Message In 1peter – Number 1 – A Problem That Was Not Solved But Is Solved – 1peter 1:9-12 Series

MESSAGE IN 1PETER – NUMBER 1 – A PROBLEM THAT WAS NOT SOLVED BUT IS SOLVED – 1Peter 1:9-12

[1]. INTRODUCTION

Have you ever pondered over something that was a bit enigmatic but you were not able to solve it? Perhaps it was not for you to solve, only to know a few small threads of it. Maybe the solution lay in the future, possibly for someone else to solve the question.

Science has been a lot like that. Scientists in the past discovered certain things and later other scientists built on their findings so that the whole area was updated. This is especially so in astronomy and medicine. Galileo used a very primitive telescope by modern standards and with it discovered four moons of Jupiter. Later telescopes, more improved and powerful, added a whole lot more knowledge. Space missions to Jupiter were a whole new thing and now there is exact detail of most of the moons and the total of moons is currently 92 in 2023.

Well that situation was like it was for the Old Testament prophets as they wrote under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, revealing and declaring things that were new to them – whole new concepts that in some cases did not make sense to them. A few examples are these.

(a). Who was the Servant coming who would suffer? (Isaiah 52 and 53).

(b). Who was the One who would ride into Jerusalem on a donkey’s colt? (Zechariah 9:9).

(c). Who was the Holy One whose soul would not be kept in hell or would see any corruption? (Psalm 16:10 “for You will not abandon my soul to Sheol. Neither will You allow Your Holy One to undergo decay.” NASB

(d). Who was he (The LORD) about whom Zechariah wrote who would be King over the whole earth? {{Zechariah 14:9 “And the LORD will be king over all the earth. In that day the LORD will be the only one, and His name the only one.”}} NASB

(e). Whom was the One Ezekiel wrote about being a shepherd, My servant David? – {{Ezekiel 34:23-24 “Then I will set over them one shepherd and My servant David, and he will feed them. He will feed them himself and be their shepherd, and I, the LORD, will be their God, and My servant David will be prince among them. I, the LORD, have spoken.”}}

[2]. THE PROPHETS’ DILEMMA

We now come to what Peter wrote in his letter.

THE PROPHETS MADE CAREFUL SEARCH

Who has not heard of the alleged mystery of the Bermuda Triangle? Mysteries seem to captivate people’s attention. That is the explanation why there is much continuing interest in intriguing figments of the imagination such as Bigfoot and all his worldwide relatives that go by different names. Perhaps that has dated somewhat and today the focus has shifted to UFOs and possible alien visitors from space.

Many of the mysteries that intrigue people have but a passing occupation. Very few individuals have dedicated their whole lives to solving perplexing mysteries and those are found mainly among the scientific ranks. Much of it is pseudo science and conspiracy.

I am not suggesting there is anything mysterious about the writings of the Old Testament but there was an element of the unknown among some of the prophetic writers. Peter raises the matter this way:-

{{1Peter 1:9 “obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls.

1Peter 1:10 As to this salvation, the prophets who prophesied of the GRACE that would come to you made careful search and inquiry,

1Peter 1:11 SEEKING TO KNOW WHAT PERSON OR TIME the Spirit of Christ within them was indicating as He predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories to follow.”}}

Verse 10 clarifies that it was the matter of man’s salvation that was the preoccupation of the prophets. Even though these inspired men wrote under the Mosaic Law, they were conscious that what they were writing had a future and wide ranging application. Verse 10 speaks of the grace that would come. Now this is a powerful statement considering that the prophets were under Law and operated by Law. Yet the Spirit of God within them made them aware of a future grace that would be shed on mankind. Even further, they prophesied of that coming grace.

What catches my attention is Peter’s comment about the way the prophets made careful search and inquiry. Every word here speaks volumes. “Careful” reveals the thoroughness of their dedication, sifting through their content and the writings of others, piece by piece. Then “search”. As they studied their own writings plus those other prophetic revelations, they attempted to nail down the exact time and place that God has selected for the revelation of His grace.

In the Old Testament times the Jews were under Law and because of the contrast between Law and grace, we tend to think grace did not operate in those times but it did. There is no better illustration of grace in the Old Testament than the story of David and Mephibosheth where the latter was taken out of a place of nothingness and no pasture and made to sit at the king’s table. He did not deserve that being done for him, but grace was extended to him from David so that he became as one of the king’s sons.