Isaiah 7:10-14, Psalm 45, Psalm 40:5-10, Hebrews 10:4-10, Luke 1:26-38
A). IMMANUEL: WITH US THE GOD.
Isaiah 7:10-14.
The northern kingdom of Israel/Ephraim, along with her ally Syria/Aram, intended to force the Davidic kingdom of Judah into their alliance against the Assyrians (Isaiah 7:1), by setting up a puppet king - a ‘Son of No Good’ (Isaiah 7:6) - in Jerusalem. The LORD instructed Isaiah to take his son and confront King Ahaz of Judah, who was busy taking stock of the water supply for a possible siege of Jerusalem (Isaiah 7:3). There the LORD’s word to Ahaz was meant for comfort - not so much ‘Let go and let God’ on this occasion as ‘Take stock, don’t panic, vanquish fear… and trust in the LORD’ (Isaiah 7:4; Isaiah 7:9).
The name of Isaiah’s son faced Ahaz with the alternatives: was it ‘A remnant shall return’ or ‘It returns in pieces’? Or even, more pertinently to the immediate situation, ‘A remnant shall repent’ (Isaiah 7:3)?
Thankfully, the LORD does offer second chances:
“Moreover, the LORD spoke again to Ahaz” (Isaiah 7:10). The words were still intended to embrace the stubborn king: ask a sign - any sign - of the LORD “your” God (Isaiah 7:11). Ahaz, however, had already decided to lean not on the LORD, but on Assyria, and feigned piety to cover his faithlessness (Isaiah 7:12).
Isaiah was close to losing his temper with this awkward character. Will you also weary “my” God as you are wearying me (Isaiah 7:13)? Then the LORD stepped in and gave him a sign anyway (Isaiah 7:14).
There are those in the church today - in its hierarchy, and teaching in its seminaries - who want us to think that it is not necessary to believe in the virgin birth. The Hebrew word they say, could just as easily mean ‘young woman.’ This may be true: but the full understanding of the word would then be ‘young woman of marriageable age’ - like our old English word, ‘maiden.’
Matthew is clear: reading from the Greek translation of the prophecy, this woman is “the virgin” - and her child’s name Immanuel means “with us the God” (Matthew 1:23). The definite articles are emphatic, leading us away from any other mother than the virgin Mary, and any other so-called ‘god’ than the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
The young woman who would bear a son called Immanuel, God with us (Isaiah 7:14), was not ultimately the queen bearing Hezekiah (2 Kings 18:7), nor yet Zion bearing the remnant, but Mary bearing Jesus the Saviour.
B). CONCERNING CHRIST AND THE CHURCH.
Psalm 45:1-17.
The mysterious word in the title of this Psalm, ‘Shoshannim’, may refer to a six-stringed instrument, or to the scattering of roses or lilies around the nuptial bed: what we might call confetti today. The word ‘Maschil’ may be a musical reference, but also speaks of understanding. This is a song about love: but principally about the love of Christ and the Church (cf. Ephesians 5:32).
The Psalmist wrote of things beyond his natural knowledge. As a prophet, he sought diligently and inquired after the grace that was to come (1 Peter 1:10). Then he spoke and wrote as the Spirit of God led him (2 Peter 1:21).
I). Psalm 45:1-2. Seeing Jesus as He is.
The believer’s heart, in grateful adoration, is ever contemplating the goodness of the Lord. When our hearts thus bubble over in love toward King Jesus, we cannot remain silent: our thoughts must needs give expression in words. The Psalmist found his tongue to be the pen of a ready writer (Psalms 45:1), all set to make this contribution to Scripture.
Psalm 45:2 begins, “You are fairer than the children of men” This is how we first discover Jesus to be. Of all men, He alone is the flawless One (1 Peter 2:22; 1 John 3:5).
It continues, “grace is poured into your lips.” As the best of men, and our sacrifice, we receive grace from His grace (John 1:16). And grace pours forth from His lips (Luke 4:22).
In consequence, the verse concludes, “therefore God has blessed you for ever.” We receive our blessings only in Him (Ephesians 1:3). He redeemed us ‘that we might receive the blessing of Abraham’ (Galatians 3:14).
II). Psalm 45:3-5. The sword and arrows of Jesus.
Psalm 45:3. Part of the royal insignia of King Jesus is His sword. The Psalmist addresses Jesus here as “O most mighty,” and bids Him “Gird thy sword upon thy thigh” along with "thy glory and thy majesty.”
The preacher commissioned to preach the gospel hardly dare proceed without ‘the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God’ (Ephesians 6:17; cf. Song of Solomon 3:8).
The Word of God, when the gospel is faithfully preached, ‘is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword… and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart’ (Hebrews 4:12). To the ‘saved’ it is the savour of ‘life unto life.’ But to ‘them that perish’ it is the savour of ‘death unto death’ (2 Corinthians 2:15-16).
Jesus holds His sword ready upon His thigh - and when He draws it, He does not draw it in vain. The Word of God will accomplish all for which He has sent it (Isaiah 55:11). Without Jesus, the preacher has nothing to say.
Psalm 45:4. When the Word of “truth” is preached, Jesus rides forth triumphantly, defeating His (and our) spiritual foes, and gathering a harvest of the souls for whom He died. Jesus’ “meekness” has already been seen in His humiliation, which took Him from heaven, through incarnation, to ‘the death of a cross’ (Philippians 2:8). Here, at the Cross, “righteousness” is established: ‘the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ’ (Romans 3:22).
The Psalmist predicts the inevitability of Jesus’ victory, and envisages the King looking back upon the results.
Psalm 45:5. In another vivid illustration, through the preaching of the gospel, the “arrows” of conviction shoot forth. They strike to the “heart.” People fall under their power.
Some will find relief by believing in the One who struck them. Others will prove themselves to be “enemies” indeed by refusing the offered salvation. They shall by and by fall under the “arrows” of condemnation (cf. John 3:18).
But there is ‘therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus’ (Romans 8:1).
III). Psalm 45:6-7. The excellency of His rule.
As part of his argument to establish the superiority of Jesus to the angels, the writer to the Hebrews says, ‘Unto the Son He says, “Your throne O God is for ever and ever”’ (Hebrews 1:8; quoting Psalm 45:6). The Holy Spirit, speaking first through the Psalmist and then through the writer to the Hebrews, addresses Jesus as God, yet distinguishes Jesus from God.
We saw in passing that God’s blessing upon Jesus is “for ever” (Psalm 45:2). Now we perceive that His throne is to be “for ever and ever” (Psalms 45:6; cf. Psalm 72:17). ‘Of the increase of His government and of peace there shall be no end’ (Isaiah 9:7). Jesus’ sceptre is a “right” sceptre.
“You love righteousness and hate wickedness” (Psalm 45:7a; Hebrews 1:9a). It is He who ushers in ‘everlasting righteousness’ (Daniel 9:24) by the shedding of His blood upon the Cross.
It is through Jesus’ sacrifice that God is seen to be both ‘just’ and ‘the justifier’ of all that come to Him (Romans 3:26). God’s abhorrence of sin is seen in sharpest relief at the Cross: but it is there also that His justice in justifying the wicked is vindicated. Jesus became sin for us, ‘that we might become the righteousness of God in Him’ (2 Corinthians 5:21).
“Therefore God, even your God has anointed you” (Psalm 45:7b; quoted in Hebrews 1:9b). Jesus owns the Father as His God (John 20:17). He was equipped for the ministry to which He was called by the pouring forth of the Holy Spirit at His baptism (Acts 10:38).
The Spirit is called here, “the oil of gladness” (Psalm 45:7c) because Jesus was willing and ready above any of His fellows, whether priests or kings, to fulfil His commission (Psalm 40:8; cf. Hebrews 10:7). O that we might have the like commitment!
IV). Psalm 45:8-9. The beauty of His court.
First, there is the fragrance of His royal garments (Psalms 45:8), arising from the uniqueness of His anointing (cf. Exodus 30:37). It is a sweet Spiritual savour of grace and comfort, drawing believers to Him and making Him precious to them (Song of Songs 1:3-4; 1 Peter 2:6-7). His “gladness” arises from ‘the joy which was set before Him’ (Hebrews 12:2), which was the satisfaction of ‘seeing of the travail of His soul’ (Isaiah 53:11).
It was out of the “ivory palaces” (Psalms 45:8), the royal mansions above, that Jesus came, into this world of woe. It is to the mansions above that He will bring His people at last when He returns for us (John 14:2-3). There His servants shall enter into the joy of their Lord (Matthew 25:21; Matthew 25:23).
The King’s daughters and honourable women (Psalm 45:9) represent all true believers, born from above and adorned with the beauty of Christ. The queen in gold of Ophir is the Church, clothed in the righteousness of Jesus (Revelation 19:8). We owe our redemption not to corruptible things, but to the precious blood of the Son of God (1 Peter 1:18-19).
V). Psalm 45:10-16. The procession of the Church.
Verses 2-9 were addressed to the King. Now verses 10-16 are addressed to the queen. The queen stands for the Church (cf. 2 Corinthians 11:2; Ephesians 5:32; Revelation 21:2, Revelation 21:9).
The Church is addressed as “daughter” (Psalm 45:10a). She is born of God, and she is espoused to the Son of God. The instruction here is, “Hearken; consider; incline thine ear.” In other words, ‘If anyone has ears to hear, let them hear’ (cf. Matthew 13:9). We are obliged to listen to the Word of God, receive it into our hearts, and live accordingly.
The instruction is clear: “forget also thine own people, and thy father’s house” (Psalm 45:10b). When we come to Jesus, we leave behind our worldly ties (cf. Matthew 19:29). We leave behind our sinful life. And we leave behind all dependence upon ourselves. The Church is at her best when she is not tainted by worldliness.
“So shall the king greatly desire thy beauty” (Psalm 45:11a). If we have any beauty to be desired by the Lord, it is a gift of His giving: Christ ‘loved the church, and gave Himself for it, that He might sanctify and cleanse it’ (cf. Ephesians 5:25-26). The King delights in the beauty of the Church, in her righteousness, which was of His own giving (cf. Matthew 15:28 - ‘O woman, great is thy faith’).
“He is thy Lord; and worship thou Him” (Psalm 45:11b). We must not forget that Jesus is our Lord as well as our Saviour. He is God, and worthy to be praised.
“The daughter of Tyre” (Psalm 45:12a) stands for the Gentiles. Tyre was the commercial centre of the Ancient Near East. She brings a gift, as did the wise men from the East.
“The rich” also come, to the church, to “intreat thy favour” (Psalm 45:12b). The Church has no favours to give, but such as she receives from her Lord.
“The King’s daughter is all glorious within” (Psalm 45:13a). Christ reigns in her heart. She is the temple of the Holy Spirit.
“Her clothing is of wrought gold” (Psalm 45:13b). She is clothed with the righteousness of our Lord Jesus Christ.
“She shall be brought unto the King” (Psalm 45:14a). This is the ultimate rest for the people of God.
Her “raiment of needlework” (Psalm 45:14b) represents the sovereign grace of God, which brings her to Christ. ‘Nobody can come to Me except the Father draw them: and I will raise them up at the last day’ (cf. John 6:44).
“The virgins her companions” (Psalm 45:14c) represent the faithful members of the Church. They are pure in heart (hence, “virgins”). They are her “companions” – those who walk the walk with her. And they follow and are brought unto the King [just as Paul says, ‘Be ye followers of me, even as I am also of Christ’ (cf. 1 Corinthians 11:1)].
“With gladness and rejoicing shall they be brought” (Psalm 45:15a). Jesus said, ‘I go to prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am there ye may be also’ (cf. John 14:3).
“They shall enter into the King’s palace” (Psalm 45:15b). Jesus also said, ‘In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you’ (cf. John 14:2).
“Instead of thy fathers shall be thy children” (Psalm 45:16a). This is recompense for the queen’s dutiful leaving of her father’s house (cf. Psalm 45:10).
“Whom thou mayest make princes in the earth” (Psalm 45:16b). There shall never lack servants, saints indeed, to stand in the service of the true Church of our Lord Jesus Christ throughout the whole earth. Every one of them is of royal lineage (cf. Revelation 1:6).
VI). Psalm 45:17. The praises of His name.
In the final verse the LORD God our Father addresses Jesus.
“I will make thy name to be remembered in all generations” (Psalm 45:17a). This is the same Jesus in whom the Father is ‘well pleased’ (cf. Matthew 3:17: Matthew 17:5). This is the same Jesus who has been preached through all the ages of the Church.
“Therefore shall the people praise thee for ever and ever” (Psalm 45:17b).
I am reminded of the Scottish Metrical Version of Psalm 72:17 -
‘His name for ever shall endure;
last like the sun it shall:
Men shall be bless’d in Him, and bless’d
all nations shall Him call.’
C). THE NUMBERLESS PROOFS OF THE GOODNESS OF THE LORD.
Psalm 40:5-10.
The Psalmist is at great pains to demonstrate how “numberless” are the proofs of the LORD’s goodness (Psalm 40:5). What the LORD has done for us ‘hitherto’ (cf. 1 Samuel 7:12) becomes more and more difficult to enumerate: His mercies are ‘new every morning’ (Lamentations 3:22-23). As one songwriter put it: ‘Count your blessings, name them one by one, And it will surprise you what the Lord has done.’
Psalm 40:6 is not a polemic against the sacrificial system. After all, the Temple cultus was established by the LORD. However, ‘to obey is better than sacrifice’ (1 Samuel 15:22; cf. Psalm 51:16-17).
So the Psalmist speaks of his “open ears” (Psalm 40:6) - an interesting term which embraces:
(i) an open ear to God’s word (cf. Matthew 11:15; Matthew 13:9; Mark 4:23; Revelation 2:7);
(ii) the ‘pierced’ ear of the willing slave, who surrenders his whole body to a well-loved master (Deuteronomy 15:16-17);
(iii) This in turn becomes, in the Greek translation of the Old Testament, “a body thou didst prepare for me” - and is placed upon the lips of Jesus in Hebrews 10:5.
With the words of Psalm 40:6-8 upon His lips, Jesus was already on His way. He was heard announcing the incarnation: “a body You have prepared for me … Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me” (Psalm 40:7). His name is, in effect, the heading of the scroll: and after the resurrection Jesus opened up the Scriptures to show His disciples ‘the things concerning Himself’ (Luke 24:27; Luke 24:44-45).
He added, “I delight to do your will, O my God” (Psalm 40:8). Jesus taught us to pray, ‘Thy will be done’ (Matthew 6:10) - yet it was also His prayer. He echoed this in the Garden of Gethsemane: ‘not my will, but yours be done’ (Luke 22:42).
The Psalmist reminds the LORD of his faithful preaching of righteousness in “the great congregation” (Psalm 40:9). Yet this also applies to Jesus, who is the subject of another acknowledged Messianic Psalm (cf. Psalm 22:25). It should also be true of us, that we should “not refrain our lips” (Psalm 40:9) from telling forth the LORD’s goodness (Psalm 40:10).
D). A BODY PREPARED.
Hebrews 10:4-10.
The epitaph of the Old Testament sacrificial system is: “it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins” (Hebrews 10:4; see also Hebrews 10:6; Hebrews 10:8). Now it was time to move on to new and better things (cf. Hebrews 7:19; Hebrews 8:6; Hebrews 8:13; Hebrews 11:39-40). The “fullness of time” had come (cf. Galatians 4:4-5), and the Son of God was waiting in the wings to fulfil all that the sacrifices had represented.
The answer to this deficiency came out from the borders of heaven (Hebrews 10:5). With the words of Psalm 40:6-8 upon His lips, Jesus was already on His way. He was heard announcing the incarnation: “a body You have prepared for me … Lo, I come” (Hebrews 10:5; Hebrews 10:7).
It is by ‘the body of Christ’ that we become ‘dead to the law’ (cf. Romans 7:4). ‘The Word became flesh’ (cf. John 1:14). Mary’s child, Jesus, was also known as ‘God with us’ (cf. Matthew 1:23).
Jesus also said, “In the volume of the book it is written of me” (Hebrews 10:7). His name is, in effect, the heading of the scroll. After the resurrection, Jesus opened up the Scriptures to show His disciples ‘the things concerning Himself’ (cf. Luke 24:27; Luke 24:44-45).
He added, “Lo, I come to do Your will, O God” (Hebrews 10:9). Jesus taught us to pray, ‘Thy will be done’ (cf. Matthew 6:10) - yet it was also His prayer. He echoed this in the Garden of Gethsemane: ‘not my will, but Yours be done’ (Luke 22:42).
The Lord takes away the Old Testament to establish the New, “by the body of Jesus Christ” (Hebrews 10:9-10). The incarnation had its foundation in the love of God (cf. John 3:16). It was the beginning of the Lord’s own self-sacrifice, which would lead all the way to Calvary (cf. Philippians 2:6-8).
John the Baptist recognised Jesus as ‘the Lamb of God, that takes away the sin of the world’ (cf. John 1:29). John the Evangelist writes that ‘He was manifested to take away our sins’ (1 John 3:5). It is by this outworking of God’s will that we are saved and sanctified: the “body of Jesus Christ” is the bridge between heaven and earth. (Hebrews 10:10).
E). ANNUNCIATION OF THE LORD.
Luke 1:26-38.
The angel Gabriel appeared to Mary, “a virgin espoused to man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David” (Luke 1:27). Gabriel hailed Mary as “highly favoured, the LORD is with thee: blessed art thou among women” (Luke 1:28). Mary was troubled at this saying: What manner of salutation might this be? she wandered (Luke 1:29).
Mary was again told by the angel, "You have found favour with God" (Luke 1:30). Mary would have a Son and name Him “Jesus.” Her Son would be called “the Son of the Highest,” and was destined to reign over the house of Jacob forever; “and of His kingdom there shall be no end” (Luke 1:31-33)!
Mary enquired, "How can this possibly be since I am a virgin?" (Luke 1:34). How was God going to accomplish this thing? These were not words of unbelief, but of wonder and praise. We must be careful how we respond to the gospel. An honest questioning like that of Mary is acceptable, but unreasonable doubt prevents us from entering into the fullness of God’s blessing.
Gabriel informed Mary of God’s blessing upon Elizabeth with the reassurance that, “With God nothing shall be impossible” (Luke 1:36-37). Many years later, Jesus told his disciples, ‘The things which are impossible with men are possible with God’ (cf. Luke 18:27). This is a great encouragement for all who address their prayers to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Concerning faith, Jesus also taught, ‘nothing shall be impossible to you’ (cf. Matthew 17:20).
The Virgin Mary submitted herself to the will of God and responded, "Behold the maidservant of the Lord. Let it be according to your word" (Luke 1:38). We too must believe the Word of God, and submit ourselves to the true and living God through His Son Jesus Christ.
