Messianic Foundations

This being the first installment on Messianic Foundations, it seemed prudent to first ask the question, “Why?” Why study the Scriptures from a Messianic perspective, or more appropriately, from a Messianic Jewish perspective?

A lengthy dissertation could ensue on the theological reasons and potential benefits to be derived. But rather than get bogged down in those details, let’s keep it simple. The Bible is not nearly as complex as man often makes it out to be. Instead, let’s take a look at the euphemism, “To know where you’re going, you must first know where you’ve been.” Hindsight it is said, is always 20/20, but this is true only if you stop long enough to take an introspective look into the past. It is by design of the Almighty that the word “remember,” appears 31 times in the first five books of the Bible. Twenty-one other times we are commanded to “make a memorial.” Without constant repetition and review of biblical principles and history, we forget.

Galatians 3:29 states that believers who are not Jewish-born are adopted children of Abraham, “heirs according to promise.” Obviously, the lion’s share of that inheritance is our justification through faith in Jesus. Yet an inheritance often encompasses so much more—the passing on of a legacy. Unfortunately, ask many Christians today what the full blessing of the legacy of Abraham is, and you would probably witness a set of shrugged shoulders.

In many ways, we have become like the prodigal son. We have left our Abrahamic legacy to pursue other matters, but with unrelenting hope, our Father vigilantly watches the horizon waiting for our return to His inheritance. Not in some legalistic fashion, to take up the yoke of a works-oriented faith, but rather to understand the fullness of what has been preserved for us, and to reclaim it as our birthright.

God does nothing in a vacuum. Everything came out of something. This is true throughout the Word of God, from Genesis through Revelation. In the beginning, the Spirit of God hovered over the waters and light was created. Every step of creation grew out of the one before it. Even man, created out of the dust of the earth, had a pre-existent form or quality. Likewise Eve, was formed—not out of thin air—but out of Adam. There is always some element in place that God works through, whether creating the earth or feeding the multitudes with fishes and loaves. It is likewise true in our Spiritual life. We had a being before coming to Christ, and now we are a new creation—formed out of the old one.

Knowing how it all started, in this case, knowing the Jewish roots of the Christian faith, we can learn valuable lessons about our inheritance; teachings and blessings that help us interpret Scripture and determine God’s attitude on any given subject. There is a progressive continuity in the Bible, placed there for our benefit. Knowing and understanding what came first, and the steps in between, the spiritual illustrations serve to help us understand what came latter; not in a superfluous way, but with foundations steeped in antiquity.

In the broadest sense, God’s plan has always been about two kingdoms; one of life and light, the other about death and darkness. This is established “In the beginning.” What was the first miracle? “Let there be light!”

From the very beginning, exemplified in the first act of creation, light and darkness were separated, the two kingdoms were divided and the spiritual foundations were laid. Remarkable isn’t it? From the first moment of time, the biblical saga has been about two kingdoms!

According to the Scriptures, the good news of Jesus was brought to the Gentile pagans for this specific reason, “… I am sending you, to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the dominion of Satan to God” (Acts 26:17, 18 ).

Part of the richness that is imbedded in the Word is His revelation of these two kingdoms, and our relationship to a life of sanctification in the light, or our tumble into the temptations of flesh and darkness. Even the Torah—what is commonly referred to as the “Law”—is about light and darkness. In the Hebrew, torah is much more appropriately translated as instruction, or teaching. Through it, we learn what is of light and what is not. “I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life …” (Deuteronomy 30:19).

As stated earlier, hindsight is 20/20 only if you are willing to stop and examine with Spiritual eyes the rich history left to us. This series on Messianic Foundations, I pray, will be that stop, that respite in the Word which will open up new Spiritual vistas. Through the ensuing months, and should the Lord tarry, years, we will pursue the legacy that is ours to take hold of. Truly the prophet spoke, “In those days it shall come to pass, that ten men shall take hold out of all languages of the nations, even shall take hold of the skirt of him that is a Jew, saying, We will go with you: for we have heard that God is with you” (Zechariah 8:23).

PR

 

In the Next Issue:

                Messianic Pictures in the Temple Sacrificial System