His Word Today

“Jacob lived in the land of his father’s sojournings, in the land of Canaan. ² These are the generations of Jacob. Joseph, being seventeen years old, was pasturing the flock with his brothers. He was a boy with the sons of Bilhah and Zilpah, his father’s wives. And Joseph brought a bad report of them to their father. ³ Now Israel loved Joseph more than any other of his sons, because he was the son of his old age. And he made him a robe of many colors. ⁴ But when his brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers, they hated him and could not speak peacefully to him.” (Genesis 37:1–4 (ESV)

Joseph’s story begins when he was seventeen years old. Other than the mention of his birth (Gen. 30:22-24), nothing else is stated about Joseph’s boyhood except that he had a younger brother named Benjamin (Gen. 35:22-26). What do we know of Joseph, aside from his family and his age?

To begin with, Joseph was a shepherd. The verbal participle pasturing means to tend flocks, drive out to pasture, and shepherd. The leadership and responsibilities Joseph displayed in caring for the flock (sheep or goats) would become the leadership responsibilities he would display and need in Egypt many years later when he would shepherd a nation.  

Joseph was shepherding the flock with his brothers Dan and Naphtali, Gad and Asher. They were, respectively, the sons of Bilhah and Zilpah (Genesis 35:24) who were wives of Jacob, Joseph’s father.

It was during this time that Joseph delivered a bad report to Jacob of all of his brothers. We do not know exactly what the negative report was about but it did not sit well with Joseph’s brothers.

What also did not sit well with Joseph’s brothers was that Jacob gave Joseph a coat, or tunic, or many colors. The text says that Jacob actually made the tunic for Joseph. The reason given was that Jacob loved Joseph more than his other sons. For this, and other reasons we will soon see, Joseph’s brothers, with the exception of Benjamin, hated him. They did not even speak cordially to him.

Dr. John Walvoord writes, “Joseph was honored by Jacob who gave him a richly ornamented robe, probably a multicolored tunic. This seems to signify that Jacob favored him above the rest with the intent of granting him all or a larger portion of the inheritance. For Joseph was the firstborn of Rachel, Jacob’s loved wife (30:22–24). Yet Jacob should have remembered what parental favoritism does to a family. It had separated him from his loving mother (Gen. 27:1–28:5), and it would separate Joseph from Jacob.”

More to come.

Soli deo Gloria!   

“Jacob lived in the land of his father’s sojournings, in the land of Canaan. ² These are the generations of Jacob. Joseph, being seventeen years old, was pasturing the flock with his brothers. He was a boy with the sons of Bilhah and Zilpah, his father’s wives. And Joseph brought a bad report of them to their father. ³ Now Israel loved Joseph more than any other of his sons, because he was the son of his old age. And he made him a robe of many colors. ⁴ But when his brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers, they hated him and could not speak peacefully to him.” (Genesis 37:1–4 (ESV)

The journey of Joseph is a unique literary unit in the Book of Genesis. The fact that there are repeated elements in the story of Joseph’s life does not prove that Moses was not the author (Exodus 24:1-4; Matthew 19;1-10; Mark 12:26). Repetition is the mark of Hebrew literary style. Repetition serves to heighten the message, giving it a strong emphasis.

Dr. John Walvoord explains that, “One example of repetition is the analogy between the Jacob and Joseph stories. Both cycles of narratives begin with the father being deceived and the brothers being treacherous (chaps. 27; 37). Both cycles include a 20-year period of separation, with the younger brother in a foreign land. (For Jacob see Gen. 31:38. As for Joseph, he was 13 years in Potiphar’s house and in prison—from age 17 [37:2] to age 30 [41:46]—and after 7 years of abundance his brothers came to Egypt, 41:53–54; 42:1–2.) Both conclude with a reunion and reconciliation of the brothers (33:1–15; 45:1–15). As God had worked out matters to a proper resolution with Jacob, He would do the same with his son Joseph.”

The journey of Joseph stories were instructive for ancient Israel, and also for believers today. As Joseph spent years in bondage in Egypt before God delivered him, so the descendants of Jacob would also be in bondage in Egypt until the LORD delivered a nation of over 1 million. For Joseph, his difficulties would test his faith. For Israel, their stay in Egypt would be for their preservation and discipline.

Dr. Walvoord continues by explaining that, “In the record of Joseph’s life are several cycles of events: three sets of dreams, four sets of parallel relationships (Joseph and his family, Joseph and Potiphar’s household, Joseph and the prisoners, Joseph and Pharaoh’s household), two episodes in a pit-prison that involve false accusations and the use of his clothing for proof, and repeated visits to Egypt by his brothers. These cycles form the structure of the ṯôleḏôṯ (“account”) of Jacob (37:2).

The stories of Jacob and Joseph differ in tone from the preceding material in Genesis. It is in the Joseph narratives that Moses’ writing seems to be closely related to the wisdom literature of Proverbs and Ecclesiastes. This includes Moses’ editorial comments and the major point that Joseph was a wise ruler (Gen. 41:39).

Dr. Walvoord concludes by saying, “The theme of suffering as a test of character is predominant, both for Joseph and his brothers. Though Joseph was righteous he was not kept from suffering. He was preserved by his faith through it. In the end Joseph could acknowledge that God meant it all for good ( Gen. 50:20). The Bible’s wisdom literature assures the faithful that God brings good out of evil and suffering. Though the wicked may prosper for a time, the righteous hold fast to their integrity because there is a higher, more enduring principle of life (cf. the Book of Job). The wise recognize that the Lord God is sovereign over nature and the nations, and that He righteously orders the affairs of His people. At times, God’s ways seem unfair and paradoxical, but if endured by faith they bring blessings to the righteous.”

Soli deo Gloria!

²² By faith Joseph, at the end of his life, made mention of the exodus of the Israelites and gave directions concerning his bones.” (Hebrews 11:22 (ESV)

It interesting that the writer of Hebrews did not include Joseph’s prophetic faith in his revelatory dreams (Gen. 37:5–10), his righteous faith in renouncing the advances of his master’s wife (39:7–9), or his persevering faith in interpreting the dreams of the Pharaoh’s servants in prison. The book of Hebrews does not either include Joseph’s role in interpreting Pharaoh’s dreams (40:8, 41:16).

Additionally, the writer of Hebrews did not record the patience of Joseph’s faith. He waited for years, after his exaltation in Egypt, and did not seek to retaliate against his brothers in Canaan. Joseph patiently waited in the confidence that his brothers would yet bow down to him, according to his dreams (Gen. 37:5-11). What is also not recorded is Joseph’s forgiving faith toward his brothers. This was after suffering so much rejection and betrayal at their hands (Gen. 45; 50:15-21).

Rather, to illustrate the “faith that pleases God,” the writer of Hebrews chose to direct us to consider Joseph’s instruction for his burial rite — an account that climaxes the Book of Genesis (Gen. 50:24–26).

Why would the writer do this? How does today’s text demonstrate the noteworthy faith of Joseph? Dr. Warren Gage, professor emeritus of Old Testament at Knox Theological Seminary in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. provides us four possible reasons.

“First of all, Joseph’s refusal to be interred in Egypt had an evangelical purpose among the Egyptians. According to the Egyptian cult of the dead, resurrection to the afterlife was only possible to those buried in Egypt. By refusing Egyptian interment, Joseph testified against the false Osirian theology of the priests of Egypt.”

“Second, by refusing to be interred in Canaan like his father, Joseph left a memorial among the sons of Israel, who were to suffer the bitterness of Egyptian bondage. Joseph’s cenotaph was left as a reminder among the generations of Israelites to come — a memorial during those difficult days that God had sworn Israel’s deliverance and that at the appointed season He would bring them up out of Egypt in a great Exodus (Gen. 50:22-26).”

“Third, Joseph’s direction regarding his bones was intended to accomplish a redemptive purpose. The very brothers who had disregarded and betrayed Joseph and sold him into Egyptian bondage would themselves suffer bonds in Egypt. But in the day of deliverance to come, the sons of those very same brothers would lovingly bear the bones of Joseph home so that Joseph could be gathered to his fathers in the land of promise. And God did visit Israel in Egypt during the days of Moses as God had sworn (Gen. 50:25).”

“Finally, the body of Joseph was removed from Egypt, the land of the graves (Gen. 37:35; Ex. 14:11) in order that Joseph might be gathered to his fathers in the land of promise. This constituted a beautiful testimony to Joseph’s faith in resurrection. Joseph suffered a virtual death when he was sold into Egypt by his brothers (Gen. 42:13). The return of his bones to Canaan, therefore, foreshadowed his resurrection.”

With this in mind, let us begin our study of the Journey of Joseph when next we meet. I encourage you to begin reading Genesis 37.

Soli deo Gloria!   

We will continue to devote each LORD’s Day weekend in 2022 at hiswordtoday.org to present a portion of the Westminster Confession of Faith (WCF). For those unfamiliar with the WCF, a brief explanation is appropriate. 

The Westminster Confession of Faith is a Reformed confession of faith. Drawn up by the 1646 Westminster Assembly as part of the Westminster Standards to be a confession of the Church of England, it became and remains the “subordinate standard” of doctrine (to Scripture) in the Church of Scotland and has been influential within Presbyterian churches worldwide.

It is to that “most precise and accurate summary of the content of biblical Christianity” that we will give our time and attention to each Lord’s Day in the year of our Lord, 2021. I trust you will be edified and encouraged each week by The Westminster Confession of Faith.

Chapter Twenty One: Of Religious Worship and the Sabbath Day.

1.The light of nature shows that there is a God, who hath lordship and sovereignty over all; is good, and doeth good unto all; and is therefore to be feared, loved, praised, called upon, trusted in, and served with all the heart, and with all the soul, and with all the might.^a But the acceptable way of worshipping the true God is instituted by himself, and so limited to his own revealed will, that he may not be worshipped according to the imaginations and devices of men, or the suggestions of Satan, under any visible representations or any other way not prescribed in the Holy Scripture.^b

a. Josh 24:14; Psa 18:3; 31:23; 62:8; 119:68; Jer 10:7; Mark 12:33; Acts 17:24; Rom 1:20; 10:12. • b. Exod 20:4-6; Deut 4:15-20; 12:32; Mat 4:9-10; 15:9; Acts 17:25; Col 2:23.

2. Religious worship is to be given to God, the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost; and to him alone:^a not to angels, saints, or any other creature:^b and since the fall, not without a Mediator; nor in the mediation of any other but of Christ alone.^c

a. Mat 4:10 with John 5:23 and 2 Cor 13:14. • b. Rom 1:25; Col 2:18; Rev 19:10. • c. John 14:6; Eph 2:18; Col 3:17; 1 Tim 2:5.

I encourage you to read the portions of Scripture listed in this post.

Have a blessed Lord’s Day.

\Soli deo Gloria!

²² By faith Joseph, at the end of his life, made mention of the exodus of the Israelites and gave directions concerning his bones.” (Hebrews 11:22 (ESV)

Hebrews 11:22 provides a concise statement concerning the Patriarch Joseph’s life and death. Throughout his life, he remained a man of faith in the LORD. This means that he trusted in, depended upon, was committed to and a worshiper of Yahweh. Joseph’s faith was resilient regardless of the circumstances of his life. This is because he knew that God was in control of those circumstances in his life (Genesis 50:20).

Even in death, Joseph made mention of the Exodus of the Israelites. This was a reiteration of the covenant given by the LORD to Joseph’s great-grandfather Abraham (Genesis 12:1-3), his grandfather Isaac (Genesis 26:2-4), and his father Jacob (Genesis 28:14).

The life of Abraham is one characterized by Yahweh’ supernatural call. For Isaac, it was his supernatural birth. For Jacob, it was Yahweh’s supernatural control. Finally, for Joseph it was the LORD’s supernatural care. It is the LORD’s carefulness and watchfulness in Joseph’s journeys that will concern us as we study and contemplate the life of this noble patriarch.

Joseph is a familiar Old Testament character of which books have been written and films have been made. We will seek to examine his life from the pages of Scripture. What better place is there to begin our quest in studying the journey of Joseph than from the inerrant Word of God.

The first mention in Scripture of Joseph is in Genesis 30:24. He was Jacob’s 11th son and the firstborn son of Rachel. Rachel named the boy Joseph, meaning “may he add,” expressing her desire that God would give her another son (Gen. 30:24). Nothing more is said about Joseph until, at the age of 17, he is seen tending his father’s flocks with his brothers (Gen. 37:2). Joseph was a shepherd. He would prefigure none other than the Lord Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd (Psalm 23; John 10:11-18; I Peter 2:25; 5:1-4).  

The final mention of Joseph is from today’s text regarding his burial. Why?

Dr. Warren Gage, professor emeritus of Old Testament at Knox Theological Seminary in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. explains, “The author of the epistle to the Hebrews justly includes Joseph in the company of the great men and women of faith among the Old Testament saints. But the event that chiefly exemplified Joseph’s faith to this sacred writer was the instruction Joseph gave regarding his own burial (Heb. 11:22). Of all the acts of faith in the life of Joseph, what a remarkable choice this is! It appears that the way we direct arrangements for our own death can especially please God by showing our faith in Him. In fact, the instructions we make when facing death can be the greatest testimony of our faith while living.”

How can the faith of Joseph instruct us as we, too, prepare for death? That is what we will consider when next we meet as we begin our study of the Journey of Joseph. May Joseph’s journey of faith be an example to each of us in our own journey of trust, commitment, dependence and worship of the LORD; not only in life but also in death.

Until next time, Soli deo Gloria!   

⁸⁹ “Forever, O Lord, your word is firmly fixed in the heavens. ⁹⁰Your faithfulness endures to all generations; you have established the earth, and it stands fast. ⁹¹ By your appointment they stand this day, for all things are your servants.” (Psalm 119:89–91 (ESV)

Today is New Year’s Eve. The last day of the year. Much has happened this year in my family’s life. I’m sure the same could be said for you and your family. Each year has it highs and its lows, its good and bad, its joy and its sorrows. There are events and circumstances that we hope to long remember, while at this same time other things we just as soon forget.

Today’s text from Psalm 119:89-91 speaks of the sure foundation believers’ in Christ possess. That is God’s faithfulness. In both the Old and New Testaments, faithfulness, or faith, means to trust, commit, depend and worship an object. Biblical faith is trust, commitment, dependence and worship of the LORD alone.

As it pertains to God, He alone is trustworthy, committable, dependable, and worthy of worship. These three verses from today’s text, in the longest psalm in the Psalter, describe the LORD’s faithfulness.

Forever, O Lord, your word is firmly fixed in the heavens. Yahweh’s Word is firmly fixed. This means that what the LORD says remains solidly positioned and firmly standing in and from the LORD’s throne of sovereign authority. For how long? The Word of the LORD is everlasting.

Your faithfulness endures to all generations; you have established the earth, and it stands fast. The LORD’s faithfulness continues, perseveres and prevails for all time. It never ends. The psalmist says that the LORD has not only created the world, but also sustains what He has created (Hebrews 1:1-3). The universe remains fixed before its Creator.

By your appointment they stand this day, for all things are your servants. By the LORD’s judicial decision, the heavens and the earth, in effect the entire universe, remains exactly how God wants it to remain. All of creation is God’s servant. No exceptions.

The Tyndale Bible Dictionary explains, “In spite of Israel’s faithlessness (Deut. 32:20; cf. Rom. 3:3), God showed himself to be absolutely reliable. His faithfulness is great (Lam. 3:23). He is loyal to his covenant and will always manifest his steadfast love to his people (Ps. 136). The pinnacle of faithfulness in the Bible is seen in the work of Jesus Christ, who showed himself faithful to his Father (Heb. 3:2) and in his witness (Rev. 1:5-7). God calls men and women to be faithful by following Christ, relying on him for all things (Heb. 2:4; cf. Rom. 1:16-17).”

The Prophet Jeremiah, in Lamentations 3:23, says, “²²The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; ²³       they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”

Therefore, as one year comes to its inevitable conclusion, and another year begins, let each of us give thanks to the LORD for His faithfulness.

Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father
There is no shadow of turning with Thee
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not
As Thou hast been, Thou forever will be.

Chorus

Great is Thy faithfulness
Great is Thy faithfulness
Morning by morning, new mercies I see
All I have needed, Thy hand hath provided
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me

Summer and winter and springtime and harvest
Sun, moon and stars in their courses above
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy, and love. (Chorus)

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside. (Chorus)

Soli deo Gloria!

¹²”If your sons keep my covenant and my testimonies that I shall teach them, their sons also forever shall sit on your throne.” ¹³ For the Lord has chosen Zion; he has desired it for his dwelling place: ¹⁴ “This is my resting place forever; here I will dwell, for I have desired it. ¹⁵ I will abundantly bless her provisions; I will satisfy her poor with bread. ¹⁶ Her priests I will clothe with salvation, and her saints will shout for joy. ¹⁷ There I will make a horn to sprout for David; I have prepared a lamp for my anointed. ¹⁸ His enemies I will clothe with shame, but on him his crown will shine.” (Psalm 132:12–18 (ESV)

The final psalm under consideration regarding the Messiah is that He is the coming King of kings and Lord of Lords (I Timothy 6:15; Revelation 9:16). The Bible speaks throughout the Old and New Testament of the Kingdom of God. It is the predominant theme of the Scriptures.

The Kingdom of God is the supreme and sovereign rule and reign of God over all. Jesus Christ is the King of the kingdom. Creation is the place of the kingdom. Human beings are the servants of the kingdom.

The angel Gabriel visited Mary and revealed to Her God’s sovereign plan to conceive a virgin born Messiah. This Messiah would be King.

Luke 1:26-33 says, “²⁶ In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, ²⁷ to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary. ²⁸ And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” ²⁹ But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. ³⁰ And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. ³¹ And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. ³² He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, ³³ and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” (Luke 1:26–33 (ESV)

Notice that Gabriel said three things about Jesus’ kingship. (1) God will give Him the throne of His father David. (2) He will reign over the house of Jacob forever. (3) Of His kingdom there will be no end.

Concerning today’s text, Dr. John Walvoord writes, “These verses (Psalm 132:12-18) record a revelation from the Lord confirming His earlier promises to David. The Lord reiterated His oath to David that descendants of his would sit on David’s throne forever (vv. 11–12; cf. 89:3–4, 27–29, 35–37). The Lord then affirmed His choice of Mount Zion (132:13–14) which He would bless … with abundant provisions, including food (cf. 111:5; 136:25; 145:15; 146:7) for the poor … salvation for the priests (cf. 132:9), and joy for the saints. God also promised the appearance and crowning of His Anointed One, the Messiah (vv. 17–18).”

Isaac Watts composed a classic Christmas carol centered upon the kingship of Jesus Christ. It is the familiar hymn Joy to the World.

1 Joy to the world, the Lord is come!
Let earth receive its king;
let ev’ry heart prepare him room,
and heav’n and nature sing,
and heav’n and nature sing,
and heav’n, and heav’n and nature sing.

2 Joy to the earth, the Savior reigns!
Let all their songs employ
while fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains,
repeat the sounding joy,
repeat the sounding joy,
repeat, repeat the sounding joy.

3 No more let sins and sorrows grow,
nor thorns infest the ground.
He comes to make his blessings flow
far as the curse is found,
far as the curse is found,
far as, far as the curse is found.

4 He rules the world with truth and grace,
and makes the nations prove
the glories of his righteousness,
and wonders of his love,
and wonders of his love,
and wonders, wonders of his love.

Soli deo Gloria, to the King of kings and Lord of lords.

²² “The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. ²³ This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.” (Psalm 118:22–23 (ESV)

Psalm 118 is an anonymous psalm. Aside from the Holy Spirit (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21), we do not know who the human author was. How, the two verses which comprise today’s text are very familiar to students of Scripture. They are quoted in three of the four Gospels (Matt. 21:42; Mark 12:10–11; Luke 20:17). Luke also references the verses in Acts 4:8-12. The Apostle Peter records the verses in his first epistle (I Peter 2:7).

The metaphor used is of a cornerstone. Jesus used this term to speak of himself in the parable of the wicked tenants (Mt 21:42; Mk 12:10; Lk 20:17). The setting for this parable was his final ministry in Jerusalem after he had cleansed the temple. The Parable of the Tenants speaks of the coming death of Jesus in symbolic terms. Jesus concluded it by referring the Jewish leaders back to their own Scriptures, specifically Psalm 118:22–23 (cf. Is 28:16). The Lord understood the text as speaking of his rejection and exaltation. The Jewish leaders rejected Jesus, but God the Father would exalt Him as the cornerstone.

Isaiah 53:3 parallels the rejection spoken by the psalmist. Isaiah says concerning the Messiah, “³ He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. He was despised, and we held him of no account.”

The Apostle John also referred to the rejection of the Eternal Word of God by the Jewish people. The rejection of the Savior was all within the sovereign and providential plan of God the Father.

John 1:1-5, 9-12 says, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ² He was in the beginning with God. ³ All things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made. ⁴ In him was life, and the life was the light of men. ⁵ The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”

^9 “The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. ¹⁰ He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. ¹¹ He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. ¹² But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God,”

The Tyndale Bible Dictionary explains that, “It is evident that the OT concept of cornerstone is applied to Jesus to emphasize his exalted position with the Father and so to encourage the believer. In Ephesians 2:20 brief reference is also made to Christ Jesus as the cornerstone upon which the church is built.”

Consider the following by Christian musician and lyricist Chris Rice. The song is entitled Welcome to Our World.

Tears are falling, hearts are breaking
How we need to hear from God
You’ve been promised, we’ve been waiting
Welcome Holy Child [Repeat: x1]

Hope that You don’t mind our manger
How I wish we could have known
But long-awaited Holy Stranger
Make Yourself at home
Please make Yourself at home

Bring Your peace into our violence
Bid our hungry souls be filled
Word now breaking Heaven’s silence
Welcome to our world [Repeat: x1]

Fragile finger sent to heal us
Tender brow prepared for thorn
Tiny heart whose blood will save us
Unto us is born [Repeat: x1]

So wrap our injured flesh around you
Breathe our air and walk our sod
Rob our sins and make us holy
Perfect Son of God [Repeat: x1]
Welcome to our world

Soli deo Gloria!

²⁵ “Of old you laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hand ²⁶ They will perish, but you will remain; they will all wear out like a garment. You will change them like a robe, and they will pass away, ²⁷ but you are the same, and your years have no end.” (Psalm 102:25–27 (ESV)

Psalm 102 addresses the eternality of the Lord Jesus Christ, the second person of the Godhead. Along with God the Father and God the Holy Spirit, the Son is identified in Scripture as the self-existent Creator of all things.

The writer of the Epistle to the Hebrews quotes from today’s text in Hebrews 1:10-12. One author comments, “Invoking the authority of the Old Testament once again, the author quotes from Psalm 102 in which the Psalmist cries out to the Lord in anguish. At the end of the Psalm, the Psalmist calls upon the Lord as the one who laid the foundation for the heavens and earth, acknowledging Him to be the only one who is able to answer his plea for help. His supplication is made to the unchangeable Lord of all creation, and it is this description that the author of Hebrews directs to Jesus Christ.”

Two other New Testament passages which parallel Psalm 102, and Hebrews 1:10-12, are John 1:1-5 and Colossians 1:15-20. Both speak of the majesty and eternality of Christ. Both herald His part in the creation of the universe.

Dr. R. C. Sproul writes, “There is a stark contrast between Christ and that which will pass away. The heavens and earth “will perish” the author of Hebrews writes; the Lord will “roll them up” like a robe, and they will be changed. Christ, on the other hand, “will remain”; for He is “the same,” and His years will “have no end.” On this point,

The great Puritan theologian John Owen writes, “One thing is meant…by these expressions — Christ’s eternal and absolute immutable existence.To emphasize God’s eternal nature in contrast with the world’s frailty and all of its creation, it is said that his years will never end. The world comes to an end but there is no end to Christ’s existence.”

Charles Wesley, along with George Whitefield, must have the eternality of Jesus Christ in mind when they collaborated on the following classic Christmas carol.

 1. Hark! The Herald Angels sing,
“Glory to the new-born King;
Peace on earth, and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled!”
Joyful, all ye nations, rise.
Join the triumph of the skies.
With the’ Angelic Hosts proclaim,
“Christ is born in Bethlehem!”
    Hark! The herald angels sing,
    “Glory to the new-born King.”

2. Christ, by highest heaven adored,
Christ, the everlasting lord
Late in time behold Him come,
Off-spring of aVirgin’s womb.
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see,
Hail, the incarnate deity
Pleased as Man with men to dwell,Jesus, our Emmanuel.
    Hark! The herald angels sing,
    “Glory to the New-born king!”

Hail the heav’n-born Prince of Peace, Hail, the Sun of Righteousness
Light and life to all He brings,
Risen with healing in His Wings.
Now He lays His Glory by,
Born that man no more may die
Born to raise the sons of earth,
Born to give them second birth.
    Hark! The herald angels sing,
    “Glory to the New-born king!”

4. Come, Desire of nations come,
Fix in us Thy humble home;
Oh, to all Thyself impart,
Formed in each believing heart!
Hark! The herald angels sing,
“Glory to the new-born king;
Peace on earth and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled!”
    Hark! The herald angels sing,
    “Glory to the New-born king!”

5. Adam’s likeness, Lord, efface,
Stamp Thine image in its place:
Second Adam from above,
Reinstate us in Thy love.
Let us Thee, though lost, regain,
Thee, the Life, the inner man:
O, to all Thyself impart,
Formed in each believing heart.
    Hark! The herald angels sing,
    “Glory to the New-born king!”

Soli deo Gloria!

^15 “O mountain of God, mountain of Bashan; O many-peaked mountain, mountain of Bashan! ¹⁶ Why do you look with hatred, O many-peaked mountain, at the mount that God desired for his abode, yes, where the Lord will dwell forever? ¹⁷ The chariots of God are twice ten thousand, thousands upon thousands; the Lord is among them; Sinai is now in the sanctuary. ¹⁸ You ascended on high, leading a host of captives in your train and receiving gifts among men, even among the rebellious, that the Lord God may dwell there.” (Psalm 68:15–18 (ESV)

Most biblical scholars identify Psalm 68 as “a song” celebrating God’s triumphal ascent to Mount Zion. If the superscription of Davidic authorship is correct, (TO THECHOIRMASTER. A PSALM OF DAVID. A SONG), then the occasion may have been David’s conquering the city (2 Sam. 5:6–8), or moving the ark to Zion (2 Sam. 6), or some triumphal procession after a victory, or his victories in general. The greatest triumph to which the psalm is related is Christ’s Ascension, for Psalm 68:18 was paraphrased and applied to Him by Paul (Eph. 4:8).

Today’s text tells of the LORD’s selecting Zion (Mt. Hermon, Deut. 4:48) above other mountains and of His triumphant entry into it like a conqueror. The great mountains of the land of Bashan refer to the Hermon mountain range, only a few miles north of Bashan.  Mt. Zion was also the Jebusite fortress in Jerusalem conquered by David. Zion was eventually used by biblical writers to identify other areas of Jerusalem. It was used as an identification of the entire city. Zion was also used to symbolically describe the eternal city of God.  

Choosing Mt. Zion for His dwelling place, God entered the city with a vast company (thousands of thousands) of angelic hosts, metaphorically pictured here as riding in chariots. Thus the LORD went all the way from Mt. Sinai (cf. v. 8) to His sanctuary in Zion. His entrance into Jerusalem (when David conquered it, 2 Sam. 5:6–8, or when David moved the ark to Jerusalem, 2 Sam. 6) was like a mighty conqueror ascending on high with captives, receiving tribute from the vanquished, the rebellious.”

How does this portion of Psalm 68 pertain to the Lord Jesus Christ? Why does the Apostle Paul quote from it in Ephesians 4:8?

Dr. John Walvoord further explains, “Psalm 68:15-18 was referred to by Paul in Ephesians 4:8. However, rather than quoting the Hebrew, Paul apparently followed the Jewish interpretation of the day (the Targum), which paraphrased this verse as follows: “You did ascend to the firmament, O Prophet Moses! You led captivity captive; you taught the words of the Law; you gave [not received, ‘as in the Heb.] gifts to the sons of men.” (This interpretation saw Moses as God’s representative.) Paul followed this Jewish exegesis because it explained that the conqueror distributed the gifts to His loyal subjects. The apostle applied that idea to Christ’s victory over the forces of evil and His granting spiritual gifts (cf. Eph. 4:11) to those on His side. By this analogy (based more on the Jewish interpretation of the psalm than on the exact Heb. wording) Paul emphasized the greatness of believers’ spiritual victory in Christ.”

Acts 1:6-11 says, “⁶ So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” ⁷ He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. ⁸ But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” ⁹ And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. ¹⁰ And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, ¹¹ and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”

Remember, the Season of Advent does not just concern the coming, or arrival, of the Lord Jesus Christ at His incarnation, but also His arrival in souls of sinners at conversion, and finally His arrival when He returns to Earth in power, might and glory (Rev. 19-22).

Soli deo Gloria!