As I begin the second of the two segments I leave the personal and
turn to the theological; (which ultimately impacts all of us
personally).
It is interesting that as a formal mentor I am
currently covering a segment with my interns related to The Lord’s
Prayer. Of course, this most famous of all prayers begins with the two
words, “Our Father.”
Two words which characterize two living entities
who have developed a relationship.
Man
&
God
In the Sistine Chapel we see a representation of Adam and the Creator
of the Universe. The artist, Michelangelo, has them reaching out to one
another, and almost touching fingertips.
Of course, the implication may be twofold.
The relationship they enjoyed prior to the fall of mankind, at which
point our original parents were cast out of the Garden of Eden
(and)
the renewed, restored relationship which was re-established with the sacrificial death of our Lord Jesus Christ.
In my teaching I go on to describe how that after Adam’s transgression
the role of our Father in heaven remained the same as it had ever been,
but the relationship changed for a season. And with the change in
relationship came a change in God’s outward demeanor towards His people.
Matthew Henry speaks to Ezekial Chapter One in this manner:
"It is a mercy to have the word of God brought to us, and a duty to
attend to it diligently, when we are in affliction. The voice of God
came in the fullness of light and power, by the Holy Spirit. These
visions seem to have been sent to possess the prophet's mind with great
and high thoughts of God. To strike terror upon sinners. To speak
comfort to those that feared God, and humbled themselves. In verses
4-14, is the first part of the vision, which represents God as attended
and served by a vast company of angels, who are all his messengers, his
ministers, doing his commandments.
This vision would impress the
mind with solemn awe and fear of the Divine displeasure, yet raise
expectations of blessings. The fire is surrounded with a glory. Though
we cannot by searching find out God to perfection, yet we see the
brightness round about it. The likeness of the living creatures came out
of the midst of the fire; angels derive their being and power from God.
They have the understanding of a man, and far more. A lion excels in
strength and boldness. An ox excels in diligence and patience, and
unwearied discharge of the work he has to do. An eagle excels in
quickness and piercing sight, and in soaring high; and the angels, who
excel man in all these respects, put on these appearances."
(Matthew Henry’s Exposition of the Old & New Testaments)
“To strike terror upon sinners” (and) a “vision (which) would impress
the mind with solemn awe and fear of the Divine displeasure…”
God, who had in the Book of Genesis, walked and talked with our first
parents in the Garden metamorphosed into something unfamiliar and
fearsome. His former attributes of Love, Compassion and Concern gave way
to apparent Fearsomeness, Aloofness and seeming Partiality.
His angels
are characterized as creatures whom we would all rather avoid meeting
in a dark alley. And if His angels are, as Ezekial, (and my son)
described them, what, after all, does this imply about the appearance
and nature of God, Himself? (At least, as we discover Him to be in the
Old Testament).
He is the fearsome YHWH of Mount Sinai. Thunder
and Lightning and Shaking. The mountain which if so much as an animal
tread upon it, it ‘must be stoned to death.’ The Creator who lived among the people, but who hung a thick curtain between Himself and themselves; signifying His limited access.The vengeful Jehovah of the
fourth book of the Pentateuch; in which those who grumbled against
Moses and offered unholy fire were swallowed up by an earthquake. The
pre-incarnate Messiah, who came in the form of a fighter, and wrestled
with Jacob; giving him the ‘gift’ of an untreatable, permanent limp. The
omnipotent Adonai who lashed out against the man, who with good
intentions, attempted to steady the ark as its bearers stumbled, and
who, for all his trouble, was struck down for his good deed.
The
Eternal Creator who made and filled up the entire Universe and who, for
a season, separated Himself from His creation. Yet, in the fullness of
time, He partook of his own unique experience, and limiting Himself
clothed Himself with flesh. And, as the result of the sacrificial death
of our Savior, drew nigh unto us. That great curtain of the second
temple, reminiscent of the original Holy of Holies, was rent in twain at
the moment our Lord uttered those life-giving words,
“It is finished.”
Thus we have been given the inestimable privilege of saying, “Our
Father” and we have been invited to “Come boldly to the throne of
grace;” having been assured that He has been, and continues to be
“touched by the feelings of our infirmities.”
Though the Godhead
remains inestimably holy, altogether awesome, and worthy of our
adoration, no longer is the emphasis on the fearsome creatures of
Ezekial Chapter One, the vengeful Jehovah God who created them, and the
weight of Divine displeasure.
But we see Jesus.
The One who loved us and gave Himself for us.
“Let us come boldly to the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy and grace to help in the time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16)
*Note: To be sure, in terms of God's dealings with and relationship with man in the Old Testament there were plenty of exceptions to the rule. I understand He did not always manifest Himself in the manner I have described. But in terms of the Old Covenant dispensation, it was common for the Hebrews to think of and relate to Him in something less than an "Our Father" role, the relationship was often strained, and mankind served God more out of fear and compulsion than any other emotion.
By William McDonald, PhD. From (Mc)Donald's Daily Diary. Vol. 43. Copyright pending
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