Israel – God’s Son and Isaiah 53.

 Reading Isaiah 52:13-53:12

Fathers in the ancient world held a number of functions, depending on the various cultures. In Israel he was the Head of the family, also a priestly role and also the Judge. It is important to understand this when doing a study of ancient nations. Within Israel the father’s position is stressed with a subtle command. ‘You shall honour your father and mother that your days may be long on the earth.’ This is quoted in the New Testament to the Disciples of Christ, (Ephesians 6:1-3).

In Exodus 4:22-23 the tribes of Israel are described as Yahweh’s son. Pharaoh was dismissive of that the title and its implication. As he hardened his heart against Israel severe judgement awaited which brought much regret upon his family and nation.  God always calls to account those who violate His Name and people. Even His chosen Nation discovered this.

At Mount Sinai, Israel agreed to the Covenant relationship between God and themselves. Part of the Ten Commandments stressed the importance of obeying each household’s parents.  In Deuteronomy 21:18-22 outlines a scenario in which a father has life and death power of his son. The son is labelled as, stubborn, rebellion, ‘will not obey,’ and one who was a ‘glutton and drunkard.’ Before the father can execute judicial authority, he must present his reasons to the city Elders. Condemnation meant stoning to death.

Reading through the history of Israel it’s failure as a son emerges time after time. They get disciplined constantly, but apparently to no avail. How is it then that the Nation still exists, especially in the light of Malachi 1:6, ‘A son honours his father … if then I be a Father where is my honour …’ This was a constant source of irritation to the Lord God which caused the verdict of death on it. They took the Father’s Name in vain. they profaned His holy Name among the Nations. To profane meant that the holy Lord God of creation and redemption was placed in the same league as the pagan gods. Reading the prophet Ezekiel this charge is levelled against all classes of society many times.

The Biblical principle is that the wages of sin is death. Israel the son was doomed to die. But this posed a dilemma for God. He had stated that Israel would one day be ‘Head of the Nations’. That it would be the dwelling place of the great King. That it would be the Nation through which the Messiah would come. But it must die, unless another with the credentials of Son appeared on the scene and took the Nation’s place.

 At His baptism, as an adult, and on the occasion of His transfiguration [Matthew 3 and 17] Jesus was declared to be the Son of God. No one else could have the credentials to be the Lamb for Israel’s deliverance and forgiveness. The ruling Elites of Israel rejected His claim and deeds and condemned Him to die. Jesus placed His call, authority, credibility on John 5:39 and that Genesis to Malachi spoke of Him. Anyone reading the Gospels must be confronted by the insistence of Jesus in calling God “Abba-Father”. The trouble was the people’s unbelief! Anger so overwhelmed that they took up stone to kill Him. They didn’t believe their scriptures. They didn’t bother to investigate. That’s the Devil’s strategy. Therefore, blindness of soul kept them from recognising Jesus as the Promised One. They had no idea that, in their ignorance and hatred they were in fact making possible the Nation’s forgiveness and existence. Such is the Sovereign grace and over-ruling power of God. Yes, it is delayed but their National salvation and restoration is guaranteed.  As the son in disobedience to his father must die, so Jesus as The Son of God must die to pay that penalty. He must fulfil the Passover Lamb’s role. At the same time, He will be their sin offering, their burnt offering, their fellowship offering. All of this would be of no avail without the testimony of Isaiah 53:1Lamb1, “He shall see the labour of His soul, and be satisfied” The resurrection foreshadowed.

Israel lives because Jesus is the Son of God and took their penalty as the disobedient son. He was also the Lamb of God in its many expressions.

Copyright August 2019

Next: Israel, The faithless servant