First Sunday in Advent, 2003

November 30, 2003

Jeremiah 33:14-16

Psalm 25:1-10

1 Thessalonians 3:9-13

Luke 21:25-36

Major themes:

1. Restoration, built on Jeremiah 33 and Psalm 25.

2. God?s final rule and the second advent using all passages. Note especially the last few verses of Psalm 25, which can be used to describe the general case of God?s action throughout history with the specific case being the end times.

3. What do we do when we have to wait for God? I will mention several passages in the notes that deal with prophecy which is not, at least apparently, fulfilled. Certainly there are passages that represent dashed hopes.

Jeremiah 33:14-16

Though this is commonly regarded as a Messianic prophecy, and in modern Christian thought as an end times prophecy, it is not quoted in either sense in the New Testament.

It does have Messianic implications in context, and it appears in the lectionary in connection with advent, in particular referring to the second advent.

The entire passage is parallel to Jeremiah 23:5 & 6. The entire passage from 14-26 is omitted from the LXX.

The prophecies of permanence for David?s house were clearly interpreted by many as unconditional and eternal. Jeremiah had to fight the notion that the temple could not be destroyed, and that those who would hold on would eventually see God?s salvation in the form of escape from destruction for Jerusalem itself. The two passages I cite for the Davidic covenant might have provided some of the foundation on which such an attitude is built. There are some scriptures that refer to conditions, but others seem to make a firm, unchangeable commitment. This passage can tie in with Luke 21 in discussing conditionality of predictions.

What is God?s purpose in giving predictive prophecies? Is it to inform, to satisfy curiosity, to provide a future roadmap? Or is it to guide and correct? In other words, is it more like an accurate hurricane prediction (yes, I?m optimistic!!) or is it more like the warning one might give one?s son that he?ll be grounded if he doesn?t do his homework?

Translation

Notes

(14) Behold days are coming, declares YHWH, when I will establish

the good word that I spoke

to the house of Israel and over the house of Judah.

(15) In those days, and in that time I will make a righteous branch spring forth

for David, and he will do justice and righteousness in the land.

(16) In those days Judah will be saved, and Jerusalem will be established in trust, and this is what it will be called: YHWH is it’s righteousness.

Establish ?raise up? or fulfill. This is addressed to people who have fallen on the ground.

Good word promise, specifically covenantal promise

The Davidic covenant is recorded in 2 Samuel 7:8-16; Psalm 89:19ff.

The basic Messianic expectation was a new king from the line of David who would rule Israel a Judah.

For David from David?s line, of the royal house

YHWH is it?s righteousness YHWH Tsidqenu.

Psalm 25:1-10

This is a prayer for rescue, and an expression of faithfulness. But again, we can look at the difference in our view of timing and God?s apparent view. A prayer such as this?asking that one?s enemies not triumph?indicates that the writer didn?t expect to be in the trouble he?s in, but has found himself there anyways. What does one say about a God who let?s people down like this? (See below under Luke 21.)

Translation

Notes

(1) Of David.

To you, YHWH, I lift my life.

(2) My God, in you I have put my trust,

Do not let me be ashamed.

Don’t let my enemies triumph over me.

(3) Indeed all who hope in you will not be ashamed.

Those who behave treacherously without cause will be ashamed.

(4) Show me your ways YHWH,

Teach me your paths.

(5) Direct my path in your truth and teach me,

For you are God who saves me,

I have placed my hope in you all day.

(6) Remember your compassion, YHWH and your covenant mercy,

Because they are from eternity.

(7) Don’t remember the sins of my youth and my transgressions according to your covenant mercy,

Remember me on account of your goodness YHWH.

(8) YHWH is good and upright,

Therefore he teaches sinners in the way.

(9) He directs the humble in justice.

and he will teach the humble his way.

(10) All the paths of YHWH are gracious and truthful,

To those who keep his covenant and his testimonies.

Life or soul.

Triumph or exult.

A very common combination in the Psalms?a plea followed by an expression of confidence in God?s handling.

The particular form of teaching is through action and example. ?Ways? is derek and ?path? is ?orach. [link to new RTG transcript ?The Path I Should Take.?

Again the particular mode of teaching called for is demonstration.

Covenant mercy ?chesed? also possibly ?grace? or ?steadfast love.?

Covenant mercy see above.

Upright ?yashar? with a most basic meaning of straight.

Humble in a relatively unusual construction, the Hebrew uses the same word in both poetic lines.

1 Thessalonians 3:9-13

This prayer of Paul?s expresses the most healthy attitude about the end times. We find ourselves concerned with times and specific details of the various events we are to expect. Apparently many Christians are not at all concerned with the number of times that people?s predictions, based on end-times prophecies have turned out to be wrong, even dangerously wrong.

But Paul calls on us to build up the lacks in our faith or our faithfulness, to abound in love, to have our hearts established, and to become blameless in holiness in preparation for that day. The advantage is that all of these things are good things to do irrespective of how close the end is, or seems to human vision and perception.

Let?s grow in love as we look forward!

If you are looking at the theme of waiting for God to act and the nature of prophecy, compare 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 to 2 Thessalonians 2, especially as to tone.

Translation

Notes

(9) For what thanks can we give to God concerning you all on every joy with which we rejoice because of you before our God, (10) as night and day we pray constantly that we may see your face and build up the lacks in your faith?

(11) But may God himself and our Father and our Lord Jesus straighten our way toward you. (12) And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, just as we for you, (13) so as to establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the appearance of our Lord Jesus with all his saints, Amen!

I have rendered this wonderful prayer very literally, but I recommend reading it from a dynamic equivalence translation such as the CEV, NLT or REB, as a literal rendering of the long sentences and convoluted grammar will make it hard for a congregation to grasp quickly.

This passage can be adapted as a prayer very easily?since it is one. A few strategic modifications and you have an excellent benediction.

Luke 21:25-36

The tone seems to be different here as we look at the signs that the end times will be near. But it?s very interesting that these signs are something we might see at any time in history, and that again the advice on how to live in such times is to be alert.

A good end times focus is to allow the shortness of life to keep our focus.

Translation

Notes

(25) And there will be signs in the sun and moon and stars, and upon the earth distress of nations in perplexity like the sound of the rolling sea, (26) people dying from fear and dread of what is to come on the inhabited world, for the powers of the heaves will be shaken. (27) And then they will see the son of man coming in a cloud, with power and great glory. (28) And when these things begin to happen, rise up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is approaching.

(29) And he spoke a parable to them, “Behold the fig tree and all the trees. (30) Whenever they put out foliage, you see for yourselves that the harvest is already near. (31) Thus also you, whenever you see these things happening, know that the kingdom of God is near. (32) Truly I tell you that this generation will not pass until all these things happen.

(33) Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.

(34) But be careful that your hearts never become complacent through partying and drinking and the cares of daily life so that that day comes upon you suddenly (35) as a trap. For it will come upon all those who live on the face of the earth. (36) So be alert at all times, praying that you might be strengthened to flee all these things that are coming and to stand before the son of man.?

Parallels Matthew 24:29-31, Mark 13:24-27.

?not knowing which way to turn from the roar and surge of the sea? (REB)

Parallels Matthew 24:22-35, Mark 13:28-31.

This generation will not pass ? the interpretation of this passage is very controversial. What events are we talking about and what generation will not pass. Three common solutions:

1) The events refer to the destruction of Jerusalem, and the generation is the one Jesus is speaking to.

2) The events refer to the end of the World and the generation is the one that sees the last day signs mentioned

3) The events refer to the end of the world, and Jesus expected that end to come within a generation, but it did not.

4) The events refer to both the destruction of Jerusalem and the events surrounding the end of the world and that this, like many (or all) prophecies is conditional. (See Jonah and Jeremiah 18.)

How one interprets this verse will depend on how one interprets verse 32.

This is the advice that remains good regardless of how one interprets the earlier prediction.