I have long withstood His grace,
Long provoked Him to His face,
Would not hearken to His calls,
Grieved Him by a thousand falls.

Pity from Thine eye let fall,
By a look my soul recall;
Now the stone to flesh convert,
Cast a look, and break my heart.

Now incline me to repent,
Let me now my sins lament,
Now my foul revolt deplore,
Weep, believe, and sin no more.
(Charles Wesley, 1740; to Take My Life and Life and Let it Be; repeat final line)


TUESDAY: The chief priests and scribes

The Wise Men

The Wise Men – faith to worship

Matthew 2:1-2 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.

There came wise men from the east - funny how we want to automatically add three. There could have been three, but to be honest, Matthew doesn’t say how many wise men came.

Who were these ‘wise men’? The word is μαγοι which we transliterate magi. This was the name given by the Babylonians, Medes, Persians, and others, to the wise men, teachers, priests, physicians, astrologers, seers, interpreters of dreams, soothsayers, sorcerers.

"The Jews believed that there were prophets in the kingdoms of Saba and Arabia who were of the posterity of Abraham by Keturah; and that they taught in the name of God, what they had received in tradition from the mouth of Abraham. These, knowing the promise of the Messiah, were now, probably, like other believing Jews, waiting for the consolation of Israel.” (Adam Clarke)

This helps! They were waiting for and anticipating the coming of Christ. How did the wise men or magi know to expect Christ? I’m persuaded they knew the ancient prophecy in Numbers 24:17 (LXX)

I will point to him, but not now; I bless him, but he draws not near: a star shall rise out of Jacob, a man shall spring out of Israel; and shall crush the princes of Moab, and shall spoil all the sons of Seth. 

It is interesting that "An ancient and settled persuasion prevailed throughout the east, that the fates had decreed some to proceed from Judea, who should attain universal empire."
(Suetonius (AD 69-122; Roman Historian)

"Many were persuaded, that it was contained in the ancient books of their priests, that at that very time the east should prevail: and that some should proceed from Judea and possess the dominion." 
(Tacitus, AD 56-120; Roman historian)

This is amazing! But to be honest, Scripture is silent on this – it doesn’t explain how they knew to expect Christ. I conclude it doesn’t matter how they knew Christ was coming and would be announced by a star, the facts are: they did know and when they saw the star they immediately set off to find and worship him. They believed he was coming, they believed the star announced he had just been born, and as a direct result of this belief they came to Jerusalem. They had faith to seek Christ.

9 When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.
10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.
11 And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh

In 2:3-8 Herod the king learned where Christ was to be born. He charged the magi to go find him, return, and let him know where he could be found. Armed with more information, they pressed on.

When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy – I love this! They were being divinely guided in their journey, they knew it, and rejoiced with exceeding great joy! They had the joy of the Lord before they had even met him!

We have found the Christ who’s all in all;
He is everything to us;
O how blest upon His name to call,
How divine, how glorious!

It is joy unspeakable and full of glory,
Full of glory, full of glory;
It is joy unspeakable and full of glory,
And the half has never yet been told!
(Barney Elliott Warren, 1900; you can hear it here being sung in a Baptist church)

And when they were come into the house, they fell down, and worshipped him – this was no intellectual or academic journey, they were seeking the King with the full intention of worshipping him. Hallelujah! They had faith to worship.

2:12 And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.
They also had faith to obey. The wise men had a vibrant faith!

What does this mean for me? Faith in Christ is not merely knowing the right things about Christ, it is a spirited and vigorous conviction and trust that moves me to seek Him, to worship Him, and to obey Him.

The wise men teach us that Jesus is Christ. As Christ he is King. And as King he should be worshipped!

This also shows us a little about worship. Worship means to do obeisance to, that is to bend the knee, bow the head, fall down before. In so doing you acknowledge Him to be worthy, glorious, powerful. This is the goal of every worship service: to come to the place where we bow before Him.

At one point in a liturgical service you come to the Sursum Corda (below in bold), which dates back at least to the third century and is found in the earliest liturgies of the Church:

Celebrant: The Lord be with you.
People: And with your spirit.
Celebrant: Lift up your hearts.
People: We lift them up to the Lord.
Celebrant: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
People: It is right to give him thanks and praise.
Celebrant: It is right, our duty and our joy, always and everywhere to give thanks to you, Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth. Therefore we praise you, joining our voices with Angels and Archangels and with all the company of heaven, who for ever sing this hymn to proclaim the glory of your Name:
All: Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the Name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.

This is where we want to be, “Lord, I lift up my heart to You.” Worship can be expressed in music, prayer, lifting our hands, bending the knee, but it all begins in the heart.

I want to join the wise men and worship Christ the King!

O come let us adore him
O come let us adore him
O come let us adore him
Christ the Lord
(Adeste Fideles, John Francis Wade, 1751; translated into English as O Come, All Ye Faithful by Frederick Oakeley, 1841)

NEXT: Herod: Faith without repentance

Joseph & Christ

What do we learn about Christ from Joseph?

Matthew 1:20-23
20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.
21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,
23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

While he thought he thought on these things – Joseph was engaged to Mary and found out she was pregnant, consequently, he was thinking about putting her away (divorcing her). While he thought on these things he had a dream from the Lord. In this dream an angel appeared to him and told him ‘the rest of the story.’

that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost – I don’t know if he understood fully what this meant, after all Mary got a much fuller explanation, but the main thing was this means she had not been with another man. This pregnancy is supernatural. Therefore, “Marry the girl.”

she shall bring forth a son – This the best ultrasound in history!

thou shalt call his name JESUS – While this was not a unique name (in Acts 13 there is a man named Bar-Jesus (son of Jesus), which means there were at least 2 other men named Jesus), it is a heavenly name. 

for he shall save his people from their sins – Ἰησοῦς or Iesous is the Greek form of Joshua/Yeshua, “Yahweh saves” or “salvation”. You shall call his name salvation: for he shall save his people from their sins. Hallelujah!

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus; there's just something about that name.
Master, Savior, Jesus, like the fragrance after the rain;
Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, let all Heaven and earth proclaim
Kings and kingdoms will all pass away,
But there's something about that name.
(Bill & Gloria Gaither)

I think Joseph is getting the picture by now: Mary is going to give birth to the Messiah!

22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, 23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

This is Matthew’s explanation of the significance of all this – it was fulfillment of prophecy. God was so good to announce beforehand the coming of Christ, to announce details so we would recognize him when he came. I know there is a growing trend to cast aside the Old Testament as irrelevant for us today, but this is so wrong. The Old Testament is the foundation for the Gospel, the skeleton for the Body. When you talk to people about Christ they often object, "There are so many religions out there, how can you know the gospel is true?" One way is fulfilled prophecy; prophecies made hundreds of years before they were fulfilled in Christ. We need to be familiar and conversant with the Old Testament!

Behold, a virgin shall be with child - A miraculous conception is a major miracle, but the biggest news is who this child is, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. This is all talking about the child Mary will give birth to; Jesus, who will save his people from their sins.

Did Joseph know this? I mean, was he aware of the prophecy? did he tie this all together? We are not told, but I wouldn’t be surprised. He was Jewish; he knew the Scriptures; and he no doubt shared the hope of the Coming One.

Come, thou long expected Jesus,
Born to set thy people free;
From our fears and sins release us,
Let us find our rest in thee.
Israel's strength and consolation,
Hope of all the earth thou art;
Dear Desire of every nation,
Joy of every longing heart.

Born thy people to deliver,
Born a child and yet a King,
Born to reign in us forever,
Now thy gracious kingdom bring.
By thine own eternal spirit
Rule in all our hearts alone;
By thine all sufficient merit,
Raise us to thy glorious throne.
(Charles Wesley)


NEXT: The Wise Men

Portraits of faith - Joseph

 As we enter the Advent and Christmas seasons, our attention is often focused on the first two chapters of the Gospels of Matthew and Luke. I am persuaded that all the folks we encounter in these chapters teach us many things about faith that would be worth looking into.

I want to look at the people in these four chapters, in the order they appear, and see what I can learn about faith. It follows then that I would begin with Joseph.

Everything we will see about Joseph is in Matthew 1 & 2.

1:20, 24  But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost . . . Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:

2:13-14  And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him. When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt:

2:19-21  But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, Saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they are dead which sought the young child's life. And he arose, and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel.

2:22-23  But when he heard that Archelaus did reign in Judaea in the room of his father Herod, he was afraid to go thither: notwithstanding, being warned of God in a dream, he turned aside into the parts of Galilee: And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene.

Angels played an active part in these chapters - three of Joseph’s encounters involved angels. All four involved dreams. How does this illustrate faith?

First, Joseph believed God speaks to people in dreams – he never doubted that God was speaking to him in his dreams. I remember many of my dreams and I have also had dreams from the Lord. It is really neat that you can tell when your dream is from the Lord!

Second, Joseph believed angels are God’s messengers. They must have identified themselves and he never doubted them for a minute. As I said, I have had a few dreams from the Lord, but I have never seen an angel, but I have a feeling that when angels appear it is pretty evident who they are.

Third, Joseph believed what the angels told him, and he believed this to be the word of the Lord to him and for his situation.

Fourth, each time he had a visit from an angel, or a dream, he believed what he was told to do was from God, and he did it. Every time. Immediately. Joseph had faith to obey.

When you believe you obey: obedience springs from faith. Faith and obedience are like Siamese twins – you never see one without the other. If I say I believe, but I don't obey, then I do not have saving, sanctifying faith; I do not have the faith that pleases God. Throughout the entire Bible, whenever someone believed the Lord it affected what they did; and whenever folks did not obey they were charged with unbelief. We see this in Hebrews 3:15-19:

15 While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation.
16 For some, when they had heard, did provoke: howbeit not all that came out of Egypt by Moses.
17 But with whom was he grieved forty years? was it not with them that had sinned, whose carcases fell in the wilderness?
18 And to whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that believed not?
19 So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.

We see their problem described as “sinned” (17), “believed not” (18), and “unbelief” (19). “Believed not” in v 18 is a word that means they stubbornly refused to be persuaded to believe and obey the Lord. “They chose to sin, and would not believe. Unbelief produced disobedience, and disobedience produced hardness of heart and blindness of mind.” (Adam Clarke)

Rather than singing the song Israel sang in the wilderness, "I don't believe and I won't obey", I would prefer my song to be:

I'll say yes, Lord, yes
To Your will and to Your way
I'll say yes, Lord, yes
I will trust You and obey
When the Spirit speaks to me
With my whole heart I'll agree
And my answer will be
Yes, Lord, yes
(Lynn Edward Keesecker, 1983)


NEXT: Joseph & Christ: What we learn about Christ from Joseph

The just shall live by faith in the New Testament

 

Habakkuk 2:4 is the central verse in this little book. It is also a fundamental principle of the gospel and the New Testament. It is quoted in Romans, Galatians, and Hebrews. I thought it would be good to take a closer look at this.

Let's begin with Habakkuk.

2:4 Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.

The righteous man will live, will survive the coming days, by his faith. Not by his righteousness, but by his faith. Faith is powerful.

Faith also has priority. It comes before righteous living, righteousness is birthed in faith.

What is this faith? Belief in the Lord, His Word, His ways, His character, His promises, His faithfulness. It is faith that moves me to obey, to be righteous, to be holy; it is faith that helps me ride out the storm. Not simply faith, but faith in the Lord, because faith connects me to Him.

As I have already said, Paul quotes this verse three times in the New Testament. Let’s take a brief look at each one and see how he uses it.

The Epistle to the Romans 

1:16-17 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

Paul quotes this verse to support his message that salvation comes to every one who believes in Jesus Christ - those who are righteous by faith will live. How do we become righteous by faith?

3:21-22 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe...

4:4-5 Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.

Paul spends much of chapter 3 and all of chapter 4 explaining and emphasizing this. Salvation is “unto all and upon all them that believe;” that is, it is offered to and actually given to all who believe in Jesus Christ. The just by faith shall live.

The Epistle to the Galatians

3:10-12 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith. And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them.

Throughout Galatians Paul contrasts justification by the works of the law and justification by the faith of Jesus Christ, and says over and over that we are justified by faith in Christ.

2:16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

3:24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.

We have believed in Jesus Christ, believed He is the Son of God and trusted Him to save us; through this faith we have been justified, declared righteous, made right with God. The righteous by faith will live.

The Epistle to the Hebrews 

10:35-39
35 Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward.
36 For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.
37 For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.
38 Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.
39 But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.

This time Paul quotes Habakkuk 2:3-4 in full. This quote is from the Septuagint or LXX, as is every time Paul quotes Habakkuk. First, the full passage in Habakkuk:

Habakkuk 2:3-4 LXX

3 The vision is yet for a time and will rise up at the end and not in vain; if he seems to delay, wait for him, because he who is coming will come and will not tarry.
4 If he should draw back, my soul has no pleasure in him: but the just shall live by my faith.

You may notice the version in Hebrews is a little different than Habakkuk. It seems that “For yet a little while” is his paraphrase of the first half of v3, "The vision is yet for a time and will rise up at the end and not in vain; if he seems to delay, wait for him." Then he reverses the phrases in v4. Otherwise he is clearing quoting Habakkuk with an emphasis on the just shall live by faith.

There is an interesting expression in Romans 1:17, “from faith to faith.” I have wondered about that expression for a long time. Now I'm persuaded this passage in Hebrews is a wonderful commentary on it. Salvation comes to those who believe in Jesus Christ, they are justified by faith. But this believing in Jesus is not a one off experience, y’know, believe one day and then go your merry way. No, “the righteous shall live by faith,” that is, “believe to the saving of their soul.” On March 4, 1973 I believed in Jesus and was saved. Hallelujah! And lo, these 49 years later I still believe in Jesus. And for all 49 years I have lived by faith, read the Word by faith, prayed by faith, ministered by faith, preached and taught by faith. From faith to faith. Saving faith, walking faith, serving faith, waiting faith. This is exactly what God meant when He told Habakkuk, the just shall live by faith.

In all three quotations Paul is saying that Habakkuk 2:4 reveals a principle, one that is seen throughout the Old Testament, and is now enshrined in the Gospel: righteousness before God comes through faith; and the righteous live for the Lord by faith.



John Chrysostom on “the just shall live by faith”
John Chrysostom (347–407) was an Early Church Father; he was archbishop of Constantinople, and was known as a very eloquent speaker (Chrysostom means "golden-mouthed"). He preached through the Bible verse by verse. Here is his explanation of the the just shall live by faith from his preaching through Romans and Galatians. He says it so much better than I can.

Rom 1:16 the gospel is the power of God unto salvation
For it is not to all absolutely, but to them that receive it. For though thou be a Grecian, and even one that has run into every kind of vice, though a Scythian, though a barbarian, though a very brute, and full of all irrationality, and burdened with the weights of endless sins, no sooner have you received the word concerning the Cross, and been baptized, than you have blotted out all these.

Rom 1.17 for therein is the righteousness of God revealed
and righteousness, not your own, but that of God. For you do not achieve it by toilings and labors, but you receive it by a gift from above, contributing one thing only from your own store, believing. Then since his statement did not seem credible, if the adulterer and effeminate person, and robber of graves, and magician, is not only to be suddenly freed from punishment but to become just, and just too with the highest righteousness; he confirms his assertion from the Old Testament. And first with a short sentence, he lays open a vast sea of histories to one who has a capacity for seeing them. For after having said, from faith to faith, he sends the hearer back to the dispensations of God, which took place thus in the Old Testament, which, when writing to the Hebrews, he explains with his usual great wisdom, showing that both the just and the sinners were justified in that way even then, wherefore also he made mention both of the harlot and of Abraham.

Galatians 3:10-11 For it is written, Cursed is every one that continues not in all things that are written in the book of the Law to do them. Now that no man is justified by the Law is evident: for, The just shall live by faith
he again establishes his point by a text which concisely states both points; that no man has fulfilled the Law, (wherefore they are under the curse,) and, that Faith justifies. What then is the text? It is in the book of the prophet Habakkuk, The just shall live by faith, which not only establishes the righteousness that is of Faith, but also that there is no salvation through the Law.

You see how he proves that they are under the curse who cleave to the Law, because it is impossible to fulfill it; next, how comes Faith to have this justifying power? The Law being too weak to lead man to righteousness, an effectual remedy was provided in Faith, which is the means of rendering that possible which was impossible by the Law. Now as the Scripture says, the just shall live by faith, thus repudiating salvation by the Law, and moreover as Abraham was justified by Faith, it is evident that its efficacy is very great.

This is wonderful and comforting news! The just by faith shall live!!